Purchase Help Please.

[jonesof63]

The young lass who works for us has just passed her test and has asked yours truly to help her look for a suitable Mini Cooper, with a 4k budget her options seem to fall across a range of 07 to 58 plate cars. Could any of you well informed people give me some indication of when the facelift cars with the improved engine came in to circulation please, I've read some conflicting things on the online car reviews but I do understand the later cars are somewhat improved, the external differences aren't that obvious ? Sorry to appear somewhat blind, I've had absolutely nothing to do with the Mini whatsoever. Many Thanks in advance.

[dragonheart]

Someone with greater knowledge will have to confirm this, But i'm pretty sure the Cooper S changed from the N14 to the N18 engine in late 2010 (60 plate). so on that basis I would assume that the Cooper would be the same. Has this young lady checked the insurance costs for the Cooper?? I would have thought that a young newly qualified driver would be paying sky high premiums on a Cooper. Perhaps the Mini One would be a better option insurance wise. Obviously this is not meant as a dig, just an observation.