The PHOTOS show a great condition car but the low asking price is more indicative of what you'll get once you see it in person. The first thing I noticed pulling into the lot (it's parked right out front by the showroom) was the rear license plate falling off, hanging on with one screw. Upon closer inspection I noticed paint chips, not scratches, on the hood, front and rear bumpers. Lots of spider webbing on the black finish - pillars, roof, etc - as if the previous owner didn't know how to wash a car properly. The rubber trim was a bit faded. Paint was peeling around the passenger side foglamp. The interior was clean, aside from some scratches in the rear side panels, and a stain in the headliner near the rear moonroof. However, there was something wrong w/ the drivers seat - it had some give and moved about an inch back and forth. Obviously, with all these flaws I didn't bother driving it or looking under the hood. It definitely looked like a used car.

The PHOTOS depict a very clean car, and for the most part it is. The paint was very clean, no spider webbing on the pillars. A couple hairline scratches on the hardtop roof. There was minor curb rash on all four wheels. This one had the driving lamps which is a plus. The front under spoiler was detached from the mesh grill but appeared like it could be snapped back on easily. Also, there was a small chunk of plastic missing from it, which the salesman later said happened when he tapped a pole trying to park. I also noticed the paint was cracking underneath the clearcoat on the front bumper, probably from the same incident. He popped the hood for me and I immediately spotted a coolant leak. I assumed it was a faulty reservoir tank but it could've been a loose hose also. He said it would be fixed. The interior was immaculate. The leatherette seats looked brand new. However, there was some wear around the silver shifter ring and steering hub.

So I took it for a drive just for kicks. The responsiveness reminded me of my Corolla hatchback in city driving, only a lot smoother and with more power. I fell in love immediately. On the highway, the power was adequate but nothing compared to the MR2 Turbo I drove there. Still, it was nothing to sneeze at by far. I noticed a rattling noise coming from the dash. Apparently, these things are common w/ this car. The shifter had a nice broken in feel but still engaged into each gear w/ a confirming thump. Having a 6th gear sure was nice.

Upon return, we talked specifics. He showed me a Carfax citing a minor accident in 2007 and admitted the front bumper had been repainted, but that everything else was original. This pretty much killed the deal for me and the fact he was reluctant to budge from the $13.5 asking price made things worse. Negotiations ended there. If he were willing to go, say, $12k I may have taken it. But as it is, I am still Cooper-less.