Which sporty mini for £5k?

[CoolHands]

I know nothing about mini's but my missus wants to change the car at some point. Currently nissan note. I'm thinking 2005 onwards mini cooper or cooper s seems affordable. cooper seems quite slow on paper? 9.1 secs to 60.

Used mostly around town. One child. Mostly driven by wife on school run, work etc. For top end of budget (£6k) I could get an 07 cooper s 33k miles, looks very nice:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

or for £5.5k a newer (2011) 'cooper':

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

What say anyone who knows anything? I've never driven one so talking out my hat; but obviously I would want to go for the fast one. But is newer better? potentially 4 years newer, maybe better design changes? Is plain cooper more comfy over town roads and speed bumps? More reliable? I've never taken any interest in them before so don't know much. Not buying immediately but want to start finding out about them.

cheers

[VAGLover]

CoolHands said:

I know nothing about mini's but my missus wants to change the car at some point. Currently nissan note. I'm thinking 2005 onwards mini cooper or cooper s seems affordable. cooper seems quite slow on paper? 9.1 secs to 60.

Used mostly around town. One child. Mostly driven by wife on school run, work etc. For top end of budget (£6k) I could get an 07 cooper s 33k miles, looks very nice:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

or for £5.5k a newer (2011) 'cooper':

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

What say anyone who knows anything? I've never driven one so talking out my hat; but obviously I would want to go for the fast one. But is newer better? potentially 4 years newer, maybe better design changes? Is plain cooper more comfy over town roads and speed bumps? More reliable? I've never taken any interest in them before so don't know much. Not buying immediately but want to start finding out about them.

cheers

My thoughts, newer Cooper....less risk
Also, around town with a child in the car, how quick do you need to go??

[steve-5snwi]

Out of those two the newer one is the better one, with the early Cooper S they have few known issues, If you want an S go for the last of the old R53 models.

[Willy Nilly]

A Note must be a very good car to have if you have a child. A Mini must be at the other end of the scale, being smaller, only 2 door and less practical. The 2 I have been driven in were also rattly horrible things.

[ZX10R NIN]

Go for the last of the line MK1 Mini in Cooper S form they have known issues but are a better bet than the 1.6T MK2

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[VAGLover]

ZX10R NIN said:

Go for the last of the line MK1 Mini in Cooper S form they have known issues but are a better bet than the 1.6T MK2

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I am surprised by how many dealers show pictures of cars before they Valet then.....filthy, massive turn off.

[steve-5snwi]

VAGLover said:

I am surprised by how many dealers show pictures of cars before they Valet then.....filthy, massive turn off.

I agree, the same goes for dents and scratches, I guess thats why I left the world of sales .... but unfortunately if its not advertised then it doesn't sell, if your a small trader you cannot afford to have money tied up in stock waiting to be prepped. I would do it differently if i set up on my own.

[VAGLover]

steve-5snwi said:

I agree, the same goes for dents and scratches, I guess thats why I left the world of sales .... but unfortunately if its not advertised then it doesn't sell, if your a small trader you cannot afford to have money tied up in stock waiting to be prepped. I would do it differently if i set up on my own.

Sort of agree, but a valet or clean takes 20 mins and a clean car will sell quicker online when there are hundreds of competing offers....

Going into business?

[steve-5snwi]

Seeing how some cars are treated it would take 20 minutes to clean the ashtray. Quick pictures and just arrived awaiting prep would be the way to go.

From a buyer perspective at least with those photos you can see they couldn't care less about it and the dealer cares even less than that.