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Year: 2006 Make: MINI Model: Hardtop Price: $1 Mileage: 100 Color: red Private or Dealer Listing: Private Listing Location (Region): Midwestern
I asked about supercharger service, water pump, timing chain, service and maintenance history. He said “everything has been serviced/replaced at the correct mileage intervals”. Now whether that’s just a blind answer or not, it’s what he said.
Sounds like USDA Prime ********. Receipts or it never happened.
2011 Mini Cooper · Cooper S Hatchback 2D, 134,000 miles $5,200
VACAVILLE, CA (N. CA)
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Everything I’ve been told thus far, is an R53 is more of a “purists” car, while an R56 is a little more “refined”.
most R56’s are higher than I want to spend and I’m not looking for a Smooth, refined experience. I want something fun, spirited, and more connected to the road.
I correlate the differences to the following: R53 is to E46, as R56 is to E90... In BMW 3 series terms.
Great price... possible barnyard type find; or, big headache. But at 1500... might be worth it regardless?? Color isn’t favorite but it’s fine with me.
‘03 MCS / 144k miles / says it needs an O2 sensor. I’m reaching out now.
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Update: I’m scheduled to look at this car tomorrow (if it doesn’t sell before I get there)
it’s about an hour away from me. Not too bad. Any quick pointers? I’ve got the main stuff thought out. But I won’t have time to get a PPI... given the extremely low price, I figure if the car runs and drives and the AC works and the clutch isn’t bad, it’s probably worth the 1500?? I guess my biggest question is someone tell me what should tell me to “walk away” from on this car.
Last edited by SydeShowJoe; 09-11-2020 at 03:47 AM.
Clean 2006 GP1 with 62k and all service records. No interior or engine pics (why do they do that?).
From CL post: 2006 GP FIRST GENERATION R53 BOUGHT FROM ORIGINAL OWNER. UN MOLESTED.. 62K MILES HAVE WINDOW STICKER AND DEALER PREP , ALL WITH ALL SERVICE RECORDS, WILL NOT SPEND TIME ON HOW SPECIAL & RARE THIS COOPER IS ..THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW DO UR RESEARCH... #1655 CALL MIKE
$21,000 OBO POSSIBLE PART TRADE..
One thing to remember.... In the end... Most of these R5X cars, cost less than a 5 year old, used, Honda FIT.... even some of the GP-2's
Really doesn't matter except to a very few people if it has had some body work done or some good OE quality parts replacement....
If you shop right... you can find these cars everywhere in different levels of trim... even if you have to invest in a Clutch etc... you will know it's right and not worry about it.
ANY good condition, rust-free, R5X you can get for $10K, "ALL IN", for purchase, taxes, registration, repairs & PM, detailing, tires etc ...IS A BARGAIN !!!
In the end, you will have a reliable, fun sporty car that will give tons of smiles per mile.... all in a great design package.... DANG !
Heck...This guy lowered his price to $4900... HOLY MOLEY... great value for the buck... Cant find a good 2011 HYUNDAI for that kind of money.
I love all of the R5X cars... they are fun to drive... reasonable to repair if you can swing a wrench... and TONS of parts in the Used marketplaces and recycler yards......
MOTOR ON !!!
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Last edited by mountainhorse; 09-11-2020 at 11:09 PM.
2013 JCW.... First of the R56 JCW's with the N18... but not just the same as the N18 in the "S" models before... much improved internals, control system, Bosch HPFP.
Reef Blue/White.... Recaro seats, and lots of options... Handsome, powerful, STOCK car.
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Last edited by mountainhorse; 09-13-2020 at 06:55 PM.
I agree a great looking and well optioned car, but.... AUTOMATIC transmission is a deal breaker for me. I don’t car how it looks, how it was taken care of, how desirable it is, an automatic is the worst for an enthusiast car. IMHO
Supercharged 1.6 with JCW tune, 214 hp, 184 ft-lbs torque 6 speed manual, limited slip, Alta exhaust,
Power windows and mirrors, AC, Harman Kardon sound system
30 MPG
New tires, serviced and inspected (oil change, rear brakes, state inspection) at HM Motor Works in Merrimack, NH.
The only issues are the typical Mini Cooper front end paint chips, and the keyless entry not working (must use key).
The rest of the paint presents very well. It is a clean, solid, car that is very fun to drive.
This car would make a great commuter, is great for autocross, and with the JCW option will be a future collectible.
More photos available upon request.
Everyone looking for an affordable R53 JCW needs to contacting this person.
Astro Black with Tartan Red and Piano Black (Se7en) dash is one of the best R53 combos and the Piano Black dash is a rarely selected option. It’s also likely this is a Factory installed JCW, which means LSD and JCW brakes would have been included.
I agree a great looking and well optioned car, but.... AUTOMATIC transmission is a deal breaker for me. I don’t car how it looks, how it was taken care of, how desirable it is, an automatic is the worst for an enthusiast car. IMHO
Some enthusiasts like autos some like manuals .... some like both ... good to see there are options out there.
I’ve driven them all ... and certainly nothing lacking in this one IMO.... unless you ONLY like stick...
Mine: Similar R56 is a stick ... but this one would equally put a smile on my face... and probably be faster around the track for me as well.
LIFE IS GOOD !!
Last edited by mountainhorse; 09-14-2020 at 12:50 PM.
what should tell me to “walk away” from on this car.
In case it still applies, my short list:
*Title / registration issues - missing title, salvage title, won't pass smog, back registration owed, name on title and reg don't match, his name isn't on the title and reg
*He tells you he's "selling it for a friend, relative, etc..."
