How's it going. My name is Marc and I am in the market to purchase a fuel efficient, sporty little coupe. I've considered several models, and have my eye on the Mini Cooper. It's a very cool looking little sports car, and obviously very fuel efficient. As I am searching may locations, Ebay, Craigslist, autotrader and so on, I can't help but notice there are so many newer models up for sale by private owner's, which makes me a bit nervous as to why so many private parties are selling this cool looking little coupe so quickly after they get it. Any input or information on this would be appreciated. I've test drove an automatic and a manual, and not sure which I like best. This will become by daily commuter car if I do in fact purchase the Mini.

Thanks

 

Depending on where you live, more or less cars will be on the market at any given time. If you find a newer car that is equipped to your requirements and still has plenty of its warranty left, you will likely get a good deal with more cars on the market (supply and demand).

The newer MINIs will have had issues that affected the earlier MINIs already sorted out as well. One thing to consider with the M/T MINIs (particularly if it will be your daily driver) is the requirement to work the clutch in rush hour parking lots - it can get old real fast.

 

Welcome Marc! You should seriously consider not buying anything but the MINI Cooper (or S) if you want to drive an extremely satisfying, addictive, cool and sporty vehicle.
Here's my story, sort of...
I needed to get rid of my beloved old gas guzzler Jeep and was looking for an economical yet fun vehicle. I started with Consumer Reports. Along with the "hybrids" the MINI was listed at about 30mpg. The MINI was hands down the most unique and interesting vehicle of the lot (though I admit was was also looking at the Miata). I looked on e-Bay, etcetera, at used MINIs but thought if I'm going to spend that much I may as well tack on a few thousand more and order my own, one that no one else had ever driven. Piece of mind.
I called the MINI dealer in Mahwah, NJ and asked to come look. Within 10 minutes of my test drive I placed an order for the '05 MCS. The rest is history.
I cannot imagine you'd be disappointed. Take a test drive. You'll thank us all. Oh and welcome to the club. :-)

 

Welcome!

By newer do you mean '05 & '06? There were quite a few changes for the '07 models, and some people might be upgrading.

I know lots of people that buy new cars every year or two. They don't want to mess with repairs, out-of-warranty issues, and they simply like driving new cars.

 

I'm on my second Cooper S. I haven't had to go to the dealer yet. I'm not sure why so many people sell them new, maybe because they hold their value better than most cars do, and they realize they want another car more, and can buy that new car without taking much of a hit. If Fuel Economy is a concern, the S CAN get good gas milage, but it's just so much fun to drive, it's hard to drive it in a way that gets even close to the EPA gas milage . The regular cooper is still a blast to drive, and gets great gas milage.

This is a small car. It may not be practical as an only car. It is for me, but i'm 20, so...

The trunk is virtually non existant with the rear seats up. If you regularally tote a family of 4 to the grocery store with a weeks worth of groceries, it may be tight. That being said, i've put 2, yes 2 full grocery baskets full of groceries, loaded to the brim, in the back of my car and still had room for more (Toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent included... i'm talking about going to Costco and buying like a months worth of household goods, not a bottle of milk and some bread ). This car holds a LOT of stuff with the seats down .

My gas milage really isn't in line with what it should be for such a small car, but that mostly has to do with the fun factor. My global average economy since I got the car (5800 miles ago) is about 22 mpg. From tank to tank i've averaged more and less than that, it all depends on what the bulk of my driving is. On the highway provided there aren't tons of hills, I can average 26-28 mpg fairly easily (And my car has about 70 hp more than stock ). Pretty good really .

Overall, you really have to drive it and like it. Most MA's are great about letting you take the car out multiple times.

This car isn't for everyone. Just do the proper research and you'll make the right decision.

Whatever you decide to do. Welcome to NAM .

 

Welcome to NAM!!!! I agree...upgrading is most likely the #1 factor generating used MINIs these days...the cars themselves are fine! Also, earlier models are running out of warranty and some folks like owning a car w/ a warranty in place. Good luck deciding...MINIs are among those rare items in which everyday performance exceeds hype and styling.

 

Thanks to all of you who provided your input. This really does help.

 

If your test drive didn't make the decision for you I don't know what else you have goin on in your mind!

After mine, I was hooked and didn't look back. They are a blast to drive. It's as simple as that. Even stock they are track worthy and shouldn't be taken lightly.

GO FOR IT!!!

 

The best part of owning a MINI Cooper is that it can be an efficient commuter car AND a fun "sports" car. There is also a very large, active and diverse enthusiast community that offers a lot of support, clubs, events, etc. I was not aware that the MINI community was so large and active when I bought my car but it has ended up being an added value.

As for the car itself, from what I've heard, the 05 and 06 MINIs have been very reliable. Mine is an 06 approaching 10k miles and it has been an absolute pleasure to own. Keep in mind that MINIs also come with 3 years/36,000 miles of free maintenance in addition to the warranty so you wouldn't have to pay anything for the first few years (assuming you bought it new). I don't know exactly why you are finding so many MINIs for sale, but I think most people around here on NAM love their MINIs and have had great experiences overall. As someone mentioned before, its not a car for everyone but for me it is a versatile, functional, comfortable, reliable, and fun car!

 

It might be a little deceiving just looking at the number of Mini's for sale without knowing the number of Minis owned in your area. Get what I mean by that? If there are 100 for sale, but 10,000 owned, then thats a small number for sale. Plus remember that there may be a lot of duplicate cars on all those sites you listed.
I just bought my MCS at the beginning of the month. I searched all those sites and ended up finding one on AutoTrader. The car was sitting on the show floor of a Chevy dealer. It had been there since October/November something like that. I got it for under trade in, I believe I got it for wholesale. They showed me an online report of that weeks auctions and I got it for the average auction price. Pretty happy with that. Car still has 1+ year warranty etc.
One thing with the Mini that I think people don't realize when they get it is just how small it is. People may buy it on a whim, then think that it's too small for 4 friends to take a long cruise in. Kinda like the guy at the end of the block that bought a convertible, but didn't like the wind in his hair. Or the guy that buys a Harley and didn't realize how loud it really was out there in the wind. :D
Cooper is as Cooper does. Just do your due diligence before jumping in. I would also think an Automatic would hurt your resale and not help it. If anything that car might sit longer before selling. That said, you should be able to get a good deal on an auto. I saw a handful around here when I was looking and they were always $2k-$3k cheaper.
Something to think about.

 

Also - if fuel efficiency is a concern, don't get an S. I get 23-24 around town, 30-31 on the highway - but I really like the supercharger whine. If you don't like the supercharger whine as much as I do, you may get better mileage!

 

Fun car. Solid mileage (MC, anyway). Lots of mod choices. Plenty of online support here on NAM. Secret handshake (after 1st year of ownership).
I'd say take the plunge!

 

What??!? Secret Handshake?
Nobody told me about THAT... :-)

 

If you are basing your decision primarily on gas mileage I would not recommend the MINI. While it has good mileage, there are cheaper and higher mileage cars and if you aren't buying it for its "MINIness" you may want to consider something more mainstream.

 

if u want a "real" car with good gas mileage!!
i wouldnt drive any of the other good gas mileage cars no matter how good the mileage is!!!
the mini is sooo much fun to drive,relatively luxurious,has great factor....and gets good mileage!!!

 

Respectfully...I'd change to consider a Cooper (not an S) or an R56. Both keep the MINI personality and get better gas mileage.

 

I think a lot of people sell their MINI's soon after purchase because they bought it as a toy, a fad or on a whim. After owning it for a while, they want something different. Most likely they never really appreciated the MINI for the great little car it is, but rather as a passing fashion accessary.

 

I'm a hardcore dyed in the wool gearhead and car fanatic. I've had my MINI for 2 years and 3 days and I've logged a tad over 55K miles. I just sprung for the John Cooper Works Brake upgrade and the JCW suspension upgrade as birthday presents for my MINI. As you can probably guess, I love my car! If you're a car nut, you'll be happy with a MINI. Even if you're not a car nut, you may become one after you get a MINI. There's just nothing on the market that's anywhere near as satisfying to drive that has any practicality ar all that I can afford to buy. If you want it for the driving experience, go for it!

If you're buying it because of its looks and you're expecting Prius-like fuel economy and a Camry ride, you'll get tired of it quick.

Take a few more test drives and don't flog the car. Flogging it is a lot of fun, but try to simulate the day to day grind during a test drive and ask yourself if it's something you can live with. I'm almost as happy to sedately cruise to work listening to a book on CD as I am to give the car a workout!

Let us know what you finally decide.

Rawhyde

 

Marc, I'm responsible for at least 3 previously owned MINIs out there, 2 Coopers and a Cooper S. All of them were excellent cars. After my 1st Cooper, I became hooked on this car big time- and I traded in and up every year, going from an 03 $19k Cooper to a late 03 $23k Cooper to a $28k early 05 MCS and finally a mid 06 $35k MCS convertible. I was able to trade up so often 1) I made more money each year, and 2) the cars kept value like crazy.

The first Cooper I bought off the lot, the next one I had custom built- an unforgettable experience-!! Then, after attending the Dragon event in 03, with the second Cooper, I knew I wanted an MCS, and then after test driving a convertible, I knew I wanted to move up again. Now, I can't imagine not being a part of this community-!

So now, instead of trading up again, I bought a second car (well, leased actually)- an 07 BMW 335 Coupe that is now my daily driver, and the MINI is my alternate 'fun' car.

While this is not true for everyone, you will find many many people here that have owned more than 1 MINI. I'm not sure I can explain why we do it, except that there is such a huge variety of possibilities available with MINIs. An awesome, unusual car, and an extraordinary owner's club to say the least.

Good luck

edit: oh yeah--- get a manual trans, if you don't you may not be able to forgive yourself later!!

 

JUST DO IT!

 

PM MINIClo, she'll fill you in

 

My 2006 MINI Cooper S is one of my all time favorite automobiles. I've had two Porsche 914, a BMW 2002, an Isuzu Trooper, a Mitsubishi Montero, Nissan Maxima, VW Rabbit, Volvo 144E, a big Oldsmobile, a 4 door Plymouth, Triumph TR4, Chevy pickup, and maybe a few others.

 

I've always had a thing for 914s! I was perusing ads for them yet again just a few weeks ago... there was a stunning blue one in Tennessee that really had me thinking.....

 

Welcome to NAM.

Based on what you are looking for, the MINI is a serious option. It behaves like a sport car, and has a great fuel economy.

My MINI, with mods (see signature) is still very good on gas. I do 500km on a tank and drive it hard often.

I think the main reason why you see more MINI for sale these days is because the new model just got out and people want to trade their MINI for a new one. It has nothing to do with reliability. Mine has 150 000km and still runs great!

Go for it, and you'll love it!

Okay, you are asking for opinions on a MINI-enthusiasts website, but hey, you know MINI are great and fun cars! Isn't it what most people want from a car?? Having fun while driving... It's all about the MINI!

 

everyone is so right about the fun factor . I have a MCSc and the MPG sucks and I it hits me every time I have to fill up but once I get behind the wheel and drive on a perfect day with the roof down,there is no other car out there that can match it.For the amount of money you'll spend for the MINI you won't find anything out there to compare to the ride and the fun factor. And off course the MINI WAVE MINI owners are the coolest people on the road and we wave and smile to each other. Come in and join the cool...