perhaps you could consider leasing a car, I'll be paying exactly 375 a month $27,400 MCS(the payment includes taxes, etch, tire package, taxes etc etc, so its probably about 31,000). But of course if you are looking to purchase aka: finance that exact car for 6 years you be looking coser to 500 bucks a month... even with money down

 

That's a very good point.... also be aware of MINI select financing (I've used it) that gives you a baloon payment after 4 years... you can easily refinance after 2-3 years to include the full amount with a lower payment. Very few MFRs have something like this, and MINIs very high residual value makes it possibe You could very well afford more car than you thought!

 

You didn't say how you were going to pay for it. If you are financing, even a $1k difference is a couple-to-few dozen dollar difference month to month. Just something (else) to think about.

Zip

 

Go for the basic MC, non-metallic paint, heated seats (depending upon your location), cruise control/steering wheel, of course 6 sp manual - and you are all set. Consider the 16 inch or 17 wheel upgrades. its easy to get overwhelmed with options. after 3 or 4 years, you will have great resale value to trade toward a MCS or MCS Traveller.

may be tough finding a deal on an 06 as they dealers have loaded cars on the lot, typically.

also, i am wary of buying any bmw/mini's used. they are not bulletproof like used toyotas/hondas. that said, ITS A BLAST TO DRIVE!!!!

 

Depending where you live, think about the Cold Weather Package. Here in PA. there's nothin like a nice ole seat warmer during these cold Philly mornings!
Get a cuppa Starbucks, and life is good!
Motor On!

 

One of my MINIs is a basic MC. There weren't a whole bunch of options on it when I purchased it (it had CVT, but that was about it). As has been mentioned previously, the MINI is a car which has almost unlimited mod possibilities.

You'll be very happy with a "basic" MC.

Chuck

 

If you want a fun car to drive around town, the base MC is lots of fun. If you are looking for speed or are planning to mod your car for more power, save up for the MCS because money put into the MC for increased power will do very little compared to what that money would do put into an MCS. Just my opinion (of someone who very happily drove an MC for 2 years before I took the dive and bought a MCS).

 

Absolutely, positively, unequivocally, definitely, unreservedly, wholeheartedly, unabashedly, and quite simply:

YES!

The only bad MINI is no MINI at all!

 

I think the basic MC is a lovely car.. But i so did fail the mission to get a basic MC.
The things I wanted was xenons, auto aircon, sportseats and MFSW. But i ended up with hi-fi upgrade, panoramic sunroof, DSC, heated seats, mirrors and washers, alarm, anthracite headliner, ABmetallic, sportbutton, pepper pak and armrest to :D

I recomend you to get the 3-spoked mfsw, white indicators and climatecontrol all the other things you could live without, even tough the bi-xenons are sooo much better.

Good luck with your choice and you know soon there is another non metalic colour..the oxygen blue

 

I'll be getting a set of fogs, sport seats, and that's about it. Okay, maybe a rear spoiler...but everything else is "no cost." I like 'em simple and straightforward (as simple as a modern car can be anyway). Either way, the motoring is awesome in a Cooper.

BTW, I've read that Oxygen Blue isn't coming to the U.S.?

 

It would be interesting to configure a car based on the suggestions in this thread and see what the result is. However, since the 07 configurator is now up, it might be a bit difficult unless the suggestions are relevant to an 07, I haven't read the thread thoroughly yet, but was thinking of doing it later sometime.

The configurator is always fun - never gets old!

 

I know...I've configured my next Cooper three times...and it's going to be an '08!!! How sick is that!!!! I finally stopped, though...waiting to see how option-availability settles out in the next couple of months AND I ran out of options which I considered must-haves. It does simplify things.

 

Bought a 06 MC Pepper white....heated seats only option. Love the car..its light and runs great. Course I do now wish I would have purchased armrest and maybe better radio and cruise control. Almost took it for loooooong drive but went with my old 7 instead. I really enjoyed the brand new feeling..and as mentioned earlier..waiting is half the fun....anticipation. Go for it...stripped..you won't be disapointed and you won't loose anything in depreciation.

 

There are a few things you may want in the future that are expensive and hard to do yourself. Xenons and Limited Slip Differential for instance are probably good options.

Things like colored interior stripes stereo ect you can do at anytime for a reasonable price.

 

Stereo may not be too easy since it's built into the Speedo.
??

 

good point. Does anyone have experience with their supposed "hi-fi" stereo

 

Nobody in the US has a 2007 yet, lilchoi. They roll out in mid-February.

 

I just posted this elsewhere, but Grassroots Motorsports says, in their Feb 07 issue, that an MC should have sport seats, sport suspension and the multifunction steering wheel. They didn't even mention LSD, which they did suggest for the MCS. POINT: $20,250 including a $650 destination charge. That's a lotta little fun car for the bucks, and you can add on stuff as you go along. Resale will be fine, based against what you put into it new/stock. You'll be fine. HAVE FUN!

 

They didn't mention the LSD for the MC because the LSD isn't available on the MC, only the MCS. If we could buy an LSD with an MC, I'd trade mine in for one, but since it isn't possible, I'll just happily keep mine.

-Keith

 

Is there anywhere to see this Grassroot article online? I hear it's a rave review!

 

Make shure to get cruse control it helps resale alot. You sound like me
I got a MC BRG/W and auto trans cloth seats MFSW
have fun

 

also helps your driving record. It's too easy/fun to speed.

 

i dont think ive ever usedd cruise except my one trip down to LA :O

 

Nope, it's not on their website. It's not a BIG article, just a couple pages but the content...well, these guys are serious drivers and they clearly loved the car, putting heavy emphasis on it's driveability and overall improvement. Drop five bucks and support a great magazine. I do not have a scanner or I'd scan it in...anyhow, GSM can use the fiver.

 

Yeah, but the 500 bucks gets you not just the three spoke wheel (didn't bother me if it was two spoke, but...) but cruise control and the ability to operate the stereo and your ipod from the wheel.
The few times a year that I do distance freeway driving in non rush hour traffic, the cruise control is soooo welcome. Makes the miles fly by.