Purchasing a Mini Cooper

KatieDee

Hello everybody!

I have decided to give up on my Ford Fiesta and buy a new car. I've chosen to go for a Mini Cooper (for my sins) and have looked around for the past few weeks.

I've found what I feel to be a particularly good example.

55 plate, 30,000 miles on the clock, full service stamps/history, receipts for everything ever done, never failed an MOT (...as of yet!), 2 keys, immaculate interior, no damage to the paint work, no visible rust.

Very nice lady selling due to health issues, has owned the car since new. Not a smoker, clearly looked after very well.

The only negative in my eyes is that it is a pretty basic level...CD player but no air-con (first world problems, right?!). Drives wonderfully though.

I went to meet the seller and we spent a long time chatting. I made my offer of £4000 (it was advertised for more than this) and she accepted.

I wanted to ask if:

1) Is this a good deal?
2) Is there anything I should be checking other than the usuals?

No comments about the suitability of the car or your personal preference please. We all know of the love/hate relationship people have with the newer Mini's.

Thank you

motorguy

Personally - they;re an expensive little thing and prone to expensive failures - steering racks and gearboxes to name but two.

Looks "about right" pricewise, but personally i wouldnt spend that on a 9 year old hatchback. But each to their own

KatieDee

motorguy wrote: »

Personally - they;re an expensive little thing and prone to expensive failures - steering racks and gearboxes to name but two.

Looks "about right" pricewise, but personally i wouldnt spend that on a 9 year old hatchback. But each to their own

I did look at another Fiesta, Corsa's and Polo's but to be honest...I felt as though the Mini was the nicest of the lot. My Ford Fiesta has 60k on it and has a knackered piston...it has always been taken car of and I certainly don't thrash the car.

I'm fully expectant that something will go wrong (especially coming up to 50k) but at least I'm looking at this holding its price a bit more. I've seen Mini's older than this one with more mileage, going for the same price!

I do agree about the age though...it's the one thing putting me off. A newer one would be out of my price range though and I have to keep something back for repairs.

Thanks for your input

motorguy

KatieDee wrote: »

I did look at another Fiesta, Corsa's and Polo's but to be honest...I felt as though the Mini was the nicest of the lot. My Ford Fiesta has 60k on it and has a knackered piston...it has always been taken car of and I certainly don't thrash the car.

I'm fully expectant that something will go wrong (especially coming up to 50k) but at least I'm looking at this holding its price a bit more. I've seen Mini's older than this one with more mileage, going for the same price!

I do agree about the age though...it's the one thing putting me off. A newer one would be out of my price range though and I have to keep something back for repairs.

Thanks for your input

Yes definitely the nicest and i can see the appeal. Sounds like you are looking at one that has been well cared for.

As long as you're aware of potential bills then grand. :beer:

KatieDee

motorguy wrote: »

Yes definitely the nicest and i can see the appeal. Sounds like you are looking at one that has been well cared for.

As long as you're aware of potential bills then grand. :beer:

I've been driving for about six years so unfortunately, I am well aware of those pesky bills!

A Rover 214 that decided that even though it was mechanically sound, a fault with the alarm meant the immobiliser wouldn't come off and it had to be scrapped!

A temperamental Peugeot 206 with a gearbox that just loved being worked on.

A Fiesta that, although in perfect condition, decided it has had enough and chooses one of the most expensive faults going! (not before making me change the leads, coil pack and spark plugs!!)

So fully expecting the Mini to explode or something equally as expensive on the way home

Edit - in regards to the cost...I've looked at similar Mini's with less good points (higher mileage, patchy service history, less MOT/tax) which are on for a lot more. Is the price I'm giving really "about right"? I thought I was getting a good deal!

DigForVictory

Given how Minis hold their value & that you've an eye open for future repairs, sounds like a good deal.

Enjoy your Mini!

KatieDee

DigForVictory wrote: »

Given how Minis hold their value & that you've an eye open for future repairs, sounds like a good deal.

Enjoy your Mini!

Thank you

I literally just need people to tell me I'm not making a mistake...I am a very nervous buyer and although this what I feel to be a safe, sensible purchase...it's still a lot of money to me! I am usually the person who uses every excuse in the book to get the best deal...this just seems so frivolous to me!

Your responses are most appreciated.

musafir05

I have a 2007 Mini one with over 120,000 miles on the clock. It is worth approximately £3,995 (brought at £4,500) based on a valuation by Mini dealership. This suggest the car holds on to its value dearly.

The car has behaved quiet reasonably until it reached 100,000 miles and a few components reached the point of expiration. I am sure you will never drive your car as much as I do therefore don't worry about costly repair jobs.

KatieDee

musafir05 wrote: »

I have a 2007 Mini one with over 120,000 miles on the clock. It is worth approximately £3,995 (brought at £4,500) based on a valuation by Mini dealership. This suggest the car holds on to its value dearly.

The car has behaved quiet reasonably until it reached 100,000 miles and a few components reached the point of expiration. I am sure you will never drive your car as much as I do therefore don't worry about costly repair jobs.

Thank you. How do you find the drive? I couldn't really "open her up" during my test drive (although everything was spot on)...so I'm looking forward to hitting a 60 road.

flicks

Hi Katiedee. Just a little bit of input from me. My wife had a Cooper on an 08 plate. Nice, fun car to drive but I found the ride quality very hard, (may have been the run flat tyres though).


Also even for a bloke I found the steering very tight and the clutch pedal really hard work over long distances.


She had no major problems over the couple of years she had it apart from a climate control failure but clearly that won't be an issue for you, (won't you miss aircon just a little bit?)


Also with regards to putting your foot down, enjoy the experience but don't look at the fuel gauge when you're doing it!


Good luck with your purchase.

KatieDee

flicks wrote: »

Hi Katiedee. Just a little bit of input from me. My wife had a Cooper on an 08 plate. Nice, fun car to drive but I found the ride quality very hard, (may have been the run flat tyres though).


Also even for a bloke I found the steering very tight and the clutch pedal really hard work over long distances.


She had no major problems over the couple of years she had it apart from a climate control failure but clearly that won't be an issue for you, (won't you miss aircon just a little bit?)


Also with regards to putting your foot down, enjoy the experience but don't look at the fuel gauge when you're doing it!


Good luck with your purchase.

I did notice the steering was heavier than my current car...panicked a bit (a lot of issues with the steering column apparently!) and googled when I got home. There's no whining and apparently the steering is heavier as it's supposed to be go-kart style...it loosens up when you go faster apparently?

Don't even mention the fuel...first 1.6 I've ever owned and I'm not looking forward to the extra fuel usage! Luckily, I only do about 30 miles a week (I walk to work, use my car for some visits and live close to a town centre) so I'm hoping...praying...it won't be too bad.

I'm fulling expecting to drive everywhere for the next week though :rotfl:

Thanks for your input though, it's nice to read a Mini drivers opinion. I think it's easy to think they can do no wrong (especially if you're a Mini fan), but you have to be realistic and realise that they ARE overpriced for the most part and they do have a few issues. They are indeed, the Apple of the motoring world (in my opinion!).

And yes, I am crying for the aircon a little bit. I've got it in my current car but as it's only a 1.4, it's like driving a 1.0l when it's running! I've convinced myself it's an unnecessary luxury but if I could find a model with it for the same price, I'd probably buy that one. Don't think that's happening though!