Miata Is NOT Always The Answer! I Wanted a Fun Car For Cheap, Here's What I Bought!

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In this video I buy yet another project car, and yet another Mini Cooper: Here is the full story!
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#MINI #MINICooper #R53

[@NickTarterOKC]

Probably should have bought that Miata. Call up Tyler Hoover. Maybe you guys can form a support group. 🤣

[@rossmartens]

I've said same thing tyler hoover car ninja and the car wizard could definitely help the tfl team with there used vehicles

[@Benjamin-David]

Facts

[@keenanducey4160]

“nothing says reliability like Rover and Chrysler” 😂😂😂😂 Haha best part of the whole video Tommy!

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

Subaru asks “Am i a joke to you?”

[@jedironin380]

"Miata is not always the answer." As a former Miata owner, I think this should have been a "NO, you're Wrong!" episode! LOL

[@jorgeluisburgoacosio9998]

As a former NB2 owner I can assure MIATA IS ALWAYS THE ANSWER

[@terryorcutt8739]

Yeah, they're fun. I had an '04 S for ten years. Spent $10k the last five years keeping it on the road. When they're running, they're great. They just utterly fall apart and drain your bank account. I have a solution for you: do what I did prior to the Mini and get an NA Miata with a supercharger kit.

[@kungpaoch]

Weird, how many miles did you have on yours? What happened to it? I have an 04 S, modded moderately, and is excellent overall.

[@terryorcutt8739]

@@kungpaoch it left me with a tad over 150k miles. Just about everything broke under the hood but the actual engine. Water pump, supercharger, ac, PS pump, etc, etc. The power windows got glitchy. Both those and the exterior door handles were awful designs for wintery locales like mine. Ice would freeze both up. The rear license plate light completely fell apart in the last few years. There was a time bomb about to go off in the front suspension/steering rack as I traded it in on a '14 GTI. I was lucky to have gotten the car to the dealer. It was never tracked, modified, or abused. They just, in my experience, weren't made well. When something broke, it was almost always major, too. When it ran, it was a fun little car. It became a lemon, though. My GTI (not exactly known for great reliability either) has been worlds better.

[@damilolaakanni]

IMO, the Miata is the obvious choice here. Especially the NA models. They're much cheaper to buy (for now) and own, more fun to drive, and obviously more reliable. You just can't go wrong with a Miata as an entry level budget sports car. Oh, and it's a convertible, so you can feel the wind in your hair during the summer (if you have hair 😁😅😀).

[@Buckarooskiczek]

Agree. I love the Mini but you better be prepared for it’s unreliability and expensive repair cost. Want a supercharger or performance package? One visit to Jackson Racing and you have a Porsche killer.

[@XxCrankyMoosexX]

I love the NA models. You can also turn it into a fun rally car. Paco Motorsports has affordable kits that almost anyone can install themselves.

[@assaultlick2169]

I'm almost exactly Tommy's size and the size thing is an issue. Even being thin being just north of 6 feet is very cramped in a NA.

[@the___truth8038]

@@Buckarooskiczek You're talking about the older minis, like most people who make this comment.

[@Buckarooskiczek]

@@the___truth8038 nope. The new Mini is a BMW product with BMW problems. They’re fun, no doubt but, they break. I love those old ones, too and yeah…Lucas electrics and all that… Like I mentioned, Oscar Jackson’s shop turns out Miatas that will make you smile. Mazda reliability (manual trans Mazda’s…the automatics suck.)

[@cpscps2679]

He got rid of the Discos, so naturally you fill that hole with a Mini.

[@Thecarexchangepodcast]

A 15 year old Mini? It’s a money pit Tommy. RUN!

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

A 1 year old Mini is a money pit lol

[@TheShift1313]

He will have to run since it wont lol.

[@mrtoyotatrd6126]

Mine is 17 years old and it’s nowhere near a money pit

[@jrmbtr]

$14k is not cheap for most people. Definitely interested in examples that are cheap - suggestion to do a tier of reviews for $5k, $7.5k, and $10k.

