I'm interested in an inexpensive yet cool daily driver that is both fun to drive and easy on the gas (since I'm currently using 3 gallons a day for my commute).

The first (and really only) thing that comes to mind is a Mini Cooper S. I've been checking out the forums at northamericanmotoring, and it seems like a low-mileage well optioned '04 or '05 car can be had for $22K - $28K, depending on if it has Navigation or JCW.

Unless there's something revolutionary out there, I'm pretty much settled on a MCS. My biggest question is: Works package vs. No Works package?

The JCW adds $6K to the cost, and equivalent aftermarket performance can be had for half price. Other than warranty concerns, can you think of anything else to look out for?

What about buying an already modded car?

What about the new auto transmission available in 05 & 06 cars? I've read that it's just a BMW steptronic and I've read that it's a true SMG. Which is accurate?

Finally, any thoughts on if the current generation values will tank once the 2007 comes out? Even though '07 cars come out in a few months, dealers are still selling '06 cars for full sticker or even over sticker.

 

Trojanman,

I have a 2005 MCSa and it has been a great daily driver. The new auto transmission is very similar to that of a steptronic (not an SMG) with the addition of shifter paddles on the steering wheel. For a daily driver, the transmission is excellent. Shifts extremely smooth like a BMW and with the 6 speed auto tranny you can cruise comfortably on the freeway. The auto tranny will never replace the feel of a manual gear box, but I can't tolerate driving a manual anymore for a daily driver. The auto trans is still sporty enough to take into the canyons and in the manual mode it does respond reasonably well.

I am into modding cars so it really wasn't an option to buy a used modded car for myself. If you don't want to hassle with the warranty, go with the JCW kit. It seems to be very well engineered and they are bullet proof. If the warranty doesn't worry you, the number of mods you can perform are unlimited as you probably found out on the NAM site. Light weight pulleys, supercharger pulleys, intercoolers, big brake kits, sway bars, coilovers, and the list goes on.

As for valuations, no one can really gestimate at this point. However, since you are looking at a used vehicle, much of the depreciation hit has already been taken by the previous owner. Plus, I don't imagine MINI will be able to meet the demands, as since the introduction, there always seems to be a fairly high demand as can be seen by the dealer markups.

Anyway you go, I don't think you will regret the car. Let me know if you want some suggestions on some mods.

 

SKX,

Thanks very much for the reply. Now I'm thoroughly confused. Mini's website ambiguously calls the Agitronic a "clutchless manual", perhaps inferring that it's an SMG/DSG/F1 style auto.

To be sure, you say it's NOT an F1 style transmission, correct?

About mods, I was thinking 15% pulley, exhaust, CAI, and ECU tuning. From what I've read, this put the MCS into JCW territory for about $2500.

The prices are what confuse me the most. I've seen 2003 models as low as $18,900 and similarly equipped 2005 models as high as $26,000. That's a HUGE price difference for 2 model years. KBB and Ebay don't seem to help at all either. Is there any reliable source for true market value, or is there no market value set in stone?

To make matters more confusing, I've seen fully modded cars including all of the mods I listed plus brakes & suspension for the same price as a non-modded car.

 

The auto tranny shifts somewhat similar to that of a tiptronic on a Porsche. You can manually shift but no matter if you are in manual mode, the car will shift automatically. The manual mode will allows you to rev to a higher RPM but always shift at some point. It will not hit the rev limiter The auto trans is certainly not a F1 or SMG transmission so just think of it as an auto with shifter buttons on the steering wheel.

As for buying used, the values are all across the board. The problem with MINIs are the number available options on the car. For example, you can buy a fairly stripped down JCW for less than $30K but you can buy a fully loaded JCW with all available options and you can push the MSRP close to $45K. You would have to fully understand the number of options on each car to compare apples to apples but it is far more work than it is really worth it.

Modded cars, probably don't command a higher price. Most of the mods are for enjoyment and not for resale as many of the mods don't have any residual value.

The mods you are contemplating are real good choices. I probably would not go for the ECU programming as there isn't a whole lot to gain unless you start fooling with the throttle body, schrick cams, fuel injectors and a ported supercharger. If you are just going with the pulley and CAI stick with the stock ECU.

If you enjoy driving the canyons, install a rear sway bar only. It makes the car handle really flat in the corners and elminates some understeer. The addition of a bigger front sway bar is totally unnecessary.

 

Thanks again, you're awesome!