2007 Mini Cooper S automatic, first car - some advice

[richneedsacar]

Hello! I passed my driving test in an automatic last month, and did my pass plus last week.

I'm 26 years old and I have a budget of about £8000 for a car. I've always liked the MCS, there seem to be nice ones for around my price ...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

The first one is a year older, less miles and much bigger spec! The second one is a year younger - would one car be more reliable than the other? Are there any questions I should be asking about these cars?

Also, is this car too fast for a new driver? I don't really want a one or cooper, but I'd really enjoy owning an S. I'm thinking I can drive it sensibly but I am willing to listen to reasons why it's not a good idea! I have a test drive booked for next monday!

Thanks guys! Help is really appreciated - this buying a car business is really really hard! Ideally, I don't want to spend my cash on something I find really boring. I'd actually love having the cooper s.

[richneedsacar]

Thanks for the brilliant replies! I'm really pleased to hear you don't think it's too fast - makes me feel a bit more sane choosing this as a first car

I'm going for a test drive tomorrow of a Cooper S - so I will report back how I get on! Thanks for the pointers, I've just done a bit of reading about those issues you mentioned! I will make sure to ask the questions!

Insurance is £1200 - which isn't too bad - it's £900 for a 1.3l Yaris! That's for 26 year old as the named driver with my dad added onto the policy as an additional driver.

Thanks guys.

[richneedsacar]

Well I've been for a test drive in a mini cooper s and it was brilliant. I'm not going to buy the car I went to see though, cosmetically it was in poor condition.

I do want to buy the black one I posted above, I haven't been to see it yet as it's 150 miles away - so I'll be going there to buy it if i go! I called the dealer, it hasn't had the timing chain replaced, is this a deal breaker? It did have the turbo replaced under warranty though.

Please let me know your thoughts! Would be brill to get it bought!

Thanks!

[richneedsacar]

Thanks to mini turbo - I've joined minitorque! - I'm almost certain I'm going to buy a car from a main dealer - will give them a call on Tuesday when they're back open! I've just posted this over at minitorque but thought I'd post here as well incase anyone has any advice for me!


I'm very serious considering buying a 2008 Mini Cooper S automatic from a main dealer.

The cost of the car is £9750 - which seems expensive - but the car has 31000 miles and a years warranty (which costs £800 separately, which I'd want) and on average automatic cars seem to cost about £1000 more used unfortunately ... So I don' think it's a bad deal.

The reason for this post is though, I want to turn an ok deal into a brilliant deal! I don't think I can get any money off the price (the dealer would be sourcing the car from somewhere else for me, they know the car was above my initial budget so I think they gave me their best price) but do you think I can get anything thrown in with the car for free? Is there anything I could be asking for?

I thought of asking for an extra years warranty (unlikely) or asking for a TLC servicing pack? Do either of those options sound possible? If anyone has any experience buying a used mini for a main dealer - please let me now if you were able to wangle anything!


Thanks guys!

[richneedsacar]

Thanks Mike, that's good to hear!

Yeah, I plan to just be honest and basically say, I do want the car - but I need something to twist my arm to make me it a better buy for me - the added warranty would make me feel very comfortable parting with the cash!

[richneedsacar]

Not yet!! I'm close though - on the case, I will post here as soon as it happens!

[richneedsacar]

Bumping my thread! Nearly 2 months on, it looks like I've found my car. Going to pick it up tomorrow morning - sounds perfect! I 100% expect to buy it.

I'll post pics up on Friday morning (I really hope this doesn't fall through!)

[richneedsacar]

0llie said:

Congratulations What year/colour/spec did you chose?

Hey 0llie! Thanks!

Just got back from picking it up now! Ended up being an 18 hour adventure!

It's a 2007, dark silver with black roof, lounge leather, 17 inch web spokes and Sat Nav, 28,000 miles. Pretty much my ideal car!

I'll take some photos tomorrow morning and upload them!

[richneedsacar]

Thanks for the support for the auto! Hah it makes me feel less of a wimp. Here is a quick pic of the car! I love it, it's so quick in sport mode! Really fun to drive, I feel like I've been naughty accelerating so quickly!

Here it is!