[@mowcowbell]

Would that be pre-pandemic pricing? Right now, you can't find anything that drives for $5K.

[@reggie132]

@@mowcowbell ive seen many 2011 Nissan Leaf’s for

[@mowcowbell]

@@reggie132 Not many folks looking for a air cooled EV with less than 60 miles of range.

[@MrTraildust]

The mini really flys on a auto cross course when it works I just wouldn’t trust it’s reliability

[@dalejones4322]

Cool car tommy. It'd be interesting to know 0-60 times and track times at your test track. Also, I'd like to see your new jeep pushed to it's limits. It's a lot more capable than I thought it would be. Thanks for the great video

[@iliveinthewoods]

I have an R53 and an NC1. Both won me local autocross championships and National trophies. When you compare the MINI to an NA/NB, i think you're right. Compare the MINI to an NC and things change. An NC, in STR class trim, is really really good. On the tail of the Dragon or autocross, it is more fun. Where the NC really crushes the MINI is maintenance. Zero problems from the Mazda in 7 years of thrashing. Nothing.. The MINI has had all the well documented problems that are too numerous to mention (as mentioned🙂) with the Supercharger/oil pump rebuild looming. ..but the R53 is a hoot and does have a lot of personality. ..but you have a classic MINI. Buy a Miata. 🙂 Oh! One more point, regarding grassroots racing. Mazda rules that world thru their MAZDAMOTORSPORTS program. You send them a photo and race results from 2 races (in your Mazda) and you're a member. Members can buy OE parts, direct from MAZDAMOTORSPORTS, at a much reduced price. 👍🏻

[@jorgeluisburgoacosio9998]

A NC has a RX8 chassis, suspension, diff and transmission it's overqualified as a entry level sports car, it's "the better Miata" except the current one (because is not a boat like the NC), even I a former NB2 owner have to admit that and a r53 mini does the job done, BUT it isn't the same feeling it's not rwd (I've drove the integra Type R and it's amazing for a FWD and it's fast BUT it doesn't FEEL SO GOOD like the rwd Miata) 💁

[@aaronredbaron]

I traded my Miata for an R53 because I just didn't fit :( still miss my Miata, but I fit a lot better! I've driven it for over a year now and done all my own maintenance successfully!

[@USA__WILL]

A BMW 🤦 as a budget car. Andre 2 - Tommy 1

[@charletfoster8917]

The repair cost on this Mini is extreme!

[@michaelwalsh3474]

🤣

[@lesterparker1594]

They could start a tfl repair channel with all the work this mini will need before too long

[@570mattsch1981]

My 2006 R53 is one of the few cars I sold (at 67,000 miles) that I really miss. Even though it is the only car that had ever left me stranded on the side of the road. And cost me the most money in repairs. And was the most unreliable. I still miss it. Not enough to buy another, though. Nope. You only make that mistake of buying a used R53 once. It will drain your bank account quicker than it does 0-60. The memories of that supercharger whine still make me smile.

[@CliffWarren]

Yeah, you have Toby. Those of us who have to pay for our own repairs realize that an extra $600 per month on average (I'm not kidding!) is not the answer.

[@CCourter16]

Love the Mini content! Everyone has a Miata which is exactly why he chose a Mini! Only Mini owners understand…

[@JMacGyver1]

Back in 2002, I was vacillating between a Mini Cooper and a then new to the market WRX wagon. I loved the personalization that the Mini offered and the go-kart-like driving position, but living in the upper Midwest meant I really needed awd for a daily driver. I loved the WRX (in wagon form) because it was light, fast and with its awd it was fantastic for doing controlled power slides, and it never stranded me even in deep snow. I know it’s impossible to find used WRX’s that aren’t beat to crap.

[@alexg.2633]

Another Mini… neat… I didn’t think TFL liked Mini Coopers based on their wealth of Mini Cooper videos.

