>>As a 23 year old male I am paying 644 dollars every 6 months for comprehensive with a 1000$ deductable. Insurance companies don't know the difference between the two and if yours does find one that does. Mine looks at the car as a two door hatchback with a 1.6L engine. Not too much of a risk, seeing as how most cars that fit that description can't go over 90.


State Farm actually does verify whether you have a Cooper or Cooper S as these belong in two separate vehicle rating classifications.

I am 32, married and pay $1257 per year insurance with a $250 deductible on my '04 MCS. For the '02 Cooper CVT I pay $1174 a year also with a $250 deductible. State Farm just recently increased premiums for the MINI.

Also living in Miami doesn't help as we pay the highest insurance premiums in the nation.

 

>>You're going to work at Walmart just to make payments on a new car? What are you smoking? Buy a car for $1,000 and pay cash as soon as you've saved it. Insure it for liability only. Then go back to school until you have a degree that gets you a real job. Only then should you contemplate a new car. To do otherwise condemns you to mediocrity.


I agree 500% with this poster. I think you need to put your priorities in order and your education should be above and beyond tieing yourself up to a new car.

 

You can tell me im smoking something as long as you want to, but theres no doubt in my mind im getting a mini cooper. Ive been driving a crappy 1990 Isuzu pickup around long enough. I will work while im in college(like most people do), and when I get out I will be able to pay it off fast with no problem. My friend works at wal-mart more hours in the week than I will have to, making more money than i will have to, and hes doing fine in college. I know at times it may be tough and feel like its not wirth it, but I think having something that I feel was made specifically for my personality is definetly worth it. Sorry if I sounded a little defensive to anyone, just expressing myself. :smile:

 

I just noticed that you might have thought I was dropping out of college or something.........no way!............not what I meant lol!

 

I agree with some others here when they say don't get yourself strapped with a new car payment while you're in college. There's plenty of time for shiny new cars once you've got your degree and a good job.

I "suffered" through college with a crappy Mercury Tracer hatchback and hated every minute of it. Many people I knew were driving far sportier cars that Mommy and Daddy had bought for them or that they were making payments on. And I'll admit that at the time I was a bit jealous. But my crappy little car never let me down once and allowed me to concentrate on my studies rather than juggling a work schedule. The result was I was able to graduate college debt free (I was fortunate that my parents covered all the college costs). I did better in school because I wasn't worried about making a car payment and in the end it all paid off, because 3 months after I graduated I bought myself a brand spankin' new Daytona Violet 1995 M3 (with payments of course). God I loved that car and the day I picked it up was one of the sweetest in my life because it was all mine and I knew I could afford it.

Of course in college I wouldn't have wanted to hear any of this either, so if you absolutely insist on buying a new car, go with the Cooper with as few options as you possibly can stand. There's always time for a new MCS after you graduate.

 

I'd suggest wait until perhaps your junior/senior year (I know it's tough). I slugged
thru my first year car-less (sucked), then had a Pontiac Bonneville take me thru
end-of-Junior year. I got 99 Olds Intrigue (why, don't ask new when I got
an internship and a part/time campus job.

Wasn't too awesome at first, but graduating debt-free (besides car loan), felt
really good. Tho the folks did pay my tuition and car/health insurance, I was on my
own for everything else... As said in Fight Club: "The things you own end up owning you".

If you absolutely must, a slightly used MC 5 speed (minimal options) would be good. Go for 03 or newer... A few essential options I would highly suggest- fog lights, leather multi-function steering-wheel (adds cruise control + radio controls) and IF you want to splurge a bit more- the sunroof (it really is quite incredible). The MFSW and fogs also are pretty common options for resale. Sunroof helps, tho some folks don't want the huge hole in the roof + weight.

The MCS (I have a well equipped one), is sportier/faster (better transmission, better optioned up, sport suspension, trim)- but is harder on gas and insurance will also be a bit more...

 

I am 31, but have no insurance record (this is the first time I owned a car). With Geico it costs around $1200 every 6 months on the Cooper. The S was only going to be about $50 more. Both were cheaper than the ford focus or civic Si to insure.

I have an absolutely base spec mini, but with silver paint. It costs around $320 a month with $1000 down.

I only wish I had got cruise control. The regular stereo is fine.

The advantage of going new is you get 3 years free maintenance and a 50k miles warranty. My friend with an audi A4 is paying over $1K a year on maintainence.

 

I had a similar attitude when I was a college freshman... fortunately my girlfriend (now fiance) talked some sense into me and I stuck w/ my reliable old Honda all through school.

The problem is, and what I think everyone here is getting at, is that while that job at wal-mart might seem like a sure thing that will earn you a couple hundred bucks per week to pay for car+insruance, what happens when the fire you after a slow holiday season?

