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MINI Cooper Prices Paid and Buying Experience

1491 messages,  Last post on Apr 23, 2013 at 2:35 AM

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What is this discussion about? MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper Clubman, MINI Cooper Countryman, Coupe, Hatchback, SUV

Messages Page 52 of 150

#506 of 1491 Re: thanks [tica] by cct1

Nov 21, 2006 (9:59 am)

Replying to: tica (Nov 20, 2006 7:41 pm)
The price of the base Cooper goes up six hundred bucks, but it comes standard with a few extras that weren't on the previous generation (traction control being one of them, which you're going to want anyway). You'll have to add 1350.00 for the automatic (which is about what it was on the previous generation, if I remember correctly).
 
All in all, if you're going for a Cooper, and an automatic, I'd strongly recommend the 2007 over the 2006--you're going to have a much better transmission, and for the other goodies you're getting, as well as an overall improvement in the car, that extra 600 is worth it. Personally I'd wait for the 2008 if I could, but I'd be more comfortable with a 2007 with a standard automatic transmission than a 2006 with the CVT. You'll also do better with depreciation when it comes time to sell, which will offset some of that 600 bucks. Just my 2 cents....
 
The other advantage of ordering the 2007 is that you'll be able to order EXACTLY what you want, and personalize it to your liking--that's half the fun of getting a Mini! There are some very cool new interior options (many of which are simply choices rather than extras--you can set up a unique interior, and have it not cost you a dime extra).

#507 of 1491 Re: thanks [tica] by bfromhold

Nov 22, 2006 (11:36 am)

Replying to: tica (Nov 20, 2006 7:41 pm)
Hi Tica ~
 
Okay.... I had to say something in support of the MINI with the CVT transmission. I have a 2006 Mini Cooper S with the CVT transmission. Both my husband and I drive it, and we haven't noticed anything that I would consider "dangerous" in the 6,000 miles we have put on it. I've had previous cars with automatics (Honda, Audi, VW, Porsche, etc.) and think the transmission in my MINI (manufactured in July 2006) shifts good and hard when put into "Sport" mode or when you stomp on the gas pedal in the "normal" mode. However, occasionally I've noticed the "lag" when starting off at a stand-still. Again... I wouldn't label it as dangerous. One bummer thing is that you won't get as good of gas mileage with the automatic. I average about 28 mpg with all around driving. The highest MPG I got was 31 and that was strictly highway speeds (60-80+ MPH).
 
I hope this helps,
Brenda
 
P.s. Anyone else out there own a MCS with the CVT transmission care to comment?
 
My new love's specs: 2006 Mini Cooper S, Hyper blue w/white top & bonnet stripes, chrome exterior & chrome interior, Premium/Sport/Convenience/& Cold Weather pkgs, black panther English leather interior, cockpit chrono pack, Harmon Kardon stereo, etc. We've already racked nearly 6,000 miles on it. I had a nice long road trip driving it home from out of state this September... I guess it's not as new anymore.

#508 of 1491 Re: thanks [tica] by rteichman

Nov 30, 2006 (12:15 pm)

Replying to: tica (Nov 20, 2006 7:41 pm)
I just bought a 2004 MC with CVT and although I have only owned it for a week I felt the need to comment. I grew up driving in NY and now drive the car primarily in Philly. For NYC traffic you would be nuts to get a manual. Anyone who feels differently never drove there in traffic where you need to constantly inch along so as not to let the world cut in front of you and still cover the 1 mile distance in a hour or so.
 
As far as the CVT goes its far from being dangerous. Again we are talking about NYC roads, you are not overtaking cars on a twisty 2 lane roads in the country. It does have its quirks, however having "gears" is no guarantee of it being better. For example my Audi quattro WITH gears lurches forward after a stop due to all the intertia of the quattro and transmission. I'm not saying that the 2007 won't be better than the CVT, I'm saying that I would reserve judgement until driving it.
 
My recomendation is test drive the 2006 in the city and see how you like it. If you are ok with it and can get a "deal" or don't want to wait go for it. Also remember when you are inching along and 1 MPH it does not matter if you have a 500HP or a 50HP engine.

#509 of 1491 ha ha by tica

Nov 30, 2006 (1:07 pm)

you are funny! I see you have fond memories of Manhattan traffic! Well, when I have been stuck in the traffic, all I need to do is remind myself that I'm in cooled/heated air, I have music on, and most importantly, I'm not lugging pounds of crap on my back in a backpack while squooshed near smelly strangers on the subway!! The minutes idling feel much better when I consider the alternative! (or being in a taxi with 4 air-freshener Christmas trees near the window behind my head triggering an asthma attack and Punjabi top 40s hits playing on the radio in front!)
 
thanks for these comments. I'm no car pro so all these subtelties, I don't think I will catch. I barely know what a gear is for goodness sake! All I know is that driving is much better than schlepping around town!
 
