I made up my mind, and ran it by my parents.

Check my sig for my "new" specs

I can't even imagine how much fun I'm going to have with this car. I can't think of anything I'd rather have. A MINI Cooper S is an 18 year old's dream car.

 

A MINI Cooper S with an LSD is an 18 year old's dream car.

Sell the safety aspect to your parents. They will eat that stuff up

Cooper4us is right - you will kick yourself later if you don't get the MSFW. Your resale will suffer as well since that is the only way to get cruise. Maybe save for another month before you buy?

 

Nah, I hate cruise control. Every time I drive with it, it bothers me after about 5 minutes and I turn it off. I just don't feel in control when it's on. I don't think it's worth the $250. I don't mind reaching an extra foot to change the radio station.

 

This just opened a new can of worms...MORE CHOICES!

Now that I'm getting an S, I have more interior trim choices to pick from. I was planning on getting the anthracite in my Cooper, but I think the body colored (Chili red) looks kinda sweet as well.

It's ok, I'm sure I'll be able to decide sooner or later.

 

Word.

 

Sorry, but gotta put in a plug in for fog lights. Front and rear fogs and a full set of toggles for $199. Smoking deal. Well... not really, but did I mention you get a full set of toggles?

 

I have an 03 MCS Chili Red and white. After 2 years of ownership I can give you some of the pros and cons of the sunroof. If I had to do it again, I would skip it. It is noisy when open on the highway and I don't care for the big black sunroof in the middle of a white roof. I don't have any rattles and it is cool to have so much brightness in the car, but I doubt I would miss it if it was gone. I think you made the right decision to skip it.

I agree with xalfa, get the fogs. The blank switches will annoy you.

One last plug for the MFSW. There isn't a cooler feature than to change the radio or volume from the steering wheel. When I drive my wife's car, I find it bothersome to reach over to the radio. This way you always have 2 hands on the wheel. The cruise control is just an added bonus that will help resale, if the time comes.

Good luck on the car. Sounds like you should get it just as the roads are cleaned in the spring.

 

Definitely the S. For the sheer fact that you said you are 80% leaning that way anyway.

And you're in a cold weather climate like me. The sunroof is nice in the summer, but in the winter? The only thing nice about it is that it lets in a little additional light. BUT, W/O the sunroof (what color combo are you getting?) I think the body color roof (if other than black) and white roof look better. AND, if you ever wanted to do something fun (like get a painted checkerboard or something) on the whole roof, you can do that!

The Zenons, yeah, they are great, but if it comes down to Cooper with Zenons or S w/o? Go w/o and get the S.

And the DSC...I'll tell ya. It's GREAT in snow. How much snow do you get in Souther NH? A lot I would imagine? Of the three options, you would miss this one the most. I turned off the DSC just for fun. Tires just kept spinning. Turned on the DSC? Can pulled right out. I have no need for snow tires. SOOOO, if you don't get the DSC, you may have to opt in for a set of snow tires. Something to think about.

I would get the S and still opt for the DSC.

 

Oh! I just saw your new "spec" - Congrats! Yeah, the full white roof will look hot. I think you made a wise choice. (Would still get the DSC though - like someone said, sell that to your parents as a safety feature, and perhaps they'll loan you the additional $$$ )

 

I went from a loaded Cooper to a less-loaded S. I had all three packages originally, but I realized that I:

1. hated the Auto AC
2. didn't want the super heavy and very ugly (sorry guys) 17" S wheels
3. didn't need the sunroof, plus in my MC is squeaked and rattled
4. never used cruise
5. hated DSC

So I got my MCS with Xenons, auto wipers, and a few small things. The total price was only slightly higher than my MC.

 

I was 19 when I got my MC in May of 04 and I can say a Mini is an awesome car. Just make sure the insurance won't kill you. My insurance agent double-checked to make sure I got a MC and not a MCS.

