# Buying a Used Mini - Base or S model? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** mini, cooper\ **Created:** [October 10, 2010, 10:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/buying-a-used-mini-base-or-s-model/56208 "2010-10-10T22:18:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ZoeCat17](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eb9ed0/32.png) [@ZoeCat17](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ZoeCat17)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2010, 10:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/buying-a-used-mini-base-or-s-model/56208/1 "2010-10-10T22:18:05Z")
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! ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2010, 11:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/buying-a-used-mini-base-or-s-model/56208/2 "2010-10-10T23:58:05Z")
I’d get the newest base model I could afford, they’re not the most reliable cars around. ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 1:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/buying-a-used-mini-base-or-s-model/56208/3 "2010-10-11T01:03:15Z")
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.