So here is my deal. I drive 2k-3k per month for work. I presently drive a 2013 Prius C for mileage reasons. It is very boring and not great in the winter, but I get paid $0.54 a mile and I average 50mpg. I've loved Mini's since day one (I fought with my wife to name my son Cooper 12 years ago), since when she got pregnant I decided not to buy one. Then I worked for ECS for a couple years a few years ago which really got the itch going again. Anyways, one local dealer has a 2012 S All4 with 22k (8/12 build date), another has 2013 with 43k (11/12 build date), both want a little over $14k. I am so tempted but I don't want issues, and reading the forums it seems very hit and miss, also pre 11/12 possible clutch issues. Thoughts? My other thought is buy snow tires for the Prius and buy an older regular S to play with. But I am in my car so much I would love to be in something I love driving everyday.

 

I would recommend going one of two routes. Either buy a fun Cooper S and keep the Prius on daily duty, or buy as new of a Countryman you can afford to serve both purposes.

I can appreciate your situation, I drive around 20-25k per year for work, and get paid mileage and currently drive a 2015 VW Passat TDI SEL. I enjoy the car, but I'm here researching the MINI's as I've always admired them and think they're fun cars. As most people have already heard, VW is buying the cars back, and that is the route I plan to go as it makes the most financial sense. So my plan is to write a check for a ~13MY Countryman S All4, drive it for about a year and see how we get along. If I like it, I will look again for a newer Countryman S or a gently used 2016-17 Clubman S as I like having 4 doors.

For a strictly fun car, I'd get a JCW 2 door Hardtop and drive it like I stole it.

Personally, I think I'd recommend buying the older Cooper S and keep driving the Prius. The time you spend in the boring car will only enhance the time you spend in the MINI. If the MINI needs to go in the shop or wait until you can fix it, no big deal. You have your second car to drive to work and get around. If I had a third car garage stall, I'd consider going the "third car" route but that is not in the cards at this time for me.

Best of luck in your search and decision making process.

 

Presently the third car option is in limbo for myself also. I am hoping to build a pole barn this spring but that may burn up slot of the fun car money. Decisions.

 

My co-pilot bought a new CM last year mainly for t/f work (about the same mileage allowance as yours) and loves it. We've put over 80K on our '06 R52 over fabulous road trips and MINI rallies so she is well versed in the sport side of MINI motoring too. I agree with mk05 on finding one as new as possible.
One thing to keep in mind about the marque. They are not Japanese drive 'em and forget 'em appliances. They need continuous oversight and regular service. I check all checkables on both cars each week and take them in for oil/filter, rotate tires and a 'turn your head and cough' inspection every 5K regardless.
BTW, just last Nov. she made a 700 mile trip in her CM to visit her sister, her first cross country in it. She made the trip in one day with no fatigue. She was amazed at the comfort level.