buying used mini advice please

1jim

Hi
I am thinking of getting rid of the Ka, its a 2006 plate with 26K on the clock, like the ka but starting to get a little rust on it....knowing what I know now I wouldnt have bothered with this car but I am aiming for £1000-£1500 trade in value...not sure how realistic but welcome thoughts

wife quite likes the mini so have started to look around, have seen 2 of these
1) 2005 MINI MINI ONE 66K on the clock full service history, one owner. Priced at £4900
2)2003 2003 Mini 1.6 ( Chili ) Cooper . 54k on the clock. not sure service hx

Now have only seen both on internet and both look good, not sure what the chili spec covers but assume has air con but it doesnt list it.
Whats the difference between a Mini One and a Mini Cooper?
Are both in right price bracket, which would you go for?
Am I "mad" looking at the mini or should I be looking for something else? Wife will be main driver but I will use fairly frequently, mostly is a commute car, to from work- 7-15miles each way (depending on who uses it), occasional school run for 5and7year old (so need booster seats/car seats to fit in the back).

anything to look out for on minis of this age? are they prone to problems that develop in the next few yrs?
budget around 5K but obviously less would be better

neilmcl

Go to http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/ and check out the car-by-car breakdown for advice regarding specs, etc.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Very overpriced for a fashionable but ordinary car.

Compare with a Suzuki Swift, an underrated vehicle, see what you can get for your money, well specced Sport models 3 or more years younger for that sort of money.

emmell

Someone may correct me if I'm wrong but, I think the Mini one has a 1.4 engine and the Mini cooper has a 1.6. The Mini one will probably be cheaper to insure and be more basic ( think basic Ford model compared to Zetec, and it gives you an idea why price ranges differ so much).
Almost everything on a Mini costs extra, so the more spec it has, the more costly it will be.
I had a Mini cooper with 17" wheels and it was terrible in the snow and ice and I don't know if you will be able to fix child seats in, they're only four seaters by the way. No leg room in the rear whatsoever, even for kids, so if you don't mind feet pressing into your back when you are driving then it will be ok.
I would suggest (having replaced my Mini with one) a Fiesta Zetec 1.4, not as fast as the Mini but a lot more comfortable.
If you test drive a Mini you'll probably buy one because they are great fun to drive, but they are so impractical to live with.
Hope this helps.
ML.

1jim

neilmcl wrote: »

Go to http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/ and check out the car-by-car breakdown for advice regarding specs, etc.

Thanks- will do- find it quite difficult to work out what each model should have, probably just me though

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

Very overpriced for a fashionable but ordinary car.

Compare with a Suzuki Swift, an underrated vehicle, see what you can get for your money, well specced Sport models 3 or more years younger for that sort of money.

wifes not keen on these though, agree mini is probably overpriced for what you get in terms of spec but I wonder if we were to buy a mini and resell in a few years if we would get a better price back?

emmell wrote: »

Someone may correct me if I'm wrong but, I think the Mini one has a 1.4 engine and the Mini cooper has a 1.6. The Mini one will probably be cheaper to insure and be more basic ( think basic Ford model compared to Zetec, and it gives you an idea why price ranges differ so much).
Almost everything on a Mini costs extra, so the more spec it has, the more costly it will be.
I had a Mini cooper with 17" wheels and it was terrible in the snow and ice and I don't know if you will be able to fix child seats in, they're only four seaters by the way. No leg room in the rear whatsoever, even for kids, so if you don't mind feet pressing into your back when you are driving then it will be ok.
I would suggest (having replaced my Mini with one) a Fiesta Zetec 1.4, not as fast as the Mini but a lot more comfortable.
If you test drive a Mini you'll probably buy one because they are great fun to drive, but they are so impractical to live with.
Hope this helps.
ML.

Thanks ML, probably not a massive difference in space in the back to the Ka I wouldnt have thought? as the kids are only in the car for 10mins once or twice a week its not a massive issue for us (only pick them up or drop them off in car if our shifts fall that we have to take/collect them on way yo or from work). I did consider a Fiesta- wife quite likes them but to be honest I am miffed with Ford now, there is nothing mechanically wrong with the Ka we have and wouldnt be changing it now if rust wasnt starting to form and I really cant face spending my life sorting rust every few months....Im afraid unless someone can convince me that I am very wrong that Ford wont get a penny of my money again (have always owned a ford since driving at age of 17)--and yes I know that Ford wont actually get my money as its second hand so its probably a pointless protest but still

Jeff_Bridges_hair

I take it you only have around 5K to spend then? If you can afford a bit more then get the fiat 500. The missus loves hers to bits and even i can fit in it too and its a dream to drive.

1jim

thanks, will consider that....can you pick up one of these for a bit more than 5k?

Tilt

There's not going to be many in good condition. These are the only 2 on Autotrader;

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/fiat/500/postcode/po332ee/radius/1501/sort/priceasc/price-to/5000#advert201126394068471

Muscle750

Gearboxs are weak on minis as are clutches

1jim

any other reccomendations?

emmell

Toyota Yaris, never owned one but they seem popular.
ML.