I am looking to buy a car for about $20K and even 25K is a bit too much. I have driven a mini (through Zipcar here in Boston) locally and on a nice 6.5 hour trip. Love the car. It puts a huge smile on my face and when I think about buying a car all the other cars in the price range just seem dull. I really think that I cant afford an "S" so decided that the config below would be a nice setup but wondered from owners if there are any other things I should consider:

Mini - Jet Black
5 speed
Silver wheels
White bonnet stripes
White roof
Premium package
Cold Weather package (wife needs heated seats)
Auxilary jack (or could install this later on my own)

Total configuration = $19,269. Seems like a lot of car for that price. Also, after purchase I would buy a pair of used MiniSlite wheels and tires for use in summer. In the future I could add suspension components (e.g. sway bars and other bits to make it stiffer, etc). Might want to get into some club autocrossing in the future (not necessarily to win but to enjoy and improve personal best times).

Also, I thought the financing option of "Mini Select" sounded like a good way to go because I will commute at least 1 hour each direction per day.

I havent driven a Mini S, but I thought for the driving that I do most of the time the Mini was probably fast enough and I drove one pretty fast. However it is tempting to get the S... However downsides to the S given what I want to do with it:

- Fuel economy
- Higher insurance
- Tickets... *sigh*

Anyway, if you have some feeback to offer on the option packages (e.g.the sport package seemed like a waste) and the financing options that people have done would be helpful. Also, I havent ruled out buying a used "s" but I really wanted to have a warrantied car for a while.

Just lurking at this site has been very informative so thanks in advance for the help.

KD

 

Configuration sounds great to me. The only thing I would suggest is to get front and rear foglights. The front because you might need them and the rear so you don't have the ugly plastic plug where the fog light should go.

If you really want the "S" I don't think there is much difference in insurance cost. Average gas milage seems to be about 4-6mpg better with the Cooper. Tickets are easily obtainable in both the MC and the MCS.

I love my 03 MC.....as I'm sure I would my MCS if I had one.

Big help...huh?

 

For the options that you want, you should be able to get a nicely appointed S for just about 25K when all is said and done.

I have a MCS automatic (adding $1300.00 to the price right there!), with a good amount of options, and I came in just over 25K.

Just food for thought.

 

Something I would recommend is dropping the premium package if you want to save some dough. I'd also recommend the sport package to pick that money back up... The DSC is very nice (its saved my *** 4 times now, probably enough to pay for the car in damage it saved), the sport seats rock, and I think the 5 spokes look pimp.

 

I ordered an S because I found it really exciting to drive (compared to the regular), but I'm having some second thoughts about the higher cost, lower gas mileage and am concerned about getting speeding tickets. The regular mini 5 speed is adequately powered - but it felt to me like a sporty economy car rather than a sports car. The S has a lot more power and really feels like a sports car, to me. The regular can't pin you to the back of your seat when you try to pass on the freeway. But on regular roads, after the breakin period, you can get a lot of zip by running up the rpms. There is something to be said for the skill involved in getting the most out of the regular. Either one would be a lot of fun. As I said, I bought the S, but I'm not sure it was the right decision for me. And if I was struggling to afford the cost, I surely would have bought the regular.

So I understand the debate about S or no S because it's a hard choice. Each has advantages and disadvantages (disadvantage of S being cost, lower gas mileage, and risk of using that extra power in front of a cop).

However, I don't understand getting all of those extra-cost options when you're trying to cut down on cost. Premium package? Stripes? Those are things you can easily live without to cut down on cost. I think the black regular mini without stripes is the best looking of all. It is a classic look - reminds me of the old Jags from the 1950s (my father had a black Jaguar XJ-240 when I was a kid). But there are disadvantages to black (shows dirt easily, and retains heat). So I got the red. I probably would have gotten white if it was available in a convertible. I did not consider metallic paint because I could not see paying extra for it.

