Should I buy this non-running mini cooper?

[Lavalamp]

I found a red 2004 5 spd non-S 280k miles, got it down to $2000.
Is that many miles a big deal (obviously mostly highway miles) with this car?
and also, I have no idea why the car doesn't start but it turns over...any possible easy fix solutions? (seller says he already replaced fuel pump and fuel filter)

The car isn't in bad condition but definitely shows 280k miles (hood faded, whole car needs a good buff etc), is it worth the $2000 in the state it's in?

[KyleAwesome]

47k a year? its been run into the ground.

[WoLF]

fuck no thats a lot of miles

[tmoeller]

how much do you have to put into it after the 2k?

[G///ME]

gut up under the car and check it out...

[MIMI1]

I did 60k my first year on my Fit. Now its almost 1 year and 8 months old and about to roll over 100k.

2009 Honda Fit M/T Base

Fluids every 3500 for oil 25k everything else.

[4500 RPM]

What's the worst that could happen? :rofl

I want to see what a 280k Mini looks like, wow.

[llegos]

check the strut towers. they mushroom pretty easily.

[Lavalamp]

I forgot I took pics:
http://i53.tinypic.com/2qi67x0.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/2sa1j4y.jpg
http://i54.tinypic.com/osv7dt.jpg

[Makr]

I would buy it, but I like fixing shit, and my dad has a killer set of tools.

[dano670]

With 280K miles, it looks pretty good. What does a used engine run?

[Lavalamp]

$1500-$2500 for an engine, car blue books at about $5k in good condition with that many miles. I might have to try and offer him less but he was asking $3500..

[dano670]

If you can get it for $2k and have the ability to install a used engine I say go for it.

Well the owner might be throwing parts at a problem anyways. Might not even be a fuel problem at all.

[SilverBeam]

I know someone who bought a "non-running" E30 with a "blown motor" for $800 he dropped it off at the shop to figure out what it needed and was told to pick it up a few hours later... the battery was dead.

Ask if you can tow it to a shop for a diagnosis. With that many miles it may need a lot more than just a new engine.

[Lavalamp]

yeah, his "mechanic friend" said it might be the problem that's why he replaced those so it could be anything. and I'd rather not have to replace the engine as i've never done it before and I don't imagine it being too easy being FWD and tiny engine compartment.

P.S. thanks for the tow, didn't realize we had a MINI forum.

I honestly wouldn't wanna pay for a tow and a diagnostic, I'd rather pay a little more and have the car rather than pay and possibly have nothing or have the car for a couple hundred $ more.

Also I just a couple days ago got my friend a "non-running" e30 for $600, guy was asking $900. showed up in a prius he asked how i was gonna tow it, I told him I was gonna drive it. 15 mins later I got it started and drove it away..."seized" fuel pump.

[Lavalamp]

If he still has it Monday I'm fairly confident I can get him below $2000, I'm going for $1500.

[SilverBeam]

If you can get it for $1,500 then there isn't much to lose. If the car isn't savable you can probably get your money back in parts.

[beken]

If the engine turns but won't start, given the mileaage, I would also guess fuel pump and filter. But since he already changed that (and can prove the fuel system works), then you might check the coil pack and spark plugs. Not knowing what you are hearing while turning the engine, it is hard to tell you why the engine won't run. You should also do a compression test. You should also check all vacuum hoses to make sure there are no leaks. Any of these things could be causing the engine to not start. Then there are fuel injectors. But most of these will throw an engine code. If the compression is good, $2000 probably isn't a bad deal. But you will likely need to invest some time and maybe some money to make it work.

[MINIGURU]

So did you buy this car??? If not let me know I'd be interested I already have a motor sitting here for it.