Buying a MINI Cooper S Facelift model

[mnemo2002]

Hi Everyone

I dont normally post on here but I do browse the classifieds weekly and Ihave done for years. I am on the verge of my 25th birthday and after driving my Toyota Corolla 2002 1.6 for about 7 years I am ready for a change. I have come to the decision that I want to try and get a Mini Cooper S facelift model for £10000.

I know there arent many in that price range but I am willing to wait to find the right spec at the right price but I just wanted to ask the experts on the forum about anything I should look out for when buying a facelift cooper s or any alternative car options that people would recommend for my budget. Ideally I want a sporty model and I have already looked at Audi A3's, BMW 1 series and Golf GTI's however the high mileage for the age of car I am after is off putting. As I probably wont change the car for another 5 years or so I really want to stay below 40,000 miles if I can.

Any advise would be really gratefully recieved as this really is a big decision for me and having never brought a car before a little bit daunting that I am going to buy a car thats just going to break down all the time!!!

[mnemo2002]

Also I forgot to add, I have read the facelift model is 2007 but then somewhere else that its 2008, can someone confirm this with me please?

Thank you!!

[mnemo2002]

Thanks for the links and information. It doesnt have to be a hatch, however I dont have kids or plan on having any and rarely have people in the back of my car. Plus I dont want to drive a huge car around (I guess that means I do want a hatch lol).

Although my budget is about 10k I want as much as I can for my money, If i need to hold on to get a R56 with a reasonable spec then that is what I will have to do..... it may be that I can find some more money as the months go on.

If anyone has any more advice please let me know. I know that on alot of message boards you get a lot of requests from people who arent bothered to look for themselves, I am I just want to seek advice from those who will know more than me.

I have already picked my older brother brain regarding finance and getting money for my current car lol.

Thanks again

[mnemo2002]

I am currently in liason with the owner of this car.......

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2426043.htm

What do you all think? Low mileage which is appealing! Would the TLC pack be extended over to me if I brought the car? Also does Aircon come standard? If not I need to ask if this has it as I cant manage without lol.

Thanks for all the advice guys

[mnemo2002]

Thanks for the reply, the owner of the car I posted a link to has reduced the price by another £500 bringing it to £8,999. Not a bad price but I have A/C in my current car which is almost ten years old.... I would feel like taking a backwards step without it! I think a chili pack is something I need, at least the air con!!

To make matters worse my engine light came on, on my own car today - bloody typical I havet had a problem with it since I had the car - 8 years and now the engine service light is on. Does anyone know if this is normally a serious thing or will I not know till I take it in to the toyota garage? Its a 52 plate Corolla 1.6 VVTI if that makes any difference.