Buy an older car with low mileage or a newer and better equipped with higher mileage?

[drumn_bass]

Hi guys,

 

I'm trying to help my mother pick a new car. She likes a Mini Cooper Countryman. We're looking at used cars and have two on our radar (haven't seen them in person yet). 

 

The issue is, while pricing to her is about the same, about $1500 difference but both within her budget, one is a couple of years older with fewer options but very low miles, a little over 21K, while the other option is 2 years newer (but still the same generation), has a more powerful engine, all wheel drive, a little bit better equipment (but both are well equipped), a face lift (but this probably means nothing to her), and almost 67K miles.

 

Car 1 (autotrader link)

 

Car 2 (autotrader link)

 

Hoping to get some opinions. What would you likely prefer: A newer car with better features but relatively high mileage for its age, or an older and simpler model but with low miles, for less money. Keep in mind, it's not for me, a 34 y.o. dude, it's for my mother, so try to put yourself in my shoes. An older woman doesn't need "cool" or "powerful", so engine differences, color and body kit aside, let's say that's where the price difference comes from, simply mechanically speaking, would you go for older car with fewer miles or newer car with more?

[IkeaGnome]

https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/MINI/COOPER%20COUNTRYMAN#recalls

 

https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/MINI/COOPER%20COUNTRYMAN#recalls

 

Safety recalls or a recall on a part that's not on the car you'd be looking at...

That's usually about how I decide. Look up common problems and figure out what I'd rather deal with. 

[Blue4130]

46 minutes ago, drumn_bass said:

option is 2 years newer (but still the same generation), has a more powerful engine, all wheel drive, a little bit better equipment (but both are well equipped), a face lift (but this probably means nothing to her), and almost 67K miles.

 

Body kit, more power, 4wd, 67k.... These all sound like something that indicates a younger "enthusiastic" driver. Possibly someone who would not be a gentle driver. The car may have had a rough life. I'd be cautious with this one. 

[atxcyclist]

I would very much recommend against buying a used Mini. I have a family member that bought one and it was plagued with problems, the only thing that saved them was the extended warranty. One week before the warranty ended they sold it to not take any chances. The warranty paid out close to $10k, almost all of it would have been out of pocket expenses otherwise, way too much on a car that was only $31k new.

[Zusafek]

1 hour ago, drumn_bass said:

Hi guys,

 

I'm trying to help my mother pick a new car. She likes a Mini Cooper Countryman. We're looking at used cars and have two on our radar (haven't seen them in person yet). 

 

The issue is, while pricing to her is about the same, about $1500 difference but both within her budget, one is a couple of years older with fewer options but very low miles, a little over 21K, while the other option is 2 years newer (but still the same generation), has a more powerful engine, all wheel drive, a little bit better equipment (but both are well equipped), a face lift (but this probably means nothing to her), and almost 67K miles.

 

Car 1 (autotrader link)

 

Car 2 (autotrader link)

 

Hoping to get some opinions. What would you likely prefer: A newer car with better features but relatively high mileage for its age, or an older and simpler model but with low miles, for less money. Keep in mind, it's not for me, a 34 y.o. dude, it's for my mother, so try to put yourself in my shoes. An older woman doesn't need "cool" or "powerful", so engine differences, color and body kit aside, let's say that's where the price difference comes from, simply mechanically speaking, would you go for older car with fewer miles or newer car with more?

From a personal standpoint, I would avoid the mini Cooper all together. Very expensive to maintain, sub par build quality, and tend to have many breakdowns. My wife's old mini was bought brand new and by the time it was 3 years of age with only 17k miles on it, it spent most of it's time breaking down.  Picked up a Honda to replace it and have had zero issues. Even lowered our insurance rates. 

[PlayStation 2]

When you’re buying a Mini, you’re buying a BMW. Just remember that going into it. I’d get the lower mileage one just on the virtue of I’d be shocked if the higher mile one was maintained well, unless if it was owned by old people.

[drumn_bass]

All great advices, thanks guys!

 

We went and drove the first, low mileage one. She likes it, but IMO it is under powered... still, doesn't seem to be an issue for her. It is in a great shape, especially the interior, which feels brand new. On the outside, there are just a couple of slightly faded plastic trim parts, and a Mini logo on the back is flaking off, but no dents or scratches. I will do a bit more research on the reliability aspect, I know we can't expect a Toyota or Honda quality with a Mini, but we will need to decide if we're ready to deal with any potential issues (meaning me, I will have to deal with that).

 

I wonder how self serviceable they are. Can I do an oil change, replace filters, breaks by myself? I believe BMW makes servicing their cars really hard, so is it a similar situation with Mini?

[kelvinhall05]

3 minutes ago, drumn_bass said:

wonder how self serviceable they are. Can I do an oil change, replace filters, breaks by myself? I believe BMW makes servicing their cars really hard, so is it a similar situation with Mini?

Yes, and a lot of BMW problems are electrical so have fun dealing with that.

[Donut417]

 

2 hours ago, handymanshandle said:

When you’re buying a Mini, you’re buying a BMW.

Does that mean you legally have to drive like an Ass hole? Because it's a requirement if you drive a BMW, at least in Michigan it is. 

