I went to D&R in Indy today and test drove a '04 Indi Blue/W Cooper today it had 2 spoke steering wheel Permium package. 15" Mini Stars (but no Sport Package) Cordoba Beige and Panther Black leather heated seats. Anthricite dash and doors. The car has around 7,500 miles on it, though never titled. They are asking $19,999 for it, with the remainder of the factory 3/36K warranty

I am thinking of a '06 (D&R says that they can not order new '05 Coopers) Cooper with Sport pack, rear fog light, Anthricite dash/doors, multi function steering wheel, onboard computer and possibly the gague pack. MINI USA says that this car will come in at $19,550.

The '04 IB/W does not have the front or rear fog lights or rear spoiler.

I currently drive a 2000 Dodge stratus ES with v-6 Auto stick, and Leather seats that only has 3-4 more payments on it untill it is paid off (82,000 miles). We have two boys (4.5 years and 2 years) and also own 1994 Dodge Caravan outright (135,000 miles).

I dont know what to do. To get the '04 I would have to sell the Stratus and be stuck with a 12 year old van that is due for its second transmission rebuild. Or I can wait untill tax refund check and sell the van ourtright to get another $500/750 for downpayment and order the '06 outfit the way I want it.

The only reason I can see to waiting for an '06 is to get a full set of toggle switches and delete the sunroofand Auto Airconditioner, (Which I can live without.). Having the speedo above the steering wheel would be nice as I found the '04 kind of difficult to drive due to the lack of 5 mph hash marks on the speedo in the dash I was doing 60 mph on a 55 mph ares of the 464 bypass. I also like the 3 spoke steering wheel a little better than the two spoke design.

Any thoughts?

Trade the Strat with a $400 cary over on the '04 MINI and keep the 12 year old van?

Wait 4-5 months and order a '06 that may not be optioned as nicely?

 

Personally I'd get the 06. Those 7500 miles were probably test drives/loaner/errands. Also the 06's should have less bugs. You can also get it the way you want it.

 

The only real disadvantage you would have from getting the 06 would be the wait time. if you can sit on your hands for a couple months, go for the 06

 

The remainder of the 3/36k warranty on an 04 car? Shouldn't that be full warranty if never titled?
I would suggest to get the 06 just because it is new and the way you like it, plus if you get your loan through a Credit Union your rates on a new car will be better than on used. (Mileage counts there)
Cheers,
H

 

Go with the '06. The only "pluses" of the '04 are the 2-spoke wheel, 8-spoke R82 15" wheels (No longer produced at the factory) and the Indy Blue (Also discontinued for '05).


But here is the most powerful reason why you should skip the '04 and get the '06 instead: The manual transmission.

See, the '02-'04 Coopers were fitted with the seemingly unreliable "Midland Gears" 5-speed transmission. This transmission is notorious for premature breakdowns. Just ask Chrisnl and Octaneguy

For 2005, MINI discontinued the Midland Gears box and began fitting the Cooper with a much better, solid and reliable 5-speed Getrag gearbox (Similar to the one found in the MCS). What's better, is that MINI revised the gear ratios for better acceleration vs the older Coopers. To me this is reason enough to order a new 2006.

Also the warranty coverage in the 2004 MC could be a concern. To me the '04 has many liabilities. Get the '06 and be done with it.:smile:

 

I can't imagine my '03 without the sport package. It gives you a "stiffer," more responsive ride, DSC (for safety), and sport seats (much more comfortable, IMO). It also gives you 16" wheels. Lots of opinions around about the best wheel size, but after years on 15's in my old Corolla, I was really ready for wheels that look a little less than something you might find on a pedal car . Anyhow, I think the sports package was a tremendous bargain, and probably wouldn't consider a Cooper without it. (Different story for the MCS....)

 

I like my sunroof

 

I'd wait and get the 06, trying to talk my wife into getting one next and get rid of her SUV, not having to much luck, something about womens and those SUV's. I've got a 05 MCS with the chrono pack, speedo still in 10 mph increments but who cares, you can figure it out.

 

I'd go with the '06.
As far as the van goes... you may not even get that much for it! If you haven't, check the KBB and what people are paying in your area. My parents have a 94, it's worth (to Kelly) $375.00 - 186k miles, "new" transmission.

Also, think about how many people can fit in the MINI, and if you will need to carry more than 2 others around at a time. While the MINI is great, some people here have had to sell their MINI or at least get a second car to kart kids around. I don't know how many the Stratus seats.

 

06'

 

06 All the way.......

Don't bother with the risk of the 04, grab the brand new vehicle which has the added benefit of further refinement and never look back!!


[font=Arial Black]Good luck!![/font]

 

Ding...we have a winner!! Get an '06! Among the other niceties and refinements found in the '05 and '06s (which you'll like), you'll also get that nifty Getrag tranny...that alone is reason enough to go w/ the '06.

 

Definitely go for the '06. As C4 pointed out, the transmission is a huge liability on pre-'05 Coopers, plus if the '04 wasn't titled, then all of those miles are test drives, the dealership owner's son, and others who have no long-term interest in treating the car right. Not worth it. Besides, the full factory warranty is 4/50k, not 3/36k - that's the free scheduled maintenance.

 

06

I'm actually considering seeling my 04 for an 06...


But anyways... yeah... I know how I drove the MCS I tested up at D&R I don't think I would buy that car if everyone did what I did... actually I'm a great driver... I'd be scared of the people who didn't know how to drive all that well.

 

I bought my Land Rover Defender as a 1 year old never titled vehicle. It had been used by Land Rover North America in various big-time auto shows and had 1700 miles on it when my dealer acquired it. I didn't hestitate since the price was great and the truck is almost bombproof.

However, 7500 miles on a demonstrator car is probably asking for trouble. That MINI has probably been used to teach more people to drive a manual transmission than you would want to know.

But if you could get them to give you an extended warranty to ensure that any excessive wear is covered down the road then you would get a great MINI for the price.

 

Also... be patient with the money. Get the other car paid off and then try to sell it yourself. Dont rush in and end up owing more than a car is worth... thats never the best idea. Also, when the Stratus is paid off and you're waiting for youe 06, put the money you would have paid for the car payment in savings and use that towards your MINI.

If you order an 06, while you are waiting for it to get there, put up an ad and try to sell it. You always get more than trading.

 

06

 

06

 

2006!
New car, full warranty, the options you want. The wait is made bearable by the ability to track your car through MINIUSA and the camaraderie of the MINI community that is here and on other sites.

Now, if the dealer's willing to drop the price a good chunk, it might be another story...


Jim D.
2005 MC HB/W

 

They won't... there's always a sucker willing to overpay for a demo car with 7,500 miles on it.

DrDiff, don't be that sucker!