[JST]

Late-build 2007 MINI Cooper S (R56), 19,000 miles.

Laser blue/white roof over black/grey interior.

Factory warranty through October 2011.

6 speed manual

Cold weather package (heated seats, mirrors and washer jets)

Premium package (sport steering wheel, moonroof, automatic climate control)

Bluetooth

Sports suspension

Mechanical limited slip differential (LSD)

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)

16” bridge spoke wheels

Rear fog lamps.

Completely stock save for aftermarket XM radio.

All books and records, 1 owner, title in hand.

$17,500 (but there's a potential Carmudgeons discount)

This car is really something else. I just got back from a longish drive in it and I tend to forget just how much fun it is. It gets good fuel economy, is a perfect commuter, and can be parked nearly anywhere, but underneath the cute MINI-ness it is an amazingly serious performance car. What impresses me anew every time I drive isn't how well it handles (that's a cliche), but rather how comfortable it is at 70-90 mph on the highway. It really is geared for the autobahn (which is another cliche, but one that isn't typically said about MINIs).

It's very well spec'd, too, if I do say so myself--the interior is 'ette and impervious to nearly anything you can throw at it, the 16" wheels mean it has reasonable compliance over city potholes, the sport suspension tightens things up usefully, and the mechanical LSD is nice (and missing from the option sheet on both new MINIs and all R56 JCW factory cars).

I honestly wish it made sense to keep it, since I am going to miss it and probably will regret selling it...but 4 cars is just too many. My house is starting to look like a used car lot.