Articles
   
       
Pics/Video
       
Wake 101
   
       
       
Shop
Search
 
 
 
 
 
Home   Articles   Pics/Video   Gear   Wake 101   Events   Community   Forums   Classifieds   Contests   Shop   Search
WakeWorld Home
Email Password
Go Back   WakeWorld > Non-Wakeboarding Discussion

Share 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old     (markj)      Join Date: Apr 2005       06-03-2013, 11:28 PM Reply   
We've been looking at them as a third car as well as a car for our daughter who is just getting her license. We're thinking 2006 or newer with 50k or less miles. any advice?
Old     (yjwrangler95)      Join Date: Oct 2011       06-04-2013, 6:28 AM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by markj View Post
We've been looking at them as a third car as well as a car for our daughter who is just getting her license. We're thinking 2006 or newer with 50k or less miles. any advice?
By an S, you will not be disappointed. My girlfriend has a 2012 S, it is a blast to drive, she has about 30,000 miles on it. Its been a pretty good car so far, goes through brake pads like no other but is good on gas. She averages about 32mpg combined. Get familier with changing the oil yourself, Mini will charge you roughly 100.00 to do it.

She had a non S version on loan while they did some warranty work on her car, ie brakes, wipers, ect are covered for the first three years, and it was a dog. Significant difference in power and performance.
Old     (polarbill)      Join Date: Jun 2003       06-04-2013, 7:33 AM Reply   
I am not sure I would want to get a sport/fast version for a brand new driver.

I don't know much about mini coopers but what is the reliability of them? I have been of the impression they aren't all that reliable and are expensive to fix.

I think it would be hard to beat a honda civic, mazda 3 or toyota corolla for a first car. They get good MPG's, are fairly safe(I think) and are all pretty reliable. That and there is tons of them out there so finding a good used one should be fairly easy.
Old     (pesos)      Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Texas       06-04-2013, 8:08 AM Reply   
I loved my 2006 S. Bought it out of state to avoid the crazy CA markup at the time, drove it a year and sold it for more than I paid for it. Not sure I'd want to own one out of warranty.
Old     (Pad1Tai)      Join Date: Jan 2013       06-04-2013, 11:44 AM Reply   
I don't know bro..

If I valued my daughters life, I think I'd get something with a little more tin around it..

Possibly a Honda Accord, maybe a Camry..
Old     (joeshmoe)      Join Date: Jan 2003       06-04-2013, 11:57 AM Reply   
looks like it could use a Side air bag, if it does have it, forget the mini, I'm sure she would look good in it! Oh, another reason not to buy it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPKf99BSn5g
Old     (deuce)      Join Date: Mar 2002       06-04-2013, 12:38 PM Reply   
My friend/neighbor, has 2. His daughter has a pretty basic convertible & his wife has a Countryman S. Both bought new and the convert is a year older, neither has had issues, but the oldest is less than 2 years old. I think they both look great!

Not sure about Charlie Zulu's comments.....maybe you should get her a full size truck, 1 ton preferably..... Apparently my son driving a Scion tC shows the value, or lack there of, of his life....
Old     (psudy)      Join Date: Dec 2003       06-04-2013, 1:54 PM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pad1Tai View Post
I don't know bro..

If I valued my daughters life, I think I'd get something with a little more tin around it..

Possibly a Honda Accord, maybe a Camry..
This. My daughter will get a 1976 Fleetwood Cadillac and like it.
Old     (magic)      Join Date: Mar 2002       06-04-2013, 2:48 PM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by psudy View Post
This. My daughter will get a 1976 Fleetwood Cadillac and like it.
Ha! in High school I drove a 1962 Caddy, that was in the late 90s.
Old     (diamonddad)      Join Date: Mar 2010       06-04-2013, 3:28 PM Reply   
I owned a 2005 MINI S. Loved it. It was flawless. Bought it for $23.5K in 2005. Traded it in on a SUV in 2011 with 75K miles for $7.5K in 2011. Get the S for sure. A lot more fun.
Old     (jon4pres)      Join Date: May 2004       06-04-2013, 6:48 PM Reply   
My dad gave me a 53 international pick up when I was 14 with no seat belts and told me "Be safe. If you wreck you are going to die. If you don't die in the wreck when you get home i will kill you. Have fun. "
This was in 96.
Old     (King12)      Join Date: Jul 2012       06-04-2013, 9:37 PM Reply   
heard of tranny issues in the base model, both auto and manual.
another thing with the S is premium fuel
I looked at a modded mini S when I was getting my car after graduation and loved it but father was helping fund it and it was just a tad over what he wanted to pay. What I didnt like was their repair records, getting any repair work done was big $$$ and little random stuff was messing up that shouldnt be like the radiator had multiple issues, whole steering column replacement, complete brake replacement, all this on a 4-5 year old car. The S was modded, but I really doubt that would cause steering column issues.

Anyway, it was a ton of fun, and it seems to be that a lot of people love them, but they arent super cheap.
I would look at other cars also, but not at all saying a mini is a no go, but it may not be the best option.

