Discussion
Due to the elderly in-laws upping and moving away and then getting ill, we possibly need a 2nd car, much to the OH's disgust. I'm thinking something sporty so OH can enjoy driving in Snowdonia, as we're currently limited to Conwy county. He liked the Suzuki Sport we had but I don't like the new shape. So maybe a Mini Cooper? I like the sport seats as I'm not the smallest and they seem ok. We have a van as a daily drive so don't need practical in a 2nd car.
The in-laws moved very many motorway miles away, so it would need to be reliable and comfortable?
Advice & suggestions welcome as whilst I know chapter and verse about vans, I'm not so good with wee cars and we have a more limited budget for a 2nd car. I happily sell my cars privately but am less confident about buying privately.
The in-laws moved very many motorway miles away, so it would need to be reliable and comfortable?
Advice & suggestions welcome as whilst I know chapter and verse about vans, I'm not so good with wee cars and we have a more limited budget for a 2nd car. I happily sell my cars privately but am less confident about buying privately.
What's the budget?
My mum just got a 2017 5dr cooper. I've got a 2002 cooper S. Mine is noisey, harsh, drinks like Olived Reid, hardly any space, zero creature comforts but good fun to drive. My mum's cooper feels much bigger, does double the mpg, every creature comfort you would want, can take 4 average sized adults plus a few bags, miles better built and still manages to feel almost as fun as my old banger.
I never really got them at first but they are very characterful little cars. There's a reason why folk seem to own one after another and sometimes more than 1 at a time.
My mum just got a 2017 5dr cooper. I've got a 2002 cooper S. Mine is noisey, harsh, drinks like Olived Reid, hardly any space, zero creature comforts but good fun to drive. My mum's cooper feels much bigger, does double the mpg, every creature comfort you would want, can take 4 average sized adults plus a few bags, miles better built and still manages to feel almost as fun as my old banger.
I never really got them at first but they are very characterful little cars. There's a reason why folk seem to own one after another and sometimes more than 1 at a time.
Yes and we all(2 adults/2 kids) went away for the weekend in my 2017 F56 Cooper S a couple of weeks ago. Fitted a squashy bag and a small suitcase in just about! Drove over 300 miles in it and it was comfortable and reasonable enough on fuel too.
Plus when I'm in it on my own I find it great fun to throw around. I know the current model isn't as much fun as the earlier generations, and it is a bit more grown up(a baby BMW if you like) but it can still raise a smile I reckon.
Plus when I'm in it on my own I find it great fun to throw around. I know the current model isn't as much fun as the earlier generations, and it is a bit more grown up(a baby BMW if you like) but it can still raise a smile I reckon.
Well, that's the thing, isn't it? Given what might end up frequent 5 hour motorway trips, I'd want it to be reliable. We usually have a good budget for vehicles but we've just changed the van. The OH hates the idea of finance even at finance rates.
So dithering between a nearly new Mini on finance, which I don't think he'll go for or an older one on either a cash or a wee bit of borrowing but worried about garage bills. I suppose it's a balance, possibly the compromise would be a much loved, mechanically sound older one at the moment, I think.
So dithering between a nearly new Mini on finance, which I don't think he'll go for or an older one on either a cash or a wee bit of borrowing but worried about garage bills. I suppose it's a balance, possibly the compromise would be a much loved, mechanically sound older one at the moment, I think.
Maybe something like this?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008242...
However, I can't go see this one due to our lockdown and even if I did go there on the way to looking after my very elderly mum, I can't take it home the same day or test drive it. Very odd.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008242...
However, I can't go see this one due to our lockdown and even if I did go there on the way to looking after my very elderly mum, I can't take it home the same day or test drive it. Very odd.
I had a 2012 Cooper and a 2013 Cooper S in succession - I see you're looking at a 2013 diesel.
These are all late R56 models, so essentially end-of-the-line for a chassis that tracks back to the original 2000 new Mini. Some of the above comments about the newer models having more space, comfort etc therefore won't apply - but would be addressed in looking for a 2014-on F56 model. Personally, I'd be looking at a petrol 2014-on model, perhaps the 1.5 3-cylinder Cooper as it's apparently a real belter with great fuel economy.
That said, there's also a real charm with the earlier R56 models - especially so in Cooper S form. As a motorway cruiser with 1-2 on board, I think they're fine and mine averaged 46mpg overall (incidentally, the same as the non-turbo Cooper). Back roads and city centres were fabulously well handled.
These are all late R56 models, so essentially end-of-the-line for a chassis that tracks back to the original 2000 new Mini. Some of the above comments about the newer models having more space, comfort etc therefore won't apply - but would be addressed in looking for a 2014-on F56 model. Personally, I'd be looking at a petrol 2014-on model, perhaps the 1.5 3-cylinder Cooper as it's apparently a real belter with great fuel economy.
That said, there's also a real charm with the earlier R56 models - especially so in Cooper S form. As a motorway cruiser with 1-2 on board, I think they're fine and mine averaged 46mpg overall (incidentally, the same as the non-turbo Cooper). Back roads and city centres were fabulously well handled.
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