Mini dealers & engineering are something else...

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

A few others you could consider that are about $10k, fun, seat four, small, and reliable:

Ford Focus SVT - the older SVT Focus was damn good, available in two or four doors, and can be had with HIDs and Recaros.

Mazda 3S - fun car

Mazdaspeed3 - even funner, there's one for sale locally for $8k

Mazda RX8 - 2009+ are the best ones, really great cars

Saab 900/9-3 - this is the 2000-ish hatchback, not the later sedan model that was a terrible car. You could even find a Viggen for under $10k.

Porsche 944 - it had to be said......

Porsche 928 - if you are a glutton for punishment. On the upside, the nice ones are slowly appreciating. Not super small though.

Acura RSX Type-S

Honda Civic Si

Honda Prelude SH - was the best handling FWD car when new

Volvo C70 T-5 - another turbocharged Swede

Mazdaspeed6 - might be bigger than you want

No VW in your list Matt??

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

No VW in your list Matt??

Peter, I would include the GTi but he already mentioned it. For that matter the Audi A3 would also be worth a look. VAG products aren't Toyotas, but they are a lot better than a Mini.

[Deschodt]

I should chime back now that all repairs are completed... I stand by what I said - Mini dealers are charging stupid high rates (really, more than usual), and part of it is very dumb design that made consumable parts super hard to access (water pump, clutch, etc). Practically any intervention around the motor requires dropping 1/2 the front end, but that is now more and more common on modern cars.

That being said, the selling Ford dealer paid for my new seat (hair under $1300 for a $150 sensor mat!!) and I paid an indy to do the water pump + a look see for $720 - exactly half the dealer cost. I told the Mini advisor and he said "I don't blame you"!!! They wanted $1440 for the same job. They also told me the clutch issues are largely internet myth from terrible drivers (past the original flywheel issue, that is, but my car is not affected by that), either way independents can do it for $1500-1600 - with a better clutch to boot - again 1/2 the dealer.

So having paid for that, I must say it's not horrible. Minis are FUN. I normally hate FWD and only tolerated the GTI in that form, but that silly Mini is actually grin inducing, it's like having a puppy. The one I have is a still small and feels like a go-kart (dunno about the latest bloated ones), is fast enough, cute and very workable for interior/trim parts... Already did my cabrio top trim and down tubes, it's all clipped on, very easy...

So in conclusion, if you are in the market for a mini I would not let this thread scare me too much but treat it as education: get a warranty if possible. If not do check for clutch / water pump / power steering hoses and airbag function in a PPI, as those are big ticket items. After that it's DIY friendly for the piddly stuff and independent rates aren't too bad ! Porsche Territory, but we are used to this...

[Brillo]

Wife got a new 2008 S Clubman, as others have said fun car to drive. However quality is crap, MINI USA and two of the three dealers we went to were terrible, Alexander & selling dealer Crevier. MINI Monrovia was the last one we dealt with, they were just taken over with new owners. They were quite good, but too little too late. We were fed up with all the problems, and things not covered under original warranty unheard of with any other new car I have had. We took it to CARMAX last year.