Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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MINI Cooper
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Backup beepers is parking assist, when you get close to another car (or something) it will beep inside the car, switching to a steady tone at a certain distance. Its not outside the car. It also ads some circles on the rear bumper for the sensors.
The original colors are the current '03 colors you can see at the dealer, but there was a color called silk green, (it was a light green, hard to describe, but sorta pea soup like...wasn't very popular) Silk Green ended in Feb '03.. It was replaced by solid gold. Since you're interested in '04s, two new colors are coming, an orange and a lighter blue called shark blue. Velvet red is expected to be cancelled to make room, what else will leave is unknown. (There's some factory restriction on having only 12 colors). Also, the previously S only color electric blue may be available on Coopers.
Was wondering if you know anything about the theft factor on these cars? Mine will be parked on the street. The only cars I have ever owned have been old-model Volvos, so I never had to worry about theft. I also want the xenon lights for visibility. Apparently, here in the Bay Area, xenon lights are hot property -- I know two BMW owners who had theirs stolen. Both of these people were told their lights were stolen to be placed into lower-end cars!?!
Also, is there any reason to go with a dealer who marks up $1,000, if they throw in floor mats and some kind of sealant on the outside of the car?
Thank you thank you
2. Regarding back-up beepers: kinda weird to have these on the shortest car available, isn't it? I mean, I can practically reach around and grab anything that's behind the Mini. :-)
3. If you're going to pay over sticker, get something for the money--not a useless "sealant." I got taken for an extra $1000 at Bill Jacobs near Chicago, but at least they gave me a (heavily marked up) CD changer and an (obscenely marked up) bag of various goodies--road flares, first aid kit, etc. for the money.
4. Regarding theft: parking on the street is always iffy, but remember that most thieves are businessmen, and steal cars that number in the millions--like Accords and Camrys--not niche vehicles like the Mini. Of course, joyriders are not in this category.
For what that's worth!
My advice would be to avoid (if possible) any dealer-required "options." I would also avoid paying any more than MSRP - again if possible.
I wanted a classic look, so I went Chili Red/White roof, white rims and chrome. What's great about putting your MINI together is you can add things that will make it a little more unique. For instance, as popular as the Chili Red/White Roof combo is. I have yet to run into a Cooper with my exact exterior/interior setup. I even have a little bit of a different look because of the dealer installed alarm....a big red light at the end of the windshield wiper stalk.
I'd get the Alarm system (its a dealer option) it'll help deter theft, also the cars have imobilizers, and need the correct chipped key to start the car. The market for stolen MINIs isn't going to be big, however, if someone wants your car, they're going to take it anyway. Personally, I'd worry way more about someone braille parking into your car and beating up the bumpers parking on the street.
A friend today asked whether the MINI can keep your cell phone charged when the car is off. It's not something I thought about to ask the dealer. That is a nice little perk in a car. This guy has it in the lighter of his 325 Ci and said he also had it in his old Honda Prelude. I would imagine all new cars have this feature?
On the safety side, I want to say that two years ago I was T-boned on the driver side in a 1984 Volvo sedan (no airbags). The guy who did it was clocked at about 60. I walked away with bruised ribs from the seat belt. The cops, the EMT personnel, and the ER doc all said I should have been dead. That said, I can't believe the MINI is any LESS safe than the car I was in.
P.S. A blue one w/ a white roof was behind me last night, and I kept staring in my mirror.
Actually, I wanted to give it a hug!
As far as parking, as I think I said earlier, I'd actually get the chrome bumpers. They're not very expensive to replace, and so if they get scraped up, just replace them since the part is pre-chromed. If you get the body color ones (another option), they need to be repainted to match, and of course repainting can be difficult to match exactly, etc, etc. Black's a newer option for the bumper inserts, that'd have the same benefit as chrome. Personally, I like the look of chrome anyway.
Here's my list of issues & problems:
1. Annoying buzz in driver side a pillar from day one. Many attempts to fix but only lead to damage to the door that required body work, more rattles, and the problems persists. ?? Is the MINI supposed to have the fit and finish of a BMW or a Kia? Cause mine is the latter and I am NOT happy.
