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Thinking of buying a used MINI in the $10-$15K range but i'm hearing some bad reviews on their reliability issues. any one have any experience with this car? are there better more reliable fun to drive cars i'm overlooking?
2 seat convertibles are not an option
Not much to report, but that the '05-06 cars have been starting to show some power stering issues. I've been looking at the '03-05 Cooper S models, myself to replace my Range Rover with. Looks like the big three are synchros going bad (dont' know how much of that is due to ham fisted drivers), power stering cooling fans going bad, and hydraulic motor mounts failing on the '05-06 models. From what i've heard, most trans issues are on the CVTs and the early 5 speed manuals, not the 6 speeds.
Not much to report, but that the '05-06 cars have been starting to show some power stering issues. I've been looking at the '03-05 Cooper S models, myself to replace my Range Rover with. Looks like the big three are synchros going bad (dont' know how much of that is due to ham fisted drivers), power stering cooling fans going bad, and hydraulic motor mounts failing on the '05-06 models. From what i've heard, most trans issues are on the CVTs and the early 5 speed manuals, not the 6 speeds.
Double up what Merc said on the trans issues. I would personally stick with a 6 speed unit if I was buying used and would avoid the auto at all costs. Overall, pretty reliable car, but they are maintenance queens. If it has been taken care of, no problem with buying it used. If not, expect some issues to creep up. Basically do your homework on the purchase and have it looked at by a Mini shop before buying.
If reliability is your major issue, check with Consumer Reports annual car issue...nearly every make and model and how they hold up. Their annual car report issue was always worth the cost of subscription alone to me...
If i could afford to buy a new one i wouldnt be so worried as the warranty would cover any repairs but i'll be looking at 4-5yr old version in the 80K+ mileage range thats off warranty,much as i adore MINI's i get the feeling in this scenario its a bit too much like playing Russian Roulette
Any other suggestions on fun to drive cars? 2 seat convertibles not being an option..
If i could afford to buy a new one i wouldnt be so worried as the warranty would cover any repairs but i'll be looking at 4-5yr old version in the 80K+ mileage range thats off warranty,much as i adore MINI's i get the feeling in this scenario its a bit too much like playing Russian Roulette
Any other suggestions on fun to drive cars? 2 seat convertibles not being an option..
Dude, even with what I said, the Mini is still a reliable car. ALL cars can break, that's why there are independent service shops that specialze in each type of car, from Mercedes to Acuras. Any used car is Russian Roulette if you know nothing about cars and have to rely on the word of someone else to fix it. It's simply better to buy a car that makes you smile when it's working and put up with the risk that it occasionally might not, rather then look in vain for a perfectly reliable appliance.
If reliability is your major issue, check with Consumer Reports annual car issue...nearly every make and model and how they hold up. Their annual car report issue was always worth the cost of subscription alone to me...
If you judge cars as appliances, yes. Otherwise, not so much. My own daily driver is considered by Consumer Reports to be a car to avoid. I've had 4 happy years with it, with very low repair costs, as have most people in my owners group.
If you judge cars as appliances, yes. Otherwise, not so much. My own daily driver is considered by Consumer Reports to be a car to avoid. I've had 4 happy years with it, with very low repair costs, as have most people in my owners group.
Like I said, if reliability is your major factor...
CR tends to really like cars that are bland, bland, bland. Heaven forbid it have any horsepower, speed, or be fun, which is pretty much what I like about cars.
But their reliability data on mechanical, electical, etc., issues are just objective data and is very useful in helping predict how troublesome a particular model may be.
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