[@daviddavis5149]

Front wheel drive Mini not really comparable to a rear wheel drive Mazda Miata. The low center of gravity Miata is effortless to chuck into and slide around a corner. The Mini is fun in a different way. Totally understand that the Mini is more comfortable and more pragmatic for daily use. You understand the trade offs and reliability issues for the Mini so enjoy!

[@toddrobertson1398]

I’ve had both. I’ll take my mini all day.

[@daviddavis5149]

@@toddrobertson1398 I’ve had both as well. Kept the Miata ND but it’s not the only vehicle in the stable. Different horses for different courses. Mini makes for a better daily all rounder for sure.

[@jedironin380]

I could point out that Tommy is fairly tall, and might not have been very comfortable in a Miata.

[@daviddavis5149]

@@jedironin380 Aye that. The older NAs are especially tight. The ND is fine for me at 6’, but Tommy’s taller.

[@jkk244]

Actually, the Cooper S debut was in Spring, 2002 for model year 2002, not 2003. I’ve got what is arguably the first Cooper S in the state of Texas (and one of the first 1000 produced). I flew to New York State and purchased my ‘02 Cooper S new then drove it back here because there were no MINI dealers in Texas until a year later.

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

Sadly, you must’ve had to wait a year for a repair too. Mini and it’s shitacular, unreliable reputation for garbage.

[@philarob80]

My R56 has 217,956 mi I live in Philly and I treat it like a red headed step child, I love it is it reliable for the most part it never left me stranded. Right now it’s outside dripping oil and now I need to get the valves seals redone and the suspension is worn but I love love love Oliver pepper ( smush of top gear and paint name)

[@84imreplica]

I got my racing novice license in 2007 while driving my 2006 Mini Cooper S. I ended up selling the Cooper, before the repair problems occurred and bought a 1997 Miata for track use. That was the best decision I could have made. The Miata, which had a stock engine, but a fully modified suspension, was a great track car and very easy to work on. Being easy to work on is not something some can say about the Mini. Neither car was as much fun on the track as my 1990 Monster Miata, with a Mustang 5.0 litre V8 under the hood, but unlike the stock Miata and Mini Cooper S the Monster couldn't complete a 20 minute track session without overheating.

[@omgitsoop]

I had an R53 about 10 years ago, was an absolutely fantastic driving machine, but then it hit 100k miles and it just decided life wasn't worth living anymore, and the cost of life support was just getting too expensive too fast, so I sold it. I definitely miss it, but after talking to R53 owners and their cost of ownership, I definitely don't regret my decision

[@lesterparker1594]

Yea you don’t want to keep these past warranty.

[@colink4710]

I had an original bmw Mini Cooper s for a few years and it was tons of fun but it was in the shop all the time. Good luck

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Awesome objective review and commentary. Love when automotive journalists have some original thinking and tell you the facts (good and bad), versus just regurgitating group think. The Miata is equally awesome and iconic. Nice to have the choices and go in eyes wide open to maintenance costs/space/quirkiness versus reliability and legendary real wheel drive open air motoring. Glad these cars exist at all.

[@MINIstryOfSpeed01]

Good to hear your perspective on the R53 (you’ve got every generation now!) The first gen wins on smiles per mile. Lots of easy and effective mods, and plenty of ways to make it your own. Can’t wait to see what you do with this one.

[@nlpnt]

I knew it was another Mini. It's a better "one-car-for-everything" car than a Miata but not quite in the Golf GTI league. Not as big and heavy either. Too bad Honda never made a Fit Si, though...

[@Wheatman45]

Oh Tommy, you are WRONG. More smiles per mile with the MX-5 and so much more reliable as well

[@bryan1480]

The fog lights look ready to fall off when the hood closes....

[@cultclassicmotoring5636]

Tommy, I agree 100% that these Mini's were the best of the modern era. I had a British racing green r53 S a while back and loved it! This generation really did keep the mini heritage, whereas on r56+ generations it feels lost.

