I'm stuck in a dilema folks. I'm starting a new full time job in Sept 2011 and it's a healthy salary. I'm considering getting another car or keeping the MINI. If I keep the MINI: Pros: -It's a fun car -I already have a lot of work done to it (customized and modified) -A lot of blood, sweat, tears and memories in the car. -It's a fun car -Low insurance -It's paid off Cons: -It's getting old (2004 85K) -Things need to get repaired/replaced soon such as: -Supercharger -Window Motors x2 -All the engine/tranny bushings -Maybe the water pump & ac compressor -Steering pump -Chips ahoy on the front bumper/hood -It's starting to become a money pit Cars I'm thinking about getting (Within a 25K budget): -Certified Pre-owned Audi TT Quattro - I hear it's a fun car, great clutch and it's 4 wheel drive. -A used R56 (2007+ MINI Cooper S with a turbo) with everything but the JCW tuning kit - So I can RMW tune it. Less mods for more power. -A used Subaru WRX STi - It's a stereotyped ******* car, but it's a car in a different class. It's fast, powerful and reliable. But everyone beats the piss out of them if it's used. -Used BMW 135i? Lovely, but not in my price range. -Maybe a Rx8? Too much a gas guzzler -Fiat 500 will just make me miss my MINI. Can you guys think of any other fun cars? Or should I just keep my car and deal with the maintenance 1 by 1 as they come?
figure out the maintenance costs first and are you going to drive everyday to work? It seems like you're a hardcore mini fan and did put in a lot of work. If you can depart your current car then you should do it soon. Do you want to stick with a coupe or sedan? The new minis come with maintenance, but you probably don't want to buy a new one. I would upgrade to a newer mini if I was dedicated it. Lexus or Acura cars could be in your price range depending on the model and year. Im looking to swap my 09 crv too, i don' want a big car anymore.
Man, if the 135 was anywhere near budget, I'd go that option instead~! nice drive, heaps of mods at the moment on the market... and you'll love it as much as,if not more than the mini... it's in a separate class to the TT/R56/Rx8. The Sti would be a nice one too cept it's everywhere and too sterotype...
It saddens me to say this... but you can buy a used Lexus IS250 in this price range now. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AWD-...3543236?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1e6336a044 fuck... paid 40K for mine brand new and now look... I hate depreciation. If you bought this car you'd never regret it. 4 doors, sporty, super comfortable, there is nothing to not like about it.
Yes, the car is a daily driver. Yeah, I looked at the entire Acura/Honda/Toyota/Lexus line and none of the cars are aesthetically pleasing to me. Call it the designer in me (I did go to school for design after all) but none of those cars do it for me. It's about form and function for me :/ I already know what the maintenance cost is. This is major maintenance only: -Engine and tranny bushings - $180 + labor -Crank Pulley - $130 + Labor -Supercharger rebuild - $800 + Labor (If it fails and takes the water pump with it - $1500 + Labor) -Window motors x2 - $100 + Labor -Steering pump rebuild - $500 + Labor -New MAF sensor, fuel rail and pressure regulator - $300 + Labor I've already upgraded plenty of things on the car though... -New Tires and wheels -Stage 4 clutch and flywheel -Race brake pads and fluid -Cold air Intake -Colder plugs -Full exhaust -Supercharge reduction pulley -Full aero body kit -Competition rear sway bar -Competition front strut brace -Exterior mods -Interior mods And there's still more I want to do to it: -Koni Sports Suspension -Tuned bypass valve -Bigger injectors -Boost and volt gauge -Intercooler and diverter -Big brake kit Ahhh... the part that pisses me off and that my friend's MINI is a R56 which is Turbocharged and mine is Supercharged. With the Turbocharger, all you need is a intake, exhaust, intercooler and a tune and BAM big ass numbers for HP and TQ. Less parts, less money, more power. No need for injectors since it's direct injection, no need for pulleys and crap. But if I get another MINI, that's another front wheel drive car. You can only get so much power out of a front wheel drive car before it's useless. What to do...
you're saying... this: looks better than this: I think the L-finesse design is understated and beautiful... the lines on lexus vehicles are all so smooth, same with Infiniti, yet the cars still manage to look aggressive. The current mini cooper is just a minor evolution of a design that is 50 years old... It's like Porsche, nothing significant has changed in a very long time. I'm not going to fault you for liking retro styling, but to say that Honda/Acura/Lexus don't have aesthetically pleasing vehicles is an insult to the designers who spend years of their lives working on their shape.
