I am considering buying an automatic 2009 Saturn Sky base with 12,000 miles or a manual 2014 Mini Cooper S roadster with 9800 miles, both from older private party sellers. Which do you think is the better option?
Are these your only options?
Clarification: how many years and miles do you need it to last you?
Clarification: OP wants a sporty, reliable convertible (non-luxury) and will last as long as possible.
Hello everyone and wanted to say thanks for the help. Decided to go with a single owner manual 2012 Miata Grand Touring.
Minis are time bombs on wheels
Definitely skip over the Mini. Regarding the Saturn Sky (Pontiac Solstice is its sister) see below: up to 100,000 miles, they are OK. But if you need it to go much past that, there are better vehicles out there. Tell us what you need exactly.
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/postid/46038/
How about a Miata or a BRZ instead?
Best model years to look for on a Miata? Also I had not thought of BRZ, so thanks for that and thanks for your help.
Also the S2000. The Miatas are all pretty much very reliable, just stick to the ones with a manual transmission. And no matter what you buy, be sure to have it thoroughly inspected by a professional mechanic, before purchase.
Preferably I'd like it to last as long as possible. Tired of financing and leases, etc. and I'm ready to purchase something that's going to put an end to all that, unless of course a life event changes that.
Need to be more specific on what you need. Coupe, sedan, CUV, SUV, truck? Luxury or non-luxury? Sporty or non-sport? The more details the better. We have no idea what type vehicle you are after. Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic??
Sporty, reliable convertible, not luxury.
almost sounds like a Solara to me
These were the two vehicles I'm interested in, not necessarily my only options though. Recommendations for something similar?
Well, I would buy neither and if I had to, I would probably go with the Mini and use it as a weekend toy (although I have seen people take very good care of them and they can go the distance as a daily) since the Saturn is a rolling pile of crap. Why don't you consider looking at a Miata or maybe an S2000 assuming you can find a good one and a decent price (they are getting expensive nowadays). You can also consider a 350z or 370z although good luck tryna find one cheap because they hold their value just like the Honda and Mazda.
OP stated up top he is now looking at a 2012 Miata Grand Touring.