Hello All!!
My gf is looking to get a mini in the worst way and hates her altima. I"m doing some research for her as she is pretty clueless about cars and all. Anything we should be aware about when looking at buying a used mini....probably looking for a 2002-2003 range. Any pitfalls to be aware or major recalls that we should look for?? Any advice would be greatly appreciatted. Thanks in advance and happy motoring everybody!!!

 

i upgraded from a maxima to a 2003 MCS- i was in the same boat (sans not knowing about cars) as your GF

have her get involved! have her start by checking autotrader or carmax to get an idea of what she likes/wants/doesn't want, and pricing in your area. who knows, maybe this will trigger her into really liking cars?

i emailed several sellers- some were really awesome and answered my questions even though i wasn't yet in the market to buy.

have fun! take your time- the right one will find you, not the other way around!

 

Lol...believe me she's involved....but as I would say about most girls and cars...she more concerned about how "cute" or "pretty" it looks lol...i just want to make sure that one year isn't more prone to certain breakdowns or failures and other years.....i know that usually the later model years are usually better. For example I drive a 2004 Euro Ed. SVT Focus...the 03's and 04's are pretty reliable but the 02's had a bunch of small problems that plagued them like bad ecu programming, weak lower a-arms that broke under high stress (ie autocrossing) and things of that nature. Are there big differences like that with the different year mini's?

 

Make sure you check the list price of that model year when it was new. MINI prices went up year to year and I noted that he asking prices of some 2003/2004 MINIs here are the list prices less some of the options. So watch the asking prices carefully.

 

It's my understanding that reliability improved in the MINIs from 2004+. But I know there are alot of folks here that haven't had any problems with 2002-2003 models; there are others with newer models that have had alot of problems.

The forums on this site are loaded with information (maybe too much) on various issues with Minis. If nothing else, you (or your gf) could create a list of questions to ask and problem areas to look into.

I do suggest you check out the Marketplace forum here on NAM. There are usually some pretty good deals there on some nice rides. Most sellers on that forum will be very honest about the good/bad with their car for sale...

Good luck!

 

02's are a little more prone to things going wrong since they are a 1st year car. but, at the end of the day, its still a MINI

 

Many have stated that 05-06 are the years that MINI had worked out all the bugs . . . but I personally think that 04s and 03s won't be problematic -- and if you find an '02 at a good price, take it.

There is one difference if gf wants Nav, in 2003 MINI went to DVD-based instead of CDs -- I think the latter is much better. . . so check for that.

 

Thanks one and all!!! We've found an 2002 with 39k on it orig miles...black with tan interior....it was leased vehicle before and only had 1 owner it's for sale for about 13,900....car looks imaculate from what i can see on the pictures......sound like a good deal?

 

S or base? Option packages?
Nice color combo

 

It's a base model with leather and sunroof...don't know about the other options in it though...hopefully i'll be able to go look at it this weekend.

 

2005-06 not only have the bugs worked out, but better gearing for the six speed as well.

 

Get the VIN and call MINI www.miniusa.com they will give your the options that came on it.