MINI Cooper vs. MINI Cooper S, (Pretty Long Message)

[Nathant]

Greatings..
My name is Nathan, I am 15, and want to buy a MINI in 2004. I was talking to my parents about going to the MINI Dealership in Kansas over Spring Break. But they wanted to know the price tag before anything could happen. They can afford about $21,000 if I push it(with the MINI Select Plan .
I was comparing the Cooper and the Cooper S, both Manuel. If I want to get the MINI Cooper S it will cost a little more than the limit, but I can lay off on some of the options. But with a MINI Cooper I can stay way below that with some more "non-nessary" auto AC, windsheild sensor, etc.. options.
Does the MINI Cooper have enough power for a normal driver who likes to be the first one off of the green light? Or is it worth the extra money to get the S?? I would go and take a test drive, but Kansas is WAY to far away "just" for a test drive.
I really like the centered tail pipes on the S, and the overall style but,.,. I can live without it. What options were "not what you expected", and which ones are a "Need to have"?. Is the Xenon lights REALLY worth 500 dollars?(Things like that.)
And.. one more thing. Is the dealership installed Security System worth it? or is the standard safty and secutiry that comes with it good enough. And how much does it cost? My mom says "No one in their right mind will want to take that ugly thing"

Thank you so MUCH (your information will really help to convience my parents, i hope)
Nathan

[MINIAC]

Welcome to MINI2

Quote:

They can afford about $21,000 if I push it. If I want to get the MINI Cooper S it will cost a little more than the limit, but I can lay off on some of the options.

Since the base price for a 2004 'S' is $19,999, tax and license will put you at $21,000 without ordering any options.

Quote:

Does the MINI Cooper have enough power for a normal driver who likes to be the first one off of the green light?

The MINI, whether it be the Cooper or 'S', is about having fun in the twisties and not racing from one stoplight to another.

Quote:

But with a MINI Cooper I can stay way below that with some more "non-nessary" auto AC, windsheild sensor, etc.. options.

That's the ticket ... you'll want to spend more money after getting your MINI on other goodies:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...threadid=35551

[MarkW19]

Better still, for your first car, get an old banger then you'll REALLY appreciate how good the MINI is. Use the old banger to practice on and have the inevitable scrapes/accidents in. Then when you can, buy the Cooper yourself, and be proud of what you've got with the money you've earnt yourself If you get a stunning car like a Cooper for your first car when you've barely left highschool that your parents have bought you, where do you go in your life? Only thinking of you, you'll appreciate your MINI more then!!

[stuartkey]

With MarkW19 on this one. I'm 'only' 30, but it does amaze me the number of teenage-20 year olds that seem to be able to afford (or have bought for them ) BRAND NEW MINI's, of whatever variety.

My first car cost £200. I smashed it into a wall, spent £100 repairing it, ran like a dream for 6 months then I sold it when I could afford to buy something nice, which I then appreciated more BECAUSE I'd saved hard to buy it.

Kids!
Who'd have 'em eh?

Edited twice due to typos, due to frustration at rich kids

[miniyup]

Quote:

Originally posted by MarkW19
Use the old banger to practice on and have the inevitable scrapes/accidents in. Then when you can, buy the Cooper yourself, and be proud of what you've got with the money you've earnt yourself If you get a stunning car like a Cooper for your first car when you've barely left highschool that your parents have bought you, where do you go in your life?

Don't mean to rain on anyone's parade, but I completely echo this view, as have many other threads on this site that have hosted similar discussions in the last year about teens. My 16-yr old son who received his DL in June is now driving what was MY daily driver car (1987 Toyota Camry with 142K on the clock, but still runs great) and I, as of this spring, at age 48, have a new MCS. Need to wait at least a few years, if nothing else but to hone those driving skills so you don't bang up a brand new, really nice car.

[Mattely]

I'm 19 and the MINI is going to be my 2nd car after my current car (saxo) and I've saved all the money for the cooper which I collect on Sep 1st. So I know I've worked hard for mine.

[stuartkey]

Well done Mattely, respect is due

Picking up from Cotswold aren't you? Might bump into you there!

