Lets Motor! (New Car)
 

Yup, I bought a Mini. 2004 Cooper (not an S) with a 5 speed and 65k. HK audio, xenon lights, otherwise pretty basic. Dealer service records, everything works. It's not up to my standards of detailing, so no pics yet.;) Not by any means fast, but it is a lot of fun to drive. Basically a big go-kart, it has excellent steering and a sweet shifter. Suprising amount of interior room as well. So, if anyone wants to buy a Mini in about a month, let me know.:D

Pics or ban. :D

We keep thinking about a Mini for my wife (we're currently sharing one car). Since she's not shown any sense of urgency to buy one, I've had to restrain my automotive-ADD and not go car shopping. Matt, I think that level of self-restraint would kill you! :p

If it is not an "S", then you did not get a car, your wife did. :D

Congrats anyhow!

We got my wife a 2004 like yours, and found it to be an absolute hoot. It is a solid little car, and you can't do anything but drive it like you stole it - it is that good. Have driven the "S" too, and can honestly say that to me the standard Cooper presents better value for money. Have fun!

It's like a Miata Tim.......everyone thinks you're gay, but it's too much fun for you to care. It really is a fun little car.

Jim, I know where you can find one in about a month.;)

Since I already have a Miata, I'll pass on getting a MINI.

We'll be waiting for it. :)

Oh yeah, pics or ban! :p

Matt - 3rd gear 4500-6000rpm on back roads is a sweet spot. Find a familiar backroad to try it. I have 75000 on my 2005 non-S, preventative maint and just did front pads. I have a chrono package which gave me tach and speedo side by side behind the steering wheel, and the center pod of the dash has water temp, oil temp, oil pressure and fuel gauge. Sticks like glue on snowy roads with Blizzaks as well - better then our Nissan 4x4 p/u until the front air dam starts plowing. Average economy is just over 34mpg... 40/60 secondary/highway.

Great little cars... my wife drives an '08 Turbo S, it is a hoot and I borrow it whenever I can.

Dean, I plan to take it on a backroad run this weekend with the BMW club.

Does Mrs. Puppy know you bat for both teams?

My wife has a 2006. Only known defect is the gasket to the thermostat housing. Normally goes at 20K-30K miles so yours has probably been replaced. If you notice small puddles of anti-freeze under the car when parked that is what it is. Not an expensive fix at all.

My wife drives a 2005 Cooper Convertible - great little cars.

She made fun of me for buying a chick car, does that count?

We have an 08 MINI Cooper. Great handling, not much power, but then its fun to shift to keep the revs up. The only thing that surprised me with the car is how heavy it feels in comparison to my old Civic, which is a fair bit longer than the MINI. Girlfriend loves the car. Atleast she got black with offset white racing stripes, looks pretty good, not as feminine as some.

So I hear :D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1248289311.jpg

Excellent choice, Matt.

After this, please buy a early '80's FJ-40, get it sorted and I'll see you in Wichita, say, next June?

Thanks in advance.

Congrats on the new (to you) car.

What do you think of the interior quality? I seem to remember the knobs and such were sort of chintzy plastic.

Also, are some years more reliable than others?

Thanks.

PV

I liked the mini until I sat in one. I couldn't get over the cartoonish interior. The gauges are ridiculous and all of the little 70's amp style switches are just plain dumb in a car. I'd take one if it came with a better dash. Love the rest of the car, though.

Paul, if I could find an FJ-40 without rust I'd be happy to oblige.:)

With 65k mine looks nearly new inside. There's a few very slight scratches on the aluminum-look plastic, that's the only obvious wear. The passenger seat has a tear in the bottom, but that's not a wear issue. Except for CVT issues in the early cars they're supposed to be pretty reliable, comparable to or better than a used BMW.

Anyone know an easy way to tell sport seats from non-sport? I need to order new OEM seat bottom fabric for the passenger seat.