Hi all.... My '96 Audi A4 Quattro (133k miles) is getting too expensive to keep, and I'm currently looking into a '02 Cooper (base model; 5 spd manual; ~50k miles; single owner w. clean CARFAX) that looks like it might actually fit into my budget. I'm hoping to get a test drive next week, and wanted to check with the experts (that's you guys!) on a couple of things first:

1) What am I getting myself into? As noted above, the repair costs on the Audi are what is prompting this search in the first place. While I don't expect repair costs for a Mini to be cheap -- say compared to a Toyota or Honda -- I certainly don't want to find myself worse off than I have been/would be with the A4.

2) I trust my repair guy (local garage, doesn't specifically work on Minis... or Audis for that matter), and he offers free pre-purchase inspection of used cars for existing clients. If I were to prepare a punch list of specific things for him to check out, what would you recommend?

I'm aware of the issues with the transmission shift cable, though I'm not sure if there's any way of telling about this in advance. Any other specific issues that would be worth flagging?

Many thanks in advance! I look forward to joining the Mini club!

- Tim

 

Well being the first minis to roll out of the factory There a bit buggy but overall a great car. But u have one thing on your side the mileageon the car and its a great petrol sipper. As for the parts there not that cheap and not everyone works on them, if they do
You know what they charge. My suggestion is you buy the thick service book and some tools