I know it seems unlikely, but the point everyone is making is that you shouldn't saddle yourself with $20k+ worth of debt when you don't have a steady, reliable, predictable income every single month.

I know it SUCKS to have an old POS; At my school (Georgia Tech) there were quite a few people who parked outside the dorms who had Mercedes/BMW/Porsche/Audi type of cars... I remember looking at my Honda every day and thinking "wow, that sucks".

However, now I've graduated (sort of) and have a full-time, salaried job. I can not only afford to buy a new Mini with ease, but since I have no debt from college I can ALSO afford a nice new apartment AND getting married in the not-to-distant future with plenty of breathing room to save for the future. If I'd had that car note and/or student loans hanging over my head I would have started at a huge disadvantage.

EDIT: P.S. - When buying insurance consider VERY carefully what your financing company requires. Mine, for example, requires a MAXIMUM of $500 deductible (I got $250 for my own personal reasons). I doubt your financing company will be too happy about a $1k deductible, and they'll also probably require gap insurance (which you may not have included in your quote). I would say, as a college freshman, expect to pay AT LEAST $150-$160 per month (cheapest I found as a 22 y/o male w/ squeeky clean record was $153 from Allstate) but most likely closer to $200. The difference between the MCS and MC as far as insurance goes I've found to be negligible in most cases ($100/six months from most companies I got quotes for).

 

Wow, you're getting more advice here than you asked for. But it is all well-meaning. I agree with those that advice against going into debt for a car while in your current situation. I am a college professor and I have students that work outside of class and those that don't. Those that work a lot at jobs outside class do not learn as well and do poorly in the end. They end up having difficulty getting jobs because of their poor grades and mediocre letters of recommendation. Perhaps you are unusual and can work hard and still do fine, but I must say the odds are against you. All the best to you though whatever you decide. (When I was in college, I had a crappy car too, but I just thought of some of my little heroes that drove crappy cars as well, like "Columbo" !)

 

>> >>
>>I had a similar attitude when I was a college freshman... fortunately my girlfriend (now fiance) talked some sense into me and I stuck w/ my reliable old Honda all through school.
>>
>>The problem is, and what I think everyone here is getting at, is that while that job at wal-mart might seem like a sure thing that will earn you a couple hundred bucks per week to pay for car+insruance, what happens when the fire you after a slow holiday season?
>>
>>I know it seems unlikely, but the point everyone is making is that you shouldn't saddle yourself with $20k+ worth of debt when you don't have a steady, reliable, predictable income every single month.
>>
>>I know it SUCKS to have an old POS; At my school (Georgia Tech) there were quite a few people who parked outside the dorms who had Mercedes/BMW/Porsche/Audi type of cars... I remember looking at my Honda every day and thinking "wow, that sucks".
>>
>>However, now I've graduated (sort of) and have a full-time, salaried job. I can not only afford to buy a new Mini with ease, but since I have no debt from college I can ALSO afford a nice new apartment AND getting married in the not-to-distant future with plenty of breathing room to save for the future. If I'd had that car note and/or student loans hanging over my head I would have started at a huge disadvantage.
>>
>>EDIT: P.S. - When buying insurance consider VERY carefully what your financing company requires. Mine, for example, requires a MAXIMUM of $500 deductible (I got $250 for my own personal reasons). I doubt your financing company will be too happy about a $1k deductible, and they'll also probably require gap insurance (which you may not have included in your quote). I would say, as a college freshman, expect to pay AT LEAST $150-$160 per month (cheapest I found as a 22 y/o male w/ squeeky clean record was $153 from Allstate) but most likely closer to $200. The difference between the MCS and MC as far as insurance goes I've found to be negligible in most cases ($100/six months from most companies I got quotes for).




Im pretty sure that if I run into some trouble, my parents can help me out as long as I promise to pay them back ASAP.

 

Ahh, but youth really IS wasted on the young, hehehe...

Age old dilemma, should I follow my head or my heart (or some other organ perhaps ) ???

It's pretty cool how the folks offerin' advice are not being "judgmental", huh. Seems like a pretty well-intentioned bunch to me. I like the quote in your sig, too by the way.

As far as gettin' a MINI, I'm of course ALL FOR IT - pick a cliche from the following list, in this case i subscribe to them all:

1) Let's Follow our heart
2) Let's Make our OWN "mistakes".
3) Let's Be in the moment
4) Let's get a LOVINGLY used one (i bet most ALL used MINIs are that), with some warranty still onnit.

