Another 'vs' question for you all. And I read every answer from my previous post and appreciate the insight.

So I went 'buying' today and probably should have just put blinders on, gone to the dealer and bought a new car.:impatient As I had to travel way north to dealers way out of my area who had the cars in stock, I took advantage and saw a pre-owned one the original owner was selling

The used car was georgeous and fully equipped for an '04. In as good of condition as one could expect for it's age too.
DS/DS, SP, Premium, HK, Leather and a few other dealer installed goodies. 18k was on the speedo with 2 full years under warrenty. It's cost is at least 3,200 below what I consider the minimum car I would consider actually buying (and that is basically not a well optioned one but in the budget), so the savings is real.

I consider this used one a good value for the money too. But so is a new one and I should have just plain stopped looking at this point and if this wasn't a Sunday would have just gone to the bank and bought it. But there is an 'o6 with comparable equipment AND LSD. Of course it will cost quite a bit more, like 6 or 7k by the time I'm out the door with it.

Still, it's do-able. BUT (there always is one huh!) comparing the two years, is it really worth it just to have the model change that I know Mini has done in '05 by buying an '06 new, even if that means not getting all the nce options the used '04 has to offer?

I see lots of you have had both years so hope to again draw from your experience.

Thanks so much!

 

The single real difference is in the manual in gearing. so 05s/06s accelerate a little quicker. other than that its cosmetic or something you won't feel.

Cars are a personal choice. If you like the luxaries then go for the luxaries. Many people here are into the performance so their advice will be go for the later year car. Only you can know what you really want.

 

When you get the '06 home it's a used car too and you'll owe 6-7K more for it."Like new" used cars are a great financial move.

 

As said the #1 difference (which came in for the '05s) is the improved gearing on the MCS - on the MC it's actually a different gearbox manufacturer!

After that - the '04 has a smaller rearview mirror and a clock above; for '05 and later the clock has gone (well, there is a tiny one in the speedometer instead of a trip meter if you wish) and the rearview mirror got fatter.
The '05+ has a new design of Xenon headlights - but the older design worked fine.

Year by year there are improvements - less rattles, that sort of thing. But the '04 presumably had any initial quality issues sorted by the previous owner, while the '06 will be sorted by you!

One last important thought: Are there any mods on the '04? If so, what do you think about them - do you think they might give you cause for "discussion" with a dealership if you ever need something fixed?

 

As an owner of both, I can say the differences are more than were advertised. Everyone will tell you about the different gearing, the clock has moved, LSD is available, there are more interior lights, windshield wiper fluid low light, storage trays, headlight redisgn and a few other things. As much as I absolutely adored my 04, the 06 really does feel like a better car. It drives better, handles better, smoother feeling in handling and suspension. I almost feel guilty for thinking this car is so much better. It's a much more solid feeling car and I really love it. It really does drive like a different car.... and I'm a performance driver, not just a commuter. My 04 had the well known "stumble" too, I do not miss that at all.

From the outside, you can barely tell the difference between my two cars... but from the drivers seat, its a whole different ballgame.

I also can say that ordering your MINI is a great thing. I didn't get to do that with my 04 because my previous car was totalled and I had to get it fast. I was actually planning on ordering one already when my car was wrecked. I feel like my 06 is mine.... everything is exactly what I wanted. The 04 was close, but this one takes the cake.

 

[quote=s4gerri]. But there is an 'o6 with comparable equipment AND LSD.

When I test drove an '04 and an '05 MCS on the same afternoon, I noticed a definite difference in acceleraton. Since you're getting an S and you mention the LSD it sounds like you want to have some fun on the road out there.

Go with the '06...you won't be sorry

hs

 

There are no mods at all on this car. That actually is something I liked most about the car as it is used, but not modded. I actually never considered a 'used' MCS because of concerns about the previous owners driving habits and/or modifications. As this isn't modded at all and is set up more for a cruiser, its attractive 4 me.

And with some of the savings I could have lots of fun with a few mods!

 

Interesting.
If you get an '05 / '06 you get better gear ratios to improve your off-the-line acceleration. When I test drove an '05, it compared favourably off-the-line with my JCW-upgraded '03.

But as you say, if you aren't worried about aftermarket mods affecting your warranty, you can put some significant upgrades into the car and get the performance up - and while the gear ratios change helps off-the-line, it does not help when doing highway speeds and needing to accelerate.

Seems to me you have made your decision now

 

Hmmm, that's a tough one. I had the same dilemma and ended up with an '04 with ALL the goodies, much more than I would have paid for on a new car - and I love each and every one. Note that my history is to buy a loaded used car vs. a lesser equipped new one.

My personal favorites are the color (IB) and the awesome perforated leather thumb bump steering wheel. The Nav (and shark fin) ain't bad either.

I admit, though, I do periodically think about the lower gearing. The LSD hasn't come into play except on the track. I also like the tail lights and headlights of the '04 better.

If you're not buying the car outright, the '04 is the better financial choice. Less $, quicker payoff, less sales tax and registration.
You win either way.

 

Except in CA! Used '04 and '05 models in my area are still selling for $23-28k with sport and premium out here. Don't get wrong - they do drop in value, but not nearly as much as most cars these days.

 

How much was the 04 selling for?

 

Go for the 2006.

