Most liked posts in thread: Need help on if I should buy this Mini Cooper!

Smiple answer, NO.

You will not have the money at 17 to mod it and keep it running. MINI's are maintenance whores that require cash flow.

The one you are looking at is 10 years old and will need work done and is a problem car.

Just the honest facts.

 

Welcome to Motoring Alliance the best MINI forum on the interweb !! 2007 was the first year of the second generation hardtop and had some issues. A Cooper versus MCS should be less problematic. Dave.0 gave you some good advice but if'n you really want a MINI then read as much as you can to be aware of the problem areas in the year and model you choose. Good luck in your quest !!

 

+1
Keep looking. Anything '06 and older or '07 or older cabrio.

 

Welcome to M/A!

The '05 and '06 MCS models were the last of the Generation 1 MINIs and were the best of that generation. If you can find one for a decent price, you will be ahead of the game.

The '07 was the first of the Generation 2 MINIs and LOTS of problems made it a really problematic car. Personally, I'd stay away from an '07. :frown2:

 

That car has the ability to take all your money & flush it down the drain. Very high miles & you have no idea how it has been maintained or even if it has been maintained at all. Keep looking.

 

I have a '08 S with 140,000, and just put in $2000+ in maintenance for a thermostat, water pump, and a timing chain. Keep that kind of thing in mind - these aren't cheap beaters and repairs For the 07 and newer are going to be costly.

Follow the advice the others have given when making your choice. Go for an 06.

 

If you can find a low mileage one that has been taken care of it would be fine. Stay away from on 07 on MCS unless you can afford the bills. Our 08 Cooper Clubman has been pretty reliable. :fingerscrossed:

An interesting read here >> http://jalopnik.com/what-car-were-you-happy-to-be-done-with-1792960377

 

When people ask my if they should buy a MINI I tell them they either need to be willing and able to work on it or have a check book that's big enough for someone else to do it.

 

Greetings fellow eastern Iowan! :cornut:

To be fair, the normally aspirated N12 engine in the '07 (as in this car) had far fewer serious issues than its N14 turbo counterpart; however, the water pump, thermostat, and high pressure fuel pump remain potential risk items that you should be prepared to address. Also, with those miles and years there are likely some suspension bushings on their last legs and the intake valves and ports could probably use a good walnut blasting.

To the best of my knowledge the owner has never affiliated with our local club so I have no first-hand knowledge of how well it's been cared for.

I share the same view as many of the others here. If you're willing to accept a ten year-old MINI, look back one or two additional years for an '05 or '06, preferably with less than 100K on the clock. You'll be glad you did.

 

and the intake valves and ports could probably use a good walnut blasting.

Probably / most likely not needed.... The non turbo does not have direct injection.... The N-12 has port injection. so the intake valves are warshed on a regular basis with gasolene, so the earl deposits get removed before they have a chance to cause problems....

 

And that is why I'm so happy with the N-12 in Babs little justa clubster. A bottle of Chevron Techron at each oil change just to make me feel I am helping.

 

The kid is 17 and still in HS or just about to get out of HS.

 

You snort it, cleans up yer inards. :ihih: