"PlayerWAN" (PlayerWAN)
09/16/2013 at 17:04 • Filed to: ask oppo
0
10|
"PlayerWAN" (PlayerWAN)
09/16/2013 at 17:04 • Filed to: ask oppo | 0
| 10 |
It was such a blast! Almost on par with the Miata. I'm even thinking of buying it. The problem is that I've heard horror stories about expensive maintenance and unreliability, as well as complicatedness of components if I want to do it myself. Anyone have any such experiences? It's a base model 2004 with the 5 speed. $8k with 87k miles.
deadpedal
> PlayerWAN
09/16/2013 at 17:06 |
|
I'm of the mind that it's worth it. Those cars make me giggle they are so much damn fun.
Shane Moore
> PlayerWAN
09/16/2013 at 17:21 |
|
If you want opinions then here is mine. Go for the S model, earlier ones 02-06 were supercharged and 07-present use a twin-scroll turbocharger. Depending on where you are located you can find a first gen S for that price without looking too hard in decent condition. If you want better reliability and serviceability go for the more efficient second gen turbocharged, which you can find for less than $14k in great shape. Again YMMV but my wife has an 08 Cooper S and I drive it any chance I get. The only thing I would change is to get a stick.
lunchtray
> Shane Moore
09/16/2013 at 17:34 |
|
Cooper S models had superchargers? So I guess I've driven a supercharged car without even knowing it. Weird. I took an 8 hour trip in it. I'm surprised I didn't notice.
Tom McParland
> PlayerWAN
09/16/2013 at 17:36 |
|
I had an '04 S that I absolutely loved. Sadly the car was totaled in a flood before I could see how long it would last otherwise. But if you can afford the S go for it, I drove a few base models while mine was in the shop and it is a huge difference in fun.
|
Shane Moore
> lunchtray
09/16/2013 at 17:41 |
|
The early ones did, if you had driven a base model you would definitely have noticed it. I have driven both Supercharged and Turbo minis and personally think the supercharger is more fun. It is slower and drops of quick but the instant torque cannot be beat even though the turbo lag is is well sorted in the later models. Plus the whine is unmistakable and will put a smile on your face.
Union of Smog Techs of CA
> PlayerWAN
09/16/2013 at 17:44 |
|
Get the second gen so you don't have to deal with the shame of having a baby Neon engine that somehow came from Brazil.
Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
> PlayerWAN
09/16/2013 at 17:53 |
|
I'm with snake; if you can, track down an S, which should be possible in still good condition at that price. Yes, the spirit of the Mini isn't all about power, but to live with, that extra bit of power is really, really nice.
ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR
> PlayerWAN
09/16/2013 at 17:57 |
|
My sister loves her base r53. She really just puts around tampa. So the 1.6 is more than enough and she gets great mpg(why she bought it) the driving dynamic put everything else to shame she tested. Which was like every other car with a 1.6 and several hybrids. Go for the supercharged r53. Best all around. Dat supercharger whine!
f86sabre
> PlayerWAN
09/16/2013 at 18:54 |
|
We have a 2005 S (supercharged) that we have had since new. 90k miles. We had to replace a leaking engine mount and that's it. It's a BMW so you can expect BMW prices for parts. There is a healthy aftermarket out there and some cool mods if you are inclined. Ours is stock. Brake jobs are more complicated than my Evo, but still doable. Doing a clutch might be interesting, but haven't had to do it yet.
Levitas
> PlayerWAN
09/16/2013 at 18:55 |
|
I would definitely suggest an 04 to 06 r53. I own an 03 R50, and after just doing a tranny swap at 109k when it already had one at 45k, the Getrag tranny is miles better.
Things to look out for on Minis: Mushroomed strut towers, failing power steering pumps, failing tranny's on early r50's.
Other than that, proper regular maintenance is well advised.