I just saw 2003 MC S for sale for $12k with 70k miles on it. Clean carfax.
I have a 2002 just a cooper with 78k miles that I bought for $10k. I have 3k of it paid off. Monthly payment is 179. If I can trade the 02 for the 03, should I? I know some of this decision relies on preference. But If I can trade the 2002 in for the 10k I bought it for and get the 2003 my payment would only be 186 a month.
Just don't know If I feel like dealing the hassel. Wonder how much more car insurance would be with the S over the base?
Both are manual trans. by the way.

Any opinions or things to consider?

 

The insurance with my MCS is about $600 every 6 months. That's lumped in with my renter's insurance as well. I am not 25 yet. Personally, I would go into it like I'm buying a new car. Is the MCS a car you will enjoy driving? Do you like runflat tires and not having a spare? Do you want to deal with the mystery of a new car? I mean, the price seems pretty good, and at $186 a month you are getting out for cheap in my opinion. I do think you'll be happy with the performance boost though. It's intoxicating

 

Yes, it is very tempting. K, but do you have full coverage on the MINI? If so, you are getting a good deal. I'm paying about 636 every 6 months/106.44 monthly for full coverage and mine isn't an S. Yeah, I'm only 22.

The MCS is solid green. Not my favorite. I much prefer my color : black&white.

I bet it is...lol.

I just don't know...

 

That sounds tempting, but i would bet you can get one cheaper. I just bought my gf's 02 MCS loaded with 75k for 9 (private). There is an 03 with 62k near us for 10,8. When we started looking, we drove both the MC and MCS, the MCS is a much more fun car to drive!

 

I hate to break the bad news to you...but I only pay 485.00 a year for full coverage on an MCS. It helps to be a bit older than the 20-something you guys are, and have no tickets (at least in the last 3 years).
As far as the MCS vs. the MC go...we all know the S is a kick to drive, and has a higher resale. There is however maintenance issues in the earlier models that you must be aware of. Many have problems with the waterpump gear side of the superchargers going dry. You catch it early and you only have a repair bill of several hundred to a couple grand. You dont catch it...could cost you a head or worse a motor. (Many threads on this). There is also the power steering pump being on the same harness as the fan. Could lead to a simple wire melt down up to an engine fire. Also I am not lead footed (not terrible anyway), and the most I have ever gotten out of a set of tires is 26,000 miles. I would research it a bit, drive the MC and MCS back to back, have the car seriously checked out and shop around. I am with rose0529...you can probably find a better deal out there.

 

A few weeks ago, I got my '06 MC. She had 49,500 miles and I got her for $13K. Hope this helps

 

Sounds about right. I bought my 03 MCS for $11,000 plus tax a few months ago. I am 22 and my insurance is 642 for every 6 months through progressive.

I test drove an MC, and honestly the MCS is a completely different car. The MC is a great little car -- good handling, good mileage, and cheap. But the MCS feels MUCH more powerful. If I were you I would do it. I know it's a headache, but it couldn't take more than a day or two to sort out.