Another NO.
The CVT in the non-s is unreliable so is the auto in the S. So forgetaboutit like now.
Maybe a manual would be OK if it checked out really well. A bunch of other things tend to go wrong as well.

Here's an idea, a used Saab 9-3 with the 2.0T motor and the auto tranny but must be 2004 or newer. The car is cheap to buy and pretty reliable. Not as boring as a Civic and has one of the lowest driver death stats of all cars. A Civic or Corolla is still a good bet, low power and very reliable.

 

I've had my 05 Mini S since I was 16 and have had no problems up until recently (105k miles) my crank pulley failed, which is a fairly common problem. $300 for the pulley, but did the install myself....Other than that, nothing wrong with the car at all.

The 05/06 S models have the super reliable Getrag gearboxes for manual versions. Just don't get a CVT!!

 

A NON S with the automatic transmission (not CVT Transmission) is the way to go if a decision is made to go MINI.....but up front I'd say NO MINI is the best way to go...go with Honda/Hyandai/etc

 

My 16 year old daughter has an 05S. Loves it!

Nik

 

But all the early MINI's were CVT, yeah? It wasn't an option?

I find that hard to believe because the MINI was supposed to be sporty, which a CVT certainly is NOT.

 

yes...all the early "automatic" MINI's were CVT....as was mine which I owned from 2003 until 2010.....I did not have any problems with my CVT....I traded for an automatic Clubman in 2010 and traded back to an automatic Hardtop in 2013...the automatics are great (manual is over-rated in my opinion)

 

I agree with onewhippedpuppy, I have never seen a teenage girl under the hood checking anything! BTW...Minis like oil. Good luck!

 

Yeah,

Kinda leaning towards a Honda Prelude or Toyota Celica if we're looking for a sportier ride than a Civic coupe or Accord.

 

That's because from 2002-2004 automatics were only available on the non-S Cooper, and they used the CVT.

The S model finally received an automatic (Aisin torque converter type) in 2005. However the non-S continued to use the CVT through the end of 1st generation production.

 

You are correct.

 

I bought my daughter (16 years old ) an 08 jcw with 90k on the clock... It drive's smoother than my venza!! No problems with it!! (touch wood) It occurred to me that, you can't drive an automatic mini, it takes away half the fun... So i taught her to drive stick. Now she loves it!! The only thing she forgets to do is check the oil!! I told her "I bought the car, i'm not paying for a new engine!!" I think she got the message.. Now It's a weekly thing, oil, water, tire pressure..
Every now and again she washes it..

 

My teenage daughter drives my old 2005 CR-V. It has 150,000 miles with no issues. It's a stick (the newer ones are only automatics). Her friends think she's pretty cool for knowing how to drive a manual. She's had it over a year and it's been kind of sad watching it deteriorate after how I treated it...never washed and smells like Taco Bell, perfume, and air fresheners. My 10-year old will probably inherit my 2012 Justa.

 

I bought my wife a 04 RSX with an auto trans. The car had 70,000 miles and drives like new. It has great styling and Honda reliability.

 

Yep, those are in the running as well.

So far it's:

Honda Civic coupe
Honda Accord coupe
Honda Prelude
Acura RSX
Acura CL (maybe)
Toyota Celica GT (GT-S)
Toyota Yaris 2 door hatchback

Maybe looking at the Hyundai Tiburons...maybe.

 

I'm a Saab fan (owned two) but you couldn't give me a newer 9-3. They are poorly made, complicated, badge engineered GM pieces of crap. Cars like that killed Saab. One of my younger sisters in law bought one against my recommendation and it was a total nightmare, she took a bath on it at Carmax just to unload it.

All good choices, though all are popular with ricers. Good luck finding one without a fart can. At one point I considered a last gen Prelude SH but eventually gave up, they were all teenage hack jobs. Have you considered a Miata or MR2 Spyder? At least check out the Hyundai assuming its a newer one, they are making a very good reliable car on par with the Japanese.

 

Yeah, been looking at the MR-S and Miata, I'm a little concerned with the RWD for a noobie driver. The mid engine and low polar moment of inertia of the MR-S gives me pause as well.

Used car prices are crazy regardless right now. It's madness.

 

Buy her the MINI and tell her you'll pay for all the repairs needed. Then you'll be the coolest dad in her school.

