mini cooper - a smart buy
- Thread starter Big Rig
- Start date
Not when the tranny is fucked, besides the niche demographic market that is buying this type of car is small and fading fast as the economy worsens.
People want more car for their money with reliability their main concern.
Does Honda ring a bell?
I heard it keeps its value as well
Actually, I always buy used
The only sense in buying new is if you have to borrow as new cars give great rates - right now some rates are 0- but if you pay cash used is the way to go unless they give the new cars away for less than cost which they do at times but even then you pay the PDI which is $1500
So ideally I want a well maintained car that does not keep its value
How can a car whose transmission has to be replaced for 10K at 10000 km keep its value
something is wrong hereAgreed. If you like more reliability with a bit of "sportiness", the Mazda 3 Mazdaspeed and the VW Golf GTI are good alternatives to the Copper S.
Honda fit 15K with tons of room but the MINI is an economy car as well just sportier as long as you do not need the room but if they are right about that tranny then how can it keep its value so well
To follow up my comments regarding the transmission here are two links. The first one discusses the low ranking for Mini quality. The second link discusses the transmission issues that CTV dealt with a few months ago.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090626/forbes_ranking_090628?s_name=&no_ads=
http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php?action=printpage;topic=62513.0
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090626/forbes_ranking_090628?s_name=&no_ads=
http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php?action=printpage;topic=62513.0
Another yuppie car, just like the Smart fortwo(I laughed at one when I walked beside it last night). The Mini have a history of tranny problems at about 120K, and as someone said is "not" repairable.
These are not "real" cars, but a joke for a car.
These are not "real" cars, but a joke for a car.
Where the hell do you get your facts?? Niche demographic? Minis have a WIDE appeal. My friend has one and he drives it like he hates it. 5 years and zero problems. Check out this article based on a study done by Forbes.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/glob.../what-your-car-says-about-you/article1315146/
Don't get me wrong, they're kool little cars with a wonderful history but lets be pragmatic. Mini's are just impractical, small, over priced, retro cars with reliability issues pinned to the hood. I didn't fabricate that, those are the facts. There's just not that many people shopping for this kind of car in this economic climate. At ~ $25,000 for a base model, there's definitely better alternatives available.
Maybe, if they were priced logically, like their forefathers (cheap small cars to get you around), it would make sense but they aren't. I doubt they are flying out the show rooms like other more practical cars. I know for a fact that there is a waiting list just to get into a Toyota Prius or Honda Hybrid. It just makes sense in this economic environment that people want bang for their buck, reliability and "green" is all that more enticing. Small and over priced is the wrong formula for this market. "It's not rocket appliances..."
Jim Kenzie of Wheels section for the Star drove a Mini before wrecking it in a rollover during annual Targa rally race in Newfoundland and he said it was the best car he ever owned in his life.
http://thestar.blogs.com/kenzie/2008/09/first---my-apol.html
http://thegarageblog.com/garage/jim-kenzie-recounts-tale-of-a-big-tumble-at-targa-newfoundland/
http://www.wheels.ca/article/2825
As for transmission problems they plagued the first generation of Mini only. They now use an Aisin automatic, which is supposed to be rock solid and for manual version they now use a Getrag 6 speed which also has a very good reputation.
http://thestar.blogs.com/kenzie/2008/09/first---my-apol.html
http://thegarageblog.com/garage/jim-kenzie-recounts-tale-of-a-big-tumble-at-targa-newfoundland/
http://www.wheels.ca/article/2825
As for transmission problems they plagued the first generation of Mini only. They now use an Aisin automatic, which is supposed to be rock solid and for manual version they now use a Getrag 6 speed which also has a very good reputation.
I totally agree. In my former life I saw many car accident victims and realized a small car is not the way to go here in Canada.
I also live in Europe part of the year and have a small Fiat over there, and never worry about my safety, but here in Canada I have one of the biggest pick up trucks on the road.
I also bought my kids some the biggest SUV's available.
Canada is not a country for small cars.
The problem is, it's too late. The damage has already been done for this car, and they are labeled.
IMO - Jim is biased towards English cars, always has been, and can't drive with crap - rolled a Mini
jeezeAny interest in a 72 fully restored Mini? I know of one that was left over from an estate sale. It was fully restored and mint condition I think, not a beater. It was restored in England, then shipped here. It is left hand drive (normal North American).
Other than it being standard transmission and it is forest green, I don't know that much more about it. I assume Mini affectionados will know better.
Other than it being standard transmission and it is forest green, I don't know that much more about it. I assume Mini affectionados will know better.
Interested to the point of looking, yes
That is one old car how can everything be mint as stuff wears out even if it just sits there
When I see a driver getting into a MINI I ask them about it and they all rave
Need to make sure about the tranny as Kilgore said they now use an Aisin automatic, which is supposed to be rock solid and for manual version they now use a Getrag 6 speed which also has a very good reputation but if I buy it will be used so need to make sure what I am getting.
I also agree with ROCKnROLLA
When I first looked at one I thought interesting economy car for the working stiff if you are OK with the room and that is what they were first built for in England but over here they seem overpriced
Great responses everyone thanks
Mini is good car, fun to drive. I bought one for my youngest sister in 2007. I waited one month and a half for delivery because it shipped from England. She is driving it everyday to school. She loves it. Two years, have no problem with it. Go for this car.Considering it as my next purchase anyone out there ever had one
It was ENgland's response to the Beetle as a working man's car
The latest version is made by BMW since 2001
It is a small car but can easily fit 4 with headroom and looks nice inside
Easy on gas and back seats fold for room
With snow tires I heard it performs like a mountain goat
163 HP Cooper engine O to 100km in 8 seconds and corners great with its low center of mass and traction controls
In my test drive I did not like sitting so low in something that was not a sports car but it is nice inside with well displayed dash and a stereo that rocks
