[mister.t]

Some may remember a few months ago, I was offered an R50 Cooper very cheaply - Well I pulled out because it was just too much money at the time - I've been hard at work since, and I've scrimped and saved, and with a bit of luck, I could nab it soon

The Spec of the car is -
2001 51 Mini Cooper
Pure Silver/Black
Chili Pack
Full Leather
Rear factory tints
Panoramic Sunroof
Manual Air Con
Cassette Boost
CD Autochanger
ASC+T

The things that are putting me off, and they are rather large points

The mileage - Its done about 31k miles - 9k of those since 2002!! Anyway, the points are the gearbox (still on its original) and its no longer covered by warranty (I could buy a warranty but I can't afford it as of yet), and my Fiesta - Its done 17k miles in nearly 5 years, and its had so many problems - Cat Converter has had to be changed, Air Con re-gassed and numerous other things that don't work or are intermittent - I'm worried that the Mini will be more of the same.

The costs - I can quite literally just about afford it - IF anything went wrong, I'd be without a car, and completely potless, and it could be ages until it could be fixed.

Is it too much too soon? Ive been racing for some years, and used to some quick machines, but going from a 1.3 Fiesta with all of its 68 odd bhp, to a Cooper worth considerably more and having around 115 bhp, I'd be really worried about stuffing it, or getting a speeding fine, and if the worst did come to the worst, if I did have a knock or a crash, my insurance would go through the roof, ultimatly forcing me off the road because even in a cheap car, my insurance would be crazy.

Also, I'm currently doing my AS levels, so I won't be working so much to keep the car running and to cover other costs - aaarrrggghhhh this is sooooooo hard to choose!!!

The positive points? Well its a MINI Its got a mega spec, it looks better than it sounds in text, and it could be mine Ive wanted a MINI for nigh on 7 years, and hankered after this actual car since early '02, so this could be my big chance to break into Mini ownership

The trouble is though, if I say no, the car is going to be situated up north for anything between 2-6 months due to lots of complicated and boring reasons, and I could end up losing money in that time because I'm too easily lured into spending elsewhere However, the car won't be going on to the open market, they will just keep the car for their son so he can learn to drive - So it could still be within reach, but how long may I have to wait?

What do we think MINI2'ers? I'll be skint, I could fail my exams, I may end up with no car, It could end up being constantly broken, I could loose my license - But, it could be my big break into MINI ownership

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Lol, its a big decision Ollie, but at the end of the day, its down to you and whether you feel YOU can afford it properly - the car, insurance, tax, repairs, mods () etc etc

[mister.t]

Quote: Originally Posted by supa-dupa-cooper (original)

Lol, its a big decision Ollie, but at the end of the day, its down to you and whether you feel YOU can afford it properly - the car, insurance, tax, repairs, mods () etc etc

Thats another problem I forgot about - Mods - Theres lots of things that I'd like to do;
Clear side repeaters
Clear front lenses
Clear rear light clusters
Graphics
Monochrome UJ Dash
Darken windows further,

and within due course I'd like to add the above. If I add these within a large time period (probably 12-18 months) and I come across an un-foreseen cost (such as a gearbox or an insurance payment) within that time period, I'm in deep trouble!! (A student can only work so many hours at so much pay between his A Level work!)

[David King]

Being in sixth form myself, i understand your points, but aslong as you look after it, it should look after you , plus if you do drive it nicely you can get 40+mpg so it doesnt have to be expensive to run.

PS, the chicks love the Minis

[Harpo]

Go for it!

Just don't stress it - after all it is nearly seven years old.

Very soon you will become a very careful driver - which is good.

Have a look here for buying advice: Car review: MINI Cooper (2001 - 2007)

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by David King (original)

Being in sixth form myself, i understand your points, but aslong as you look after it, it should look after you , plus if you do drive it nicely you can get 40+mpg so it doesnt have to be expensive to run.

PS, the chicks love the Minis

Even R56 Loan Coopers with Pink fluffly dice?!


I bought my first MINI ONE at 18, but at the time I was working full time and had been for 6 months so I knew I could afford everything to do with the car (and the reason I didnt buy a car until 6 months after passing my test!)

I think if you are careful then yes you probably can do it, but don push yourself, you dont want to be leaving yourself with no money at all

Oh and if you do buy it, I want a wave and a flash of the lights if I see you

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by mister.t (original)

The costs - I can quite literally just about afford it - IF anything went wrong, I'd be without a car, and completely potless, and it could be ages until it could be fixed.

From that line I'd say you'd be wise to stay clear.

Would you rather have cash in the bank GAINING MONKEY (stick it in an ISA and another high interest account so you'll not spend it?) and feel regret at not buying a lovely MINI, or be broke, and regret having a broken MINI you cannot afford to fix or run, LOSING MONEY on your driveway?