The LSD is worth it. I feel it working a lot in my 2005 and it's great not to be spinning that inside tire all the time.

I had test driven both 04s (pre gearing change), and 05s with the new gearing...the difference is real and the change is for the better.

And now after 11,300 miles...I have been fortunate to not experience any lasting problems with my MCS....I say lasting as the things I did experience...some crackling and buzzing noises had come and now are gone....I think this is a testament to the progression of the product in its lifecycle...with an 06, you are getting all the benefit from the bug-reducing years.

Good luck.

 

The 'out the door' including taxes and dealer fees is:
2004 - $22,486
2006 - $29,253 (comparably equipped and in-stock)

Difference is $6,767 - 30% More

To be frank, the longest I've owned a car has been 4 years, a '93 S-4 which was a hoot to drive. I'm leaning towards the 2004 for that reason - I've been suffering from C.A.S.S. (Compulsive Auto Swapping Syndrome) for years. If it is all the fun I think it will be, I can always pony up later for a JCW (which seems THE Mini to own) without losing much.

No doubt it seems the '05-'06 models to be a vast improvement but as I did drive an '04 MCS for 4 fun-filled days as a loaner two weeks ago, I know their a blast too. And... no matter the year it WILL be new to me!

Will let you all know how I make out. At this point, the only real mistake I think I could make is to NOT get a Mini.

 

Are you sure about that? It is my understanding that the opposite is true. Can someone who is technically savvy (maybe it's you!) contribute an explanation of how the gear changes help or do not help acceleration across the board.

I thought that shorter gear ratios would help acceleration all over and hurt top speed.

Thanks!

mb

 

Thats correct. In general, cars with a lower rear drive axle will have higher top speeds (given the same HP) but get there slower than cars with higher final drive ratios. Thats why old time drag racers in muscle cars bought 4.11 rear ends or higher numbers into the 5s than regular cars. They got down the quarter mile real quick but had slower top speeds.

 

I like NEW, you just can never tell how someone else drove and maintained it. Plus your resale possibilities are better. I like to change even synthetic oil every 2 to 3K, some folks follow the manuf. advice and leave it in for 10K or more, YIKES...

 

I can second everything that Jenn B said. I traded an '02 MCS on an '06 MCS and the differences are considerable. She summed it up very well.

 

I was a bit lazy in my description.
When I took a stock '05 for a test drive, in comparison with JCW equipped GBMINI#2, it was immediately obvious that off-the-line, the new car pulled as well as my one - the gear ratios allowed the lower powered engine to perform just as well.
But on the highway in 6th, putting my foot down in the '05 did not give the same pull as the JCW - here the extra power/torque of the JCW was able to pull the car quicker.
Of course, I could have slapped down a gear or two and got more performance in the '05, but I could have done that in the JCW '03 as well.

Hope that is clearer

 

You should have no trouble buying loaded 04s for $22k, don't feel rushed into that car.

I would say if you are going to drive the snot out of your Mini, get the 06. If you aren't, the 04 would make a great car for alot less money. If you need some extra power get a pulley.

I drive the snot out of our car, so we're replacing our 04 with an 06 for the LSD and gearing. I don't care for most of the cosmetic changes in 06, so we're doing it in spite of those. Personal taste there.

 

Friends, the deed is done and IBMOTORING! In the end, the '04 won out for a few reasons.

The car was about a clean and perfect as could be still having just under 18k on the speedo, two years of warrenty and one year of the maintenance. I do have what to me, anyway, is a new car! There is no stumbling or hesitation, it just runs like a beast so any anomalies experience by you all have been addressed or non-exsitent on this particular example.

I really felt these cars best new but was more then comfortable with the previous owner's demeanor. Garaged always and spotless too. As this is my first Mini, I have to say the main reasoning is just 'in case' I didn't like it after a while I wouldn't take a beating to get out of it. I've driven them before the purchase and think the car to be the most fun you can have driving, but I've loved cars before and after the glow wore off eaten some hard earned cash bailing out

I bought the car for 21k plus only the tax, which saved a bundle right there from not buying it from a dealer! By the time they are done, you always wind up paying much more on top of the no haggle pricing. It's well equipped with both packages plus leather interior. On top of that, the previous owner put in the Blue Tooth, Alarm, Ipod adapters along with tinting the windows - all things that would have added another $1,000 easily to the cost of a new one.

As far as not having the latest greatest model to date, I'll live. Both the rental I had for an extended time and this one were 2004's, so I've actually nothing to compare them too anyway. I 'buy' my cars and could pay cash for this another big plus. Leasing doesn't work for me - afraid to be in the 20th month of 36 and hate the car I'm driving.

So the 'plan' is to enjoy it. Its a hoot to drive and works flawlessly so far. If in another 6 months I'm still as thrilled driving around in it as I am now, who knows. I can sell it right (not losing much especailly compared to the hit on a new car) still offering warrenty with it later on. Then order a JCW, the only car I was real tempted to buy new this weeke after finding an available one with the Checkmate package on the showroom floor this week. I know you all that mod your cars can go just as fast for a lot less. But, the 32.8k price tag of that car was 1/2 of the cost of the M3 in the other room. A value IMHO.

Thanks again!

 

Congrats, sounds like you ar MOTORING, and ready to enjoy your new ride.