I'm currently in the process of buying a MINI and I've had my eyes on a Manual but have never owned a Manual before, am I crazy if I buy a Manual?

I'm looking at a Blue Metallic 2004 Cooper S with the sportspackage.
Couple dings, scratches on back bumper, pulls to the Left alittle, front bumper was painted from prior damage, a minor scratch on the leather door panel and maybe a 2,000k tread left on the front tires.

One owner, 36k miles, Harmon Kardon, sun and moon roof, 6 speed.....and well you get the point.

My question is, how much do you think would be a reasonable negotation price for this MINI starting at $19,500.00?

Please Help your advise if greatly apperciated.

 

My personal opinion would be to search for another car. I once bought a car with a "couple dings" here and there and a tiny spot of rust, I said "meh, whatever it's nothing" but it drove me mad for 2 years and it only got worse from there! But other than that see if you can get them to knock a thousand or so off the price.

 

Yeah, doesn't sound like that car was maintained by a MINI enthusiast. Plenty of them out there that have been. Look some more, IMO.

 

A car with front end damage and pulls to the left? If it's not just torque steer ( and as I recall torque steer in this car pulls to the right?), it could be the damage that is causing the pull and may be hard to impossible to correct.

 

I had never owned a car with a manual transmission when I bought my MINI and I love it!

 

I agree, there are lots out there, you should be able to find a well maintained one with no issues. The ones you mentioned could be expensive and chances are it is being sold because it is just past the warranty mileage.

As far as driving a manual shift, go for it, you will find out why we love it in no time. Practice a little in a big parking lot first. Practice starting and stopping in first gear and practice transitioning to second gear around 3-4K RPMS. The gears above this are really easy once you get 1st and second down.

 

I can't help you with advice on this specific car. But as for selecting a manual transmission... I wouldn't have it any other way. I've driven an MCSa, and there was nothing wrong with it. I've driven an E46 M3 with SMG, and there was nothing wrong with it. I just prefer the feeling of involvement derived from manually shifting. The experience is more rewarding to me.

That said, I have heard from many others that the auto is much easier to live with if you face a lot of stop & go traffic. They're right. The manual is still my preference.

If you find the right deal on a manual, you can try if for a while. If you don't like it, sell it and get an automatic.

 

Whether you get this MCS, or another MCS, GET THE MANUAL. That just ups the fun level that much more...

If you don't know how to drive a manual yet, see if someone will teach you on their PISO. haha

 

Thank you every one for your advice, it's much appreciated.

 

I remember when i was in the process of getting my MCS i test drove an automatic just to see how it felt, and i was dissapointed on how the "fun" level wasnt there compared to the manual.........go manual! you'll see why!

 

I believe that you should look for a MINI somewhere else. If its front bumper was repainted and it pulls to the left, it seems to me that that MINI was involved in a serious front collision.

 

Don't buy it. There's enough evidence to suspect that this car has been in a front end collision. At the very least, one of the shock towers has mushroomed. Carfax checks don't tell you a lot of what has happened to a car.