It's up to you, but I don't think it's worth over stretching yourself. You're a student, you'll have loads of time later for nice cars and luxuries when you can better afford them. Save it, or spend it on beer and other studenty things is what I say!

[Harpo]

Quote: Originally Posted by mister.t (original)

Thats another problem I forgot about - Mods - Theres lots of things that I'd like to do;
Clear side repeaters
Clear front lenses
Clear rear light clusters
Graphics
Monochrome UJ Dash
Darken windows further,

and within due course I'd like to add the above. If I add these within a large time period (probably 12-18 months) and I come across an un-foreseen cost (such as a gearbox or an insurance payment) within that time period, I'm in deep trouble!! (A student can only work so many hours at so much pay between his A Level work!)

Forget the mods - on such a car it will be dead money - if anything happens the cost pf the mods will be a total loss.

Save the money and put it towards your next Mini.

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul (original)

Would you rather have cash in the bank GAINING MONKEY (stick it in an ISA and another high interest account so you'll not spend it?) and feel regret at not buying a lovely MINI, or be broke, and regret having a broken MINI you cannot afford to fix or run, LOSING MONEY on your driveway?

[mister.t]

Quote: Originally Posted by supa-dupa-cooper (original)

Oh and if you do buy it, I want a wave and a flash of the lights if I see you

That reminds me - Spot lights is another thing which might look pretty cool

And don't you worry, every Mini I may come across will get blinded by a nutter flashing his headlights like he can't stop doing so

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul (original)

GAINING MONKEY

Been a long day at work Paul?

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul (original)

Save it, or spend it on beer and other studenty things is what I say!

Plan B has been revealed

[mister.t]

Quote: Originally Posted by Harpo (original)

Save the money and put it towards your next Mini.

I'm already R56 spec'ing

[David King]

Quote: Originally Posted by supa-dupa-cooper (original)

Even R56 Loan Coopers with Pink fluffly dice?!

Of course, i think they felt more at home

[Paul]

Mocking me and my monkey. Damn you people.

[mister.t]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul (original)

Mocking me and my monkey. Damn you people.

Not mocking - Far from it!! Wouldn't mock someone who has put as much work into his, er, work Paul

[Darthbladerni]

I have had my mini since I would have been in upper sixth.

Easy to run for a start, good mpg so not much petrol spent every week, i do about 300 miles a week.

Apart from that I have been able to spend alot of money on mods and I am still going. A part time job works fine with it.

My car is a 2001 ONE, and I have had no problems whatsoever with it.

So basically, work out how much money you need exactly, forget about mods for the time being if you really want the car. Think about everything you will have to spend.

For me, i saved alot but i didnt have to do it on my own. I paid for half the car, half the insurance etc. But everything now, mods, petrol, insurance, tax and mot i do myself as it is all cheaper now.
I saved enough to open an ISA and have been building on it for two years.

The main reason it was easy for me and the reason I have built up alot of money now was because I left school after lower sixth to do something specific at tech and im now going onto UNI. Less work at tech means i worked more.

Good luck with the decision

[mister.t]

I've forgotten the mods altogether, they can arrive after I earn some NCB and some respect on the road

MINI2 members are incredibly persuasive - I'm really positive about this now - I was quite unsure when I posted the original post!

[Darthbladerni]

Quote: Originally Posted by mister.t (original)

I've forgotten the mods altogether, they can arrive after I earn some NCB and some respect on the road

MINI2 members are incredibly persuasive - I'm really positive about this now - I was quite unsure when I posted the original post!

Thats exactly it, forget about modifying the car for the time being and focus on the car itself.

When I bought the car I already had an ISA account with the maximum amount in it and I still have it with the maximum amount again. I am doing my modifications and other little things with interest gained as well as work money.

Consider all the options as you have already said, work out how much money you need for everything and then make a decision.

• I had the car for almost a year before anything was done on it.

[mister.t]

Quote: Originally Posted by Darthbladerni (original)

Thats exactly it, forget about modifying the car for the time being and focus on the car itself.

When I bought the car I already had an ISA account with the maximum amount in it and I still have it with the maximum amount again. I am doing my modifications and other little things with interest gained as well as work money.

Consider all the options as you have already said, work out how much money you need for everything and then make a decision.

• I had the car for almost a year before anything was done on it.

That was what I was thinking about - But just using the interest would harm the amount in the account growing any larger - It would be consistent year on year - Better than using it all however

[David King]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul (original)

You're a student, you'll have loads of time later for nice cars and luxuries when you can better afford them. Save it, or spend it on beer and other studenty things is what I say!

That is a good point worth considering. Sixth form is for enjoying, dont want to miss out because your broke buying something that youll find alot easier to buy in a few years time.