C'mon folks, given the opportunity, let's live passionately,
Tatt

 

no doubt there's plenty of room for that too :smile:

hopefully he'll listen to you

 

HEHE wanna talk about crappy cars, my wife and I had pos's until a few months before we got married. She had an 82 honda civic bone stock until 5 years ago. That thing was smaller than the MINI! The car ran great, but was a boxy eyesore. I had an 89 GMC pickup until 5 months ago myself. That truck leaked from anywhere it could. I drove it around with no rear brakes for over a year because the truck still ran. The thing I'm trying to get at is there is alot more out there than a new car my friend. That's all I wanted when I was 18 too, but my Mom beat me 2 inches shorter before I listened to her and grew up to find out she was right. New cars don't get you laid. What am I saying, you won't be able to afford dates with that car payment. Get the MINI dude!!!!

 

I worked my way through college with help from my parents. I think you should get something cheaper, like a 5-10 year old Toyota or Honda.

If you must get a Mini, definately an MC for your situation. I drove the MC stick and MCS, and they have the same ride/drive characteristics, and yes the MCS is stiffer/faster/better. Definately not the HK option, I hate mine (it came with car package), that $500 could go a long way into better audio gear.

This is the first new car I have ever owned. It is painfull for me to make the payments, even with a good paying job in an engineering firm.


Cars can come and go. I would hate to see you work all the time to pay for a car and not get the full college experience. More about what you do and who you are than what you have.

 

For all of you who suggested that I not get a mini now, its too late.

 

do you even NEED a car? I went through my first 2 years of college never once needing to have a car. Its often that case that most 1st year students are required to live on campus, so whats the rush for buying a car?

I dont have a car this year but im on study abroad so thats normal. I am CONSIDERING a getting a MINI for my senior year but only because of the special circumstances of this particular situation:

I will be living at home with parents, about 15 miles from school so a car is necessary. there isnt even a bus that i could use if i wanted to. I have a scholarship so my tuition is something like -200$ per year. and I wont have any room and board costs. im looking into leasing vs, buying as well as a the options for new vs. old.

At this point, im not going to deal with a car that is unreliable. My old Volvo that I had during high school finally bit the dust. I will have to wait and see. dont rush into a decision like this, try to think it all through. Are you goign to be buying a car to drive to a job that provides nothing but money to afford said car? where are you going to park it? next to all of the beat up Hondas and Toyotas from last century? are you living on campus or do you NEED a car for commuting purposes?

really give it some thought. maybe even try a month or two (or semester) without a car and see if it really is that terrible.

Patrick

 

I guess I'm too late, then, I was going to suggest you go find an E30 BMW, like an '86 325es or something.

Anyway, if you really must have a new car when in college, and it must be a MINI (which is probably a better bet than most new cars, with the free maintenance, decent gas mileage, and not terribly bad insurance) then I would get the base MINI.

I would get it with the following options: 5 speed transmission. Basically, make it as cheap as you possibly can. If you want a better suspension, then save up and buy H sport springs and a set of sway bars later. If you want bigger wheels, save up and buy them. Just keep the payment as low as possible, and keep the car as plain as possible to avoid making it a target for campus thieves. And it will be light, which will make for a fun autocross car, if you are into that.

Okay, maybe a couple more options. Make it yellow/black with black stripes, and add just the grills from the aero package. I think that makes a mean looking MINI. Later change out the 15" hole wheels for something black with six spokes and a polished lip.

But I'd still buy an E30 BMW and a nice set of metric sockets to work on it, because E30 BMWs are fun, reliable, and cheap.

Good luck and let us know what you end up with.

 

>>I guess I'm too late, then, I was going to suggest you go find an E30 BMW, like an '86 325es or something.
>>
>>Anyway, if you really must have a new car when in college, and it must be a MINI (which is probably a better bet than most new cars, with the free maintenance, decent gas mileage, and not terribly bad insurance) then I would get the base MINI.
>>
>>I would get it with the following options: 5 speed transmission. Basically, make it as cheap as you possibly can. If you want a better suspension, then save up and buy H sport springs and a set of sway bars later. If you want bigger wheels, save up and buy them. Just keep the payment as low as possible, and keep the car as plain as possible to avoid making it a target for campus thieves. And it will be light, which will make for a fun autocross car, if you are into that.
>>
>>Okay, maybe a couple more options. Make it yellow/black with black stripes, and add just the grills from the aero package. I think that makes a mean looking MINI. Later change out the 15" hole wheels for something black with six spokes and a polished lip.
>>
>>But I'd still buy an E30 BMW and a nice set of metric sockets to work on it, because E30 BMWs are fun, reliable, and cheap.
>>
>>Good luck and let us know what you end up with.


You want me to get your MINI?.....LOL. I want a BRG with white roof and mirrors, 5 speed transmission, the 15" 8-spoke rims(not sure about white or silver), and the premium package.