As for financing, while interest rates are low these days, the interest is not deductible and so any car loan (and especially leasing) is quite expensive. I made it a policy not to incur any debt except for investments (education, house, business). I'm sure most people on this site will disagree with me, but in my opinion one should not buy a new car that one can't afford to pay for. Better to live within your means by saving your money until you can afford to buy the car. There will always be things you want to buy that you can't afford, and if you run up a lot of debt for consumption items like cars, you may find it hard to get out of debt. I suspect this will not be a popular opinion here because most young people over-consume and under-save. If you have no credit card or other high-interest debt and a car is your one splurge, then maybe you can justify it on financial grounds. But if you get in the habit of over-consuming and under-savings (especially with outrageous interest rates on credit card debt), then I think you will regret it someday. Consumer debt is kind of like smoking. When you're young you think it's cool to buy everything you want without a second thought. When you're older you wish you had saved more and consumed less. Whatever your decision, I wish you the best of luck it.

 

Hi Keyne,

One thing you'll definitely regret skipping is the sports seats. Go to your dealership and sit in the sports seats, then sit in the regulars. I think you'll see what I'm talking about. The price difference is well worth the added comfort for the lifetime of your car. I'd normally recomend adding the fog lights just to avoid the empty spots where their toggle switches would be, but since you're not getting DSC, it's probably not worth the extra dough. I personaly don't think the missing switches look bad enough to justify the extra $750 it would take to get them. Plus, maybe later you could put your own switches in there that serve your own devious purposes (oil dump on the road to help loose those pesky cops perhaps? ).

Other than that, your selection sounds great! I think it's a great idea to "splurge" on the Premium package. $20,000 for a car with a Sunroof, Sterio Controls on the stering wheel (plus, gotta have the cruise control!), Auto A/C and trip computer is still a sweet deal! Especially since it's a MINI!

Also, definitely install the AUX yourself. They'll charge you $100 - $200 in labor for that little plug that you could knock out very easily by yourself in an afternoon.

Let us know what you end up getting! Either way, you're going to have a blast!

 

Well Keyne I was in the same delimma when I wanted to order my mini. I couldn't decide between an S or regular Mini. While Both are great cars I went ahead and decided on the S due to the fact that when I added all of the options on the base Mini, the price came out to be around $20,500 and when I added the options up on the S it came out to be $22,000. So only $1500 less. Now it was a bit more when I ordered my mini due to the 2005 price increase but alltogether my S came out to be $22,800. With $1800 down and going with the Mini lease for 4 years my note is $315 a month. WIth regular financing the note would have been around $40-50 more a month. Also I went with the S performance wise as it was more fun than the base!! Also If Insurance is a concern as It was in my case, the diff between a base Mini and an S with AAA is $7 bucks. Yup ONLY Seven Bucks. Gas mileage wise, it really depends on how you drive it. If you drive it like you stole it then the mileage might be a little lower. I usually avg between 25 and 29 in town and 28-35 on the interstate. Again, All depending on the speed and how I feel like driving that day. All in all the Base mini isn't a bad choice but it really depends on how much you want to keep you notes and how much you like to go fast!! I've narrowed the decision down to going to a gocart track and driving an electric go cart and then driving a gas one. That's about the diff between a base mini and the S. LOL Good Luck in your decision.

 

Welcome to NAM, Keyne! Your specs look good. I really recommend that if you go with the Cooper rather than the S, that you add the sport seats. They are more comfortable in the long run and are standard for the MCS.:smile:

I traded in my '02 Cooper for Wanda, my 2003 MCS, because once they introduced Jet Black for the S, I had to have it. My insurance (USAA) is about $5 more for the S, so that shouldn't be a concern for you. As for mileage, mine is about the same as wildone's: 25-29 mpg in the city and 30-35 mpg on the highway.

I love the Premium Package! I didn't have it in the first Cooper and am so glad I got it for Wanda. The sunroof is fantastic! And even though I live in Los Angeles, I got the Cold Weather Package. I use the seat warmers a lot, especially on long roadtrips. They keep my back limber when I am motoring for 12-14 hours a day.

Whatever you decide, both models are incredibly well-built and SUPER fun to drive! Good luck and enjoy our fun MINI site!