I'm going to Texas and am going to test drive one in Houston I think. I saw a couple of Minis in houston when I was home for T-giving last week. I was surprised to see them in Houston of all places where the last thing you need is a small car. Interesting.
 
thanks

#510 of 1491 Re: ha ha [tica] by cct1

Nov 30, 2006 (2:44 pm)

Replying to: tica (Nov 30, 2006 1:07 pm)
I'm glad the folks with CVT's are doing well with them, but again I'd strongly recommend the 2007 if you're going with an automatic. As I said before, there is a reason why BMW is getting rid of the CVT--it's just not that good. If you drive the new auto versus the old CVT, you're going to notice a big difference. Part of the fun of the Mini is that while it's not a brutally fast car, it's still exceptionally quick--and the CVT just kills that. Not to mention the 2007's have a better (softer) ride, and in general are more user friendly--the car was specifically geared to making it more accessible to the average driver in areas of comfort and convienence.
 
As a bonus new automatic also is equipped standard with paddle shifters--you may never use them, but they're very easy to use if you choose to, and alot of fun to boot.
 
Again, it's your choice, but I'd personally wait for the 2007 and at least test the 2007 versus the 2006 before purchasing, but that's just me. But this does come from someone who significantly prefers the 2006 Mini models over the 2007s with the only exception being the Mini 2006 CVT and the 2007 Mini automatic. If you buy the 2006 without test driving a 2007 first, don't ever test drive the 2007--you'll end up kicking yourself...

#511 of 1491 Re: thanks [tica] by foreigntax

Dec 01, 2006 (1:32 pm)

Replying to: tica (Nov 18, 2006 2:11 pm)
I have a 2006 base Mini with manual transmission that I drive between Manhattan and Connecticut on the weekends.
 
I agree that manual transmission is tough for Manhattan traffic -- it's tough when the traffic is stop-and-go and you are forever shifting between neutral and first. After one Friday with really bad traffic, I now wait until the Friday rush hour traffic clears before I leave Manhattan. (I bought the manual because I enjoy driving one and I spend a lot of time outside the city anyway, but if it's for pure city driving, I would think long and hard before buying a manual.)
 
I have the dealer (Mini of the Hamptons) add the aux jack and it's GREAT for ipod. I also have my Garmin GPS (with a separate bluetooth phone connected) plugged into this aux jack and can listen to the GPS directions/listen to people on the phone through the car's stereo! This definitely beats the $750 bluetooth car kit that dealers charge for a BMW X5 that does not do GPS/MP3 music, etc.
 
Hope my $0.02 help!

#512 of 1491 2006 CVT comes standard with Paddle Shifters by bfromhold

Dec 02, 2006 (11:07 am)

Replying to: cct1 (Nov 30, 2006 2:44 pm)
F.Y.I. ~ My 2006 does have the Paddle Shifters as standard. You won't have to wait for a 2007 to get them.
 
My new love's specs: 2006 Mini Cooper S, Hyper blue w/white top & bonnet stripes, chrome exterior & chrome interior, Premium/Sport/Convenience/& Cold Weather pkgs, black panther English leather interior, cockpit chrono pack, Harmon Kardon stereo, etc. We've already racked nearly 6,000 miles on it. I had a nice long road trip driving it home from out of state this September.

#513 of 1491 Paddle shifters by cct1

Dec 03, 2006 (8:31 pm)

I forgot about the 2006's having the paddle shifters, but those are really secondary--not too many people are going to be using them on a regular basis if they have an automatic, although they should be more responsive in the 2007's. They are nice to have though. More important is the improved tranny in the 2007's and improved ride.

#514 of 1491 ... by plekto

Dec 03, 2006 (9:24 pm)

More important is the improved tranny in the 2007's
***
That's the big deal, and why old Minis won't be collectable like they were. The new ones are going to be better and will hold their value like the original series did(and will for several more years until the 3rd gen comes around in 2012 or so.

#515 of 1491 Re: 2006 CVT comes standard with Paddle Shifters [bfromhold] by cct1

Dec 04, 2006 (9:04 am)

Replying to: bfromhold (Dec 02, 2006 11:07 am)
F.Y.I. ~ My 2006 does have the Paddle Shifters as standard. You won't have to wait for a 2007 to get them.
 
It just hit me,,,What are you driving? The MCS, and the convertibles have paddle shifters--these are automatic transmissions with gearing and NOT CVTs. I forgot about this. To my knowledge, none of the CVT's ever had paddle shifters, so you have the automatic tranny, which performs better than the CVT. I'm not sure how a CVT would incorporate a paddle shifter.

Messages Page 52 of 150

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