After a lot of research, I’ve settled on buying a 2005-2006 Mini Cooper. I plan to use it as a weekend car - mostly around town driving with the occasional weekend trip. I really like the idea of a zippy car, but should I really spend the extra $3k on the S model or should I buy the base model instead? Also, for a given price, is it better to buy the newer model with higher mileage or vice versa? Any advice about buying a used Mini is welcome! Thanks!
I’d get the newest base model I could afford, they’re not the most reliable cars around.
Drive both and then decide. If I were going to put up with a Mini’s shortcomings I would get the most fun one possible, the S. This is not a typically long term relationship car but a hoot while you own it.