Found a 2010 Mini Cooper Convertible (one owner) at Carmax with 42000 for $15,899. Put the vin# in bmwarchive.org and it is fully loaded. It's also a stick, which I haven't driven in 30 years. To tell the truth, I'm a little nervous about driving a stick after all these years.

I have been reading both good and bad things about these cars, especially about having to replace the clutch which can be really expensive.

Going from a 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse convertible. I live in Las Vegas, so top is down almost year round.

Are there any recommended extended warranty companies that Mini owners use? Or should I just get the Maxcare Warranty that Carmax offers.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

I have heard from many people that the CarMax warranty is great. I have no personal experience with them though.
MINIs in general can be expensive if you have the dealerships work on your car. Let us know where you are from and I'm sure someone can recommend an independent shop in your area that will be about half the cost.
Good luck, let us know what you do.

 

I'm guessing Las Vegas.

After 30 years you might want to rent a stick shift car for a week. Old muscles and pains can rise up and wreck havoc with you. Do they offer a buyback or out on the cars?

 

CarMax has a 5 day return policy.

 

Dah, I skipped right over that. Haha
Well I spoke to a friend in Vegas who no longer has his MINI. He said he never really found a good independent shop or dealership in the Vegas area. I think it's been about 2 years now since he owned his car though.

 

I just bought a 2010 convertible stick, already had a mini but it was an automatic. I hadnt driven stick in 15 years, it came back to me in about 15 seconds

Do it, what an all around better driving experience, especially in a mini.

You will never look back mate.

 

a Mini or a MINI?

if MINI mechanics are hard to find

Mini mechanics can be harder

'cept the car is so simple and with no computers .... Joe's garage just might be the best place to take it!

 

Post up some pics when you get it, if you get a 2011+ R57 Cooper S , you will get the N18 engine. Unless its a " Cooper " only.

 

Test driving car tomorrow. Will let you know what I decided. CarMax added a 2009 MINI Cooper S with 54K (2 owners) and Automatic Transmission for $16,599. Not as many options as the 2010. I've read that the S versions tend to have more problems i.e.., carbon buildup. I have to say I'm torn. I'd worry less with the AT about my driving abilities, but more about repairs and reliability and such.

 

let us know how it goes and good luck on the search.

 

Ended up buying the 2010. Just have to get used to 6 speed. Put it in 3rd instead of 1st a couple of times driving it home.

 

 

Congrats, make sure you get the windows tinted being in vegas. In the evening its good to have the top down, when I had the top down last time in vegas during the middle of the day I was cooked.

 

Unfortunately, driving a stick isn't like riding a bicycle. So I am exchanging it for a 2011 with an AUTOMATIC transmission. Less bells and whistles, but I will be less likely to kill myself or others.

 

Oh no! Moving away from the 6 speed is a bad move [in my opinion]!
But then again, I haven't driven an automatic since I got my driver's permit...

But on the bright side, the 'S' has so much more pep and get-up-and-go

 

Must be 6 speed and the Cooper S
IMO
Good luck on the search.