Planning to buy a gen 1 convertible.

looking for advice on best year/most reliable year (I’m hearing 2006?).

any tips on what to look for and what to avoid?

my idea is a manual sidewalk edition with low miles. Got 11k to spend max.

thanks so much.

 

2008 would be your best one to get. They ran the gen1 convertibles up till then, so all of the bugs and kinks have been worked out. A 2006 wouldn’t be a bad option either.

 

Check to see if it includes a wind deflector with the case. Will this be your first MINI? If so, there's some things you'll need to know that that will help keep a motoring smile going. Some ideas to follow if so. Good luck with your search.

 

yes, this will be my first mini

 

The later years of the first, or any generation, MINI are improvements over the earlier years. By 2006, they got to right. I guess this applies to the 08 over the 06 but my 06 has been perfect for the past 4 years. Since the initial work to address some things that should have been done before I got it, I have only had an O2 sensor and to recharge the AC beyond regular maintenance. It had 13,000 miles when I got it and it now has 22,000 miles. So mine is an extreme example.

Focus on a well maintained car and you should be happy.

$11,000 is more than you will need. I would part with mine for less. I just don't have time to drive it as much as I would like.