Do I need help?

NVP · 9 Jun 2019 at 22:54

I'm gonna buy a mini. Something spec'd like this (1.6 supercharged, lsd, cruise control, then anything else is a bonus heated seats, pano roof, Harmon Karden...)

R53 face-lift for under 3.5k in as best nick as possible.

What are people's thoughts? The reason I loved it was its long, smooth revvy engine, lovely manual gearshift, perfect go kart handling, lightweight but fast and cheap. (Edit: also the ability to get it into the 6 second territory with ease)

OK now talk me out of it. What else is there for that price that is as fun that I can use for my daily 170mile round commute?

Key is usable fun for say 3.5k up to 80k mileage. Throw me anything and if you convince me I'll find one to test drive.

Cheers

Dis86 · 9 Jun 2019 at 23:08

Driving something like that every day for 170 miles is going to lose the fun aspect fast.

Also just call them a cooper s!

NVP · 9 Jun 2019 at 23:12

Driving my 5 with all its power for overtaking, its amazing 4WS handling and its RWD skidding about is... also becoming boring as hell.

I'll still have that and my E34 as well as the wife's car to swap into whenever I need, but I'd like something fun to wrack the mileage onto.

Note: The 170miles a day will hopefully be foot to the floor the majority of the way, that can't lose its fun can it?

NVP · 9 Jun 2019 at 23:14

Dis86 said:
Also just call them a cooper s!

Haha is this cuz I said supercharged? Noted. I will continue to say supercharged

Hahaha I think its because I never knew!! Being a 6'4 fridge I'd never even considered the tiny wee thing so had no idea what they came with. Shocked I tells you!

Dis86 · 9 Jun 2019 at 23:21

It's just quicker than mini 1.6 supercharged!
They are great fun though aren't they?

Also fridge. Lol.

NVP · 9 Jun 2019 at 23:44

Ridiculous fun! I was taken back to my youth and absolutely loved it, which is why I'd like other suggestions just in case I'm looking at the mini all rose tinted...

geekman · 10 Jun 2019 at 02:08

If it's something to use on the weekend then sure, but driving that 170 miles per day instead of an F10? You definitely need help

TripleT · 10 Jun 2019 at 07:07

Clio Renault Sport?

I was considering one a while back but didn't. Should get an 08 197 for that. Not that moddable but already pretty perfect.

Howard · 10 Jun 2019 at 07:57

Buying a Mini to use for a bit of fun is fine, but heck, a 170 mile per day commute is bonkers enough let alone in a car like that! I hope the job is worth it!

[TW]Fox · 10 Jun 2019 at 08:20

170 miles a day in a 15 year old Cooper S?

What?

200sols · 10 Jun 2019 at 08:23

The R53 is a great fun car, but not for the driving you are doing.

sovietspybob · 10 Jun 2019 at 08:46

While they're well regarded to drive i thought they had more than their fair share of reliability issues?

[TW]Fox · 10 Jun 2019 at 08:50

200sols said:
The R53 is a great fun car, but not for the driving you are doing.

It's going to absolutely suck. Our old mini was a 2012 R56 and that sucked enough on long trips that it was a deciding factor in changing it for the much improved F56.

NVP · 10 Jun 2019 at 09:08

OK ok ok... Change the word commute for race. Now tell me

vanpeebles · 10 Jun 2019 at 09:20

Because racecar?

NVP · 10 Jun 2019 at 09:21

Exactly! No. Because you guys are getting hung up on the commute aspect rather than alternative suggestions

200sols · 10 Jun 2019 at 09:23

170 mile commute, you want something nice and comfortable, and a new job.

Howard · 10 Jun 2019 at 09:28

If it really is 170 miles of hooning it like a loon (which is probably isn't, but this is the internet, so... whatever you say, I guess) then that Mini is going to wear out even faster. It'll probably want servicing about 4 times a year.

vanpeebles · 10 Jun 2019 at 10:37

Will chug the guzzoline badly too.

NVP · 10 Jun 2019 at 10:44

TripleT said:
Clio Renault Sport

Interesting... I haven't driven a clio for a good 10+ years as they were never my cup of tea. Has the newer one put on weight and been lumped with more power because its that type of thing I'm trying to avoid.

Howard said:
Buying a Mini to use for a bit of fun is fine, but heck, a 170 mile per day commute is bonkers enough let alone in a car like that! I hope the job is worth it!

Worth it.

sovietspybob said:
fair share of reliability issues

I have heard this but I think the biggest was the chain which can be fixed before hand, then the rest aren't much else that wouldn't go wrong on an old 3 series.

Anything else I should worry about?

200sols said:
nice and comfortable

I have nice and comfortable. I want fun, not boring.

Howard said:
that Mini is going to wear out even faster. It'll probably want servicing about 4 times a year

Another reason for a cheap throw away toy. I'm putting too much on my 5 and the compromise of a diesel is not working when I'm paying so much to keep it on the road.

If I describe it as a throw away fun car does that make more sense?