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Old 01-02-2011, 03:19 PM   #1
JST
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2007 MINI Cooper S, 19000 miles

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.
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Old 01-02-2011, 06:09 PM   #2
BahnBaum
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Hmmm. Interesting...

Alex
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Old 01-02-2011, 06:14 PM   #3
rumatt
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If only you were looking for a smaller fun car you might want to own while you keep the Jeep.
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Old 01-02-2011, 06:21 PM   #4
bren
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If only you were looking for a smaller fun car you might want to own while you keep the Jeep.
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Old 01-02-2011, 06:54 PM   #5
SARAFIL
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Hmmm. Interesting...

Alex
I think this is also the color-combo that FC's wife likes.

Maybe you guys can have a bidding war?
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Old 01-02-2011, 07:04 PM   #6
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BMW's marketing of the 1er M aside, this is the closest thing to the E30 that BMW currently makes, even if it is FWD.

And it'll pay for itself in fuel savings over the SRT in like 3 weeks.
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Old 01-02-2011, 07:29 PM   #7
SARAFIL
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BMW's marketing of the 1er M aside, this is the closest thing to the E30 that BMW currently makes, even if it is FWD.

And it'll pay for itself in fuel savings over the SRT in like 3 weeks.
Reading your ad is making me want to keep my car a bit longer. I probably wouldn't go out and buy another new one at this point, but I'll see what the payoff is on mine in a few months and maybe it'll make sense to keep it for another year or two. Although I have a suspicious feeling that I'll run into the same problem my father did and the payoff will be stupid.

You're also right on about how it feels at highway speed (though mine has a bit more "oomph" due to JCW kit)-- I am always amazed at how effortlessly the car accelerates from 65mph+ on the highway, in 5th or 6th gear.
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Old 01-03-2011, 11:00 AM   #8
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You have me thinking stupid thoughts right now.
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Old 01-03-2011, 11:20 AM   #9
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Wow, you've got me thinking I should get one of these.

Oh, wait...
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Old 01-03-2011, 11:26 AM   #10
SARAFIL
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You have me thinking stupid thoughts right now.
A thought about a MINI is never a stupid thought.



JST: I hope I get a bird dog if he buys the car (just kidding, of course)
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