I have an opportunity to trade into a mini cooper. Its a 2005 that needs some help. It has the broken rear latch hinge- needs brakes and a low heat issue- all of which seem totally fixable. There is a smal dent in the rear hatch and a little rust around a rear tail light.

It has 116000 on it and has the manual transmission. It needs some interior trim and a good cleaning and or sterilization the driver was a young adult smoker without a cleaning gene for sure and she smoked.

Book is showing 3200 in fair condition.

Do they tend to rust bad underneath? I have not been under it yet. I am 6'5 and only sat in it- I need to take it for a spin yet.

The price to me is a trade for a 99 lumina in similar milage and similar body condition in great running condition that I only have 600 or so in...

I am not sure why I am interested I always thought they were cool but I made a passing comment about a trade and they are all over it.

Are they affordable to repair and self service?

I know a lot of fairly vauge questions but I figured most forums I hand out on always know more than a newbie for sure The only really negative is the blue-purple color... I can make a wind up key for it to drive around with

 

For rust if its been up north in the US, otherwise they dont rust unless in a salt prone area.

All, rust issues :

Mini cooper rust - North American Motoring


They can be if you do your own work , get a Bentley manual, and get parts online from us. If you go to the dealership expect BMW type pricing.

" blue-purple " thats a rare color. Black eyeed purple or purple haze/

Purple Haze, Black-eyed Purple anyone???? - North American Motoring