I am looking to buy my first mini. I have a $8000 budget, want a manual transmission. Looking for suggestions. Turbo or supercharged? Pros/cons of each.
Welcome to M/A! My MINIs are all Generation Ones, so I'd be of little help with regard to anything newer than 2006. I have an '03 Cooper and 2 '06 MCSes...one being bone stock and the other modded pretty much. For me, getting my R53 modded seems to have been a lot easier than modding a Generation 2 might be, but I don't really know as I am not into turbos [my R53s are supercharged]. Someone more knowledgeable than I will be along to be more helpful, I'm sure, but again, WELCOME to our lil corner of the MINI world!
Welcome to MA. The gen1 cars (2002-2006 2007 for the convertible) are supercharged. Gen2 cars are turbo. That is if it's a S. Coopers are normally aspirated. Do you plan on doing mods to the car?
Welcome to the addiction. I don't know what the Houston car market is like, but in my area (NW Ohio) 8 grand will nowadays just about get you a good '05 or '06 MCS Gen 1 Supercharged. Which is about what you want really. My '06 Gen 1 Justa cost over $11,000 about 2 years ago, but is in excellent condition with only a few stone chips to show its age.
Welcome to M/A Only you can make the choice, but If I was in your situation I'd go for an 05-06 R53 supercharged MINI.
A Justa [aka R50] probably will not work for you in Houston...or perhaps anywhere in TX, since the speed limits are so high. It is quick and nimble, but is not all that fast. That said, the R53 [aka MCS] has the power to go fast. It is not as nimble, but some tradeoffs have to even things out. As Crashton said above, it becomes a matter of choice. I started out with an R50, but quickly found that the R50 could not keep up with my R53 friends, especially on long grades. If your only driving will be on flatlands, an R50 might work for you, then, but the R53 has the power to take you about anywhere.
I'm finding some 08s in my price range. Are the gen 1s easier to mod? Is the only main difference the turbo vs. supercharger?
Look for a supercharged r53 05 -06 because they are very easy to mod and make great power. You can add a 15% Pully and have a nice bump in HP over stock. Next you can add a air intake, nice exhaust and if you want to go nuts big valve head, CAM larger injectors and custom tune. Early 2nd gen MINI's and cheaper because the early Turbos have known carbon buildup issues because of the Direct Injection design from the French motor MINI / BMW went with. Just like France the French the motor surrenders.
Welcome Aboard! For gen 1s 05-06. For gen 2 no earlier than 09 or 10. For your money you can probably find a lower mileage gen 1. I found mine in Dallas 2 years ago for $11500 with 24k mi 05 JCW. I had it shipped to Ohio for $550.
That the year to get. You'll be buying an older car, so budget for a few fixes now and again, but you'll enjoy it a lot more than a second-gen car. Eric