[@jeffs2809]

Pay for one with good service history then spend more in repairs than you paid for it.....🤔🤦‍♂️

[@brentvance3958]

I bought a 2016 Ford Fiesta ST in March of 2017 for just $17k. 75k miles later it runs perfect. Only issue was a blend door for the A/C fixed for $200. 200 Hp for a 2250lb car. It flies. Average mpg is 33.

[@kristianmurin3696]

Lol, I just bought an 03 with 80,000 miles stick shift for only $420. Previous owner thought the motor had blown but it was a seized AC compressor preventing it from turning over.

[@kungpaoch]

Steal! Enjoy

[@KalleSWBeck]

Great Choice! Picked up a 2002 Mini with JCW package earlier this year and I can’t think of more fun for under 5k.

[@shitloveaduck]

I like the new little car Tommy!! The colour, stance, supercharger whine,,,,,, it’s all good!! Go easy on Kase, something tells me he is just as excited about it, but as the camera person, he has to be very quiet!! Hahaha. Sorry Kase! You two start to sound like brothers when you are together,,,, pretty funny really, but great!! The car does not have dual exhaust, but dual exhaust tips. True dual exhaust would mean there are two headers and the exhaust from each header is running in its own pipe. You learned this from your dad I suspect as he says that as well. In fact there are many, many auto journalists that do that. I mean to correct the comment respectfully and not as a snipe. Another quirky vehicle added to your collection!! Quirky vehicles are great!! Because of some of the TFL reviews my new project is just over $100k CAD.!! Yet I will be saving $70k to $120k vs what I was considering! I ordered a F150 Lariat (originally an XL then I read about how the tailgate is an issue on my project and decided I would get a power tailgate!! To get an F150 SuperCab with power Tailgate you have to buy a Lariat). The budget isn’t a big concern, but the savings worth noting. I am putting a Project M topper on the truck and creating a dedicated camping travel vehicle to somewhat mimic a 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter van. (In purpose but not design). In the end I spend less $$$ as mentioned and also get a better handling and (if I wanted to go hardcore off-road) more capable vehicle. The Topper is so light at 530 lbs that it only somewhat affects the centre of gravity. Once I build in the interior of the truck bed as I like, that centre of gravity will come down again. I got the 5.0 as I suspect it will be the last new F150 5.0 I will be able to buy! (Hope I’m wrong). It will have the ProPower Onboard. Over $5,000 Canadian for that power box is about $2500 too much! Thanks again TFL for that one review!! I was not aware of the Project M before that review and may not have found it before I bought a Sprinter 4x4. Probably a “cooler” vehicle, but soooo very overpriced. The Project M is only somewhat more expensive than I think it should be. The campers do last through some heavy off-road use and remain perfectly fine.

[@solosaga5091]

YES! Thank You! Tout the Mini over the Miata, so the Miatas stay affordable for even just a little while longer. "Affordable Vehicle" posts almost instantly make them not affordable, or findable. Do us all a favor, find a secret, keep a secret. smh.

[@Qibilii]

I had an 2006 R53 MINI Cooper S, funny you mention this as a mistake. Still love the MEANIE! Will get the 70s for weekend go cart riding.

[@grumpyengg5978]

Congrats on the new purchase Tommy! Glad you got something you like. I hear ya on the expense/maintenance costs and know where you’re coming from. Lol my wife drives a 2010 WRX and I have a 2011 STI both cars with the EJ25 engines. They’re just too much damn fun to drive ;)

[@mourning_ghost]

I have a Mini I've been thinking about ahti-crossing, I hope you guys do a series on your journey!

[@Its_Me0000]

Thanks Tommy. I've always liked the Mini.

[@the_jarmel]

TOMMY !!!! WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR PROJECT MINI YOU WERE CUSTOMIZING ? INTERIOR AND ALL??? 😱

[@lewsmith4279]

My dream car (and next purchase) is a new Mini Cooper S, I appreciate exotic cars and I appreciate modern muscle but pound for pound the mini is hands down the most fun you will have from 0-60 and in the city, the zippy-ness of the car just is so much better than anything else you can get. It truly is a go cart.

