MINI Cooper S Hardtop for Girlfriend
 

So despite all my attempts to convince her to buy a BRZ, the girlfriend wants a MINI Cooper S Hardtop. Do any of you have any experience with them? Any tips, advice, pro/cons that you can share? She's coming from a crappy corolla and wants a fun little car to drive so I think she'll be happy with the MINI, just would like to get some insight from people who may have owned one or know someone who does/did. Thanks!

Place holder.

I'm about to go to bed. We have had 3 r53 Mini Cooper s's, a countryman all;, and a classic mini. They are great cars. Avoid 2002-2004, and 2007. Some 04 are ok though.
2008+ have best gas mileage, but we prefer the 05-06 r53. Start by doing some research on the 53. I'd look for a jcw r53 even if its an 04. The gp is the best new mini to date.

Thanks man. She's looking at a new one. Any advice on those?

My dad had a 2008 Cooper S (basically the same as the new one shes looking at), and we loved it. He gave it to my mom now and it has 80,000 trouble free miles on it. It's great on gas and fun to drive (although not as fun as my FR-S). Theyre great cars and ours has never given us ANY issues. Ours has the LSD, panoramic sunroof, leather, premium stereo, and a few other options. I would recommend the leather, premium stereo, sunroof and LSD for sure.

As for the new ones. The newest ones have the best motors to date. They dwarf even the 07 -11 era cars.

Not sure what your exact question is, but for your gf:
-Good MPG
-Good in Rain
-Excellent in snow
-lots of room for gear/ stuff
-interior finish is a lot nicer than the FRS/ BRZ interiors
-Fun to drive
-Fast enough
-Reliable
-Great Resale Value

Only downside imo is that the defrosters require a lot of anticipation.

So I would say to go for it, but don't let her get any of those ugly roadsters.

My coworker's wife just got one and she loves it. Was her dream car. Happy wife = happy coworker.

FWIW, I've driven the R53 and R56, both are good fun.

I had a R56 MCS for 5 years and it's a blast. Mash the throttle in sport mode and hang on to the steering wheel.

Look for a car that already has Xenon and the Works Aerokit. The MCS is a blast to drive, the JCW is a litlle bit better but IMHO if it's much more expensive it's not worth it. Unless you're going all out and modding, then the JCW internals come in handy.

Buying new is a bad idea as the new generation is coming at the end of the year.

My GF had an R53 MCS and still has a clubman diesel so sitll hang around the mini crowd! :D

No reliability concerns?

My only experience is with an early non-S. Way back in 2001 maybe? It was the absolute base model, 5-speed, and absolutely fun. They've gotten longer since then. I really enjoyed that little thing.

Pictures of GF and we can tell you if she will look good paired with a mini..... J/K but I can't speak for reliability as I have never owned one. But the cooper S I got to drive was a blast.