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MINI Cooper Prices Paid and Buying Experience

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

You are in the Prices Paid - Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum.

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

Messages Page 98 of 150

#966 of 1491 Re: Some questions about the Mini [waterflame] by blueguydotcom

Mar 23, 2008 (3:25 pm)

Replying to: waterflame (Mar 23, 2008 2:50 pm)
1. Clubman would be a bit more practical. I have a 2007 Cooper S and once in awhile it's not exactly. Ideal. If you have other cars in the house, it's not a problem to live with a Cooper.
  
2.Drive them both. I can't imagine living with a base Cooper. But to each his own.
  
3.Not at all. I have let many 6 foot+ friends drive my Cooper and they love. For someone your size a clubman might be a good option just in case.
  
4. We love our seat warmers. My wife will often pick the Cooper S because of the seat warmers. DSC is useful as the cooper will spin its tires quite easily. I can't imagine in a cold climate with rain and snow how bad this would be. Just switched my cooper S to normal tires. Love them. The ride quality improves drastically as does the performance. RFTs are evil.
 
The aux comes standard on all Coopers.
 
The Strut tower is not for vibration - it's to quell chassis flex. If you're not a hard driver, you'll never notice the difference.

#967 of 1491 Re: Some questions about the Mini [blueguydotcom] by supriya

Mar 23, 2008 (9:29 pm)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Mar 23, 2008 3:25 pm)
Thanks, that was quick!
 
Unfortunately the Clubman is certainly out of my budget. Not unless I get some kind of magic deal on the 08 models right around the time the 09 models come in.
 
Has anyone had any luck with this strategy? From what I've read, there doesn't seem to be much in store for the regular Cooper or the S. I think a complete new variant like the Clubman was on the cards though.

#968 of 1491 Re: Some questions about the Mini [blueguydotcom] by bijoubaby05

Mar 24, 2008 (9:27 am)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Mar 23, 2008 3:25 pm)
1.cooper S is the way to go. it's a zippy, fun ride. i have an 07 S model and i'm in love with my car, its too cute. the regular cooper has a lot of minimal additions, which the cooper S comes with sport seats (that you'd have to buy on the regular, etc)
  
2.i bought my car 2 years after graduation and about the time my corolla decided that it was time to leave me, even if i wasn't letting her go. i've never looked back since.
  
3.i dont think your size will be an issue. my boyfriend is 6'2" and he loves driving my car. the sport seats fit him like a glove. there is no backseat to speak of. dont expect any room. i think its a great car, even if you do have a family. as long as the babies dont need too much leg room and u only have 1 or 2 kids, it's fine. since that's not an issue, you'll be fine.
  
4.i have a minimally customized mini and i lived.
  
a. i have metallic paint but it's your choice. the dark silver is a great color as is the green.
  
b. The Cold Weather Package is definitely a choice but the package i regret not getting is the comfort package and the multi control steering wheel. i said the same thing about the steering wheel when i purchased the car and now i regret not having it. it's worth it.
 
sunroof is your choice although the car is sturdier without it.
 
c. DSC. no idea but any and all features available except for Stability Control should be bought.
  
d. i have run flats and they're so bumpy. i'm assuming regular tires are better while driving and less expensive. i did get a flat on my run flat and the purchase of a new tire cost me 200.00 w/ discount. they're very expensive to replace. i did, however, insure the rest of the tires for any further damage. you may want to consider that.
 
good luck buying! it's a great little car and the waves dont hurt either.

#969 of 1491 comments by tica

Mar 24, 2008 (11:07 am)

Hi
couple of questions and answers to guy above:
 
1. Features I discovered I couldn't live without--autodim rearview mirror, comfort access (it's WONDERFUL), auto headlights--I think all these things are in the comfort package which is totally worth it--all these things mayke your life much easier.
 
2. Features I don't care about: inside trim, fancy steering wheel with the buttons--I NEVER use the steering wheel to control any of the radio or bluetooth phone stuff, I do it on the radio and it's much easier actually, sunroof, you get more breeze from window and it won't block out the sun with that mesh thing, and it makes noise on the freeway, I don't like it. I don't like the armrest. I'd rather by a non-Mini one that's big--I've seen them on the Mini accessory websites and wish I'd done that.
 
Has anyone noticed how low the front window is? So when you are first in line at the stoplight you have to crane your neck under to see the red light turn green? This is pretty annoying, I wish they'd extend the window higher. I'm only 5'6" so not like I"m too tall or anything.

