[JD20]

So, 2 weeks ago my Golf was written off by someone steaming into the back of me, so now I need a new car. I've always loved the look of the new Minis but until today I hadn't actually sat in one, partly because I'm 6'6" ish and didn't think I'd fit!!

However, much to my surprise I visited a local car superstore today and took out both a ONE and a Cooper S, and it was like a tardis in the front, leg room/head room not a problem at all.

Having now fallen in love with the Mini I have a bit of a dilemma as to what to buy. So here's my options as I see it:

1. Buy a brand new Cooper ONE - stupid idea, now disregarding
2. Buy a second hand Cooper ONE
3. Buy a second hand Cooper / Cooper S

I have neither swaying me either way as liked both cars, the extra power of the S whilst instantly noticeable, and enjoyable is not 'really' a deciding factor.

I'm assuming from looking at Cherished Minis that I'm looking at ~04/54 for the Cooper S at that sort of price level with ~30,000 miles on the clock.

My only stipulations are that if second hand it has to be 04/54 or newer, and no more than 35,000 (absolute max) ... of which I've seen a few advertised locally.

But then on the other hand, would a new ONE, be a better buy generally?!? To say I'm confused is an understatement. Either way, it has to be a Mini

Oh, and I'd prefer to buy from a main dealer for the cherished extras, and more room to haggle on the price (which I'm rubbish at though).

Any guidance appreciated

James

[Paul]

An old Cooper S or a new One are miles apart really. What do you like about the MINI, and what is important to you, comfort, spec, speed, fuel consumption, emissions....?

[JD20]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul (original)

An old Cooper S or a new One are miles apart really. What do you like about the MINI, and what is important to you, comfort, spec, speed, fuel consumption, emissions....?

I think I'm just over thinking things and getting confused in the process over exactly what I want so I guess I'm really thinking out loud here and hoping for input and bouncing ideas around.

To be hones the more I think about it, getting a new ONE seems rather stupid as I could only just afford the base model on my budget so would be barren as far as spec goes, so realistically I think I'm looking at either a second hand ONE for around £8-9k or a similar aged/mileage S for £11k

Generally speaking fuel consumption is important, speed would be nice but not a deal breaker, comfort important, and I think both cover that well.

Not really making things any clearer am I ? Told ya I was confused, heh.

Safe to say I'm now ruling out a new ONE though...

[slim_boy_fat]

Buy my 2003 JCW S

Its in the classifieds so have a look, best £11k car out there.

[mister.t]

For £11k you could get a well spec'd 05-06 Cooper, a similarly spec'd One would be about £1k less. A Cooper S for £11k on Cherished would be a fairly early one, and with a lower spec than a Cooper perhaps, but its a Cooper S, so I would excuse it

[JD20]

Ah, forgot to even look for a standard Cooper, something else to add to the list that I'm searching at the moment. Trying to get a fairly accurate picture of what I want before I visit some Mini dealerships tomorrow.

Any tips on haggling while I'm here?

[mister.t]

The words haggling and Mini dealer only go in the same sentence when a negative is involved Its not gonna happen - if it is, it will almost be negligable. You can however try and get bits and pieces thrown in, some floor mats, or perhaps some other merchandise. TLC XL may well be worth a try if you buy an older car - Or at the very least get the dealer to make a contribution, at the end of the day, its a sale and another TLC XL package out of the door, so I'm sure they'd be happy to play ball

[JD20]

Ahh good to know. Would go the trying to get bits thrown in approach then. Just found a Cooper that I'll contact the dealership about tomorrow (and hope they still have it). Exciting stuff this

If its an 05, whats the verdict on the TLC packages? Are they something I should definitely consider? Haven't looked into them at all yet to be honest so will have a read now.

[Paul]

If fuel consumption and running costs are an issue, forget the S unless you're going for a new model (turbo), even then it's not exactly thrifty.

In real terms, I found little difference between the previous generation One and Cooper in terms of consumption, but the S will cost more and about £300 a year in road tax too.