[@Wrangzilla]

I have a built 2020 Rubicon on 37’s and drive a MINI Mon-fri. Love it….

[@s.centralkeystone558]

Good grief another Mini.. this may be the first TFL video I couldn't make it through.

[@waterlover]

My mini is almost 20 years old and I have never broken any headlights from closing the hood

[@bradcomis1066]

I’ve never heard of this either

[@wyattparker7223]

Tommy has a lot of cars! 2020 Jeep Willy’s, Peugeot 404, Mercedes diesel now this?! I’m pretty sure I forget one or two

[@wyattparker7223]

Oh ya his old mini too

[@davidhoops40]

I am 6’10” and had that car in United gray, you can put a 15% super charger pulley and a cowel air intake and get a lot more power and noise. The supper charger on the S was the same as the JWC version but the pulley was a 12.5% reduction.

[@Globbs]

People ask me all the time how I fit in my Mini. I'm 6'6 but I could see how someone your height could also drive one. Very comfortable and roomy cars.

[@alexpetersen4107]

Had a 2008 mini cooperS loved it but quickly started breaking with only 70k miles on it. It also drank oil! Always loved the look of them!

[@mrtoyotatrd6126]

It had the shitty N14 engine that’s why

[@petelattimer6808]

FINALLY a reviewer from that side of the Atlantic who actually knows that theyre called Mini's NOT Mini Coopers! Cooper is just a trim level now, and even the original Mini in Cooper/CooperS versions was a tuned version of the standard mini

[@TheShift1313]

True but i believe the BMW minis that came to the states were all Mini Coopers. In the UK you can get just a Mini but not here. I honestly dont know if its just a name thing here because the US market didnt know any better.

[@ilyalitvak6339]

One of the most UNRELIABLE cars on the market. I sold mine a few yrs ago and cannot be happier.

[@tomc8854]

As a Miata ND owner I won’t kill you for your choice for as fun car. Definitely looks the part. Miatas aren’t as cheap as they use to be! But as an autocross car? I think you covered the reliability question but I would have went with something RWD . An early FR-S/BRZ , or maybe Solstice/Sky. Plus a Miata would probably appreciate in value. The only thing going up in that mini will be the maintenance.

[@StormRoxas]

You have to set the windows. I believe it's hold down the toggle for 30 sec after it's gone all the at down. Then hold it up for 30 sec after it's gone all the way up. At least that's what it was for my gen2 (r56) MINI

[@mrsteve4313]

A top notch Neon motor that pissed off bmw snobs and still running strong.

[@iankovac1878]

Mini Coopers are heavy af and the BMW engine ages like salad. Good luck o7

[@johnglenf8611]

Ages like salad 😂😂😂

[@mrtoyotatrd6126]

It’s not a bmw engine

[@GreyCrowe]

No way. The undersold, underappreciated, 3 year branch off the Miata ND family....The Fiat 124 Spider... Is a *phenomenally* fun supercharged budget small car with one of the easiest convertible tops and smooth pre-ND manual transmission

[@BuffMyRadius]

Turbocharged, but yes, agreed on the other points. Factory supercharged cars are few and far between.

[@williamrose3987]

Damn these have gone up in price, I bought mine 3 years ago also with 93k miles for 4k

[@billnorblat4047]

GREAT buy!

[@bobkitts3097]

You guys should do an update on all thing minis you still have and maybe a comparison. That would be pretty cool!

[@kevinputthoff2033]

Have had a couple of MINIs and a few Miatas, both are great little cars. Current autox car is a Miata but if I were shopping right now for a cheap runabout, I'd grab another R53 in a heart beat.

