Mini Cooper advise.

sovietspybob · 4 Sep 2010 at 09:47

Don't want to derail the thread into an argument but just curious why you like the mini so much?

It just seems not a lot of car for the money unless im missing somthing amazing about them?

If its a looks thing then i know where my money would go link

Ninja Edit: The celica's only 10BHP/Ton less than the Cooper S

iaind · 4 Sep 2010 at 09:53

I don't understand why anyone with a functioning set of testicles would want one.

But you seem to be taking a more sensible approach this time, which is good

paradigm · 4 Sep 2010 at 09:57

Maz said:
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?

Electric blue was a Cooper S only colour until the facelift IIRC.

eatcustard · 4 Sep 2010 at 10:02

iaind said:
I don't understand why anyone with a functioning set of testicles would want one.

This

The Krout Mini is very much a girls car.

I just dont see men driving them. (very often)

but everyone to there own.

try the mini owners forums, clubs

hillbilly2 · 4 Sep 2010 at 11:11

We have a new cooper s at the moment(company car),and it is great fun to drive.Can be a bit bumpy but it is a go kart 

shifty_uk · 4 Sep 2010 at 11:24

He might be gay?

widdyst · 4 Sep 2010 at 12:53

Just put your 5 grand somewhere else Like into this http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1897529.htm maybe or this http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2019142.htm

seems a lot more for your money I think. (Not those examples neccesarily just found thiose quickly )

West · 4 Sep 2010 at 13:32

Personally i'd spend more than 5k.

But as long as you're looking at Pre-Facelift you need to look out for the following:

Gearboxes (The Midlands Gearbox is notorious for going)
PAS Pump (No whining = Dead Pump, the more whining the better)

johnny6 · 4 Sep 2010 at 13:39

Don't listen to the haters the MINI is a lot of fun to drive. I'm alway finding reasons for my girlfriend to take my car to work so I can drive her MINI.

Maccy · 4 Sep 2010 at 13:45

widdyst said:
Just put your 5 grand somewhere else Like into this http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1897529.htm maybe or this http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2019142.htm
seems a lot more for your money I think. (Not those examples neccesarily just found thiose quickly )

Those are definitely good alternatives, however if he's getting quotes of £1600 for a standard Cooper then these are going to be a lot more to insure.

Wicksta · 4 Sep 2010 at 13:48

eatcustard said:
This

The Krout Mini is very much a girls car.

What's a Krout Mini?

West · 4 Sep 2010 at 13:55

Wicksta said:
What's a Krout Mini?

He's one of those people that call it a BINI also.. albeit that one did raise a smile..

mjt · 4 Sep 2010 at 14:41

West said:
But as long as you're looking at Pre-Facelift you need to look out for the following:

Gearboxes (The Midlands Gearbox is notorious for going)
PAS Pump (No whining = Dead Pump, the more whining the better)

By facelift do you mean the 2005 facelift?
I can't imagine they changed the 'box for that..

Unless you mean the R56, but then that's the Mk2 and not really a facelift

West · 4 Sep 2010 at 16:20

mjt said:
By facelift do you mean the 2005 facelift?
I can't imagine they changed the 'box for that..

Unless you mean the R56, but then that's the Mk2 and not really a facelift

Nope. I mean the 2005 Facelift (I.E Mine)

The Gearbox was changed from the midlands Box to a geartrag (SP) one in said facelift

vidda · 4 Sep 2010 at 16:31

Just thought I'd add, check Tesco insurance online. When I was ~19-20 everywhere was quoting me around the same as you for insurance however Tesco would insure me fully comp for £900 at the same excess. Might be worth a look as you could put the extra money saved from insurance towards the car.

p.s. This was for a Cooper S, but I'd imagine it would be similar?

iaind · 4 Sep 2010 at 16:32

Why would it be similar? Different person, different location, different car, different risk profile, why would one particular insurance company be cheaper?

West · 4 Sep 2010 at 16:41

vidda said:
Just thought I'd add, check Tesco insurance online. When I was ~19-20 everywhere was quoting me around the same as you for insurance however Tesco would insure me fully comp for £900 at the same excess. Might be worth a look as you could put the extra money saved from insurance towards the car.

p.s. This was for a Cooper S, but I'd imagine it would be similar?

Cooper S are group 15?

eatcustard · 4 Sep 2010 at 17:08

Wicksta said:
What's a Krout Mini?

Krout = German

So German Mini

Wicksta · 4 Sep 2010 at 17:20

eatcustard said:
Krout = German

So German Mini

Oh, you mean kraut. As far as I know only the owners of the brand are German though and the 'new' Mini is made here? In that case my 2000 'old' Mini Cooper was also a kraut Mini as BMW owned Rover then too?

[TW]Fox · 4 Sep 2010 at 17:22

Personally I still think everything said to this guy in his Cooper S thread still stands.

Sub £5k for a 2003 or newer Cooper? They might exist but they wont be very nice.