Cooper with Chilli is a pretty safe, mid range buy that should also sell pretty well...

Lots of choices in your price range really! Not too helpful really.

[JD20]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul (original)

Lots of choices in your price range really! Not too helpful really.

Quite the opposite actually, this thread has already been a big help, as I said, think I just needed to vocalize my thought process and now have a solid idea as to what I want

[*Vikki*]

# Buy a second hand Cooper ONE

[mini-millie-n-dan]

If I was you, I would be looking at a 2nd hand Cooper with Chilli pack for the best of both worlds!

[ALD0]

Check out the classifieds on here, lots of bargains!

[stefanbates]

Quote: Originally Posted by JD20 (original)

I
Generally speaking fuel consumption is important, speed would be nice but not a deal breaker, comfort important, and I think both cover that well.
.

I had the same budget and chose an ex-demo Cooper S with Chili; my annual mileage is low as I commute by train - so Cooper S was ideal for me. If (low?) fuel consumption is important to you I'd suggest a used Cooper - the S loves Optimax..

A Cooper with Chili and leather from MINI Cherished would seem to match your requirements. As for discount, for what it's worth I got new mats and 6 months tax.

On that budget you could get Cooper, 30k and leather plus chili. LF54TOJ on MINI Cherished site for example.

[OJM]

You'll be paying quite a bit more by looking at dealer's MINIs.

I looked at about 20 Cooper S's when I was looking for mine, and dealer ones were at least a couple of grand more.

Eventually I found a perfect 2003 plate, 38K on the clock, for £9,500. Had half leather interior (back seats and passenger seats looked like they'd never been used, and the drivers seat was the best I had seen anywhere), Xenon lights, Climate Control, MFSW, CD Changer, Cruise Control, Spot Lights, DSC, SS+, Chilli Pack, Run Flats, 1 TLC left etc etc.

Same spec from a dealer and I was looking at £12,000!

As a note, I get 30mpg from mine - that's fun and day to day driving, to and from work etc.

[nylo]

By going the dealer route though, you've got the Cherished warranty and peace of mind should something go wrong...

I'd nearly be tempted to say look at a Cooper for about £10.5k if you can find one, and leave yourself a little room to add the odd bits and pieces to make it your own (pretty much everyone I know swears blind they're not going to touch their brand new MINI, spends some time on MINI2 and goes on a few runs, and suddenly "this bit would look good on mine" or "that's a really good idea..." )

TLC is a good idea too, as it saves you forking out for servicing

[BrianDromey]

Im in a similar situation to you, the good thing is that most of the MINI dealerships I have gone to were extremely helpful and patient, I want this one, no, that one, no a different one, no a convertable, no a hatch, no a clubman...yes! Must have driven the poor guy in Durham off his game, just for that he will be getting my business when I bring my chequebook along.

I would say for your money you would get into a nicely specced Cooper with a chili pack. In my experience you need to start suggesting very, very early that he price must be negotiable. You need a bloody good poker face, and remind them that there are other MINI's around. There is ALWAYS a deal to be done, I've scouted out a lot of dealerships. None of the will OFFER a discount, but if you offer well below sticker and bring out a chequebook, see what happens!

If you dont ask, you dont get!
Brian.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by JD20 (original)

Generally speaking fuel consumption is important, speed would be nice but not a deal breaker, comfort important, and I think both cover that well.

Having owned both an original Cooper (32,750 miles) and a Cooper S (22,000 miles to date) and loved them both, you've just described the Cooper in your "wants". My fuel consumption in the Cooper consistantly averaged 37.6mpg, it was quick enough to be fun and it was very comfortable.

If comfort is a priority, make sure you spec Sports Seats; despite being called "Sports" they are a lot more comfortable than the standard ones!

Happy hunting

Tigger.

[JD20]

So had a bit of a disappointment in that the one I wanted to see today was sold yesterday afternoon !! Typical. Although my new shortlist consists of about 20 cars, heh.

Thinking of upping the budget to £11999 for an 06 Cooper...