2. Intermittent double clutching required to get from N to 1st.
3. More vibrations in the rear area of both doors.
4. A Speaker seems to be blown but dealership says "working as expected." Uh hello...well perhaps it's a new vibration.
5. Hatch latch working intermittently...wouldnt latch. Replaced. Same problem with new latch. Keeping that bungee cord handy.
6. Intermittent low tire pressure warning..but pressure is fine.
7. Inside Door handle broke
Now on to the fun stuff
7. Car starts popping out of gear when down shifting.
8. Increased frequency of need for double clutching.
REPLACED Transmission UGH!!!
9. first the Engine was stalling in first when cold. Then the Engine was stalling ALL THE TIME...5 times within 1/4 mile.
10. Major electrical malfunction...in a matter of three days the car had increasing issues. First just the check engine light came on intermittently. I was told it was probably due to the gas cap. Never mind the staling issue I told them about. Then the EML light joined the party, followed by the low tire pressure, and the stability light.
REPLACED Wiring Harness
Still need to double clutch AND the car is again starting to stall in first. Cold or not.
Additionally, The dealership is nightmare to deal with(I'm in Boston)...MINI doesn't offer a loaner program.
Right now I would tell anyone to RUN FAR AND FAST. I sold my 1996 Audi b/c I didn't want to spend my time in the shop. So I leased my first NEW car only to have more problems with it in the first 4k miles then I did with my Audi at 90k.
Unhappy MINI driver in Boston.
Clearly, the '02 cars ocasionally had issues. Have you discussed your problems with MINIUSA? I started getting loaner cars even from a dealership that didn't give them after a few visits, I think they felt bad. MINI offered to reimburse me for a rental car when the A/C Blower failed, which would take 8 hours, but the dealer decided they'd spring for one. Perhaps it may be time to check one of the other Boston dealers, even if its a longer trip, and since resale values are so high, if you press, MINI might buy your car back...
Small annoyance but the 12v outlet turns off when the ignition is off.
We have an S in Racing Green, white roof and stipes. The white mirrors also really make stand out. Only problem is some "bloke" about to blocks away has the same color sceme. My goodness this is Wisconsin, that wasn't supposed to happen!! ;-)
My '03 MINI required a few unscheduled visits over 8k miles for some minor problems, to replace a leaky coolant tank, a rear strut bolt recall, and a minor steering fix. Despite these problems, the MINI is a lot of fun to drive and I still "trust it" to be fairly reliable.
Your problems are far more severe. Since you're leasing, one possibility might be "substitution of collateral" where you retain the lease but they replace the car with an equivalent one, perhaps with an '03 model. If you're open to the possibility of continuing to drive a MINI, this alternative may be more palatable to MINIUSA than buying back the car outright, since there could be early termination charges on the lease. It's just a thought. In any event, I hope everything works out okay.
I escalated this to MINIUSA as soon as the dealership called and told me they were replacing the tranny and wiring harness. And when the MINI rep came back and told me this was all they were "obligated to do," and I responded with "well that isn't satisfactory," and that I would be "seeking legal advice," then my situation was bumped from rep to presumably a manager or investigator. The dealership told me early last week that MINIUSA called and said they are going to send a rep out to look at the car. Heard again today that the case was still open and active. So we shall see. Like I said I just want a reliable car. I dont want to feel like I will forever be having confrontational moments with the service dept. I mean seriously, if a new car, with less then 5k miles, has so many problems, you take care of your customer by making it as painless as possible, you give em a car, you give em free oil changes or detailing...SOmething. But no, I have to beg to be treated fairly. Ugh...
-j
-jennifer
In tight autoX courses, CVTs have beat both 5-speed Coops and S's so in town there is nothing wrong with a CVT. For passing on the highway, though, the manuals do a better job as they rev much higher and have less parasitic drivetrain loss.
