caseyctsv Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Ok, I posted about looking for a car for my 16 year old daughter and I received strong feedback here that a Mini Cooper, while extremely cool, was not a good choice. I almost did not listen... I knew the cars could be maintenance nightmares but figured if I could find one that had been well maintained I would be good. I did a ton of research and found,if you want an auto, get an "S" in 2005s or later (remember this is for my daughter not me and wife was against a manual - note always listen to your wife on this stuff). Fast forward to yesterday when I drove 2 hours to pick up a 2005 Mini Cooper S from private individual. He bought the car for his wife new, had ALL maintenance records, and needed to sell it because his wife had a new one on order. His son also has one in the same year. I am thinking, "clearly this one cannot be bad". First the good - it was beautiful. It was the cleanest I have seen anywhere. You could eat off the floor - I thought I found a steal. It had the most complete records I have ever seen - every oil change / tire rotation etc and the most common problems had already been fixed. As I looked through the receipts my stomach started to turn. He had the steering pump replaced in August....a staggering $2,300. What was I getting into? As for the drive - do these things even have a suspension or are the wheels bolted right to the frame? It was a blast but you really need to stay with 15s or 16s (this had opt 17s). And then it happened -chunk on a downshift. Me to owner - "does it always downshift that hard?" "My wife drives it so I am not sure". WOT - either I was hitting random ice patches or the tranny is slipping. Pull it back into his garage and put it in park then drive a few times - it would almost chirp the tires. It could need a simple Trans flush and filter change but I could not spend 6000 on a car that may need a 6000 transmission for my daughter. TL: DR - Minis are expensive to work on and are terrible DD for a teenager Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwashmycar Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Yeah. Doesn't sound like a great buy...and no, not much of a suspension with the 17s, especially if it has the runflats on it...they are like concrete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyctsv Posted February 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Yup still had the run flats. It definitely put a smile on my face until the trans started to act up and I looked at the bills. He EASILY had as much in repairs as the original sticker (which of course he had) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Bastard Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 I think you found the real reason he was trying to sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdhill Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4897885852.html something like this a little sporty and no issues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoe Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 My office mate has the 2005 and trans just went out. Took it to a shop, they said it was the clutch. Charged him $2000 for new clutch. Drove it home and did the same thing. Took it back, they said it was the trans. Now he's kind of screwed t work it out with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gergwheel1647545492 Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4897885852.html something like this a little sporty and no issues MUCH better option. Sounds like if she is really dead set on a Mini then you will always have to wonder about trans issues in the back of your mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyctsv Posted February 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4897885852.html something like this a little sporty and no issues That is what I am pushing her to - that one is "salvage" title which I always am scared of. It could be great if it was fixed right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyctsv Posted February 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 To be clear - Mini is completely out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spankis Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Maybe another option would be a Cobalt SS, in the trusty automatic 2.4L configuration rather than the manual, boosted 2.0 everybody knows about. It looks identical to the boosted cars with the same fascias, a smaller spoiler, and 17" SS wheels rather than 18s. My GF has a 2007 and its been a solid car really, very cheap and easy to work on (top of motor oil filter cartridge is awesome). Also reasonably fun with the SS suspension and 170hp. Only complaints I've ever had with it is that the suspension is noisy. I replaced spring isolators and struts while back and it eventually developed a rattle again. I understand its somewhat common on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Karacho1647545492 Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4897885852.html something like this a little sporty and no issues OP can do whatever the hell he wants but I would never risk my nonexistent offspring with a rebuilt salvage title on such a new car. Older cars are one thing since it doesn't take much to damage more than the value of the car, but on something that new it's too risky IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linn1647545492 Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 GTI? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewtoys Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 GTI? Rabbit! https://lancaster.craigslist.org/cto/4887732527.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyctsv Posted February 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 OP can do whatever the hell he wants but I would never risk my nonexistent offspring with a rebuilt salvage title on such a new car. Older cars are one thing since it doesn't take much to damage more than the value of the car, but on something that new it's too risky IMO. Glad I am not the only one.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyctsv Posted February 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Rabbit! https://lancaster.craigslist.org/cto/4887732527.html That's cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linn1647545492 Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Casey what about something like this? http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ctd/4884707634.html http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4895833816.html http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/4889621940.html http://muncie.craigslist.org/cto/4873971401.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Perhaps because he wants his daughter to be able to get places Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRD2BDF Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 *coughSAABcough* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 A 9-3 aero is actually a great use for his daughter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Karacho1647545492 Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 I think in the other thread someone mentioned Pontiac Vibe GT. I'd say that or a Matrix (same car) would be a fantastic option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRTurbo04 Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Perhaps because he wants his daughter to be able to get places His wife has a volve c70 and never heard him say anything about any issues. I think they are sweet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyctsv Posted February 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Love my wife's Volvo - very interesting options Linn. Anybody have any experience with a 2006 up Mitsibishi Eclipse? Specifically the 2.4 auto? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyctsv Posted February 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 I have a Pontiac Vibe for my oldest daughter - fantastic vehicle. Youngest is just not a fan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRTurbo04 Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Man u sure are a nice dad. Ide tell them what there gonna get if im buying lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImUrOBGYN Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 I have a Pontiac Vibe for my oldest daughter - fantastic vehicle. Youngest is just not a fan This is how I got mine in a sense. Gentleman selling it said his 16yr old wasn't into it. Decided to sell it even though he said it was the best car he'd had so he could use the money to put towards a car for her. He was looking at an Eclipse at the time just like the one mentioned above. lol When he told me, though, all I could do was shake my head on the inside. Not a trade I would've wanted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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