Hello all! I've been browsing around these boards for about a month or two now, and it made researching for a new car VERY easy and informative. Thanks to this place, I know to look for the mushrooming shock mounts, and the rust issues. The biggest problem I've faced is finding a color combo I like.

Anyway... I think I may have finally found my first MCS. I just wanted to get some quick feedback from the experts.

It's an 03 MCS 6-speed w/ 50,xxx miles. Red exterior and black/gray cloth interior. It has the dual sunroofs, Cruise Control, etc. As far as I can tell, it has the Premium package, and Sport package. No Cold Weather or Leather unfortunately, which right now is the biggest show stopper for me.

It's selling for $13,000 which seems priced right. And, the dealer is helping me get out of my current 03 Corolla S. It drove great and seemed very solid. This is the third MCS that I test drove over the course of searching, and it felt no different from the other two.

Please take a moment to look at the following links to the car. Any feedback that you can provide that a newbie might not be aware of would be GREATLY appreciated.

Cars.com

eBay

(I hope posting links like this is OK. If not, let me know)

THANKS!

 

from the pictures, it looks like its in great condition and has low miles. Its clearly out of warranty i would think and if you've taken it to a trustworthy and reliable mechanic and they sign off on it, looks like you have a winner. Don't know if you can call a nearby dealer and find out the service history but that may help too.

 

Looks like a good car. Get a mechanic to look it over, check the control arm bushings and the usual things.

 

Call a MINI Dealer with the VIN and see if any records show up. CarFax would be good too. at 50K the brakes may have just been done or will need to be done with 10K. Same with the S-Belt. Might see if a local MINI owner would also go look at it with you, I've done that for more then a few here in Chicago area.

 

13K is pretty low. Seems suspicious to me...

 

Definitely take it to an independent mechanic and such to check it out. The price does seem a bit low. KBB has it around that price for a FAIR condition private party value. (I would hope its not in "Fair" condition!) Here's hoping that there's no problems with it and the dealer just doesn't realize what he's got!