I don't want to spend too much for a mini but my range is around 7k. What year is most reliable and best to own up to date? looking for a supercharged manual.

 

Supercharged hardtops only available to 06
S/C Convertibles to 07 early 08

 

You are going to have to settle for the regular mini if you only have 7k. even then its going to have a lot of miles on it. Minis retain their value really well so if you find one for 7k its not going to be pretty.

I did go on automedia.com's used car search engine and I found 1 mini cooper S with a buy it now price under 7k its sold though. It was purchased for 6200 and had 110k miles on it. Regardless it would have been a bad purchase.