[@Medes06]

Great idea. Not sure about the Jeep, but you had to do it as it is your first new car. Love that mini

[@toddrobertson1398]

Love the sound of the super charger

[@rpowell138]

Also, check the front strut towers and make sure they are flat. They are known to mushroom. Plenty of companies make blocks that reinforce that. Craven, M7, etc.

[@andysupple4838]

Strike 1. The 2005 Honda Insight. Strike 2. The 2003 Mini Cooper S. Hey Tommy I can't wait for your strikeout car!

[@reecedrury4145]

Well that looks like an R53 silhouette before I watch the video. Love mine. 93k on the clock. Changed the usual orings and gaskets so no more leaks, mod bits are cheap and you have a SC whine.....I got mine over a mk3 mr2 mainly due to lack of tuning options. Remember to change the sc oil at 100k.... not sure you've quoted the right power figures, post 04 in the UK at least was 170bhp and 162lbft

[@plus790]

I had been looking for a Miata this Summer but pandemic prices for rust-free NA and NB are silly these days. So in July I too bought a supercharged 2006 Mini Cooper S. It was pretty fun and I can do most of the mechanical stuff (though let's be honest, they're only slightly less of a timebomb than the turbocharged ones)...but I couldn't rectify the cosmetic issues without a professional. So I started looking at nicer examples of the same breed...then Miatas again...and then I realized I was getting up toward Porsche Boxster money. A week ago today I took the plunge and bought a clean and well maintained 2002 Boxster S with the 250hp 3.2. IMS was already done and I couldn't be happier with my $9K car. I've already got the new motor mount to swap in and the only other thing that needs a refresh is the stereo.

[@jorgeluisburgoacosio9998]

MIATA IS ALWAYS THE ANSWER, that mini it's a fun weekend and a nightmare month at the shop on work and parts 😪

[@charletfoster8917]

Beware, the repair costs are scary expensive on older Minis

[@toddrobertson1398]

You think he doesn’t know that? Are you new to the channel lol

[@kevinblock2307]

Tommy sure loves the Mini Cooper

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

He must be on a quest to scare away as many women as possible.

[@RoverRacer913]

Let's go have some fun now!! Woo-hoo the fiesta now has a friend

[@Abolish101]

Man he loves his mini Cooper's ahah

[@erickotapish7842]

I have an 07 mini s with the turbo charger and it's a blast to drive...ps u can work around the service mode

[@CraigSmith568]

I would have picked the Miata just for the reliability.

[@adam-qd5xx]

Love the BRG r53. Have an 06 JCW and it’s the most fun to drive car I’ve owned. If you plan on adding mods, I highly recommend getting a LSD. Makes big difference in getting power down, especially if you plan to autox. Also hit that DSC switch for more fun 🤣

[@rpowell138]

I owned an 06 S Convertible and loved it. The R53 is a fun choice for you. I’d have looked for an 05 or 06 as they tend to be more reliable though. Expensive to repair for sure. But fun cars. 👍

[@paulcunningham5327]

The rwd is a big thing for autocross and the Miata is bulletproof, the older Cooper S has some significant maintenance challenges. These are cool and very fun for fwd....but....

[@malcolmscott4150]

Love this era Mini S despite being very flawed was truer to Mini ethos than later versions - enjoy 😊

[@MrVegiroth]

Everything always seems like a good idea..(Clarkson pause) until it isn't. Inexplicably the once thought brilliant purchase of Tommy's supercharged mini, decided it wanted to become devoid of life.. (Clarkson pause) in every way.

[@Suction_]

Can't say I agree here. NB I think would have been the choice. Chuck a supercharger kit on and you'll take a ton of cars at the track to gapplebees

[@drwisdom1]

We used to have a Jetta Sportwagen with a panoramic sunroof that had a retractable cloth sunshade. We will never buy another vehicle with that again. People think that letting in more heat creating a hot interior is bad. But even worse, having a cloth sunshade instead of a blocking cover lets in way more road noise. The inside of the vehicle is never quiet when moving. You have to turn up the stereo to cover it up. This Mini has the same problem.

