Most liked posts in thread: Thinking of buying a Mini

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  1. BishopX

    BishopX New Member

    May 19, 2015
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    #9 BishopX, May 19, 2015
    Hi B.A.D, thanks for weighing in. Per your questions:

    My commute is relatively short for Houston, about 30-45 mins on average.
    Mostly stop and go. Also looking at an automatic as this will likely be my daughters car when she gets her license in 2-3 years.
    Haven't thought much about mods yet. I'm open to it.
    I'd like to try track/auto-x, more as a learning the car tool opposed to a love of racing.
    I'm not much of a gearhead, so the most I will probably do is oil changes.
    I'm interested more in looks and performance over mileage. Pretty sure it will beat my current Tahoe's mileage no matter what.

    I've put in a few miles test drive miles in a 'justa', but I'd like to have a little more oomph. Thought of a JCW, but if I go that route, it will be the next one I get, after my daughter gets this one.
     
  2. BishopX

    BishopX New Member

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    #12 BishopX, May 19, 2015
    H Dave!
     
  3. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #14 Nathan, May 19, 2015
    Welcome, thanks for joining Motoring Alliance, the FUN and Friendly MINI Community.
     
  4. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #17 MCS02, May 19, 2015
    Let me add. A friend bought an R53 with a manual new in 04. She sold it 4 years ago and bought an R56 auto and drove it till her daughter turned 16. She then gave it to her daughter and bought a Countryman(she has done a couple of mods to it). She has replaced her daughters a R56 for a new F56.
    A few weeks ago she bought her R53 back. Both her and the car are happy to be united.
    I did some work on the R53 to get it in top shape. I also added a 15% pulley. I believe there is a Cold air intake (CAI) in its future.
    She is keeping her Countryman as her daily driver and the R53 as a weekend car.
    She told me how much she missed driving her R53.

    It may sound silly but when you buy a MINI your not buying a car, your getting a pet that eats petrol.
     
  5. scanner

    scanner New Member

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    #19 scanner, May 19, 2015
    DITTO
     
  6. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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    #20 mrntd, May 20, 2015
    If your considering an R53 stay with 05-06. You can find them with low miles and don't be afraid to get one from farther away. I got my 05 2 years ago with 24k mi from Dallas. I'm in Ohio.

    The R56 I think it's the 09 and newer.

    When your looking at a car get the VIN check car fax and take the number to the dealer. The dealer can tell you where the car was bought. Then that dealer can tell you everything that it came with.

    Also talk to the service dept. some will tell you everything about the car others will only answer questions. Like "has the timing chain been replaced" (early R56 issue). One I was looking at the dealer told me was a salvage title.

    I don't recommend MINIs to everyone. They have some quarks that some people look at as reliability issues. Knowing that get it, drive it and love it.
     
  7. BishopX

    BishopX New Member

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    #24 BishopX, May 20, 2015
    Thanks Canusrufis! That site looks really informative.
     
  8. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    #25 cct1, May 20, 2015
    This, agree 100%. The R53 is still IMHO the purest go kart of the three, it handles the best, and if it's purely driving pleasure you're after, it'd be my first choice. It may not BE the fastest, but it FEELS the fastest.

    On the other hand, the R56 and the F56 even more so are more comfortable--better seats, higher quality interior, and make for a better daily driver. None of the MINIs are known for reliability, and I'd specifically stay away from the 2002-2004, and the earlier R56 models. In fact, if you can stomach the looks of the F56, it'd be worth it to go that route for the warranty, if that's a high priority.

    The 2005-2006 is where it's at for me. I'll sacrifice some comfort for the more visceral driving experience. But, you will have to maintain the car, and you're more likely than not going to need to replace some things on a 10 year old car. If you're not up for that, go with an under warranty F56.

    If you're hitting the track, the R53 is the easiest to mod and maintain. Look for an R53 with the factory LSD.
     
  9. BishopX

    BishopX New Member

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    #26 BishopX, May 21, 2015
    Thanks cct1! I have to admit, joining was a good idea. Nice to have people who are really into the cars giving great advice. Most of my friends/co-workers are giving me grief for wanting a MINI. They all think it's too small for a guy with a wife, 2 kids and a 120lbs dog.
     
  10. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #27 MCS02, May 21, 2015
    I have a wife and 4 kids. Yes once and only once we all road in it at the same time. You could say we are a close family, well at least when we were in the Mini!
     
  11. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #30 MCS02, May 21, 2015
    Ok a 1M wouldn't be bad! But still MINI
     
  12. BishopX

    BishopX New Member

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    #31 BishopX, May 21, 2015
    Yeah, I don't have an issue with the 1, aside from it being way over the price I've set for my self.
     
  13. Kenny kustom

    Kenny kustom New Member

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    #32 Kenny kustom, May 21, 2015
    Check mine out in the classified
     
  14. INIMINI

    INIMINI New Member

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    #35 INIMINI, Jun 3, 2015
    You can go for the 06-08 R52...they were the last 1st GEN.
     
  15. minintrigue

    minintrigue Active Member

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    #36 minintrigue, Jun 3, 2015
    That's what I did 2 years ago. Swapped out my 06 with 90k on it for my 08 R52 with only 3k on it. I just turned 27k last month.
     
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