I'm with ya. I wanted black, or silver or some combination of the two. Keep it simple. You can still make it your own without doing a bunch of bright crazy colors.

I couldn't have done a yellow, red, white or blue one.

Thanks, yeah I'm excited to find the right one.

Just wanted to chime in and say to the OP, thank you for making this thread. I'm currently in the same boat as I just crashed my Audi B6 avant and have been informed it is totaled (3 cars jammed on their brakes as someone jetted out into the lane of traffic and I was the last in line and the one who couldn't stop in time it wasn't that hard of a hit but I went under the cars bumper and the grill/radiator went into the engine and did some damage... doh!).

Anyways, I do enjoy my wife's 09 Clubman and am actually driving an '11 Cooper as my rental, I'm seriously considering an older MCS as I have seen a few at local dealers in the $11-$14k range with 50k miles or so. My one requirement is a manual transmission so I'm hoping I can find something nice. This thread did address some concerns I had since I'm not as familiar with Mini's as I am with VW/Audi's but after reading this I do feel a lot more confident that I'd be just fine with a Mini since I'd be able to do handle most of the common issues myself.

My MCS is Liquid Yellow w/ Black CF stripes. I've never had anyone ask if it's my wife's car. I actually get many compliments on the way it looks. The only grief I get is from my wife, she kiddingly call is my "Clown Car". Because it's small she says say she expects to see a bunch of clowns piling out of it.

If it's a fact that you care about your friends' opinions of your car, then I'd talk to them before you buy anything. Get them to write down not just what color you should get, but any other preferences, like make, model, and options. It would be a shame to go and buy the right color but to get something else wrong because you didn't ask. Buying a car that keeps you, your wife, and all your friends happy means you have to do your homework, and get a lot of input before you make any decisions.

Also! You know those guys who always, always, always say "Oh, I could have found you that for less money," AFTER you buy anything? I hate that. If you know any of those guys, make sure you call them up before making an offer on a car. Tell them what you're buying and for how much. That should shut them up.

I told all my friends I wanted a MINI... they all gave me the look a dog gives when he is confused... The head tilt and the eyebrow squint... Then I bought it, took each one that doubted me for a ride, and they all left the car with a smile on their face.

Well said.
driving a mini says i like what i like....be an individualist.
buying a MINI is like buying any used car....but many more option combinations on mini's...and many more cars that have been driven hard, some abused, and many yhat have been matained by folks that just don't have the expertise and experance to do so.
Find a car that is either unmolested, with a good history, or one owed by a mini lover who cared for their car and did not abuse it.....
How often do we see threads of folks saying the red "add oil light came on" then the motor blew up....whoops that was low pressure ...they were 4+quarts low....
the list goes on....many from folks that got a mini cause it was cute...
but the reality is many mini's need a bit of tinkering....check the oil...coolant, etc....they are not mantance free.

Wow, you folk get a little touchy around here don't ya? The friend comment was mostly a joke, they all think I'm crazy for even thinking about a MINI but I really could care less.

Dennis, your post was so full of condescension I'll choose not to address it other than stating that we all have our reasons for wanting a MINI, I won't criticize your personal taste I'd appreciate just a fraction of the same respect in return.

Let me reiterate once again, I don't want a "cute" car. I understand the MINI inherently has an undeniable cute factor, but darker colors suit me. I actually think it's kind of funny that you all probably picture me as some dude bro that wants to flash his bravado with his homies or something of that sort... quite the opposite but I'll let your imaginations run wild.

When it comes to colors for the Mini, I think of M&Ms.

I think of jelly beans. In fact, I call all little hatchbacks jelly bean cars. Have for years. Never expected to actually own one.

My wife calls the MINI a "Lunch Box"

Like others have said, just keep looking for the right one at the right price. I searched for months and months before I found a mini that was a good deal for the money. I ended up going with a higher-mileage mini (80,000) that was owned by an older lady. I didn't mine the mileage because it was so well take care of, and it had the JCW performance package on it...which apparently she through had something to do with the interior colors

I picked mine up for $8500....and I've been 100% happy with it. Not sure why anyone would go out and spend $14,000 on a used mini where there are so many others out there for better deal.

Keep looking...you will find one

An Abarth?? Try again. They don't get here until March at the earliest. You saw her in a 500.

Whatev.

It was adorable seeing a lady who was 70 if she was a day in a car with racing stripes for its racing stripes and gaudy wheels and a some kind of faux air scoop.

Same thing happened to me.

The post moderation sucks... See above for my response. Thanks to all that have had constructive feedback.

Lol....
one thing you will learn....mini drivers are like their cars....not 100% serious, and a bit playful. Sounds like you might be a bit too strightlaced to enjoy a mini!! Sorry, i call tham as i see them!!!

Don't flatter yourself... Being "strightlaced" has nothing to do with car ownership. Now if my mini would be a condescending a$$hat on a daily basis, you might have a point.

Looking at the cars you've owned, it probably wouldn't be a burden if you just go lease/buy a new Mini and not worry for the next 3-4 years. Get the JCW package if you're looking for better performance.

Mini owners tend to take the long route home; they wander about and get off track for all the right reasons or no reason.... we roll the same way on NAM.

Take it or leave it... you DO have a choice.

Very true, I think I'll step back to a lurker once again. The MINI is the car for me, but maybe the majority of drivers (or at least on this forum) aren't my cup of tea. I tend to not define myself by the car I drive, but I guess that's the MINI way round here.

[Another option would be a CPO at the dealer.

It will be a few grand cheaper and the warranty is for an extended

I chose the MINI based upon the way it drove and handled and has decent room in the back for my kids.

Next on my "bucket List" is a Lotus Elise...

What I find funny is that you're a new member who joined to learn more before making such a big purchase and people want to judge and jump down your throat because it goes against the general consensus of the board.

"You don't get the MINI lifestyle maaaaaaaaaaaaan....."

IMHO you can do better if you don't mind NOT getting an S model. I found my '07 MC with less than 30K for just under $15K.

My non-S model (the "justaCooper" model haha) is still blindingly fun to drive, especially in sport mode, gets 29mpg in town, and I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.

The non-S justaCooper might have fewer reliability issues, too, being simpler (and newer, for the same $) since that seems to be a big concern for you based on your post.

I can't say if it's the car for you, though. You like Bimmers so I suspect you would dig the MINI.

Good luck to you, whatever road you drive down!

Great post

Here are a few low mileage ones in your area withint the price range.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...=1327098993611