I am looking to buy a new Mini, possibly an MCS w the JCW package. The question tormenting me at the moment of course....Should I go ahead and get an 06 or wait for one of these new 07? What if I get an 06 and then when the 07's come out I read about how much they've improved here and there and how much better they are than the previous gen? Or will this even be the case? Decisions, decisions....what do you guys think?:impatient

 

There is not much information about the 2007, so there is no way to say for sure if it will be a better car.

The reasons I just ordered a 2006:

I don't like the new front end on the 2007.
I prefer the supercharger vs the new turbo
The 2007 will be a 1st year model, with all the teething problems. The 2006 has all the kinks worked out already.
If the 2007 is as good as everyone says, then there will probably be high demand and probably big markups.
And why wait? Get a Mini now and drive it. If you have to, trade in for a 2007. Minis hold their value well.

 

Based on what we've been hearing the JCW package won't be immediately available for the 2007 MINI. As I recall the JCW package didn't show up until 9 months or so after the MCS first started selling in 2002. I wouldn't be surprised to see a similar thing happen again. Gabe has also commented on this on MotoringFile.

 

With the 2006 you are getting the culmination of trial and error, research and development, opinion and implementation. With the 2007 you are getting the very beginning of the whole process. Many shoot for the new cars in their first production year just because they are that, new. It's nice to have the latest and greatest. If that is your focus, get the 2007.

Also, if you want the JCW on the 2007, there's always the chance that you'd have to wait even longer for it since it might not be available right away.

I'd go with the 2006.

mb

 

I have seen the pix on Gabe's site and the 2007 is not as hideous as what they show us on the concept car. Sure the turn signals will be combined with the headlights and the grill is now one piece and not in the bumper.

But this is an entirely new model comming out. It will take time to work out the bugs. And no JCW initially.

If you want a JCW MINI why not go to your dealer and put some money down on the 2006 MINI Cooper JCW GP edition. 230 HP, more than standard JCW. But those hideous 4 spoke rims. I could live with them if the wheels were always in motion... Then there is the issue of the molding stopping at the front bumper...

 

Ever hear the old story about the guy who wanted a new TV? His old 15" b&w was dying but he heard 19" was coming out. When they arrived he heard about the upcoming latest thing ... color.

Once color came out he heard that the new 25" color consoles would be on the market soon. Decisions, decisions. Before he knew it, there were 35" color tubes ... WOW. But some new-fangled HUGE back projection tvs, 60" came out. He coudn't wait! But alas, then he heard about PLASMA and HDTV! They were a bit more than that 19" b&w he was going to get but then again, buy now he was about 70 years old and heard about the 1080p HDTVs in 50" back project LCD ... WOOT, he decides to wait.

A bit extreme maybe? MINI2 is predicting 2008 JCW Turbos first build in Summer, 2007. Heck, thats only 18 months! besides, by then Mini tuners will have cranked that Turbo motor up to 260 - 280hp ... why settle for 220?

 

im in the same position of debating to get an 06 or 07 if all goes well with my job but thats another different story. Im personally deciding to get an 06 and enjoy the hell out of a car. the 1st year modle of cars are always exciting cause their brand new but they do always have kinks and the next year always has tons of little cool featers that the 1st year didnt have.

plus, your not going to find any real performance parts for that or anything for that matter till sometime

 

I was wondering the same things when thinking of buying my MCS. A couple of things pushed me off of the fence & into the drivers seat of my 2006 MCS. One was the turbo charged engine, one was what the new car would look like & the other was concerns about first year reliability....aka bugs. Now that more info is out there the looks don't bother me too much, but my other issues with the 2007 remain. I'm loving the heck out of my 2006.

Chuck

 

What is the GP edition?
How much more is it?

 

Get the 07. The 07 engine makes the 06 engine look like 1906! http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/...ange_in_detail

 

It's been said here many times, the last model year will normally give you a much less buggy car than a first year model. Plus, as far as the MINI is concerned, the next generation is just missing something in the looks department. Looks more bullfrog than bulldog.

 

Dont forget... there is always the option to do a 2 year lease on an 06... then get a new 08! less bugs, more options and im sure there will be a JCW option by then