All the rest being equal.....the '05
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ScottinBend Space CowboySupporting Member
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05. sounds funner, and all those options are must haves except the wipers.
xenons rock, the base stereo SUCKS, and chrome line is very cool.
I always missed the supercharger whine, and the only supercharged one I have ever been in was a test drive once... owned the 09 for 55K miles and missed that ONE test drive lol -
BThayer23 Well-Known Member
2005. Options make a huge difference.
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Minidave Well-Known MemberLifetime Supporter
The one you like the best.....but I'd look for a lower mile better optioned '07 or newer myself....
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I'm obviously going to need to get more specifics and actually drive them to really be able to decide. I tried to go for a test drive this morning before work but ran out of time; I'm going to try again tomorrow. It would seem from the Carfax and the overall condition that they're pretty much the same otherwise. -
Since I'm trying to get away from my just-out-of-warranty R56 because of a recurring cold start rattle (two tensioner replacements so far), I'm concerned about "stock problems/issues."
Can anybody chime in on what common problems I should look for? I see that there are comments on the 'sewing site' about low speed fan resistors (05 has auto climate, 07 doesn't) and I think I remember seeing something about motor mounts on the 1st gen... -
BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIsLifetime Supporter
- May 4, 2009
- 2,896
- Professional Facilitator and Alignment Consultant
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I'd go with the '05.
Just need to look at the roof and make sure it doesn't have excessive wear at the fold/pinch points when it lowers. That was a problem with some '05s before the tops were adjusted correctly.
Otherwise, by 05 they had most of the kinks out of those cars mechanically. I have an 06 cabrio with 96,000 miles and have had few issues that I didn't cause via mods and insane abuse. :devil:
Though as I write them down, it sounds like a lot (an is, compared to my older hondas, etc.)
Common problems that I HAVE experienced, and that you are likely to, also:
* leaky thermostat gasket = intermittent small blue coolant puddles on garage floor. easy fix
* seeping oil pan gasket (replaced at 35K miles, now seeping again)
* failed fluid-filled motor mount (they all fail eventually, TSW poly replacement fixes it for good)
* water pump gasket (replaced pump while we were at it at about 60K miles)
* seeping crank position sensor o-ring (fixed when the water pump was replaced)
* belt tensioner damper worn out - replaced tensioner assembly
Everything else has basically been standard maintenance... or something I broke or wore out by driving my car like an ATV all the time. -
BThayer23 Well-Known Member
If you're thinking about aftermarket wheels, note that the '07 will have 14mm lugs identical to your '09, while the '05 will have 12mm lug bolts that fit a wider range of wheels.
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My choice would be the 05.
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BThayer23 Well-Known Member
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Mr. Jim MudsharkLifetime Supporter
Based on mileage, color and options I'd go with the 05
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We did it! My wife and I are the proud new owners of a shiny Hot Orange 2005 convertible!
Pictures to come, it's too dark right now to take any. (we actually picked it up at about 7pm, but have been out motoring and having a celebratory dinner till now LOL) -
Congratulations! I think you made an excellent choice! Glad to hear you got the initial motoring in, just to make sure it was a good fit :biggrin5:
Oh, yeah and :useless :smile5: -
Here's a pic from the dealer's online ad. It'll have to do till tomorrow.
(also: OMG I LOVE THE SC WHINE I HAD NO IDEA)Attached Files:
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