Cooper S

Thanks for the advice :)

Being 21 I'm still looking into insurance and then will have to decide on the Cooper or Cooper S.
As Paradigm said, there are slightly more expensive cars with much less mileage about so I will continue looking, as long as they are 2005 plus.
 
Rather out of place question but still mini related, would a Cat D car increase future insurance premiums?
 
I doubt it will make any difference.

It will affect the value of any pay out though. Ball park 25-30% less than forecourt retail prices.
 
I wasn't too impressed with the S when I drove it. I personally preferred the other 'warm/hot hatches'. I test drove it along with the; Civic Type R, Golf GTi, Abarth Grande Punto and Focus ST and it was the worst. Nothing bad about it (apart from the Lego interior) but just didn't feel special, fast, practical or in anyway exciting.
 
Peerzy said:
just didn't feel special, fast, practical or in anyway exciting.
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That's because it is none of those things. They aren't "special" (or at least aren't now they are so common, our 52 plate was relatively special in that it was one of the first ones Bluebell MINI sold, and was pretty rare for a year or so), they aren't fast (in standard form), they are far from practical (the boot is useless, as are the rear seats when someone larger than 5'9" sits infront), and they aren't all that exciting.

They are however a good not-slow (not quick, but not SLOW), pretty well screwed together country lane/town car, that isn't butt-ugly.

I'd put my money elsewhere too, but when my Dad bought his, it was due to owning an original Cooper S, and wanting to relive those memories.
 
paradigm said:
That's because it is none of those things. They aren't "special" (or at least aren't now they are so common, our 52 plate was relatively special in that it was one of the first ones Bluebell MINI sold, and was pretty rare for a year or so), they aren't fast (in standard form), they are far from practical (the boot is useless, as are the rear seats when someone larger than 5'9" sits infront), and they aren't all that exciting.

They are however a good not-slow (not quick, but not SLOW), pretty well screwed together country lane/town car, that isn't butt-ugly.

I'd put my money elsewhere too, but when my Dad bought his, it was due to owning an original Cooper S, and wanting to relive those memories.
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Yeah, just seemed for the money the only thing it had going for it over other cars was the 'chick hip looks/styling/history'.
 
Peerzy said:
I wasn't too impressed with the S when I drove it. I personally preferred the other 'warm/hot hatches'. I test drove it along with the; Civic Type R, Golf GTi, Abarth Grande Punto and Focus ST and it was the worst. Nothing bad about it (apart from the Lego interior) but just didn't feel special, fast, practical or in anyway exciting.
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I don't like the CTR, I think it looks like a van.
Wouldn't want the FIAT build quality.
Cannot afford a decent ST2/ST3

Don't particularly like the Golf either, but out of the alternatives is the most likeable.
 
Sukh said:
I don't like the CTR, I think it looks like a van.
Wouldn't want the FIAT build quality.
Cannot afford a decent ST2/ST3

Don't particularly like the Golf either, but out of the alternatives is the most likeable.
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Nothing wrong with Fiat build quality. Those were just the cars I test drove within a few days of the MCS, not ideas as alternatives from me.

Just out of interest what is your budget and what sort of MCS are you looking at getting?
 
About 8k, looking at either an 04 car with all the good stuff, or a facelift with not so much.

Big thing for me is the Chrono pack as I prefer two small dials to one big tachometer.
 
Sukh said:
About 8k, looking at either an 04 car with all the good stuff, or a facelift with not so much.

Big thing for me is the Chrono pack as I prefer two small dials to one big tachometer.
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£8000 seems a lot of money for a small old-shape pre-facelift, 5 year old car that by the sounds of it is going to have about 80k on the clock?

I can't imagine that "Fiat's terrible build quality" is going to be any worse than an 80k 5 year old car?

Out of interest why a Mini? IIRC Focus ST's (new shapes 56 plates) are now selling for around £1000-£1500 more than your budget. Would you not rather push the boat out another £1000 and get a car 2 and half years newer, thats bigger, going to be less mileage and going to have a bit more grunt?

If you wanted hopelessly inpractical in a 5 year old car with a bit of mileage on it I'd go for something like THIS.

Totally different car, gonna cost more on insurance, petrol, tax etc but would be worth it.

Considered one of the Renaultsport Clio Cups?
 
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The mini is great fun to drive and handles like a dream!! Mines done 83k and seems fine (Touch wood!) :D

I can corner faster in my mini than in my TT or Z4! Great little car!
 
Peerzy said:
£8000 seems a lot of money for a small old-shape pre-facelift, 5 year old car
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That 80k car was 3 years old, was looking at this: http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/MINI+COOPER+S/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-209-240-4294965364-4294967245/advert.action?R=200926336836952&distance=18&postcode=GU21+2PB&channel=CARS&make=MINI&model=COOPER+S&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=&vehicleYearOfManufacture=2004&vehicleRegLetter=04


Alloys aside, it is a near perfect example of what I wanted, but alas it has already gone. Will have to keep looking or stick with the current car.
 
Peerzy said:
I wasn't too impressed with the S when I drove it. I personally preferred the other 'warm/hot hatches'. I test drove it along with the; Civic Type R, Golf GTi, Abarth Grande Punto and Focus ST and it was the worst. Nothing bad about it (apart from the Lego interior) but just didn't feel special, fast, practical or in anyway exciting.
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the thing is, you have to remember that this thing came out 7 years ago now. it was (arguably) the best car in its class for quite a while.
now, of course, the competition has overtaken it

cymatty said:
For 8k I would rather have this

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1079319.htm
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that's the other thing. if you're going to spend almost £10k on an R53, it has to be the JCW
 
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