Mini Cooper advise.

Gustov

Gustov

Gustov

Soldato
Joined
30 May 2008
Posts
7,788
Hi guys,

I made a thread recently about buying a Mini Cooper S and was swiftly put in my place and told that I couldn't afford one.

Having come to this realization, I'm think about buying a cooper and then buying a cooper S a few years down the line when I have more cash.

So here's my question. Can I buy a half decent cooper (not a cooper s) for £5,000? (I realise that i need more cash for running costs / insurance and have set that aside)

Requirements

No more than 60k on the clock

No older than 2003

Must have Chilli Pack.

Does something like this look like a reasonable purchase?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...page/1/postcode/al100rb/radius/1500?logcode=p

Thanks.
 
Last edited:
Gustov said:
Hi guys,

I made a thread recently about buying a Mini Cooper S and was swiftly put in my place and told that I couldn't afford one.

Having come to this realization, I'm think about buying a cooper and then buying a cooper S a few years down the line when I have more cash.

So here's my question. Can I buy a half decent cooper (not a cooper s) for £5,000? (I realise that i need more cash for running costs / insurance and have set that aside)

Requirements

No more than 50k on the clock

No older than 2003

Must have Chilli Pack.

Does something like this look like a reasonable purchase?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...page/1/postcode/al100rb/radius/1500?logcode=p

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Well it's a CAT D and those wheels ming.
 
Wan-Li tyres, it's the type of car I'd run an absolute mile from. Up your budget a grand and it'll make finding a nice one a lot easier.
 
I'm a bit shocked that the cooper models aren't that much cheaper than the sport models?

I'm guessing the insurance on a cooper is significantly less? (just got a quote of £1,600 with NCB)

I could up my budget to £6,000 but would be happier spending around £5,500?
 
Looks great that one ^^

Only downfall is the millage really :)

I should have £3000 towards the car in around another 4 weeks so hopefully not too long to go!
 
Gustov said:
Looks great that one ^^

Only downfall is the millage really :)

I should have £3000 towards the car in around another 4 weeks so hopefully not too long to go!
Click to expand...

It's done 63k for a 53 plate, it's less than average and still low!

I don't know why you require less than 50k miles, but you do realise that the difference between 50k and 63k on a 7 year car is negligable?

It's probably the newest Cooper you're likely to get for your budget.

As most of them seem to be 02/52 plate cars, I haven't look at private sales.
 
I think you'll have to be far more careful when shopping the classifieds. As Janesy said, that's a CAT D and if I recall correctly the examples you posted in your previous thread weren't exactly promising, either. I think you're going for the bargains out of desperation.

Having looked around in the past(despite hating the Cooper) I highly doubt you'll find a low mileage minter for £5,000.
 
Gustov said:
Okay mate :) thanks for your time. I can't really understand why the coopers aren't much cheaper than the sports :\
Click to expand...

Because the Cooper is cheaper to run and insure than a Cooper S, so the 21 year old girls who normally buy these cars opt for the Cooper as they don't need the extra performance!
 
Gustov said:
Okay mate :) thanks for your time. I can't really understand why the coopers aren't much cheaper than the sports :\
Click to expand...

I'd imagine because you're looking towards the higher end of the Cooper market and the lower end of the Cooper-S market.
 
Maz said:
Because the Cooper is cheaper to run and insure than a Cooper S, so the 21 year old girls who normally buy these cars opt for the Cooper as they don't need the extra performance!
Click to expand...

lol love the '21 year old girls' thing. It's so true though!

I think I'll set my budget at £5,500 and look at private listings!

Any good sites to start looking for them aside from ebay?

degen said:
I'd imagine because you're looking towards the higher end of the Cooper market and the lower end of the Cooper-S market.
Click to expand...

Chilli Pack yea :)
 
Well it looks as if that's what I have to spend. I've already admitted defeat by not getting a sport so there's no way I'm not going to get one with a chilli pack!

Would ideally get one in sky blue but they seem to be so much more expensive :(
 
Gustov said:
Well it looks as if that's what I have to spend. I've already admitted defeat by not getting a sport so there's no way I'm not going to get one with a chilli pack!

Would ideally get one in sky blue but they seem to be so much more expensive :(
Click to expand...

I've only ever seen that blue colour in a Cooper S, I'm assuming it's not available on a Cooper - or was an expensive extra when new?
 
ah that's quite possible actually. The dark blue and green colors are vile! The only cooper colors I'd consider are the black and silver ones.

shifty_uk said:
I'm assuming chilli pack = sports package(alloys etc), does that bump up your insurance premiums? Something to look out for.
Click to expand...

When I did a quote I selected the chilli pack and it was £1600. Doesn't seem too bad. That was with admiral.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom