Hey all,

I have an opportunity to pick up a 2004 Mini Cooper for $650 from a guy I work with. It's a higher mileage car (just turned over 200K), cosmetically looks pretty good with just a few dents and such just from being 13 years old. Leather is in good shape, working AC and heat, good tires, etc. Now to the bad. It will only run 15mph and won't shift out of "first gear". I know it's a CVT so it doesn't technically have "gears" in the traditional sense, but for lack of knowledge and a better way to put it, that's the best way that I can describe it.

Anyway, I just wanted to get in touch with some guys and gals that have more experience with these cars that could help me pinpoint some possible issues and solutions. With the issues the car is having, it almost makes me think it could be something like a shift solenoid or a computer issue. But, I've also read quite a bit about the R50 trans and know that it was pretty much a complete pile of garbage, so it could be that the transmission has bit the dust.

Since I'd be getting the car for $650, that gives me some room to spend a little money, but I also don't want to sink more money than I could get back out of it if it was running and driving.

So guys, thoughts? Should I pass? Or does it sound like a decent buy that would be a good daily driver or make a good possible flip?

Thanks!