I am going to buy a mini cooper...............but?

Question

Hi 18 just moved to Miami getting my first car.

I love the mini cooper cars because they are small but not cramped and they are unique and different as well as fuel efficient even though there not hybrids

My predicament is that I know I want a mini but not sure which model I should get:

http://www.miniusa.com/#/MINIUSA.COM-m

the models all seem to resemble each other except horsepower ( is that really necessary to have highr hrspw?)

slight difference in miles per gallon (but not major)

miles per hour ( which isnt by much either)

price ($18,700-$24,100 before upgrades)

i can any amount but confused about which model because the only difference in apperance is a hardtop or a convertible

I would really appreciate some help if i could

the models are:

mini cooper

mini cooper s

mini cooper convertible

mini cooper s convertible

mini cooper clubman

mini cooper s clubman

thanks for your help

Answer 1

I think - you should also compare insurance quotes for these cars before buying one, for example here: http://autoinsurance.hotusa.org

First time drivers usually have much higher rates than others. And it depends from car.

Answer 2

There is a significant difference in performance between the base models and the "S" (Turbo) versions.  If you are not interested in impressing someone, the base version is plenty quick enough.

Unless you need the extra room of the Clubman.  The added weight of the extra 10 inches or so of body, plus the weight penalty of the double doors on the back and the third door on the right side will make it feel a bit slower off the line and for passing on two-lane highways.  If you go with that model I'd get the "S."

I have a thing about paying the premium for convertibles.  They weigh more than the coupes (so they're slower) and to me they are basically "chick cars" -- for being seen in.  You make the choice.

In a market where gas prices are climbing toward $7.00 a gallon, you may be glad to have that "not major" difference in gas mileage (In the real world, it's probably a bigger difference than the EPA says.), so if it's just you and the occasional right-seat passenger, I'd go for a base Mini Cooper.

Stay away from the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).  It has been troublesome.  If you need an automatic, get the one with real gears.

Try not to be seduced by all the options.  There are enough that you could end up with a price as high as half again the base price.  You will probably buy off the lot, since waiting time for special orders is a bit annoying, so you will need to do some searching to find the color and options you want.

Your best buying strategy is to shop by phone.  Get your financing together in advance, so that when you call, they know you are serious.

Go to that home page and look up all the dealers within reasonable drive from where you live and call their fleet or internet sales managers.  DO NOT TALK TO A SALESPERSON!

Do your homework first so that you can ask if they have a car close to the one you want on the lot.  

Lead off by telling them you *will not* "shop" their price (ask another dealer to beat it).  Otherwise every dealer may tell you to call them last.  It's up to you and your conscience whether you then go and shop their price.

Whichever one you get, I know you will have a ball driving it, and knowing that you are sipping fuel while you do it.  Good Luck and Good Motoring!

Added:

I don't know where Gromit801 gets his info, but I *HAVE* shopped internet sales managers for Minis, and gotten quotes below sticker.  With the price of gas these days it may be a tougher market, but all you have to do is go to a Mini  dealer's website and the internet fleet manager will be listed right there.

Answer 3

If you go to the Mini web site that you mentioned and click on "Shop" and then on "Compare Models" you can see the differences. Primarily, the differences are in interior features and appearance items. For example, sports seats are optional in the Cooper but standard in the Cooper Clubman. One has single chrome exhaust pipe, the other has dual pipes, and so on.

Answer 4

At this point, you have a LOT of research you want to do.  Pretty much the best you're going to get is MSRP.  Mini Dealers DO NOT have fleet or internet sales manager.  You can't "shop" Mini's like other cars.  Dealers know that if you don't buy it, the next person in will.  My local dealer can't keep them on the lot, so they're not going to "deal."

A standard Cooper has normal induction.  A Cooper S has a turbo for 2007+.  Those are the essential differences.  There are other differences to some degree.

I suggest you browse the forums on North American Motoring:

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/for...

Answer 5

Wow, you people ALL have long answers and questions! :-) Mine's gonna seem like nuttin, but here it goes...

It sounds to me like you're a MINI enthusiast, like me, and I am also not sure about what cooper to get. The difference between you and me is, price DOES matter to me. A LOT. So, I'm just planing to go with the Cooper. (Non-S) It is the least expensive, and it is still a MINI, which is all that matters to me. :-)    As for you, Clubmans are pretty cool right now. My mom has a Liquid Yellow Mini Cooper S Convertible. We are in a MINI Cooper club and I have seen a LOT of Clubmans and just a whole BUNCH of MINI Coopers all the time. I've observed, and everybody that has a Clubman that I've talked to LOVES it. (Then again, everybody that has a Cooper says they 'Love it'. )  So, if money is not an obstacle, go with a Convertible. They are MUCH more fun than a Hardtop. NO MATTER WHAT COOPER YOU DECIDE TO GET, GET IT IN THE 'S' FORM. :-)

Hope I helped!

Answer 6

My sister has had the  cooper s convertible for about 18 months, great little car no problems at all with it, handles like a go cart and good pickup,  I'm 6' and have no problems with space if I drive it. fairly good size trunk, back seats aren't much use unless for small kids or dog.  if you don't need the horsepower then just the cooper would be fine.  If you're in Miami, I'd go for the convertile.

Answer 7

This depends greatly on what you plan to use the car for, the Mini Cooper comes standard with a 118 horsepower 1.6 liter engine.  In this light car, it is more than enough power for everyday driving.  However the Mini Cooper S is available with a turbocharged (which also means decreased reliability and increased maintenance, but not really all that noticeably) 172 horsepower engine.  If you plan on autocrossing, or competing, choose the sport model.  The best way to answer this is to find a dealership and take a test drive, find out for yourself what each car is like.