My Cooper has given me some troubles. Just filled out the JD Power 1 year survey (did an initial owner one last year). I've been to the dealer 11 times over the past year for problems ranging from interior trim, coolant loss, door lock problems to a tranny replacement. Annoying but after all that, the car is running pretty well right now. The driver's seat squeaks a bit which I'm having a go at myself with some teflon lubricant. The left driver's door speaker sounds a bit quiet so it might be blown but haven't taken it in for that yet (or I'm going deaf from having my music too loud). At the end of my survey the car is so much fun to drive that I don't mind the problems. In April when I had the really bad problems of door locks and tranny I was unhappy with it for a bit but after returning the rentals and getting back into my MINI, I don't think I could drive anything else.
I hope you get your problems sorted out. When the car runs, it is great. I hope they either fix your car properly (which should be acceptable to you if they really can fix it for good) or replace it.
cramped, but I like to sit close to the wheel.
My leg does brush against the pillar often but
I enjoy driving the car so much that I don't
really mind it. Saw "The Italian job" movie but
was disappointed that Charlize kept her clothes
on, also anybody who would dive in the real
Venice canal water probably would have a life
expectancy of about 2 hours - gggg!
Thanks for your insight!
Peter
It is a great snow car with snow tires on it. Perfectly balanced and with lots of driver assists.
It is a ton of fun. To drive and to look at, it is just more fun than can be properly described.
But it is practical too. With the rear seats down it holds 25 cubic feet of cargo which is a lot. And it really does hold 4 people as long as those in the front aren't terribly tall or don't mind sitting a bit close.
Weazell, If you got the money go for it ! I just bought one 7 weeks ago and have put 5500 miles on it so far and no complaints. Just the Cooper not the "S". I commute 100 miles a day to work and bought it because it is a fun car to drive and it gets 36 mpg to boot! Don't know how they are in the snow but if it's that bad I won't go to work !
Let's Motor...............
Ray T.
while you are at it, what price shoudl I be expected to pay for a base model nowadays?
thanks in advance
I saw a "red velvet" MINI on the Golden Gate Bridge the other day in stop-and-go traffic. A Ford Exploder pulled up just to its bumper, and that MINI sure looked tiny. I sometimes wonder about the safety of this car. I plan on ordering an '04 model in a few months. Most of my friends are denouncing it, suggesting I get a car with more "crumple room." But this car is just too high on the cuteness scale, and my heart is set on it.
Grey, don't worry about the safety of this car, my insurance co. actually lowered my rate because of the safety features in the Mini. I went from a 91 Honda CRX w/no collision to the Cooper w/collision coverage and the rate was less per year. The Cooper actually wieghs 500 lbs. more then the CRX did. I have State Farm as my carrier don't know who you have.
As for that Ford Explorer size comparison, yea it's bigger but it ain't as nimble as the Cooper !
Let's Motor !
Ray T.
To Yang & Greyscale- Good luck, and please keep us posted.... ;-)
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
16" wheels are lighter and have more sidewall so it will ride stiffer with the 17" wheels.
I had panther profile leather, it was quite nice, but I'm not sure its worth the money, my car was pre-specced, so I just took it. I've seen tons and tons of cars sold second hand with leatherette, advertisted as leather. Pitty the person who prices it on leather, but it does show the quality. Leather also gains you the lumbar. If you don't get the textured leather, there otherwise isn't a huge difference.
My view on leather is if you like leather, and have the money to spend, you probably won't be disappointed. However, that's probably the last option I'd get if I had to put them in order of preference. Also, don't forget you can get cloth for free...
I'm trying to be logical about the purchase but it's difficult when the car is so darn cute! Please help....
You'll need to find a dealership that sells at MSRP to begin with. Long Beach does in southern CA, I can't remember what the options are in Northern, but if you call around, they should be able to tell you.
If you want an MCS, however, you'll probably have a sorta long wait, you might be able to get a Cooper reasonably quick. If that fails, then just start looking out of state, probably easiest in an increasing radius from your location. Only in CA (and maybe TX) are dealers still charging over MSRP, so you should be able to get the car you want in a reasonable time, but you may have to make it a trip to drive it back, or pay to have it shipped to you. Of course driving it back is optimal, since you've finished the breakin period by the time you're home if you go more then 1200 miles.
You shouldn't need much negociating skills really, once you find a dealership that sells at the right price and time frame, the price gets pretty set, all you'd need to see, is if you can get some free stuff, like free floor mats, etc.