School me on the Mini Cooper S.

[mikeb23ft]

Just to clarify on the MPGs, I would be selling my 540i to get the Mini. My other consideration has been an NA Miata. I think I like the looks of the Mini better but the Miata is way more affordable. Neither of them are fast cars and I can live with that for now, I need to get my MPGs up and save some cash.

If Miatas are going to be that much more reliable and solid then I'll just go that route. $5k gets a clean 96-97 NA with some mods, and $3K on top of that gives you a turbo kit.

[2ndName]

If those are your options and you do not mind a 2 seater, a Miata wins hands down IMHO. I wanted a Miata before my e30 but the wife did not approve. I ended up getting a bigger Miata, e30 vert, lolol.

Don't get me wrong, I love the mini but with $8K, you're going to get a POS used mini with no spending money. Just as you state, with that same $8K you can be really picky about the NA Miata and still have money for toys!

[Stanley Rockafella]

If those are your options and you do not mind a 2 seater, a Miata wins hands down IMHO. I wanted a Miata before my e30 but the wife did not approve. I ended up getting a bigger Miata, e30 vert, lolol.

Don't get me wrong, I love the mini but with $8K, you're going to get a POS used mini with no spending money. Just as you state, with that same $8K you can be really picky about the NA Miata and still have money for toys!

[glnr13]

First gen, 05-06 is the only thing I'd get.
Second gen, no comment/experience with them.

Problems:
Aux fan resistor failure
Water pump failure
Tensioner failure
Thermostat housing gasket failure
Wheel speed sensor failure
Power steering fan failure
Power steering reservoir leaks
Axle failure if you like the lows
Control arm bushing failure if you like the canyons/autox

I had an 05S for 5 years, despite these issues it was a blast to drive.
If I could get a hold of an 05-06 Cooper for less than 7 I would do it for the lulz and gas. It really is a fun FWD car.

[VinniE30]

If Miatas are going to be that much more reliable and solid then I'll just go that route. $5k gets a clean 96-97 NA with some mods, and $3K on top of that gives you a turbo kit.

reliable

turbo miata

:rofl:
A stock miata is reliable but a turbo miata not so much.(or any turbo'd engine that wasn't turbo'd from the factory)

[AZRRC]

Other problems
Upper strut mounts, even mushrooming the top

Rear pads constantly

[mulletman]

Get the Miata. Those things are hard to kill...

Like the poster above said, 8 grand buys a beat Mini, but a really nice Miata. There was a '96 M edition Miata (Torsen LSD, 1.8 liter, but still the light NA) for sale locally with 65k miles on it for 7 grand recently. Included the factory hardtop as well... I almost bought that thing, but ended up with my E30 instead.

A turbo Miata is going to be fun. Less reliable than stock, but still not bad. MASSIVE enthusiast/aftermarket support... so if you're having a problem, there's likely a write-up about how to fix it.

[2ndName]

Aftermarket support is also going to be more friendly to your wallet if you go with the Miata.

[M-technik-3]

If those are your options and you do not mind a 2 seater, a Miata wins hands down IMHO. I wanted a Miata before my e30 but the wife did not approve. I ended up getting a bigger Miata, e30 vert, lolol.

Don't get me wrong, I love the mini but with $8K, you're going to get a POS used mini with no spending money. Just as you state, with that same $8K you can be really picky about the NA Miata and still have money for toys!

Haha that's funny a guy in my auto X chapter just put his 03 up for sale

2003 Miata For sale 74000 Miles 6 speed Leather Black/Black
Pricing $6000 with stock components $9000 as it is set up. We can deal on any config in between.

Granted it's on the east coast

[2ndName]

Just did a random search for Cooper under $8K on Bay Area's CL and came up with 4 legit postings, the rest were scam looking ones. All 4 are base Minis with about 145K on the clock. Only one looks decent out of the 4.

[glucklich21]

They are fun little cars. I've always wanted one but went with an e90 instead. Watch out for the same issues that plagues all BMWs. Also start reading threads at NorthAmericanMotoring.

A couple of my buddies own Minis and they love their cars. We went on a cruise and I was on photographing duties since I was Mini-less...lol

I went the E90 route as well. Now I'm looking to order a JCW clubman. It's a cycle I think.

[2ndName]

I went the E90 route as well. Now I'm looking to order a JCW clubman. It's a cycle I think.

Nice. Don't get me wrong, Minis are nice but it's not once of those cars you buy on a budget, especially if you're planning to mod it out.

[Deathtoll]

I had a 2003 Mini Cooper S.

In the first year here's what happend

Driver side window motor failed (2x)
Passenger Side Window motor failed (2x)
Battery Burned out
Doors won't lock/unlock <--never figured that one out.
Squeaks and rattles all over. Something behind the dash would rattle and rattle

The car accelerated decent and had great handling.

the interior was so loud and squeaky that my E30 is way quieter.

[Nsquared97]

FWIW the friend of mine that had the MINI sold it for a '99 Miata... As mentioned, Miata's are WAY easier to work on, have a huge aftermarket support, and if you can get over eveyone else thinking you drive a 'girl's car' (who the hell cares anyway, if you have fun driving it, that's all that matters isn't it?), they are a blast to drive.

For being a small, lightweight 4 cyl, they aren't that great on gas. Espicially on the highway, gearing kinda kills it. Tons of fun though.

[mikeb23ft]

So the Mini is out at this point.

Got it down to a Miata or another E30. We'll see what happens. It would be easy to find the right Miata but hard to find the right E30. Plus you guys all think your E30s are made of gold these days. I'll see what pans out.

Also, Miatas with turbo kits are pretty reliable if you get the entire kit from Flyin' Miatas and just install it as per directions.