#970 of 1491 should I trade in my 07 for and 08? by tica

Mar 24, 2008 (11:13 am)

Hi
I leased my Mini Cooper basic 11 months ago and the time is up to decide what to do.
 
I have a basic Mini with a sunroof, it has lots of options--more than I would have chosen if I ordered, but I bought if off the lot. It was priced at $24,300 at the time. I got an amazing lease deal (2% interest for some odd reason). I put 2350 down and 169/month for past year. My buying price now would be 21,3000.
 
But one thing that has bugged me is the intermittent check engine light. It's gone long periods without going on, then occasionally will be on for 5 days for some reason, then go off. It was on a few months ago for like a month and I finally took it in to the Mini dealer for the first time and they reprogrammed it and it went away. They didn't think anything had been wrong. But then 1 month later it went on for 5 days and then off for no apparent reason. It does not nec. coincide with gassing up or anything.
 
Anyway, I have 6300 miles on it in one year (new york city driving.)
 
I'm trying to decide if I should give it back and get a 2008 model with fewer features (but exactly the ones I know I want now.) It would run at around the same price or maybe 1000-ish more. But I'd get one year newer car and one year warrantly for about the same price.
 
A bit of hassle, maybe waiting since it's now 4 weeks till my return date.
 
Would it be better to have a new car? I would get the basic again, without the sunroof (I don't like the sunroof at all.) should I worry about the check engine light in the future--like 3 years from now--is it a potential lemon?
 
any opinions welcome
thanks

#971 of 1491 Re: should I trade in my 07 for and 08? [tica] by blueguydotcom

Mar 24, 2008 (12:26 pm)

Replying to: tica (Mar 24, 2008 11:13 am)
I get the CEL. It has no impact, so I ignore it. A day or two later it goes out. Shrug.

#972 of 1491 Re: Some questions about the Mini [bijoubaby05] by waterflame

Mar 24, 2008 (2:21 pm)

Replying to: bijoubaby05 (Mar 24, 2008 9:27 am)
Hi,
 
Thanks for the info.
 
Does it cost to get the run flats replaced back to the original ones? Do the wheels need to be changed as well? I read a few pages back that the wheel to rim matching was sometimes as issue when changing from run flats to stock tires?
 
Also, any final thoughts on the dynamic stability control(DSC)? I definitely won't be racing the car so limited slip differential(LSD) might be overkill but with snow and ice in Connecticut, would LSD help? Would DSC be of assistance in the same situation?
 
The COMFORT PACKAGE seems to be most popular option! Is reaching into your pocket for the car keys that much of a hassle? Just kidding, its definitely on my wishlist and will get it if I manage to save some money in the coming months.

#973 of 1491 Re: should I trade in my 07 for and 08? [tica] by busiris

Mar 24, 2008 (3:13 pm)

Replying to: tica (Mar 24, 2008 11:13 am)
Sporatic Check Engine Light is often associated with a loose gas cap, since the entire fuel system is normally under pressure, as it is a sealed system. You may wish to examine your cap the next time the light illuminates, and verify that it is sealed properly. Also, examine the gas capfor a worn/broken gasket.

#974 of 1491 Re: should I trade in my 07 for and 08? [tica] by kyfdx HOST

Mar 24, 2008 (5:38 pm)

Replying to: tica (Mar 24, 2008 11:13 am)
Okay... the buyout is $21,300..
 
How much would a new one be? If you can get out for $24K or less (before taxes), then get the new one.. One extra year of warranty, one extra year of free maintenance, and exactly what you want...
 
I'm assuming you are going to buy this time (because you are never going to get a MINI lease for under $300/mo. again.. ).
 
regards,
kyfdx

#975 of 1491 Re: should I trade in my 07 for and 08? [busiris] by blueguydotcom

Mar 24, 2008 (6:59 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Mar 24, 2008 3:13 pm)
Sporatic Check Engine Light is often associated with a loose gas cap, since the entire fuel system is normally under pressure, as it is a sealed system. You may wish to examine your cap the next time the light illuminates, and verify that it is sealed properly. Also, examine the gas capfor a worn/broken gasket.
 
Nope, not a noob. Neither thing is an issue. This is a problem with the car's sensors. I've had another sensor go wonky on me in my first 12 months of ownership. Shrug. Compared to my Bimmers, this car has been near flawless...

Messages Page 98 of 150

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