Mini, which one, daughters first car

[flatsix3.6]

Which model is the best for a first car, looking at a 2002 to 2005.

I ask this as I assume their is a difference between the cooper and the mini one.

[NormanD]

A lot depends on her insurance

The ONE is more or less the standard Mini so the cheepest
Cooper is the go faster model so more costs re insurance
Then the Cooper S if she has (or you have) deeper pockets

[DavidLScott]

Something rings a bell that some people were getting better quotes for Coopers and Ones for some odd reason.
I'd check both as the Cooper will be more fun.

[Colin RedGriff]

My daughter has just bought a 2003 MINI Cooper (she's 21 and just finished Uni).

She just loved the MINI and we were fortunate to be offered a good one at a good price by a fellow PH'er. She's very happy with it

She had considered Polos and Fiestas and a couple of others - the insurance costs all seemed to be similar and the MINI wasn't much different. I thunk at that age - providing the insurance group is relatively low, the age and experience have more effect on the premium.

Cooper S might be a bit of a different case

[ChasW]

My daughter has a 2007 Mini One. It's the 1.4 and quite nippy. Her sister has a Peugeot 207 with the same engine and it's noticeably slower, due to weight I guess. 207 is much cheaper to insure though. Currently prepping the Mini for sale as she has left home and lives in London now.

[MX-5 Lazza]

I hope Jessie is enjoying it Colin. Its a good little car and I'm missing it a lot more than I was expecting to. It's only a Mini after all! They are just so good to drive though, they get under your skin.

[jackh707]

Aim for a post facelift July 2004 one or cooper.
One is ideal as first car.
Make sure it had chilli pack and AC if possible as they affect resale value.

[Colin RedGriff]

MX-5 Lazza said:

I hope Jessie is enjoying it Colin. Its a good little car and I'm missing it a lot more than I was expecting to. It's only a Mini after all! They are just so good to drive though, they get under your skin.

She's not been able to yet, she is over tomorrow for a family get together and collect it. I'm expecting a lot of trips around the block tomorrow morning :-)