Help with choice of 2 cars
 

1. 2005 Mini Cooper S convertible, 25k miles, $17k
2. 2005 Mini Cooper non-S convertible, 65k miles, $13.5k

Considerations are fun to drive and resale value (only intend to keep the car maybe 2 years). #1 wins out for fun. For resale, S is easier to resell, as is low mileage, but lower price point is also easier.

#1 would be a US import into Canada, so hurts resale value/ease of sale, #2 is local CDN car.

The S is more fun! Great aftermarket stufffor the supercharger!

I would spend the extra 3500 and get the fun car, quite zippy!

The S model. They seem to hold their value better as well.

I say the S. The mileage difference alone is worth most of the diff.

Get the S. Low miles trumps everything. Plus the S is an absolute blast.

Get the "S" model or a MazdaSpeed3 (just kidding). I was looking at the MINI and then decided to get the MazdaSpeed3.

drive both the S and non S drive the non first, that ought to make it easy for you to decide...... frankly the S is about the only Mini you would want to own,
the vert is a PITA

Something about transmission problems with early models rings a bell. Do a search for posts by "Rick Lee"...I could be off base but you need to read his Mini Cooper posts.

1. 2005 Mini Cooper S convertible, 25k miles, $17k
2. 2005 Mini Cooper non-S convertible, 65k miles, $13.5k

Of course go with the cheaper car that's non import. The S vs. non S is moot, they are both turds in terms of performance - at least if you consider the fact that you are posting amongst Porsche aficionados. ;) - the S supposedly runs a 7.7s 0-60. That's really slow for something bearing an "S" badge IMHO - a stock 911 SC from 1978 will outrun that. :D

Full Test: 2005 Mini Cooper and Cooper S Convertibles

George

George is spot on about the performance. Not much difference between the 2. Yes it is easier to buy a local car as u will be faced with import duty possibly and all the custom problems with an imported one. I trust u know about the costs of running a new mini? I dont believe they are cheap to run. If you insist on one, then a low offer subject to a PPI might be okay. My 1972 Mini was starting to burn oil at 30k miles. I hope the new ones are a better product.:eek:

Hmmm.... I have driven my uncles non convertible Cooper "S" and it felt very quick. I am pretty confident it would kick my '79 SC's @ss in aspect of performance.

If the fun factor is a wash, then you have to take a look at resale value more closely. While the S commands a higher price, it will likely hold its value a little better than the non-S. But when you factor in the US to Canada import disadvantage, it is not as clear-cut.

So - you need to find the 'discount factor' for the import disadvantage and factor that into the resale value trends for these cars. Once you get all these numbers, it is just simple mathematics to determine which is a better value for you now.

(And yeah, I'm taking a finance class right now, and learning about NVP - Net Present Value). :)

-Z-man.

The S of this era was supercharged... For a modest outlay to the John Cooper works gods you can be running high fives.

That being said, the fun factor for the mini is not straight line acceleration but handling. My wife's car (2008 Cooper S, turbocharged and direct injected) is an absolute ball to drive.

Get the S. My regular Cooper was fun but SLOW.