Its true, I sold her. I realized that while the MINI is fun to drive, and cheap on gas, that I would rather have a car that is quite fast. After a good search on the internet, and in my area I found no Cooper S anywhere around, curse the midwest. So after having her for sale for 4 months, I found a little Z3, at the local used Luxury dealer. Went and test drove the car and it was great. Pretty quick little 2.3 little I6. So the guy offered me my car and 3k for the z3, and then he said my car and 2.5k for the z3. And I said yes. Its been great, I think Im a little more attached than I should be to the Cooper. Its because its the first nice car Ive ever had. But it looks so lonely every time I drive by the dealer. Drove the Z3 all today, and miss the MINI, but regret nothing. I was told it wasnt a good High Schooler car, and I realize that. I dont care, I payed for it, and thats that. SO she is black with tan/black interior, wood interior bits, I think it ugly, so its th first thing to go. 2000 with 58k. Sorry I have no MINI, but Ill keep posting here with a positive outlook on the MINI, unlike some people who still post here after the MINI is gone.

Oh, and the Damn traction control keeps coming on. Can the BMW dealer turn that off when the button is not on?

My wife had to sale her 2000 Z3 last year. It was a fun little car and for two people, as we were, it was a nice alternative to the MINI. Hers too had the fake wood which she wasn't thrilled about. We really miss that car.

Enjoy the Z3.

SHe sings the engine note is so great, and now I went crusin with my friends supercharged M3

Um...sorry, but you're now going to have to change your username to "flannelyuppie"


Sorry you let the cooper go, enjoy the new ride.

I question the sale of a relatively new car to buy an out-of-warranty BMW, but I hope you find that it's worth it for you. The Z3 is a nice little car, and it sounds like you don't need the practicality of a four-seat hatchback, being in HS and all...

Sarcasam?

sad to hear

and car to delve on a few more specs, such as transmission (i assume manual)

also out of curiosity i know technically you walked out with money in your pocket, but how much value did your mini loose form wehn you bought it to when you sold it (like whatd you pay, and what was it apparaised ofr)

also isnt the z3's insurance killer? i love those little cars and remember looking at them briefly myself, but seeing as they are a converti and two seats the insurance must be ridiculous!

best of luck with the new ride, and maybe a few pics of her?

flannelhippie, time to change your signature line! My mother had a Z3, which she traded in for a Z4. Cute car! You'll always miss your MINI. They have soul, unlike many other vehicles out there...

to anyone that's never owned a roadster that it's something one has to do to have had a complete automotive life. It doesn't even need power. Just to be small, nimble, and have a top that drops.

A sunny day with the Fiat 124 and the top down is always a nice day (when it's running), even if it only has 90 hp on a good day!

More power to ya and enjoy the new ride!

Matt

I bought the MINI because I couldn't find a 2001 M-Coupe (a Z3 station wagon with 315hp).

What, doesn't it say "MINIs are for others"?

Dr. O speaks truth. Started with an '81 Fiat Spyder, then on to Miatas.
Got a Z4 loaner one time, but it felt HUGE - must have been that big hood.
Enjoy the new car, flannelyuppie!

My friends has a MG, conv, and when it runs it kinda cool.
Insurance in $10 cheaper than my MINI. I went to the Insurance place with the mind set that it will be too expensive, but it was cheaper than the MINI. $106 a month for a 16 year old with no repotred tickets, and good grades, and $500 deductible, full coverage.

Yeah, that was what I wanted, they are so sexy, but with the ///M name, comes a lot of zeros.

I typed it wrong. I give them 2.5k and the MINI for the Bimmer.

You'll be back in a year.

Wait till the hefty repair bills on a 7 year old BMW start to roll in....

Nice car but be prepared for $500 minimum per visit to dealer.... that being said I like them very much.... best of luck..... (what DR.O said +++++ )

Hmmm, I'm detecting a trend here. My first car was a 1969 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe. Then a 911SC, then an Integra, now nirvana!

Have fun with your BMW flannelhippie!

ALL BMW's are expensive to work on, whether it's a Z3 or Mini... IMHO!

True. But Bimmers will always be more expensive to maintain post-warranty in my book. However, if you find a good and reputable independent shop to work on it, then you should be OK. We already have an excellent independent MINI shop here in Miami (Precision Autowerks)

By the way, I much prefer the Z3 to the disjointed Z4 roadster. However, the new Z4 based M Coupe is sexy The hardtop makes the "bangle"lines more easy on the eyes than the Pontiacesque looks of the standard Z4 convertible.

And the Z3 was the car that James Bond drove in one of his movies too the Z3 MCoupe was a polarizing car but I personally like it. Not many of those suckers out there.

Oh come on now; he paid for the car on his own.... If he wanted a Vespa scooter and paid for it on his own, thats his choice.

I wasn't making an reference to paying for the car - it's a simple fact that one sacrifices a lot of practicality in a 2-seat car with a tiny trunk. But in high school, you don't need four seats and a big trunk.

That means there's no back seat and no possibility of taking triplet bikini models out for the time of your life! Very important in high school.

One has to think ahead.

Matt

Huh? Isnt that all a matter of perspective. At one time we had TWO ... 2 seaters cars with little trunk space. Whats wrong with that. TWO is company ... THREE is a crowd

I wouldnt judge too quickly peoples personal choices in vehicles. What may not be right for you may be perfect for him.

Besides, he can always rent a truck!

To each his own...

Im a step ahead of even you! They will be attracted by the sexy car, find there is only two seats, and unfourtenately have to sit 2 bikni models in the passanger seat, and one in uncles lap.