So, I am ready to jump into the mini world, was first looking at american mini to import in canada but got turned off by rip-off from BMW. Now I have a couple options I'm looking at and would like to know your inputs.

2002 Mini S 74000km 46k miles (16 000$)
2003 Mini S with JCW 119000km 74k miles (18 000$)
2004 Mini S 37500km 23k miles (20 000$)
2005 Mini S 80000km 50k miles (18 000$)

I am trying to figure out the point where problems start adding up.

I have to keep in mind I will be leaving in a year and a half to study abroad and will be most probably reselling the car.

What do you guys think ?

 

I'd wait till you get back from studying abroad. Why buy now and have to remarket the car. With the inflation we're going to continue to experience there could be more of these for sale and the price won't be going up. The new car market stinks and used market is in the same boat. Don't get caught up in buying at market price and then trying to resell in a tougher market.

 

I know that's the logical thing to do :D now I want to be irrationnal and buy it even though I don't need it and even though I'll lose a couple thousands... I just want to lose as less as possible.

By the way it won't be too bad since I decided I would quit smoking to pay the difference from my crap car to the mini :D

 

Go for the JCW car even though it has more miles. Since you will be selling in 1.5 years you should not have any problems with the car. The increased power is worth it unless you want to mod one of the non-JCW cars.

 

I'd go with the 04 if you're going to have to resell it because it will have the lowest mileage when the time comes. Even if you don't sell it, the 04 is the last year of the original design (which I like having), and doesn't have the quality-control issues of earlier cars.

The 05 has the upgraded engine, better gearing and a burbling exhaust, so it might be a little bit more fun to drive. If you like the later tail lights and the smooth front grille surround, you'll think it looks better, too.

The JCW would have more power, but it has more mileage (kilometerage?) and is more likely to have been driven hard. Of course the other side of that coin is that a JCW owner may have been more likely to take really good care of his car.

I'd stay away from an 02 based on the quality issues the plagued some of the early cars.

 

I think what I'll do is try to nego with the 04 owner with the low mileage... because that's the one that'll keep the best resell value. I will also try to get the maintenance history of the JCW owner...

Then it's going to come down to fun and good resell value or MORE fun and LESS resell value ... I'll post what I find out about the maintenance of the JCW.

Thank you

 

So I have made my mind ... I will be buying a 2005 MCS with pretty much all the option except navi, 2 brand new set of tires. 60000km (37k miles) with one year warranty left. Chili Red with white top and stripes. I called the mini dealer with the vin number and the car has had only three repairs.. ABS sensor, speedo sensor, engine support. The cars was always garaged (i went to the guy's place) ...

The reason I'd go with this one instead of the 04 with low mileage or the 05 with no warranty (plus no moonroof) is for resell value ... what do you think?

 

Congratulations! Your first post didn't go into the details of options, so it's hard to compare the exact values, but it sounds like you got a great car. Happy motoring!

 

Its a Mini you can't go wrong! post your pics when its all said and done!!!

 

The 05. 05 & 06 had all the bugs worked out, had better manual trannys.

Good choice.

 

I think more of us would have recmommended the 05 if we had known the KM's were 60,000 in post #7 vs 80,000 in your orginal thread. Sounds like you made the right choice anyway, good luck and enjoy. Please post pics! Welcome! Where in Canada are you?

 

So here are the pics from the ad ... I will be posting my pics soon !! Going to get the car tomorrow !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait .

And i'm on the south shore of Montreal.

 

WOW THIS CARS KICKS ASSSSSSSSS !!!!!!

I will post again soon !

 

...... I hate this crap we should not allow old ladies to drive period !!!

In BIG STINKING SLOW TRAFFIC an old lady with a big *** brand new cadillac decided it was a good idea to take a good distance take a swing and NOT brake before rear ending my 5 days old mini. Then I am PISSED REALLY PISSED and I am reading to get out of my car and CRY THE S**T OUT of the dumb **S that rear ended me, when I see this little frele old ladie. CAN'T YELL ANYMORE, she WILL die of a heart attack if I do ... Then she smiles and says ''well I tried braking but I think I was going a little fast'' YA THINK !!!!!!!!! Now my bumper is cracked, my back and neck hurt, i do not know if the frame is ok , PLUS I CAN'T YELL AT ANYONE !!!


Thank you all for allowing me to vent here ....

 

The old lady told me she didn't want to deal with insurance and that she would pay... Now I am wondering if I should bring the car in to my Mini Dealer and ask them for the price. My car is still under 1 year warranty and I do not want them to have an argument to decline any type of warranty work ... Am I being paranoid ?

 

Take it wherever you'd like for repairs. If only the bumper is cracked and nothing else is dented, my guess is that there isn't any damage to the frame. Probably it still will be expensive to repair because I've heard that it isn't as simple as just replacing the bumper cover. Not sure what's under the Mini's bumper cover, but if there is impact-absorbing foam that should be replaced, too.

I understand her wanting to not have insurance involved for the repairs, but if you're at all hurt and could have medical expenses I think you'll need to get insurance involved.

Hope you have better luck with your Mini from now on!