[JpMcC]

Over the past few weeks my dad has been considering buying a MINI Cooper and adding me to the insurance, but we were getting quotes of 4-5 thousand pounds a year, so it was not going to happen, so I was not best pleased, as I am 18 i was expecting a high insurence premium but not that high.
Today my dad phones a company local to where we live and they are going to insure me for £1200 (fully comp), I was soo pleased, so the MINI is now looking promising, cant wait, it's going to cost me around £70 per week, to pay for the car and the insurance policy, I am fairly happy with that considering my parents are paying half, so time to get the MINI Brochure out and choose the package, we have all agreed that the colour must be Black/White, with bonnet stripes and 17" S-Spoke wheels, so now just deciding on the other options

Also I would like to say that this is a fantastic site, it is very intresting reading all the posts on the forum, I have not had many posts but just reading the topics makes me sure that the MINI is the car for me

[chughes163]

glad to hear your getting a Cooper! - Im also 18 and i have a Cooper spec ONE - getting engine chip in the next 2 weeks so will be identical then. I also have the S Spokes and my car is totally black with chrome instead though.

You will LOVE your car - all your mates will want a ride, you get a lot of respect from them! - You will be driving LOADS too - i have covered 7580 miles since May 23rd!

This site is top dog for reference and just a general chat about stuff - it can also serve as a way of meeting other owners in your area though.

Good luck with the car and i will see you around on the board im sure!

Chris

[MiniAdventurer]

i am (nearly) 18 and have a ONE (cooper insurance too high) and, needless to say, love it. welcome to the site, hope u find it helpful and don't get toooo addicted

[SugarBelly]

WELCOME, jpsmini!
It's superb you found Paul's wonderful site here & joined in!
Some folks seem to make a living at it here , but really it's their daily meds, or what keeps 'em sane when not motoring. You've joined a fab group here.... they share MINI experiences & learning more MINI is wonderful this way....

The 17" S-spoke/R85 wheels are the best looking, capturing that ol' Mini heritage & yet modern/smart in design, - but they're quite heavy [good for snow, I've learned] robbing power from the engine. Get the 17s for sure, as it's quite possible to buy slightly used sets of MINI wheels at very fair prices! [Check MINI2's "For Sale" thread & eBay too see what I mean.]

Oh, - Paul's / MINI2's helpful FAQs: MINI Wheel FAQs Here Wheels are a popular topic, as folks discuss the "unsprung weight" factors, Run-Flats v. Non-Run-Flat tyres/tires, etc.... Well, we'll see you in those topics soon enough!

OK. OK> Too much! [Sorry.] too much coffee!

Welcome!
Enjoy.
& thank your lovely Dad!

-Lucka

[chughes163]

Yes definitely buy your wheels used - I did - i got them for £300 in excellent condition off MINI2 - they had 2 excellent runflat tyres on them and 2 with about 2,000 miles left in them - i got them replaced and spent something like £560 in total for my wheels with great tyres - that is like 1/2 of the NEW price when specified on a car!