*Record of an accident when you pull up Carfax or similar
*Milky / coffee and cream motor oil
*Death rattle (search for it here on NAM)
*Unusual blower noise - metallic, grinding etc
*Overheats, no explanation from owner and even then probably would nope out
*Bad or missing cats (depending on state) expensive to replace anywhere, here in the DPRC it's a deal killer and a known racket
*It's obvious or he admits to tracking the car. This is just me, but most cars that have gone to "race day" have not been prepared or maintained for it and just outright abused.
Last edited by user 7389739; 09-14-2020 at 01:24 PM.
I agree with all these except for an accident in history.... All depends on the accident.... a messed up hood/bumper/radiator/front-grille/front-fenders/doors/hatch... to me... not a worry unless you are buying a collectible for 'investment'... 99% of Minis nor potential Mini-owners do not fall into this 'collectable' category IMO. If the hood or bumper(s) have been resprayed because of scratches or rock chips...if done well, AWESOME.
If has a salvage title because of it... I'll take a pass unless it is so super-cheap and I don't want to insure it for comp/collision. If the uni-body has been bent where it needs to be straightened or "pulled out"... Deal breaker for me unless, again, it is super cheap and the repair is well done.
I'm still kicking myself for passing on purchase on a salvage-title, 82k-mile, GP2 that sold locally for $5500 last year that had a decent hit in the right-rear... and was pulled out and fixed pretty nicely by a top-end body shop and looked good... heck, the seats and brakes were worth that, but more so... it is a fun little rocket to drive... damn the insurance... what a ride!!
Needless to say... when I came to my senses the next day... 12 hours after I went and looked at it... it was sold !
Again... When you are talking about a non-salvage/rebuilt car for less than $10K that works... I want it to run well, look good and drive well... the other stuff is just icing.
These things are a blast to drive... don't overthink it
BAT has ruined fun-car buying for many with all of the stipulations for any car (like perfect carfax, etc)
Sure it matters to a small slice of cars/buyers out there... and 'nice to get' if it happens to play out... but too many people loose out, IMO, on the best car for them because they are hyper-focused on criteria that really doesn't apply to them or the car they are buying.
If it has mechanical issues... and is otherwise a great car... Hmm... Is the purchase of the car cheap? Can you fix it? Once fixed, is the value increased to you? Once fixed, how does that compare to others on the market that have the same 'fix' (eg: new-clutch, replaced/rebuilt engine etc)... are there even other cars ON the market that would compare... like I said above... not a whole lot of low priced buys that come with peace of mind on these big ticket items. An example would be two identical 2006 R53 MCS's, say 100k miles... both clean and straight, both same color, same options etc... one has a verifiable new clutch using quality/appropriate components installed by someone that knows what they are doing (shop or enthusiast)... the one with the new clutch is worth at least $1000 more to me.
And, everyone has different deal breakers... Color, mileage, interior, equipment, history etc...
For exampel: To me a lowered car with a trashed belly is a deal breaker (I don't like lowered minis for purchase, but thats me) ... like jack points that are missing, messed up chin-spoilers/bumpers, damaged oil pans or fender-wells... deal breaker to me.
my 2¢ FWIW.
Originally Posted by RedSky455
In case it still applies, my short list:
*Title / registration issues - missing title, salvage title, won't pass smog, back registration owed, name on title and reg don't match, his name isn't on the title and reg
*He tells you he's "selling it for a friend, relative, etc..."
*Record of an accident when you pull up Carfax or similar
*Milky / coffee and cream motor oil
*Death rattle (search for it here on NAM)
*Unusual blower noise - metallic, grinding etc
*Overheats, no explanation from owner and even then probably would nope out
*Bad or missing cats (depending on state) expensive to replace anywhere, here in the DPRC it's a deal killer and a known racket
*It's obvious or he admits to tracking the car. This is just me, but most cars that have gone to "race day" have not been prepared or maintained for it and just outright abused.
Last edited by mountainhorse; 09-14-2020 at 02:04 PM.
Look like we won’t get to see the market setting JCW as a deal was made prior to auction. Still, $19k USD is solid and I too think BaT would have brought a little more, but we’ll never know for sure. Still, this is a good reference point.
I agree with all these except for an accident in history.... All depends on the accident....
And that's the trick isn't it? You weren't there when the car got wrecked, came in the shop, when the insurance company wrote it off (or not), or when it rolled out of the shop looking all shiny and new if the PO ended up repairing it. No matter what, you may never know the true extent of the damage to the car which could later manifest itself in a number of terrible, catastrophic ways or whether structural repairs were done well enough to correct them properly and prevent further problems. It's simply not worth it, which is why a salvage title (whether you think it should or shouldn't have one) usually makes it difficult to get comprehensive and collision insurance in the future; insurance companies won't take the risk so why should you?
everyone has different deal breakers... Color, mileage, interior, equipment, history etc...
Agreed. I forgot to mention color and options. Always have a must have / nope out list. I once bought a brown car new (a Toyota in 'Mahogany Pearl') because it was "a really good deal" and the last manual they had on the lot but I never got over the awful color. Years later I happily signed the car over to the ex when I divorced her, ridding myself of two eyesores the same day.
Marry in haste, repent at leisure boys...
Last edited by user 7389739; 09-19-2020 at 10:49 AM.
$4k for an '05 JCW in Springfield IL with 114k miles... Why would one be priced this way with decent miles? Am I missing something or should I go pick it up? No engine pics but other than that, it looks pretty clean. Looks like some holes in the bumper maybe from lights?
The price is right, especially if you knock them down a few if there’s no service history. Baffles me why people try to sell cars but too lazy to open the hood, engine pics tell another story, why hide it. Looks like chrome line gauges and Harmon Kardon sound. I don’t think premium seats and wheels.
09-10-2020, 11:08 AM
Keeping it in perspective
Perspective and cost.
