Hi All, I'm a potential used Mini convertible buyer (probably '05 or '06). I currently own an '02 Lexus SC430. My previous car was an '07 Mazda RX-8. I loved driving the RX-8 but got the bug for a convertible (my brother got an '06 or so BMW 325 convertible). I live in CT and, long story short, have been thinking about getting a used Mini convertible for the following reasons (not necessarily in order of importance):

- I'd like to save money on gas. I think I'm maybe getting about 21mpg with Premium now.

- I live in CT and would prefer FWD vs my SC430's RWD for driving in the snow.

- While the SC430 has a lot of horsepower (V8 engine), it doesn't handle like a sportscar. Not nearly as fun to drive on twisty roads as my RX-8 was. The engine is also tuned for passing at highway speeds, vs 0-60 acceleration. That said, I don't really care so much about 0-60 acceleration anymore anyway, as I live in an affluent town where the police don't have much to do other than catch speeders, so I've adapted to drive fairly conservatively anyway. My RX-8 was never known as being a super-fast car, anyway, it was all about the handling, which put a smile on my face. I also kind of miss having a stick, as that adds to the fun.

- I'm hoping to get enough for my SC430 so as to get some cash in hand, after paying off the loan, but it remains to be seen what I can get from a dealer. I'd rather not go through the hassle of selling it on my own. I bought my SC430 just about 2 years ago with 66K miles or so, and paid about $22K. I've got about 86K miles on it now. Other than some scratches and paint chips, it looks great and runs perfectly.

I'm leaning towards a non-S model Cooper, partially because I believe it gets a bit better gas mileage (correct me if I'm wrong) and also because it should be cheaper to buy, but there's not a whole lot for sale within a reasonable distance, so unless the MPG for the S is a lot worse, I'd be willing to get an S if the price was right.

I've also thought about going whole-hog in terms of trying to save money long-term and getting a Honda Fit or Toyota Prius. My understanding is that the Fit might still be fun to drive, but it's obviously not a convertible. Reliability would probably be much better with either of those.

On that note...my big concern with the Mini is about reliability, cost to repair, etc. I see a lot of posts here about problems with the convertible top, in particular. What sorts of issues should I be concerned about with an '05 or '06 Mini convertible (non-S, in particular)? If there is a problem with the top, what sort of repair cost am I looking at? There's a mechanic nearby that specializes in European cars. I haven't checked with them about the Mini specifically, but a while back they told me that they work on BMWs and Audis (when I was considering convertible models of those), so I suspect they'd work on Minis, too, and I suspect they'd charge a lower rate than a Mini dealer.

FWIW, I've never even sat in any model Mini yet, and here's one of my big questions, so I'm hoping someone here has had personal experience with a Lexus SC430...One of the things I want with a convertible is back seats. The SC430's back seats are barely useable for use by people, but we've made them work. More specifically, we've made the passenger side work, with the front passenger moving up a lot and being very, very uncomfortable, and the person in the back (usually my daughter) also being uncomfortable. On a few occasions, I've also toted around one of my daughter's friends behind my seat, but that's downright dangerous, as moving my seat up enough for them to have any place for their legs, resulted in my knees touching the dashboard and being practically immobile.

I know that people often joke about the lack of practicality with the Mini convertible's back seats, but I've spotted a couple of them on the road with actual adults sitting in the back seat. So, again, I'm hoping someone here may have had experience sitting in (or driving with others in the back seat) of both the Lexus SC430 and Mini convertible and can offer some insight here.

 

I have an 04 R50. I consider it the most enjoyable automobile I've driven in 40 years. I owned Jags, Healeys, Maserati's, Porsches, Bimmers, etc but NONE of them have given me the true pleasure and fun of driving that the MINI does.

 

I have drove both but owned neither (have a R56 (hard top version)). I do enjoy driving the MINI more than the SC430 and understand what you mean about it not feeling like a sports car. Also I remember one of the big selling points of the Lexus was little wind in the cabin area. The MINI can half open its roof and have a similar effect so you can drive it open in colder weather.

And as far as going for the prius, based on what you have been driving and looking at, you may really miss the sportiness. And the MINI gets good MPG and great resale especially on an older one: http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/11/...year-in-a-row/

Good luck on whatever you go with!

Kevin

 

Come on, you really think either of these has a usable back seat? If you're only 5' tall then you might get someone small in the backseat, but otherwise think about how much smaller the MINI is than the SC430 - and it's back seat is hardly usable either!

If you're worried about the convertible top, consider getting a coupe with a sunroof, it stretches almost the entire length of the roof, and on the newer cars, both sections tip up for ventilation, although only the front section slides back.

