I can't find a new one I like better than my 03!
 

I love mine - Chili Red, Black Roof, Black Pebble Leather sport seats, grey dash. Simple, tasteful inside.

I swear I've looked at a hundred new ones and can't find a seat / color combination I like as much as my old one. A lot of them are too tricked out....color lines, two tone seats, etc.

I like the feel of the Lounge Leather seats but don't care for the required piano black dash all that much, or the contrasting piping.

buy a stipped out R56 and make it yours....find an interior shop and do it your way....it will cost more...but it will be what you want...

You're stuck with the piping, but not the piano black. Piano black comes by default, but you can change it. I got brushed aluminum.

I loved my 03 MCS, but I love my 07 MCS even more. True there are a few things about the 07 that are quirky and not as desireable, but the 07 is much improved. A few things: seats are better, a wider footwell, much better torque, less weight, better gas mpg by 15-18%, bizenons, and a host of other improvements. MINI sales are up which is good for resale value. What other small car get 65-70 of its original value after four years.

Not on all leather. I don't think the carbon black, or the punched leather has contrasting piping. Hell, the black leatherette looks damn good in person, too.

As stated, you're not limited to piano black, thats just the default option. Color lines availible, too. You just need to dive into the catalog and see what's really availible. Hard to believe you can't find some combo that lights your fire.

So why are you looking? Sounds like you have a great car.

i love my 03 to man

You are overly fixated...which by the way is perfectly understandable. You'll have to broaden your horizons a bit...that's what I had to do anyway.:)

You're right, of course. I'm just jonesing for a nav system and sat radio that are built in... and I know I'll need to get a new one eventually.

Wouldn't it be easier and less expensive to buy an in dash Radio/Sat/Nav/DVD system?
It is what I am getting for my mini and it even has a Playstation 2 so that I can play "The Italina Job" video game (when I'm not driving of course).:thumbsup:

If you haven't test driven one I suggest you do so. It made the choice to switch much easier for me.

Go for a PW/B with a rooster red accent and a piano black dash :)

If I was happy with what I owned and it was still reliable I would not get rid of it. A 4-5 year old car is not considered old at all now adays.

He said "lounge leather" in the original post, which is also what I quoted. Context is your friend :wink: .

If you love your car wait another 5 years. You will save a lot of money by not getting a new car and in 5 years new MINI's might make you fall in love again. Why try to marry another woman when you have a lovely wife now?

Keep it. If repairs come along use the money you would have spent on car payments. Upgrade it. Put a Cooper works kit in it or a body kit. Do some mods. But if you just need to be talked into an 07 or 08 I say go for it. In my opinion the new car is a much better car and you won't regret it once it's in your driveway.After about a week you'll hardly notice any styling changes that may bother you now.

I would still be driving my '03 Cooper if my MINI-lovin' daughter didn't need a car. It was perfect, too. But now my new MINI is even more perfect. It's all a mind game.