Most liked posts in thread: Out shopping. Maybe some suggestions?

I would try to find a low mileage '05 or '06. Yes they do exist. After that the later 2nd gen. So '13 or older. Keep in mind that the convertibles stuck around a few years after the hard top change over. So 1st gen convertibles go until '08.

 

Welcome to MA - hope you'll enjoy the experience here! :wink:

You've indicated some objectives and preferences. You like the convertible style, yet doubt you'll drop the top much. Would you always store your car inside overnight, except during travels? If not, seems to me the fabric top will soon look shoddy. Even opening partway into "sunroof" position causes visible creases in the fabric. Those things bug me. Maybe you too? If the convertible feature is used often, that tradeoff might be worthwhile.

How fussy are you about other condition aspects? I was looking for a late 1st gen MCS with manual gearbox. Nearly all within reasonable driving distance were too high mileage for my liking. Drove 3 hours roundtrip down to east Phoenix area to look at one described and priced by the original owner as pristine. It was not. I didn't even start it up let alone drive the car. Not a dog but not something I'd be proud to own. A MINI for me is primarily recreation, not transportation.

So, started shopping 2nd gen. Here in AZ, most new car buyers trade in late model cars for sales tax advantage. Finding nice MINIs with clean title and no accident history by private party is much harder. I bought my MCS from one of the two MINI dealers in Phoenix area (Penske owned). Mine was a 3-year lease turn-in (as were several others in stock). It had arrived just the day before with 17.8k miles, thus eligible for CPO extended warranty. With that, another year remaining of original plus one more of extended warranty. It was originally leased there, with subsequent services performed there vs bought at auction from out of state.

It would be fun to drive comparably equipped examples from each generation back-to-back, for example, 2006, 2013 and current 2016 MCS or JCW equipped cars. Maybe some of you have done that, or owned an example of each. I have not.

 

welcome to M/A!

I have 3 Gen 1 MINIs...an '03 R50 and 2 '06 MCSes. All three have sunroofs and I would not even consider a convertible where I live [western Ohio] because of the cold and nasty Winters and Springs. I usually crack open the roof in nice weather and even can get away with it open in moderate rain without getting soaked. I hardly ever open the sunroof fully unless the weather is balmy and the sun isn't too hot...besides, since the back panel does not open [has just a shade screen], it's like a wind tunnel with the front sunroof and windows open.

The Gen 1 and Gen 2 MINIs are a lot shorter than the Gen 3s [2014 and on]...the Gen 1 being the shortest of the 3 generations and the Gen 2 sort of in the middle, sizewise.

 

^^^
Perhaps consider buying one here in AZ from CPO dealer. More $$ than private party but documentation and "where it lived" is easy to confirm from dealer website by CarFax report. Hey, maybe do a fly 'n drive if time permits...

Mine had professional tinting done at time when leased which looks like a factory installation. Beautifully done! When I saw and inspected it closely in a shady location on dealer's lot, I found a few very small dents on the passenger door. Agreement to buy was conditional on PDR removal before picking it up a few days later. Its perfect now...

 

Welcome, thanks for joining Motoring Alliance, the FUN and Friendly MINI Community.

 

If you find one online that you really like, there is probably a MA forum member nearby who would go look at it for you.

When you are ready to make a deal, make it contingent on a PPI. A thorough PPI will cost a couple-hundred bucks, but will give you a lot of peace of mind.

Also, if you buy a low-milage car at a MINI dealership, it may be a Certified Pre-Owned, which means it has had a very thorough PPI, and extends the warranty. My local MINI dealer, Sewell MINI of Plano, always has a good supply of Certified Pre-Owned cars on the lot when I go in for service.

CD

 

The only way to get a car with no salt exposure is to buy one from a state that doesn't use salt, and have it shipped to you.

If you look at the pre-owned inventory at Sewell MINI of Plano, which is about 15 miles from me, I'd be glad to go look at it. Also, their customer service is second to none.

CD

 

Cars in Florida don't rust with all that salt air?

Wow...you learn something new everyday...:nonod:

 

Just because I do not agree with you does not give you the right to attack me. As for my "adding nothing to the conversation", scale back towards the beginning.

There is nothing like a newbie with a crappy attitude, so, stick it!

 

Seriously?

I just lost all interest in trying to help you.

CD

 

Sheesh, how did this thread go south so quickly (not meaning Florida)...

Its written; The Pen is Mightier than the Sword, yet its the Keyboard that seems to inflame these days. Good thing there is no such thing as laptop/smartphone road rage. Its not necessarily what is written as much as how its written. This, coming from another MA newbie but definitely not a newbie to enthusiast cars nor forums created to serve enthusiasts...

 

Word of the Day : feisty