If you want a MINI with a useable back seat that still handles and goes, consider a Clubman with a sunroof. The Clubby has 3" more rear legroom and it really helps!

Good luck on the sale of the Lexus, my BIL tried to sell his '02 for almost a year, and it only had 45K on it and was as new condition....

 

If you just look at the exterior of both cars, it would seem counterintuitive to think that the Mini could possibly have more backseat legroom than the SC430, but I've personally sat in the backseat of both my brother's BMW 3-series and my boss' 6-series convertibles and the 3-series had a very comfortable amount of rear legroom, whereas the 6-series seemed similar to my SC430. And yet the 6-series looks longer when viewed from the outside.

 

I have an 06 cabrio and I have had 4 adults in the car. We drove from CT to VT for the day. Had no complaints from anyone in the car I'm 6'2" and have my seat almost all the way back and can still fit in the back seat. No it's not the best but it will work. good luck with your search

 

Wow, that sounds amazing. I'm 6'2" as well, and to get anyone (even a child) in the seat behind me, I have to move my seat pretty far forward.

There's a local dealer with an '08 (if I remember correctly), which is more expensive than I want to spend, but it's really close by, so I'm thinking it's worth heading over there just to get a feel for the legroom, and even take it for a test drive.

On a sadder note...I checked Edmunds and KBB and it looks like the value of my SC430 has dropped quite a bit compared to what they were quoting a couple of months ago. There are still very few SC430's on cars.com anywhere near me, and the asking prices are quite a bit higher than Edmunds/KBB is indicating. My fairly high mileage (low for the number of years, but still high) doesn't work to my advantage, obviously. In any case, I figure I'll find out what this local dealer will offer me (even though I don't expect to buy that Mini), and also bring it over to CarMax to see what they say. But if the value is a lot lower than I'm happy with, it may not be worth my while to bother changing cars right now, and I may put it off till next year.

 

Unless your car is in perfect showroom condition don't bother with carmax. I took my truck there a couple years ago and the low balled me big time. granted it was when gas prices were through the roof but the truck was in really good shape. had one ding on back bumper and they offered me something like 9k for a truck that was worth twice that. when I traded it for my mini I got 13k.
Where in CT are you? I'm in Shelton.

 

I live in West Simsbury.

 

My MINI cabrio is new, so I have limited data points related to this brand. However, it's my second ragtop. The first was a BMW.

1. For any cabrio, the top can be an additional cost over time. Despite being new, my current 2013 had to have a faulty sensor replaced (under warrenty) that prevented the top from closing. Not so good if it's raining. The "emergency" manual closing option was a total goat rope to execute.

2. My brother-in-law rode in the back on a short jaunt & remarked that the backseat was "do-able." he's 5'9".

3. There is virtually no difference between the AT and manual options in mileage -- maybe a mile or two. Get the one you WANT to drive.

The bottom line for me was that I enjoy convertibles & wanted a sporty car that was fun to drive. I went in with that premise. I'm willing to deal with some of the quirks that go with driving a cabrio -- wind, road noise, limited rear visibility with the top up,etc. And, I selected a MINI because it is unique & has an almost cult following. It rocks.

 

Either of you guys look at the dwte of the prior posts....
the thread had been inactive for almost 2 years.....

 

Thanks for the heads up Zippy. Good point. I nominally scoped out the header. In my defense, it was early & PTC (prior to coffee).

On the brighter side, it took me two years to start seriously looking before I decided on my current MINI this August. (Love my choice.) Maybe Scott is still on the hunt...

Have a great motoring weekend!

 

The info still might help somebody in the future crossshopping for used cars....just looking at replys to post that old make me kinda laugh!!

 

To be honest, The lexus is a nice car. Although MINI's are nice, they are SO much more fun my '05 cabrio has 40k on it and I've never had a problem with the top (a little squeaky, but Seattle MINI only charges $70 to get the top lubed, not too bad in my opinion) from what I've gathered from other owners, an S can get just as good of MPG as a non-S if you don't drive with a lead foot all the time. But when you do have a lead foot... it sure is fun!! and as someone mentioned, lexus genuine parts are so expensive, so that shouldn't be an issue for you.
As for the back seat, most of my taller friends laugh when I suggest they get in, but then realize I'm serious, but we have always made it work. I think once you get your feet and find a comfortable spot, you're set.
Good luck on your hunt! also... just drive one. you'll drive away in it, gauranteed!

 

The post got bumped because a SPAMmer found a way to post SPAM that was sort-of relevant. It's typical behavior for those SOBs. I've reported both of his posts; hopefully they'll be gone shortly and the ***hole banned.