I am now 20 and loving my MC. 2 weeks ago my sisters (18) for a MCC and she is also in love with her MC. Were just one very happy MC family. :smile:

 

2005 Mini Cooper S, chili red/ white roof, black/grey two-tone leatherette, cold weather package, 6 speed manual, XM (will be ordered by the end of next month)

I like your new specs, keep it simple. It's a great car and the over priced toggles will not make it handle any better.

You've made an excellent choice!

Oh, IMHO, get the body color interior.:smile:

When is delivery?

 

S

 

I don't have much optional equipment on my S. What I do have, most of it could go and I wouldn't miss it. I have the premium and cold packages, and though I like the on-board computer, I hate hate hate the auto A/C (don't use it, just go with the manual controls), and don't need the the OBC. Here in the Mid-Atlantik/Northeast, the heated seats/mirrors are AWESOME, and I love the sunroof, but I don't have Xenons and I also don't have DSC. The sport package includes those AND the heavy-a$$ S-lites. I upgraded my headlamps to Sylvania SilverStars, which are excellent, and DSC, well, I bought the car to drive it, and the standard ASC function does quite well to tell me when I'm on ice.

So, skip the DSC and xenons and even the sunroof. Just get a stripped down S and add what few things you REALLY, REALLY want. Remember, an extra $2000 in options might increase your monthly payment $20. Depends on your interest rate, but you can finance the stuff you can't live without.

Good move going for the S. Although you would have been more than happy either way...

Marty

 

Crap, I didn't even think of that. Do you think it would be a significant difference?

 

Many insurance companies see the S as a "sporty" car (which to all of us it is). What my insurance agent had me do was send them a VIN from a current vehicle and then they could give me an current quote.

 

Yes. It will be a significant difference. I insured my '03 MCS as a 22 year old female with a driving record so clean it squeaks and it was still about $1800/year.

 

I'm taking delivery of my Cooper S today (whoopee!). I'm in the same boat as you. I started out thinking I could afford a base Cooper S or a loaded up Cooper. In Canada, Xenons are standard equipment unless you buy the absolute base car (essentially a Mini One with the bigger engine) called the classic package.

When I decided on the S, I had decided I did not want a sunroof, heated seats, cruise control and noticed all the cars coming to Canada that the dealer pre-ordered had the Premium Package ($2000CDN !!!). So I was prepared to factory order and wait 5 months. The sales person wanted to move the in-stock cars so he found one that was pretty close to what I wanted and offered me the package at a substantial discount (like 80% off). If you are buying new, and find one on the dealer inventory, they might find room to negotiate the "extras".

You would probably enjoy either car. So this is a good dilemna you have. If you do a significant amount of highway driving, and the minor difference in gas mileage isn't a factor, then I would recommend you spring for the S.

Good luck in your choice.

 

Depends on the ins co. We've got State Farm and the difference between any 2 cars is minimal.

 

three things i wouldn't do without:

xenons,
dsc,
cold weather package.

one thing i wished we had and would have ordered in a heartbeat (had it been available at the time)..........lsd.

 

Good choice to get the S but keep it simple. I was talked into the MFSW and out of the auto A/C and I'm glad about both. I've got a LY/B MCS and have the body-color interior trim; it looks good and CR interior trim would look good on yours, IMO.

I got mine in December and the total waiting time was about 7 weeks, which seems pretty typical.

Mark

 

I don't think there is a significant difference in the insurance costs between a 22 year old and an 18 year old. Is there?

I know my '03 Saturn costs roughly $2200 a year to insure (full coverage).

 

Sounds good to me

 

Don't know that yet. Hopefully I will within the next couple of weeks.

 

MC or MCS,get heated seats if you have any snow/cold.Get zenons if you drive alot in dark rural areas.Don't get the auto climate,I live in a very extreme climate.Cold,snowy hot,humid.I set the controls at launch,and may have to make the odd adjustment on the fly.
Get what you want,enjoy it,and have fun MOTORING