MINI has great add campaigns. So great in fact, that they prompted me to go down to MINI Garage, to discuss what options I would be missing out on if I went with a seriously base model S.
I was hoping to walk in and find a fully specced variety, LOADED with EVERYTHING that moves, so I could weigh up the value of that option, with the cost of having that option, and whether I could live with myself if I decided not to get it.
Unfortunately, I was sadly dissapointed. They had only 3 MINI's there, all fairly unspecced coopers.
The other unfortunate thing is, I'm poor They had a used S - April 02 Build - second hand with 15,000K's on it, with a list price of 41,990. Holy crap... Talk about outta my league
I'm really getting restless about the lack of MINI-ownage. Though, one consolation, I'm getting a new computer soon, and I'm going to have a wireless MINI shaped mouse - a mini adventure everytime I use the computer.
Please, if you comment, I beg you to be objective It's depressing enough not to have a MINI... I'm sure all you who had to wait for delivery will understand.
I bought my Mini from Brisbane BMW now Mini Garage.
I found Josh to be fantastic. Nothing was to much trouble, even little things. They even let me park my Mini at the dealers while I went overseas for a few weeks (save on airport parking fees + lot's safer too. ) Any Warranty issues handled really well.
+ free coke and cookies
When I was there a couple of weeks ago I noticed that there were a few 2nd hand Minis there. I loved the all white Cooper that was there. I'm sure I saw that one at Brisbane motorshow
It was a day of dissapointment today... to add to things, Josh (if it's still him) wasn't there. So, I had a guy who didn't really know much about the MINI's... And, the used car guys have to work with all cars, and he couldn't even get the remote locking to work. And he kept trying to spin me crap about "02 builds don't have the fob window opening technology" which may be true, but I think it's a bit of crap, cos I know that Swamos's got it... it would've been better to say "this one was built before that option blah blah blah"...
A 2nd hand MINI would be pretty ideal for me I think, but as is always the case, Insurance for an 18yr old with anything that has forced induction = big $$$
I don't know if the all white Cooper was still there, but there was white/white with maroonish coloured checkers on it (which looked crap cos they didn't go right to the edge).
What extras have you got Brett? Could a guy live without them? I think I'd probably get the MFSW, but that's about it...
My Jan 2002 build car has comfort opening (Window up and down) Mulit function wheel is a must. It controls the cd player. I have hardly ever touched my cd player except for cleaning and ejecting CD's, as well as cruise control
On a Cooper is cost me about $700 to insure I'm 23
I initially went into New Cars, and I think they said he was on holidays. And, when I expressed particular interest in the S, he directed me to Used Cars.
What I was hoping for when I went in there, was a list of options, and what they did, and their cost.
Unfortunately, Who'm I kidding? I won't be able to afford one of these for a LONG time, unless I decide that lotto is a good way to win money...
If you are having trouble getting the Brisbane Mini Garage dealers to talk to you, you should visit Motorline Mini Garage at Daisy Hill. It is a great dealer.
Don't get me wrong; they were plenty happy to talk to me, but, weren't experienced to talk how I wanted to. They were just BMW guys who were talking MINI.
Daisy Hill eh? Go for a drive out that way one day...
It had to be just a matter of time before you said that
You should change your title (under your name) to Little Old Lady then. I know as well as you do though that I wouldn't be able to stick with the cooper... I'd just be ITCHING to get myself into an S! *sobs*
Are you really serious about buying one of these things?? If you're serious about buying one, then they should give you a drive with no worries.
You probably should have bought Danny's Cooper Taxi Pack. I really think that you should try and pick one up from someone who's trading up. If you can buy it a trade price you should save a couple of G's (at least) over buying them from a dealer. At this point they are all still under warranty, so as long as there's no crash damage you shouldn't be able to get a bad car.
According to Red Book you should be able to pick one up for mid 20's
The Cooper really is a decent car, it still corners like crazy (as i found out on the last Mini drive in Sydney) and it's still a great car to drive around.
I'd rather have an S too, but I'm only 19 and insurance in Sydney for 19 y.o. + supercharger just doesn't add up. besides, i got a good deal on the cooper with my options.
so maybe consider a cooper and then trade up in a year or two...i know i will
as for getting a test drive...i think it's pretty easy...when i was buying my car i got a drive of both the MC and MCS for a few hours without even handing over a licence or signing anything...just don't rock up in a ripped t-shirt or something and you'll be right. and say u have something to trade in (like a renault clio sport...tell them ur sick of its looks and need a mini )
cmon Jug, do your bit in lowering the average age of MC/MCS owners (not that they r old ) and have a lot of fun doing it! (or at least scam a test drive or 5)
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