Maybe 'bump into' was the wrong phrase

[chiph]

Quote:

Does the MINI Cooper have enough power for a normal driver who likes to be the first one off of the green light? Or is it worth the extra money to get the S??

1. You may be first off at the green light in a MINI, but you won't be the first to get across the intersection. What that calls for is torque, and the MINI's 1.6 liter engine just doesn't have it.

2. Do that real often, and you'll be looking at buying a new clutch and/or transmission and/or expensive engine parts. Doing smokey burn-out launches is fun, but is not conducive to owning the car for a long time.

Quote:

I would go and take a test drive, but Kansas is WAY to far away "just" for a test drive.

Not for a MINI, it isn't!

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Is the dealership installed Security System worth it? or is the standard safty and secutiry that comes with it good enough.

Unless you live in Manhattan, or other high-theft area, the standard security is fine. The keys have a transponder chip in them that prevent the car from being hot-wired. You're still vulnerable to the car being loaded on a roll-back, or a window being smashed out, but you would be anyway even if you paid the extra for the optional security system.

Quote:

Is the Xenon lights REALLY worth 500 dollars?

Yes they are!

Quote:

your information will really help to convience my parents, i hope

Do you plan to go to a university or a college? If so, I wouldn't take a MINI there. I've seen some awful things done to cars in dormatory parking lots by drunk students. I'd buy a beater (5+ year old Honda or something) to drive until after you graduate. Something that you won't get too upset over when someone keys it, jumps up & down on the roof, or yaks on the hood, or something else gross/disturbing.

Chip H.

[NEMINI]

It's a damn shame someone comes here to ask assistance and more people jump on the stereotypical all teenagers crash and bang. I'm 30 years old now and have never hit anything, I've had a nice car since the day I turned 16 and got my learners permit. Not all the young people in this world are as incapable as some.
Theres absolutely no way to know whether Nathan is ready or not but obviously his parents think he is (considering they are willing to spend $21,000) and they know him much better!

*jumps off the rant podium*

Welcome to MINI2 Nathan!!

As for your question(s) Nathan I concur with what MINIAC had to say

[MINIAC]

My recommendation of getting the Cooper was based on the assumption that Nathan's parents felt he was responsible enough to have a new car.

If I was a parent paying for a teenager's first car, it would be a reliable used car.

[Mattely]

cheers Stuartkey, yeah I'm picking up from Cheltenham, I'm dealing with Todd! Only 3 weeks to go, wahoo!

[MarkW19]

I'm only 20 myself, this is my 2nd car. I've been in a good job for a few years, and my first car which I bought myself was an old Fiesta.

I got my cooper 3 weeks ago, which I paid every penny for myself. The issue isn't age - it's that:-

1. You never appreciate something that's given to you as much as something you've worked hard for, you're never as proud of it and it never feels as "personal" or special.

2. How can you appreciate the MINI for what it is, and how can you compare it to anything, when you've not had a car before and are barely at the legal age for driving?

Nathan:- welcome by the way. It's just that all of us here love our cars, and are proud of them and REALLY know how special and unique they are. I'd hate for you to miss out on what we're all experiencing and think that every car is like a MINI!

[Spy Car]

Quote:

Originally posted by GMINI03
It's a damn shame someone comes here to ask assistance and more people jump on the stereotypical all teenagers crash and bang.

It does give one pause, however, when said 15 year old describes himself as one who "likes to be the first one off of the green light."

Frankly, I would be quite concerned about putting a Cooper S in this kids hands. Sorry about that.

Plus if Kansas City is way too far to even test drive the cars, how is he going to get it serviced? Especially if it is one of the unlucky cars to develop niggles?

Sorry but alarm bells are going off in my head.

[minimadness12345]

Nathan I am about close to about two years older then you. But it is cool to see more teenagers interested in the cooper. As I went for a test drive with my parents I came to realize the cooper doesnt have the acceleration that you are looking for if you want to try and beat people of the line, however the cooper is one of the funnest cars to just drive. It really comes down to your choice in teh end though.

[DeniseK]

Go for it, Nathan, and good luck. Get the Cooper. I bought an S because of the altitude where I live (7,500 feet), but they're both good cars. Enjoy yourself. Youth is totally cool. Good for your folks for buying you a new car.