Clover

 

It kills me that people blame the car for speeding tickets, as if it has a mind of its own; "Sorry officer -- but it's an S!!!"

Your specs look good to me -- if you like the stripes, by all means go for 'em! You will LOVE the cold weather package. I'll never have a MINI without it -- it's awesome.

Good luck!

 

Hey - just DON'T DRIVE AN "S".... If you do, it's all over...You'll be selling some of your grandmother's antiques to get the extra cash!!!

Seriously, I'd drop a couple options and get the "S"...Afterall, it's all about the 'driving experience', right? Plus you get the great Getrag gearbox with the "S". ...Schnicky-schnick!!!

- - Michael

 

beyond the preachiness in some of these responses, let me say that insurance for these cars is actually quite reasonable. Despite the S's performance nature, it's still considered a 3 door hatch with a back seat, so technically it's not a sports car. Additionally, my insurance agent told me (State Farm) that collision-wise Coopers are some of the safest cars on the road, and are fairly E-Z to repair, with lots of recycled parts floating out there (like body parts removed to install aero kits.) So unless you're under 21 and have a few tickets, insurance should be the least of your worries. Jimbo

 

Keyne-- Congrats! You can't go wrong here. It's like choosing between ice cream flavors-- they're all good! OK, I have an 'S' with options, but there's something to be said for a stripped down Cooper. The ultimate cool! On a budget, that's what I'd do.

 

That is what I did. I ordered a very basic Cooper. I've since added stuff to it to make it my own. I love it and will probably keep it as my daily driver for a long time.

 

I'm 20 and went from a 2004 MC CVT to a fully loaded MCSa in May and my monthly insurance went up $1. Not bad eh My agents said it didn't matter what tranny or options I had. It just had to do with the crash/ticket rate on these cars. Its low so far so no problems

 

Nice 5-speed Getrag on the the Cooper now, too!

I echo everyone else's sentiments on the sport seats. It's really money well spent - much more so than front and rear fogs, which end up costing a similar amount. The difference is huge!

Oh, and since you're in Boston - I cannot recommend strongly enough buying from the Peabody dealership instead of Herb Chambers in Boston. They are much friendlier, more knowledgeable, and more honest up there!

 

I got a base Cooper as a loaner car once and I was very impressed with it. I got ~39-40 mpg on the highway and it was peppier than I had expected it to be, so if that's what you want to be able to get some of the niceties, go for it

If you want Jet Black though, you need to order it NOW! Jet Black is going away for 2006 and those cars are going to start production in October so the end of production for 2005 is coming up very fast as in, if you don't order in the next few days-week (give your dealer a call and ask), you may not be able to get an '05 and therefore can't get Jet Black

 

Get a bone stock S for 21 G Still comes well appointed IMO

 

Either way you go, you can't go wrong.:smile: But like Mandaboo said, you may have to move fast to get the black.

Welcome to NAM

 

I agree, except I'd get cruise control. Even if you think you'll never use it there will likely be a time when you want it. Also, it adds to ease of resale.

 

Get a "bare bones" Cooper S and just add the cruise control for $250. You'll get a terrific car that comes extremely well appointed from the factory for under $22K.

No one needs sunroofs, leather, NAV and xenons. If you are trying to keep costs down, but the fun factor way upthere my recommendation is a basic Cooper S

 

I needed all of those, but got an after-market Garmin Navigation system, since I drive back and forth across the US every year and wanted to preserve the center speedo! Love the sunroof, leather and especially my Xenons! I don't see well at night and they are really superior to the standard headlights I had in my first Cooper!


Clover

 

Are Mini of Peabody willing to deal on price for a Cooper?

It looks like there is a decent profit margin built into the MSRP but for that matter does anyone drop the price on these cars below MSRP?

 

Not yet!

 

Nope, the only type of discounts I've ever heard of is Classic MINI from time to time takes something like $500 off cars on the lot and sometimes you can talk a dealer into free floormats or something. That's about it

 

i wholeheartedly agree with this .... the standard MINI seats are bad ... you WANT the sport seats and the DSC in this package.

also get the XENON headlights