 

54 minutes ago, drumn_bass said:

advices

Big thing I look at when buying a car is the cost of insurance. Here in Michigan it's required by LAW. So, something that doesn't break the bank is nice. 

 

 

 

[PlayStation 2]

3 minutes ago, Donut417 said:

Does that mean you legally have to drive like an Ass hole? Because it's a requirement if you drive a BMW, at least in Michigan it is. 

Considering that it's predominately rich older people who tend to drive Minis, probably.

[Donut417]

1 hour ago, drumn_bass said:

I wonder how self serviceable they are. Can I do an oil change, replace filters, breaks by myself? I believe BMW makes servicing their cars really hard, so is it a similar situation with Mini?

Youtube is your friend. Many car channels that show repairs. Id watch a few and see how you feel after. But repairs are things that you want to be concerned with. Also might want to look at the cost of parts and fluids, especially the things that need to be changed regularly. 

[GDRRiley]

don't get a mini. they are a pain, the only ones that run good are old ones that have a honda motor swap

[Radium_Angel]

14 hours ago, GDRRiley said:

the only ones that run good are

the original ones.

 

[HM-2]

2 hours ago, Radium_Angel said:

the original ones.

Someone was clearly born long after the original Mini died a death as a popular mode of transport

They're great as idealistic nostalgia pieces- as are most classics- but as workable pieces of engineering they're effin' awful.

[GDRRiley]

2 hours ago, Radium_Angel said:

the original ones.

 

OG ones had issues. OG engine swapped didn't

[PlayStation 2]

51 minutes ago, HM-2 said:

Someone was clearly born long after the original Mini died a death as a popular mode of transport

They're great as idealistic nostalgia pieces- as are most classics- but as workable pieces of engineering they're effin' awful.

It’s like people who buy Beetles expecting them to be easy walks in the park but they’re actually annoying as fuck to keep up and running.

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

17 hours ago, GDRRiley said:

don't get a mini. they are a pain, the only ones that run good are old ones that have a honda motor swap

 

More specifically, a Honda B16.

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

23 hours ago, drumn_bass said:

-snip-

Honestly, people buy Minis because of the fun factor and how enjoyable they are to drive. That's why Mini always have very high customer satisfaction ratings despite them becoming bag of old bolts when the warranty expires. So you need to be in the mindset that this car is going to be replaced probably 4-5 years down the road. It's never going to be like a Honda you can beat on long term. Enjoy the car while you can and be prepared to let it go for another car when the time comes. 

 

Get both vehicles inspected by an independent Mini specialist or dealer, then choose the one that's in better shape and within budget. 

[Radium_Angel]

3 hours ago, HM-2 said:

workable pieces of engineering

They are British, what else would you expect?

Hell, I had a 1971 MGB and a 1976 TVR 2500. I knew what I was getting into. Still take an original Mini, warts and all, over that adulterated mess they call "Mini" these days.

[HM-2]

6 hours ago, Radium_Angel said:

Still take an original Mini, warts and all, over that adulterated mess they call "Mini" these days.

Sure, to potter around town once in a while. But as a DD doing 20 or 30k miles a year? That takes a very special and very rare breed of masochist.

[drumn_bass]

Thanks again guys!

 

After test driving the Countryman S All4 it's clear that the base model is not an option. I get all the opinions about the reliability and high repair cost, but she really likes Minis now, so I might be in trouble:) We're still looking at other options thought, for now. 

 

The second option I originally posted has been sold, so the link is probably now dead. I get the general idea, it's best to try to find something with less mileage with Minis for sure. There is another option, a 2014 Countryman S All4 with 44K miles. Around the same price. It's kind of in the middle, more power and all-wheel drive, a bit older but with over 20K less miles (vs the 2016 from the original post). I think something like that would probably be our best option.  

[atxcyclist]

On 7/28/2020 at 6:58 PM, Radium_Angel said:

They are British, what else would you expect?

Hell, I had a 1971 MGB and a 1976 TVR 2500. I knew what I was getting into. Still take an original Mini, warts and all, over that adulterated mess they call "Mini" these days.

While I agree, I offer one counter-point: Air conditioning.

 

I have a friend with an E-Type, and while I’ve helped work on it and it’s crazy temperamental, there is something about them that’s amazing. I mean, outside of the looks which are maybe top 5 in car design IMO. I could go for an Austin Healey 3000 as well, just for the wow factor. Maybe I just have a straight-six addiction.

[Radium_Angel]

25 minutes ago, atxcyclist said:

Maybe I just have a straight-six addiction.

My TVR says "Hi"

 

[MadAnt250]

8 hours ago, drumn_bass said:

There is another option, a 2014 Countryman S All4 with 44K miles. Around the same price. It's kind of in the middle, more power and all-wheel drive, a bit older but with over 20K less miles (vs the 2016 from the original post).

With these overpriced money pits, lower miles is better and older is fine if the records are good. As a mechanic I know these cars are can get silly expensive to repair, so make sure the car was well taken care of and driven kindly by having it checked out by a very trustworthy and professional technician, it may cost anywhere from 40-100+ dollars to have it checked out, but it could potentially save you thousands if something goes wrong.

 

Anyway this is just my opinion, wish you luck in your search.