When the Mini-Coopers first came out I was a final year grad student at the University of Sussex and the coast road ran just outside the gates. The Sussex Constabulary used two types of cars as "sucker bait". The first was a Mini-Cooper where the only external difference from a Mini if the paint scheme was altered, was the 2 inch diameter exhaust pipe. The other car was an MG Sprite. In both cases, young good looking female "members of the constabulary" were the drivers. Once over taken at speed, the "Pseudo-police cars" would accelerate past the speedster and the rear number plate would then read "Stop POLICE". Unfair to young males? Dave_n
Questions about Mini Coopers
- Thread starter lihpster
- Start date
Also the high cost of parts and labor to fix one. I put a small dent in the front fender of my 22 Toyota. The cost to repair was 22% of the total value of the used car.
A good friends wife bought one had it about 2 yrs. Called him one day and told him car quit running. When he got it towed to dealership they found out she never changed oil and engine froze up.
Speaking of Mini Coopers, I watched the "Italian Job" last night.
Good movie, but a little farfetched. Mini Coopers for the win.
Good movie, but a little farfetched. Mini Coopers for the win.
03hemi
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My son has one and it gets great gas mileage! But,like already said- run away as fast as you can!
He just spent $3k on new motor mounts, his in in great shape too.
They're BMW's so the parts are expensive, no aftermarket to speak of and you have to find a place that can and will work on them, also very pricey. He can't wait to sell his when he graduates and goes to work.
Was used, low mileage and great shape when he bought it too, that alone should be a warning. lol
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CAJUNLAWYER
Member
ANd before you bring in your Lucas electrical system car to be serviced you need to circle the car counter clockwise three times, bite the head off of a chicken and pray to Lucas, prince of darkness to favor you with a successful repair
Hair Trigger
US Veteran
Look for a nicely kept 3rd Gen Mazda Miata (currently in 4th Gen production). They are pretty bulletproof mechanically, get great gas mileage, handle very well, are fun to drive and have a large aftermarket for performance improvements if you're so inclined. 3rd Gen cars were from 2006 to 2015, so pricing would be reasonable, and since many are bought as second or third vehicles, mileages on them are usually lower for their age.
I owned a 2nd Gen (2000 model) for 8 years from 2009-2017 and only sold it because it was getting more difficult for me to get in and out of due to my age and arthritic back issues. I drove mine as a daily driver and modified it heavily for performance, it was a 4.5 second 0-60 car. AFAIC, the 2nd gen is the best looking and along with the 1st gen is the purest in terms of a true sports car, they were early enough that there is less electronic "doo-daddery" than the 3rd and 4th Gen have. The 3rd Gen car has a version available (PRHT) with a power operated hardtop if you don't want a softtop car.
I picked up a 2013 Miata club version with 800 miles on the clock, owned by a "snowbird" who hurt his left leg, so could not use the clutch (6 speed on the floor) and Mazda A/C to boot!! Currently has 26K and the PA exchequer gets annoyed as I do <3000 miles per year, so no emission test. My standing comment when asked "am I not scared of having it stolen when I have the soft-top down?" is "any car thief needs to be 50 plus" as none of the locals can drive a stick shift. Dave_n
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British cars need you, more than you need them…. (Triumph Spitfire owner)
I can't speak to the BMW minis, but most British marques are for folks with the desire, money, and mechanical skills to keep them running. They are fun, if you like spirited driving coupled with constant wrenching.
I can't speak to the BMW minis, but most British marques are for folks with the desire, money, and mechanical skills to keep them running. They are fun, if you like spirited driving coupled with constant wrenching.
Actually you spelt the last word incorrectly!! It should have been "wenching!" Owned Spitfires in the UK and in the US. The last word as I spelt it is correct!! Dave_n
Bozz10mm
US Veteran
Or, as the Germans call them: Bavarian Mist Wagon.
Bozz10mm
US Veteran
Isn't it the man's job to tell her when to change the oil, renew the registration, and when to put gas in it?
Jon651
Member
(With apologies to all the Mini Cooper lovers out there...) About 20 years ago we babysat my sister-in-law's Mini Cooper for two years as she was being deployed to the Middle East. We drove it about once a week just to keep it running and I did some routine maintenance. I'm sure this problem has been resolved, but her driver's door window would randomly freeze at the most inopportune times and it was quite aggravating.
In an attempt to be helpful, I brought it to the dealership in Orlando to get it fixed for her, but was told by the technician that it was a known problem with no fix at that time. Then he showed me exactly where to thump it on the interior door panel to get it to work!
