Hey everyone, I'm new here. I've been lurking for some time, reading and learning. I have had a craving for a Mini for quite a while. I'm trying to find a good, dependable, best bang for the buck, reliable, Mini, for the cheapest price I can. I realize a base Cooper is not going to have the pep that an S does, but from what I have read, a base will get better mpg and be less expensive to buy and maintain than an S. I have found a 1 owner, 2006 base, with 114,000 miles, no accidents, clean exterior and interior. $6000 is the price tag. I have seen the car, but I have not checked it over yet. Any pointers on specific things I should look for and check. I have also seen the thread on here where Hstanfield has 400,000 plus miles on his base Mini. I realize these can be reliable cars, but they also can give problems. I have a friend that regrets ever selling his Cooper. He has told me multiple times, "it's the most fun car I ever had". So, just wanting to know what to look for when I check the car out, Thanks

 

The 2006/2005 base has the better, more relilabe 5 speed getrag tranny...the Midlands was discontinued with the 2004 model year.....a very good thing.
I would get the car looked at...by a shop familiar with mini's....
Not sure about the $$, but there are lots of ways to determine if it is a OK price if it is in good repair...

 

As a one owner car, not having been through multiple folks, it has also (hopefully) been well cared for and well fed (91+ octane only, even for a non s)....failure to do so tends to burn valves, requiring a valve job..$$$.