So I'm waiting for my MINI to hits the states. I ordered it last weekend (April 18th) so it's gonna be a while.

Anyway, I still have to decide if I wanna lease for 3 yrs or finance for 6 yrs. The thing that's tearing me apart is obviously the initial down payment ($3000 vs $6000) and whether or not the MINI thrill will die out after a few years.

My experience with cars are like relationships. Great for a while but then I start wondering if there is someone better out there. I've never owned a car longer than 3 yrs but then again I've never owned anything like a MINI.

How many of you are in it for the long haul? Any regrets? Any tips?

Thanks!

 

I'm keeping mine forever. Really. I went through a string of 2-4 yr "relationships" with cars... then my last car (Chrysler Sebring) I broke that habit and kept it 8... would have kept it longer but it started having problems. But that's when I realized how liberating it was to actually PAY OFF a car and not have a payment... and get a little ahead of the game...

I'm banking on my 1st gen MINI cabrio being a classic in 30 years... plan to still have it to find out...

 

i bought my 07 last april and i am in it 4 the super long haul till the wheels fall off or somebody hits me(crazy Texans)

 

Because of the complicated electrical system, it's the least reliable car I have ever owned (including the Simca and Mustang II).
However, even though we're getting a new MINI for my wife, I won't be giving up on my R53 until I can't find parts for it anymore. Four years after I bought it used, the thrill is not yet waned in the least. Adding a few horses now and then hasn't hurt either.

 

NYCrooner I was having the same dilemma as you whether to lease or finance.After all of the numbers were put in front of me they suggested a MINI Select option which is a combination of both.A low monthly payment with a balloon payment at the end of the term.You can either finance the balloon payment,sell the car for the balloon payment or more or trade it in for a new one.I went with the MINI Select.

So in other words you have 3 finance choices with MINI.

 

I plan on replacing my MCS with a cold fusion perpetual motion hybrid as soon as they are available.

 

Granted, I've only had my Mini for 6 days, but I can't see giving her up. Not for anything.

 

Sounds to me like we have a lot of love going on here. Hmmm...

I really have a lot to think about. lol. I guess not having ever owned a car longer than 3 yrs builds some major commitment issues. Just ask my g/f

 

They can have it when they can pry the keys from my cold, dead hands.

My 9 year old has been eye-balling my R53 since I got it; he's been told repeatedly to back off, but he's still lurking around as if he's gonna get it.

Not. Going. To. Happen.

 

Yeah... my 8 and 11 year olds both called "dibs" on Blimey for their "first" car... no freakin way they're gettin my baby. I'll find them a nice banged up de-tuned Cooper.

 

My dad use to tell me this when I was younger...

"If you take care of you car (relationship); you're car (relationship) WILL take care of you."

I'm sorry to say that he was right...

I had my last two cars for a total of 15 years... Both purchased used, both purchased with LOW mileage and I NEVER had any major issues with either one of them. It's all about up keep.

In all fairness, there are the exceptions though.

 

Umm... HYSTERICAL.

 

If he had the chance, he'd take the keys and make a run for it. Of that I am sure....

 

I bought my '03 "Justa" about 5 months ago, and I plan on keeping it for a long, long time. I just feel like it deserves to be loved for what it is (i.e. a beautiful little car), and not for how good (i.e. problem-free) it might be.

 

Yeah once the honeymoon (warranty) is over, I worry about her becoming a gold digger (repairs). It's the thing that worries me most about keeping a car past it's warranty. I keep telling myself Mini won't be the type of chick that lets her self go.

 

We've had our 06 MCS for almost 2 years. Pretty reliable car, although we are relatively low in miles (around 12-15k). Haven't had any issues other than hitting a nasty pot-hole and we needed to bring it to the shop. The Wiff uses it year round and we have a separate set of wheels/tires for snow. Car handles well. Looking to pick up an 08 MCS as a third car late this year.

 

This is why I'm taking a full bumper to bumper exclusion type warranty on delievery (when it's cheapest, even though the dealers kill you over it). I would never keep a modern car in it's 50,000-100,000 mile range without a warranty that covers everything but wear items. After the car reaches 100,000 miles you don't feel as bad having to put money into it if you need to.

 

Hehehe, true, emotionally it works out that way for me. Under 100k, damn, unreliable car. Over 100k, well, maybe this is the chance to rebuild the engine with nice parts. My wife, on the other hand looks at it as a reason to get rid of that old car. In her mind, it's having problems, and will probably become a pit to pour money into.

She used that argument to get rid of the last car that made me happy, and it still aches when I rub it there. I've learned my lesson. I am gonna keep this one as long as the body does not rust. I've had the luck of not getting a lemon for a car yet. Let's hope my luck holds.

Now for the OP, do you want to drive it forever? If you are not sure, perhaps you can hack the idea of a ballon payment to get the car at the end. I coudn't justify it.


I have a friend who is a recovering heroin addict. When he saw me drive my new car, he said: "The look you get when you drive this car, it's the same look someone gets when they shoot up." And I would suppose that probably is the way this car affects me. You might be different, but I think the car works for most of us for the same reason opiates work for most of us: We have the same chemistry. I dunno if I would even consider leasing this much fun. Someone might take it away.

bart5467: You're one of those Texans, the sun will get to you, too!

 

I leased because that was my best option at the time. I want to say I would keep this one forever, but it's not true. What I will do however is purchase my next one when the lease is up. Specifically instead of grabbing off the lot, I will be custom ordering the S to my exacting, 13k over base, standards.

 

i went mini select. only 2500 down and a payment of around 380. i cant remember if i went 3 or 4 years though. at the end i will owe around 18K and will probably refinance that part, but hopefully will have enough put aside so that i can just pay it in full. and the best part is that i can mod it as i want or sell it at any time. got a call from the dealer saying that it was in and scheduled to pick up next wednesday. cant wait.