Aside from that it perpetually got poor gas mileage, the transmission was horrid, the interior fit and finish was worse, and the maintenance was either crazy expensive or nearly impossible to do at home. At that time the Mini brand was owned by BMW, but the engineering and quality control were far from BMW standards.
Like I said, I'm sure things have changed but I don't do small cars regardless - and after those two years with her car it would never even make my last-resort list even if I did.
My wife bought a new John Cooper Works Countryman. It was pretty tricked out. It was a manual which she prefers, and the only problem we had in 145K miles is two clutches/flywheel at 4K a pop. Yes that is insane, but not a single other failure in 145K miles. Other than maintenance.
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OP
Narrowed it down to Honda and Toyota/Lexus. Just trying to find that sweet spot. Where condition, mileage, color, model, location and price come together. I've also decided to spend a little more money and get something a little nicer rather than someone's "commute of death" high miler. Still can't believe these prices though. I have come to greatly loathe those whose career path led them to writing used car ads. "No major dents or dings." Really? What about the clearly visible from space, 8" long crease in the back quarter panel? What is a major ding? Actual penetration of the body panel?
Dave_ QUOTE"... young good looking female "members of the constabulary" were the drivers. Once over taken at speed said:
smoothshooter
Member
A friend of mine's wife has had one for 2 years.
Their Cooper has the annoying and mystifying habit of opening the sun roof on it's own about twice a month or more when it is parked. If it happens in the garage, it is not too big a deal. Outside, it has let rain in that got the seats and carpet wet, which is a bigger deal.
Friend says there doesn't seem to be any pattern of timing when it happens except it takes place after the car has been shut off for several hours.
They have taken it to several garages, and one shop that only does electrical repairs on cars and no one has been able to figure out the cause. He found out that Mini Coopers are known for having this problem, along with several others.
With shop rates being what they are, I would buy something else and avoid the potential hassles and maintenance costs.
Their Cooper has the annoying and mystifying habit of opening the sun roof on it's own about twice a month or more when it is parked. If it happens in the garage, it is not too big a deal. Outside, it has let rain in that got the seats and carpet wet, which is a bigger deal.
Friend says there doesn't seem to be any pattern of timing when it happens except it takes place after the car has been shut off for several hours.
They have taken it to several garages, and one shop that only does electrical repairs on cars and no one has been able to figure out the cause. He found out that Mini Coopers are known for having this problem, along with several others.
With shop rates being what they are, I would buy something else and avoid the potential hassles and maintenance costs.
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smoothshooter
Member
The thought of driving or riding any distance in any Mini Cooper or similar sized car scares me.
Crash protection must be almost non-existent, and they sit so low that visibility is limited somewhat for the driver as well as other drivers driving much larger vehicles seeing them in heavy traffic and/or bad weather.
The interior is so cramped that transporting any cargo larger than 3 bags of groceries and a couple of coats is tough.
Crash protection must be almost non-existent, and they sit so low that visibility is limited somewhat for the driver as well as other drivers driving much larger vehicles seeing them in heavy traffic and/or bad weather.
The interior is so cramped that transporting any cargo larger than 3 bags of groceries and a couple of coats is tough.
smoothshooter
Member
The thought of driving or riding any distance in any Mini Cooper or similar sized car scares me.
Crash protection must be almost non-existent, and they sit so low that visibility is limited somewhat for the driver as well as other drivers driving much larger vehicles seeing them in heavy traffic and/or bad weather.
The interior is so cramped that transporting any cargo larger than 3 bags of groceries and a couple of coats is tough.
Crash protection must be almost non-existent, and they sit so low that visibility is limited somewhat for the driver as well as other drivers driving much larger vehicles seeing them in heavy traffic and/or bad weather.
The interior is so cramped that transporting any cargo larger than 3 bags of groceries and a couple of coats is tough.
smoothshooter
Member
Except for Land Rovers ( and their jacked up electrical systems) I am hard put to think of anything off the top of my head that they export any meaningful amount of. It's a shame that the UK has devolved to a point that they can barely produce enough at reasonable prices to take care of their own needs (if even that). Their citizens vote in socialist politicians at every turn, and so a significant number of them are basically wards of the state in some form or other, and most of them have voluntarily surrendered their basic freedoms to achieve that end.
Sad, really knowing what a world power Britain used to be.
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Jon651
Member
This was an old saying we had in the fire department about small cars:
"They all look the same after they've been broadsided by a Suburban!"
OP
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