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YADDT: Miata / Cooper S / CR-Z / Prius

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There's numerically more idiots since we have such a large population. Therefore, gotta be conservative on the speed limits.
 
so as it turns out the check engine light and other issues I was encountering this go-round was due to the aftermarket intercooler the previous owner put on. I had the stock intercooler and the shop gave me the labor for free. It still cost over $150 in various brackets and bolts. LOL


That said, I had a good 7 days with the car w/ no real issues (finally) and fuck I love this car.
 
I have an 06 Dinan Cooper S which I bought 5 years ago which has been a great drive but has needed some maintenance which would be expected on an older car. The R53 does not have the carbon fouling problem that the later direct injection engines have.

Just a few things to watch out for which I'd consider normal maintenance: crank pulley separation (common on many cars not just Mini), upper engine mount (fluid damped and will leak with age), belt tensioner (damper fails with age), crank sensor seal (simple o-ring but not easy to access). Some of the stuff was taken care of by the prior owner but so far I've been able to do the rest myself including swapping out the rear trailing arms to the aluminum ones from the later generation R56. Parts prices are not that bad if you don't go through the dealer.

northamericanmotoring.com and MOD Mini on youtube are great resources.
 
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Thanks. I actually did replace a few of those already the first time my car was in the shop. I had no idea a Dinan r53 even existed O_O
 
I started taking the Angeles Crest Highway to work. Purchase immediately validated.

I'm into cars again guys.
 
ok, in the past 4 months I've been to the shop 6 times (whipped out my CC 4 of those times) and been to the dealer once (recall work).

2006 r53 w/ 140k+ miles.

I've had:
- ABS issues (abs sensor)
- torn CV boot
- valve cover gasket
- cam sensor o ring
- head plug seal set
- belt tensioner (bushing?)
- died on freeway once and left me stranded (gimp mode, trinity of lights. throttle body malfunction, potentionmeter issues)
- put stock intercooler back on (free labor but a whopping $181 in bolts and brackets and stuff)
- LCA bushings replaced
- Motor mounts replaced
- oil gasket replaced

My car still leaks oil and it's going back tomorrow for what I hope is only a wheel hub replacement. I go to a highly recommended shop that only works on Minis.

My next daily driver Mini is definitely going to be a lease.
 
For what it's worth. I get a big ass smile driving my Honda too, and so far in 17 years / 225k miles it has only needed oil changes, tires, and a 12v battery.
 
I can assure you my Prelude never put this smile on my face.

I put 60k miles on my Prius (80k -> 140k) and it's only needed AGM battery, tires, and oil.

Also, I would highly recommend AAA premier for anyone looking to buy a Mini
 
It's a shame there aren't any fun, inexpensive, reliable cars out there. 😉

1999_mazda_mx-5-miata_convertible_base_fq_oem_1_500.jpg
 
Yuriman said:
It's a shame there aren't any fun, inexpensive, reliable cars out there. 😉

1999_mazda_mx-5-miata_convertible_base_fq_oem_1_500.jpg
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Miatas are cool but boost is cooler. =P

And 2001 turbospeed miatas ain't cheap.

I'll probably look into Miatas again in a decade when the fast backs are cheap(er)
 
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Ns1 said:
ok, in the past 4 months I've been to the shop 6 times (whipped out my CC 4 of those times) and been to the dealer once (recall work).
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Ns1 said:
I'd sell the car for parts right now if it weren't for the big ass smile it puts on my face when it works.
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Ns1 said:
I can assure you my Prelude never put this smile on my face.

I put 60k miles on my Prius (80k -> 140k) and it's only needed AGM battery, tires, and oil.

Also, I would highly recommend AAA premier for anyone looking to buy a Mini
Click to expand...

That last one made me laugh

This thread delivers.

It's like old school sports car ownership. Maybe even classic car ownership.

Glad the car still makes you smile.
 
140k is a lot of miles on a mini, don't hear many still around at that point.

Mines at 115k, brought it into the shop last week for $1200 worth of work. First time in a year so no big deal. They all drink oil and coolant, so keep an eye on those.
 
I have oil and coolant in my boot at all times lol

Driving the Prius the last few days, it's so boring but damn does it do its job well, and does it cheaply.
 
good news y'all, it was probably just some rubber cap rubbing against my new tires, and he did fix my check engine light due to some vacuum hose coming off. I should be good for at least 6 weeks.
 
By well over 10k I think he's into the 14-16k range. I would be livid if I had a 2009 vehicle that needed that much work. My 2009 MS3 has needed shocks, sway bar bushings, and an EGR cleaning since new. This was <$1k in parts, I do my own work. A comparable vehicle that's FWD, turbo charged, and sporty.

I would expect to pay 1-2k/year for something that is basically done depreciating, i.e. 10+ years old.
 
This was <$1k in parts, I do my own work.
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the math is way different if you do your own work, but that's only true if you don't put a dollar value on your time (which may be true if you truly enjoy wrenching).

ex) axle boot is only $50 in parts but $200 in labor. ABS sensor was a $150 part but $150 labor. Replaced a whole bunch of gaskets and stuff, $100 in parts but $300 in labor. The best one was LCA bushings - my mechanic charged $90 for the bushings and $400 for the labor. The dealer wanted $1200 for parts/labor.
 
monkeydelmagico said:
For the money you have spent you could have a boosted miata. It still wouldn't need AAA membership.
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I'm about 8k into my Mini at the moment not including consumables like tires/oil, so I'm not doing that bad. The Mini still has the combination of size/power/luxe that the Miata can't match (esp. the luxe component). I really want a Miata RF though, so I'll look into Miatas again in a decade.
 
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