I say talk to your daughter about what she wants, and explain to her what you want, safety, mpg, reliability etc. come up with a list that could work for you both. It really does suck as a kid to be asked what you want or your input and then that input be blatantly disregarded. If you don't care don't ask, but I think she would be understanding, and probably feel more mature and like that you asked/included her more.

On another note my gf has a beetle convertible and that thing is in the shop so much, it really annoys the hell out of her and little things constantly are an issue.

I asked specifically for anything but a honda civic

I ended up with a 5 speed slush box honda civic. I hate it.
Old     (Pad1Tai)      Join Date: Jan 2013       06-05-2013, 5:44 AM Reply   
Hey Hey.. All I'm saying is a kid with a brand new license, no experience, and a texting cell phone is a recipe for a mishap.. I drive a fwd diesel and cringe at what I look down on sometimes.. The Coopers get a decent crash rating.
My sons drove Rodeo's and S10's and had wrecks.. And walked away. A red light runner t boned the Rodeo.. If your shooting for economy, go for the Fiat or Smart Car.... At least ya can't fit the cheerleading team in them when your heading to Sonic Drive In..
Old     (markj)      Join Date: Apr 2005       06-05-2013, 7:57 AM Reply   
Well originally we were looking at 05-06 models with 60K miles or less for around $10-12K. Then I started reading some horror stories about repairs and got scared. I thought about going new for the warranty. Of course the price doubles then....
Old     (King12)      Join Date: Jul 2012       06-05-2013, 8:14 PM Reply   
what about a fiesta. I saw a lime green one in a parking lot and thought it was actually a really cute car, little bit bigger and killer mpg, plus a warranty
Old     (ilikebeaverandboats)      Join Date: Jul 2007       06-05-2013, 9:38 PM Reply   
ah dude dont get the mini cooper.... I drove an S, it was fun, but its like buying a VW bug, you are buying "cute" ...

get her a honda CRV or Toyota 4runner...
Old     (markj)      Join Date: Apr 2005       06-06-2013, 9:22 PM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilikebeaverandboats View Post
ah dude dont get the mini cooper.... I drove an S, it was fun, but its like buying a VW bug, you are buying "cute" ...

get her a honda CRV or Toyota 4runner...
So performance is not a factor??? I've heard that those things rip. i think i'll test drive one tomorrow. I gotta know if they live up to the hype of being like a go cart. If not, I'll go back to the drawing board. I really just want to know if all of the mantainance horror stories are true... Thanks for the input so far.
Old     (King12)      Join Date: Jul 2012       06-07-2013, 10:39 AM Reply   
oh they rip.
Old     (ilikebeaverandboats)      Join Date: Jul 2007       06-07-2013, 6:52 PM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by markj View Post
So performance is not a factor??? I've heard that those things rip. i think i'll test drive one tomorrow. I gotta know if they live up to the hype of being like a go cart. If not, I'll go back to the drawing board. I really just want to know if all of the mantainance horror stories are true... Thanks for the input so far.
If performance is a factor for your daughters first car, can i be your kid too

But in all reality, if you are concerned about it "ripping" go buy a Subaru impreza WRX STi or better yet, get the new BRZ when they release the STi version... that car is supposed to be a BLAST to drive.
Old     (markj)      Join Date: Apr 2005       06-07-2013, 11:54 PM Reply   
Well........ I took a test drive today in a 2010 S. It has the (pretty rare) Camden package (5K option) which has more bells and whistles than I was even looking for or need. All I can say is if you haven't driven one before, go try it out. They live up to the hype (which is rare these days). That thing is on rails! It was almost more fun than my '79 Porsche 911SC that I had years ago although not as cool by any stretch. I actually think it could probably beat that old 911 around a track. Once I found out that it was a CPO with 100K warranty and only 21K miles I couldnt resist. I was smitten and I bought the dang thing. I don't plan on owning it outside of the warranty period. We'll see how it works out...
Old     (markj)      Join Date: Apr 2005       06-08-2013, 12:00 AM Reply   
Also, it has air bags everywhere. I was surprised at how well it did in crash tests. For those interested, it set me back 20.6K.
Old     (deuce)      Join Date: Mar 2002       06-08-2013, 3:23 PM Reply   
Congrats on the new ride!
Old     (yjwrangler95)      Join Date: Oct 2011       06-09-2013, 6:07 PM Reply   
Congrats man, you will love it. Its like driving a go kart with a radio and AC
Old     (King12)      Join Date: Jul 2012       06-09-2013, 6:47 PM Reply   
thats awesome! pics!

Reply
Share 

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:04 PM.

Home   Articles   Pics/Video   Gear   Wake 101   Events   Community   Forums   Classifieds   Contests   Shop   Search
Wake World Home

 

© 2019 eWake, Inc.    
Advertise    |    Contact    |    Terms of Use    |    Privacy Policy    |    Report Abuse    |    Conduct    |    About Us