I'm not trying to insult any designer. To each and their own. Everyone has a different opinion. Your comparison isn't very fair either. You compared a Stock OEM MINi Cooper (a ugly photo at that with poor lighting) to a Lexus that obviously have aftermarket parts, a drop and better photography. If you picked the right photography, I'd say this: Looks better then this: At least it does for me because the Lexus looks like a bloated whale. (My opinion, not to be taken for offense) I'm not interested in 4 door, and comfort. I'm interested in coupe, drivability and fun. You can say the MINI is cute/gay what ever; I would be offended because that's your opinion. Tell me your photos are biased? What I'm saying is Acura/Honda/Toyota/Lexus does not have aesthetically pleasing vehicles to ME. I've always been into European cars more than Japanese imports. And you are absolutely right, I do like the retro style that still has modern flair with a hint of heritage. To each and their own.
However, I do value and appreciate your input. This is a open thread after all and your posts are relevant to my conflict. Good try, but I don't think I'll be driving a Lexus. Just not for me.
uhm... honestly... the only real valid reason to get rid of ur car for another is the fact that it's becoming a money pit... if you truly are dropping thousands just to get it back to suitable standards for yourself... then sure, get another... but to say an 85k car is "getting old"... srsly spoiled... if u want another toy, come out and say it... don't make it sound like the car is breaking down on you so u need to get another... that Mini, if treated properly, will last you atleast 200k depending on I guess how much boost u decided to run on that SC... /rant
how come you guys use km? aren't you guys american? im digging the hyundai genesis these days...u still did state if you want a coupe or sedan did you?
if they were those prices back home, i'd just get them and keep them!!! arghhhh i can't even find a used 4yo is250 for 40k =/ even a mini is like 40+ new i'd say keep it if u like it, and have fun =)
Um, no... not spoiled. Take one hour and look at the world's biggest forums for MINI Coopers - NorthAmericanMotoring.com and MINI2.com Go ahead. I'll wait. You'll see the problems I've listed out: -Supercharger -Window Motors x2 -All the engine/tranny bushings -Maybe the water pump & ac compressor -Steering pump All fail by 100K in 75% of the cars. In this thread alone - http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-ge...steering-pump-failure-please-vote-yes-no.html Only 36% have voted a "No" to Power steering failure. And I know these problems exist in the MINIs because of the complaints and the amount of threads I see everyday that I have to close down as a moderator due to repeat threads. Your factory supercharger and turbocharger is suppose to only last 100K miles even if it's stock. While you are correct, the MINI can go up to 200K and there are a couple cases for it, chances are, it won't without MAJOR maintenance. There are plenty of companies who are making BANK rebuilding superchargers for MINI Coopers. I'm not making excuses, I know my 2 window motors are failing as the windows won't open if it's over 85 F outside. I know the tranny and engine mounts failed because of the rough shifting, and jerking acceleration. The MINI is not a Honda Civic or a Toyota Corolla where they last 150K without any work. I hate to say it, as much fun as the MINI is, it's a maintenance queen. Unless you've driven one, or read around the forums, don't make assumption in it's lifespan. As much as I want another "Toy" haha, I'm not in the position to even say that since I graduated recently and am paying off my loans. I'm just trying to afford another fun car that's fast and less expensive in terms of maintenance.
^Won't you be getting paid more than me in September? So why wouldn't a 135i be in your price range?! BMW M5
Then isn't that a no brainer? If you know that ur car is gonna become a money pit, get rid of it. It's not a dilemma, sell it and use it towards ur next car... straight forward... I'm not gonna even go into the you reap what you sow as an early adopter... btw, no one will know what car you should get... only u will understand what feels good while driving, only thing we can do is give you suggestions based upon what your needs are in a car... even then u might end up with something completely different in the end...
This is the point of this thread, to see what other suggestions you guys might have in terms of another vehicle.
