new car

[vincesf]

I had a 2006 Cooper S Convertible, and my suggestion would be to go for a 2005 Cooper S, as small changes in in trim and mechanicals make it a slightly better driver than a 2004. If your budget doesn't warrant it, the 2004 is still a solid car.
vincesf

[Perfectlap]

I have driven the S and the standard one. Big difference.
But even the standard mini was still on my top 10 list of sports cars.
You just have to work it a little more. In some ways its more fun to drive than my BoxsterS. The short wheel base make it a fast pivot, just like a go kart. The shifting reminded me of what I like about the miata. You can become a very good driver with this car.
Both the mini and mini S are excellent to drive imho, I'll take a mini over a standard Mustang or similar any day of the week.
and If you get the John Cooper Works package you won't need to mod a thing.


whatever you do, don't get the convertible. .

[racer_d]

I test drove a 2005 Mini Cooper S for about 45 minutes. Absolute Hoot. 6speed manual. Sports suspension. Rocked! I did 2-3 trips through a highway cloverleaf and just played with the trottle to get the car to rotate. Lots of fun. A bit "buzzy" at higway speeds, but it is a 1.6l so, give it a break!

Not sure how old your sis is or how much insurance might run for an S, but it took my "better half" to convince me that 2 car seats would be easier to access in a sedan and not a tiny hatch, or I would have bought one

xalex, you are a very nice brother!

I don't know too much about the Mini's, but I did see a lot of them in my rear view mirror on the Tail of the Dragon!

Here is a picture of a few of the Mini drivers drinking beer:

Originally Posted by bmussatti

xalex, you are a very nice brother!

I don't know too much about the Mini's, but I did see a lot of them in my rear view mirror on the Tail of the Dragon!

Here is a picture of a few of the Mini drivers drinking beer:

Lol, you always have a funny picture to show

[rick3000]

My sister has an '02 Mini. It is great car, very fun to drive. I drove the first two weeks I had the Boxster, because it was in the shop. It is not on the same level as the Boxster, but is a great car. I almost bought myself an MCS. I know quite a lot about them if you have any specific questions. The maintenance is not that bad, but there not as easy to work on as the Boxster. Very safe, and they handle like a Go-Cart, (but in comparison to the Box. I almost feel as if I'm in an SUV). I would also check out northamericanmotoring.com. There is a lot of great info on that site.
The Mini just has a fun atmosphere.

[nola911]

I have never driven one, but always liked them. This one seems like a special deal.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-MINI-COOPER-S-17K-MILES_W0QQitemZ110193491985QQihZ001QQcategoryZ1070 09QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[xxxalexxxx]

thx guys,
so my bro looked some stuff up and we found a good deal 2004s, with 30,000 miles in red and we got it down to 14,400 so thats the best for now, im hoping to get the car by monday and get some black wheels, tint the windows, change the headlight stuff like that just get a little black/red thing going for her.
as far as insurance shes 25 and being a female i think she wont have any problems
thanks a lot guys for the posts and keep it coming if u find some cool mods i should do or nice black rims i should get, i was thinking 18s and maybe lower it a bit althoughtit would be her daily driver so i dunno if i should

[Perfectlap]

I had a set of autocross wheels 16" Flik's that were barely 14 pounds on my old Miata. Five spokers in gun metal, car handled great with these.
A guy with a red mini cooper S ended up buying them and they looked better on his car than mine. I don't think you want to weigh down that supercharger with 20 pound wheels.

These are the wheels



http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2547450
this is the site I picked them up.
http://www.edgeracing.com/wheels/flik/

[xxxalexxxx]

Originally Posted by babyakiro

What headlight change are you thinking of?

Red/black is a great colour combo, especially if you get the aero kit (the black mesh grill would really set it off)

I was just thinking of painting all of the chrome parts black and getting a black mesh girll like you suggested...as far as the headlights, I was thinking maybe just to tint them (bake them a little) and paint the chrome around them black- so nothing major.
And as far as the 18" wheels you guys might be right, those 16" Perfectlap posted look pretty good.