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

That’s the least of the Mini’s problem. It’s a horrendously unreliable pile of garbage.

[@dennisd.7971]

One of my cars is a 2005 Cooper. I’m thinking to replace it with an old S next year! Greetings from The Netherlands!

[@aussie2uGA]

Hoi Nederlands!

[@garretlewis4103]

The supercharged is the S Cooper to get. Almost bought a used Cooper S several years ago.

[@tomdelisle8955]

Fun on a budget until the repair bills come in. My friend had to have the complete rear end replaced at 38,000 on his first gen Mini.

[@davidstewart3868]

Okay, I get it first gen BMW Minis are fun to drive, I own an R50 and R53. Age and mileage really catch up with them and they become money pits. But you know that it’s had $8k for maintenance in the last 10K miles… yikes! Happy motoring Tommy!

[@stephenwells2464]

3:12 that’s where the blinker fluid goes

[@tok713]

"Affordable" perhaps the absolute dumbest phrase when relating to a Mini. The parts are a fortune, which is great since you'll be buying plenty of them.

[@lesterparker1594]

Haha they are absolutely junk

[@mrtoyotatrd6126]

You’ve never owned an old mini before and it shows

[@lesterparker1594]

@@mrtoyotatrd6126 old mini and new minis are 2 different things. I don’t know much about old ones. And I don’t need to own a new one to know that they’re junk after the warranty is gone

[@drwisdom1]

You don't want a turbocharged or supercharged engine if the vehicle is nearly twenty years old. The Miata would have been a better choice if the intent is to autocross. But if you need to cram people into a small back seat, then the Mini is better.

[@toddrobertson1398]

Tell me you didn’t watch the video without telling me you didn’t watch it. He gave his reasons lol

[@drwisdom1]

@@toddrobertson1398 I did write the comment as soon as he told us he got a Mini, rather than waiting until the end. But that didn't invalidate my comment.

[@tedlawrence1348]

The Miata has a huge after market upgrades available.

[@matthewheitzman5993]

Do your SC service every 50k And immediately replace the coolant reservoir with a metal unit

[@shekharmoona544]

He ain't lying.

[@MA9494AM]

Only a few years untill you can get BMW E87 (first gen 1-series) imported. Or is it a Rover R30? Had two F20 (2nd gen) 1-series (MY15, MY18) and are looking at possibly buying/leasing a new or almost new F40. Not keen on AWD which most demo units seems to be though. The diesel is at almost 2,20 USD/L ($8,32/gal) 🤯

[@valcom111t]

As the original owner of an 06 MCS with 140k miles, I can say they're a ton of fun...until they need fixing. And don't think you're going to save a ton by working on it yourself unless you have tiny hands and arms with 3 elbows. You should also get used to people asking you how good the gas mileage is, and then trying to explain why it actually kinda sucks LOL.

[@Baber_Shareef]

I have one near me for $5k with 85k miles, and was looking to buy one but the comments threw me off. What kind of failures or repairs, failures are we looking at potentially?

[@bandwagon240]

Eeeep, good luck with this one.

[@chrismartin153]

5 minis now owned my tfl or Tommy. I know you guys love em but find some variation.

[@pelewads]

Wow. Another Mini

[@RoverRacer913]

I'll see you at imi for a Fiesta st vs mini s time trial

[@MrGomjabber]

LOL! Enjoy the BMWish fun.

[@1972mdc]

Good luck with the repairs…lol

[@kottnmth420]

Not sure what parts cost for a mazda but mini parts do get pricey, i own an 05 S with 203000+ miles actually just repainted it and repaired the rusted tailight. Also if you put a reduction pulley on your SC it wakes right up, mine pulls hard around 3000rpm up

[@shekharmoona544]

Really thought it was a Fiero by the silhouette. 🤣😂🤣😂

[@kevrap1]

You talked me right out of ever getting one.

[@deanbryan3034]

I really cant think of any question that the answer is "mx5/miata" lol