 

I wouldn't worry about RWD for a 16 year old girl unless you live in an area that gets lots of snow. I seriously doubt she's going to be powersliding around corners like a teen guy would attempt. If you're worried about polar moment of inertia in the context of buying your teen daughter a car - you might be over thinking it.

 

Here is my .02 cents. Teach her to drive the manual if for no other reason it will keep her from talking and texting while driving. We got my teenage son a 06 Justa 5 speed and couldn't be happier with our decision.

 

^ Agreed ^

Just make sure it's an 05 or 06. Earlier years had a midlands 5-speed, which has had problems pop up.

 

That might count me out.

I'm a better than average mechanic with all the factory software like dis v57 to work on and diagnose a mini.

I own a 2002 330ci bmw and between 100 and 135k miles I replaced

The entire cooling system
Front control arm bushings.
Shocks
Struts
Strut bearings
Valve cover
Vanos rebuild
02 sensors
Maf sensor
Tensioners
Belts
Brakes
The abs module.....that was $1000
The air bag wiring harness
Head liner
Tires......bad shocks and control arm bushings ruin tires fast
Power window switches
Oil filter housing gasket
Water pump
Thermostat.....
OIL PAN GASKET.........whole front wheel assembly had to come off

It's like bmw designs cars to fail after 100k

I have more money in my car doing all my own work.....more time in repairs
Than a jcw mini will cost me. The thought if buying a bmw again is not thrilling.
This isn't a mini......it's a bmw. Mini makes these cars.........bmw makes mini and it sounds like they are done at 100k.

Power steering pumps....window motors....if a mini Is like my bmw. I would never get one for anyone without deep pockets. Never for a girl and
never for anyone not meticulous in maintenance mindset. If your a mechanic I can see it. If not you might be in over your head

I like them but I won't buy one after seeing this thread. Please convince me otherwise. I can tear the thing down to the body shell and rebuild it all over again. However......I'd rather not. Looking for something cool that I can enjoy........I was looking at a mini because it's like the 86 omni glh.

But I Also dont want to be in my shop all the time tearing it down chasing problems because bmw wants to make money on parts......and pelican.....and ecs tuning.

 

OP: I would add the Mazda 3 into the mix if driving dynamic is a requirement.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

There's a joke running around at a local BMW dealer...

BMW owner pulls car onto driveway, lining up at the service queue. He rolls down the window.

BMW porter says with big smile and thick Spanish accent, "Buenos Dias... yu haav passwerd?"

BMW driver, looking dejected, pulls out his bill fold and replies, "Brought My Wallet".

BMW porter jumps up and down and says, "Muy bien, Senor. I get yu free caffe."

The Germans have figured out how to design and sell unreliable-to-barely-reliable cars at much higher mark-ups than their Japanese counterparts. All my relatives have switched from buying to leasing their German rides because post-warranty maintenance & repair costs ate them alive. And personally, I would not recommend owning a German/Euro ride unless one can perform maintenance/repair or have $ to throw away.

 

Nice.....

This is true, from personal experience. I wonder how long the Germans can pull this off. So many people are getting the message and running away from German autos.

Look at this thread for example. I want a mini, but can't get because with my experience with BMW.....I know where this road leads. No new BMW/mini for me. No brand loyalty.

There are people on the BMW forums who like me who just dump the money into them. My car cost me $800 last month alone.

I can either buy a mini or use the maintenance money on a European vacation for 2. I hate it because there's just nog too mAny interesting cars out there.

MINI=BMW.......BMW=Empty wallet.

I'll put it like this to the original poster......,..if I buy a mini. I will be accepting the cost, wrench time, and time of the car being in the shop with me not driving it. By signing that title I will be signing an agreement to accept this.

 

There's another going joke

What car belongs with an electric power steering pump and a gas powered engine...NONE. What were they thinking......besides........markup!!!!!!

 

I've owned three BMWs and swore I'd never get another, but never say never I guess. Regarding the Mini it does seem to be a similar level of upkeep required, though the upside is that the entry costs are low. You can get a nice R50/R53 Mini with well under 100k for under $10k. It's hard to find even a decent E46 with similar miles in that price range. Though I admit, sometimes a Honda sounds pretty good.