I'm after a New Mini since my dad refuses to let me buy a classic mini again. Anyway I don't have too much spare cash only about $25,000 at the moment & am wondering when the new 2007 model is released?
Will this make the older second hand models cheaper? Or should save more and buy the new one?
With second hand models whats different between each years models, are there big differences?
Also is it a safe car?
\Thanks

The new models are due out in March I believe.
The new minis are a safe car, 6 airbags and the usual ABS, traction control, braking distribution and a highly rigid body make the MINI do quite well indeed (4 or 5 stars) in crash tests.
I think you'll find the current generation MINIs will not have a price drop for a period of around 6-12 months, by which time some '07 models become second hand. An '02 base model with not many additions could be bought for around $21k at a guess next year.
The main differences on the models by year are little cosmetic changes more than technological ones (eg, the headlights changed at one point).

The last thing you will have t consider is unsurance. After my mini incident, I was quoted $2600 for full comp. on an '02 basic model with NO upgrades (Okay, I'm a guy, so that adds a lot compared to what you'll look at )
As a comparison, my current car is over a grand cheaper on the insurance for an 06 suzuki, with all the features of the MINI and I'm allowed to modify it (to an extent).
I'm not trying to recruit you to the suzuki world or away from the mini world, cause you've made the MINI decision, but my point is you could consider a much cheaper car for a 1 year run around (echo, barina) while you build the insurance rating up again, and in the meantime the cost of the MINIs will fall. You'll also be saving more too. If you're real clever the car you buy as a temp could be sold for what you pay for it!

Hi thanks for the advice it's really helpful. I didn't realise different cars can make that much of a difference for insurance. My sister has a suzuki baleno and while it's not very cool it does the job, so I might look around for a temp car & keep saving.
Thanks

I've got a nice Cooper S for sale if you're interested? See attached picture. I bought another Mini which arrives on Friday and I now NEED to sell this one. PM for details, or call me 0412 509 267 Leigh

It's a 2003 Cooper S, the supercharged model, full electrics, tinted windows, chrome kits, 17 inch chrome wheels, half leather. Real nice car, RWC and rego, looking for $30,000.

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1979 Leyland Moke (which is for sale)

that seems well priced to me. Shouldn't have much trouble moving it i wouldn't think.

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anything is possible - if you don't know what you're talking about.

My girlfriend is looking for a MINI at the moment and it is a bit of a nightmare to be honest due to the long list of options. We've looked at new (Cooper) and second hand (Cooper and Cooper S) and the right car is hard to find.

She wants a red one, which seems to be one of the rarer colurs (or maybe the red ones aren't being traded in!) - plenty of black, grey, silver and white though. Blue is common, there are a few yellow ones but green is another rare colour. WTF!? Green and red MINIs are rare???

Has to be a manual - most are but that still cuts down the numbers available.
No sunroof - another popular add on,
cloth interior - that cuts out a few of the leather equipped S's
No other must haves, although cruise control and the multifunction thingy that moves the tacho up next to the speedo would be nice.

Now try buying new: apparently there are only two red, manual Coopers "in the system" at BMW. Whether this means in Victoria or Australia I'm not sure. It sounds like there won't be any more until the new model arrives.

So while buying a MINI is easy, getting the one you want is a whole other game.

There are a few red Coopers on carsales, in fact if I remember there are plenty.

I'm having huge troubles selling our car, priced right, but boy it's a tough market. If I had a dollar for every tyre kicker I wouldn't need to sell it, but I bought another car and this needs to go before I go bunkrupt.

Good luck with the new Mini hunt.

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1979 Leyland Moke (which is for sale)

Lurker you should try your luck advertising it in the WA market, on average there are 2 or 3 MCS for sale in the weekend papers. You will sell it in no time and its easy to put it on a car carrier to get it back or they can drive it back. I would offer your flight reimbursed if they buy it and put a grand back on the price tag.

Get a local clubMINI guy to check it out or an RAC (or your equivalent) inspection if the folks dont want to come and look at it. Personally I would take the word of a fellow clubMINI member than that of the RAC but either way it could be worth a shot.

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1965 Riley Elf
1974 Ex Army Moke
1997 Rover Cooper
2002 JCW Cooper
2003 JCW Cooper S