Hello all,

I've been reading the forum here and I'm a bit spooked! I'm looking at a 2003 base Cooper with 85K miles at a dealer for $12,500 but I know I can get it for less...probably $11,500-$12000. So...seems like a good price BUT...not if I'm going to have to replace the clutch 5 miles down the road, as I've been reading a lot of posts about (multiple) clutch replacements...the dealer tells me the brakes, tires (Firestone Firehawks) and belts are good (I haven't seen the car in the flesh yet)...tells me he doesn't have the service records or can't share them with me, due to privacy policy.

I also don't want to get into expensive maintenance...I currently drive a '99 Miata and it's bullet proof, as was my 95 Miata. Brake, oil changes, etc were inexpensive...I had a 2000 Z3 in between the two Miatas and EVERYTHING was way more expensive. Is the MINI going to give me sticker shock on maintenance/repairs as well?

I'm supposed to be heading over there in 50 minutes...PLEASE HELP!!! Thanks.

Mitch

 

Mitch,

As far as the condition of the car, can't help you there. If it's at a dealership, it should be a certified pre-owned car which means they've gone over it and replaced parts that were worn.

When it comes to maintaining a MINI, yes, it tends to be a little pricey, being a BMW.

Sounds like you're in hurry to close the deal. My advice: Never be in a hurry to buy an auto. If someone beats you to it, so be it. But hurrying only leads to bad decisions.

 

#1.... If they cannot provide you with the history or prior owner of the car there is only one thing to do........RUN AWAY.

 

Please tell us you didn't buy that car.

 

There is NO PRIVACY LAW that keeps them from showing you maint. history. That's ridiculous. We're not talking medical records here..

They CAN print off the official MINI service history, and they CAN take a black marker and redact out any owner names, etc. and hand it to you. If they WON'T, then that's a bad sign.

 

And if they still won't show it to you, run like hell!!!

 

I did not buy it. And, due to many scary posts and private messages I've received regarding clutches going bad early and often, expensive parts and maintenance, leaky roofs, power steering pumps, rust and problems in abundance...I've been pretty much scared off of buying anything but a brand spankin' new MINI...which, unfortunatley, I can't afford. Looks like I'm hanging on to my bulletproof, reliable as the day is long Miata...thanks EVERYONE for your help!

 

Mitch...not sure where you are located, but go to miniusa.com and find dealers near you. Call and ask them if they have any new 06's left. A lot of dealers still have brand new 06's beause a lot of people held back and waited for the new 07 to come out.

I got a sweet deal on my 06 w/ prem package. If you are willing to go with a non S, you can probably get a new one with at least one package for 17k with full warranty.

 

Hi Mitch, if you were willing to buy the '03 MC, them why not look for a different used MINI which is either covered under a MINI dealerships extended warranty or one that still has the exsisting factory warranty? They are out there, and you can save some $$$ over new. Good luck to you.

 

I may have too put my foot in my mouth as I put more miles on my Mini but you have to take a lot of the clutch issues w/ a grain of salt. A good percentage of the demographic on message boards are going to use the clutch a lot more (and probably incorrectly more often than we would like to think we do) because they like the fact that they can down shift, increase revs for a faster launch, etc... Individuals who on a regular basis try to launch their car quickly will wear the clutch out faster, thats its design. Its best to just understand that its not a drag car and get on the gas after the clutch is enganged. It will last a lot longer that way...