Of all the vehicles that have been manufactured over the years, there is an elite group that is regarded as iconic and those are instantly recognizable by their nameplates: Mustang, Cobra, Beetle, and Corvette likely come to mind.
However, a brand that was once solely reveled by the rich, has now become the latest popular household vehicle of choice: the Mini Cooper.
Becoming its own automaker and parts manufacturer, outliving many other British auto brands, the Mini Cooper has certainly made a name for itself amongst the list of iconic vehicles. Its design, affordability, great gas mileage, countless performance parts upgrades and customizations, and high resale value are some of the things that make it a hot pick for many.
As amazing as a Mini Cooper is, owning a car comes with a host of out of pocket expenses. From the cost of maintenance and repairing broken Mini Cooper parts, to fuel and insurance, the dollars can start to add up. Here are a few tips that will help you save money while keeping your Cooper running in tip-top shape:
Keep Up With Maintenance
One of the biggest mistakes car owners make is not keeping up with the maintenance on their vehicle. The owner’s manual gives you an in-depth understanding of what parts need to be maintained in your Mini Cooper, and when that work should be done. By faithfully replacing oil filters, spark plugs, brake calipers and rotors — and even axle and suspension bushings — you decrease the need to have to repair even more parts on your Mini Cooper, thus saving you money in the long run.
Buy Your Own Mini Parts
As time goes on your car will need repairs simply due to wear and tear. To save money, purchase your own Mini Cooper parts and do the work yourself, or provide them to a mechanic. There are online stores that sell aftermarket and even OEM parts for your Mini Cooper. Since most mechanics jack up their prices for parts, getting them yourself will save you money, leaving you to only pay for the labor.
Learn a Few Skills
There are a few car maintenance tasks that are actually fairly easy to learn. Check out a YouTube video or tutorial from a reputable source, or even ask a friend, on how to change the brake pads, air filters, and your own oil and transmission fluids. This will save on car maintenance costs since you won’t have to pay a mechanic for their labor.
Don’t Procrastinate on Repairing Broken Parts
If you notice that there’s something wrong with your Cooper, don’t prolong the inevitable. Putting off necessary repairs on your automobile is the equivalent of not going to the doctor when you’re sick — it’s going to get worse. The sooner you fix the parts yourself, or get your car to a repair shop, the less damage will be done to the vehicle, therefore saving money and headaches down the road.
Watch Your Speeding Limits
Did you know that once you reach about 50 mph the gas mileage on your vehicle begins to decrease? Although gasoline prices have decreased over the past few years, you still want to get your money’s worth. So make sure that you stay within the speed limit — and also puts you at risk for a speeding ticket that can significantly impact your insurance premium, adding insult to injury on your wallet.
Minimize the Air Conditioner
During the warmer months it can be tempting to turn on the air conditioning. The only issue with this is that the air conditioning actually impacts your fuel economy. So only use the AC when you really need it — or at least keep your AC unit on low to help minimize costs.
Shop for Insurance Annually
Insurance companies are always vying for new customers — this means that there’s always the opportunity to save some extra cash. So each year be sure to shop around for better insurance prices. After all, a lot can happen in a year that may result in lower rates, such as an improved driving record or credit history.
The Mini Cooper is a fun, affordable, and popular ride — probably because it is so easy to customize and repair. However, if you’re going to get your money’s worth out of owning such a popular vehicle, you’ll need to make responsible choices. Who knows; you may save enough to take the road trip of a lifetime, or even upgrade your Mini with a few performance parts.
Photo Credit: public domain
Nice advice! I am really a fan of Mini Cooper and I think following your advice Len, I can make a reasonable choice.
From high school to my recent retirement, I have owned two Fords (and yes, one of them was a mustang), one chevy, one buick and two toyotas. The toyotas win, hands down, for reliability (and that mustang was the worst). If you want good gas mileage and reliability get a toyota corolla. Get one that’s a couple of years old and has fewer than 50,000 miles on it. If you get it through a dealer you can get one that is certified and comes with a warranty, if that is a concern. Follow the recommended maintenance guides and you will have a trusty vehicle that you can drive for 250,000+ miles without worries. I did the above, drove her for 14 years, and passed her on to a young person who needed a car to commute to work. That was 5 years ago and she’s still going strong. I had a co-worker who was driving one that had 325,000 miles on it and she said it was the most reliable car she had ever owned too. They’re not flashy or sexy, but who cares, they are the practical little work horses for the frugal minded.
There can also be concerns that the Home Office will renege on its promise altogether, which could be allowed under the terms of the deal struck with the EU.
Thanks.