3 to 6 months from now (prolly closer to 6) I will have my ducks in a row and be ready to punch the MINI clock. Being that all my ducks are currently off in BFE I have to wait. My most recent idea was to buy a streamlined, low optioned '09 Clubman S. In fact all I was planning to option was AC, rear diff, DTC, armrest & mats.

As you can tell Im new to this and not very savvy when it comes to autos though I know I want to drive it rather than ride in it thus I want the most performance my few dollars can attain.

Since it very well may be Sept or Oct when I can move on a Clubman what do you think my best option is? Should I start looking for a used '09 at that time? Should I look for a good deal on a new '09 (2010's being imminent) Should I look for a new low-optioned '10?

Would it not seem my best bet to get the low-mileage Clubman? A couple downsides there: how'd the 1st owner treat it? Theres not a chance it would have my personal choice of colors, graphics and other options right? As well, MINI's resale value is very high so maybe I really wont save that much?

I guess Im asking for you all to put yourself in my position and really think "what would I do"? Remember, I must be frugal. Ive already stretched my budget 5K (ducks) and must stay in the range of a low option 09 CLubman S if Im ever going to be able to live the feeling I had Monday test driving the Clubman and not have a homicidal wife.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and ultimately a lot of help!

-John

 

You can click on my nickname and read the thread I started (Zune in the thread title). I had the money to buy one outright, but I ALWAYS look to get a deal. Long story short, I didn't get the color I wanted most (hot chocolate, though I like a few different colors) and I didn't get the Xenons, but I got another color I really like and a really good deal. Here's what I'd recommend:

1 Keep saving $$$. I don't know your situation and it's your business, but if you really hunker down you could probably save a nice little sum between now and when you're looking to buy. Did you get a tax return? If you did or you will and you can spare the money, save that. I did that for about 6 years and added about $2k and just bought my car last week. While I could have easily financed, I wanted to pay it off and that $2k meant the difference in me getting the S over the base Clubman.

2 Do your research. I've been reading reviews and this website for years and so I really knew about 90% of what I really wanted in the car before buying. So read up on the 09's. You'll find that most reviews are pretty spot on. For example the review on cars.com is accurate for the most part. Then, as soon as the information comes out, read up on 2010s. They'll likely make some changes on the inside of the car and the right change or two could change your mind about what you want.

3 Keep test driving the car. I knew I wanted one, but I'd never drove one. I only test drove it twice, but coming from a 96 Camry to this was a big difference and the difference between the first and second test drives was big for me as well. Helped me decide that I could "handle" the S (as it was soooo different from my old Camry).

At the end of the day, I would go for a new 09 if I were you. Finding a deal on a used Mini is IMO really tough. That's great if you're an owner, but sucks if you're a buyer. My Mom was convinced she could find a deal on a used one. She found nothing. In fact one used 09 base Clubman was as much as the final cost of my brand new S. Also, from what they told me at the dealership, the reason ordering a new Mini takes longer right now is because dealers are sitting heavier on inventory than they normally are (100 cars vs 60-70 normally). So at the end of the day I would think that at the time you're looking to buy you should be able to get a deal on an 09 model with some good stuff in it so long as you're willing to take something from the dealer's inventory. Again, I sacrificed color (which isn't small, but with the options you have I love the Clubman in a lot of colors) and Xenons. I still love the color I got and I've never had Xenons before anyway (on top of the fact I live in a city and drive freeway all the time).