Three weeks ago, our love affair with our gorgeous little Hyper Blue 2004
MCS Chili ended: an idiot coming around a blind corner smashed into the front of us and rammed our little Coops into two stationary cars.
So, ALLEGEDLY it was my fault because technically, I was 'merging' (front of my car was out in traffic - simply so I could see around a parked car, I might add). Enough said, I think.
A big thumbs up to the MINI for sustaining terrible injuries and protecting us all: all three of us in the car escaped with cuts, bruises and a little whiplash. Our little baby wasn't so fortunate: $15,000 of labour and $17,500 parts = written off. Annoying: I'd just spent over $900 on brand new run-flats on the front. I'm glad it was, really, as the rear wheel was at 45 degrees to the car. It would never have been the same.
Now, good old AAMI have paid up and we're trundling around in a lovely white No Birds Corolla (urgh) and this looks set to continue because there are simply HARDLY ANY R53s available in Sydney! I'm checking the big car classified websites frequently, but no dice. Widening the net (but keeping our prices the same) has thrown up some interesting alternatives, which I'd like to get some opinions on:
- 2002
JCW with low mileage (I much prefer the facelifted model not least because of the gearing) any thoughts?
- 2004 Cooper S Cabrio models are selling at suspiciously low prices. Would we regret making the move from our old tin top?
- What are the Checkmate variants like? Resale okay?
Of course, if you have a 2004/2005
MCS Chili for sale, let me know!
Thanks in advance!
Matt