Howdy everyone!

I currently own a 2012 Subaru Outback with the 3.6L flat-6 engine and almost 110k miles. The car had a transmission chip go out at 100k, and the head gasket is currently leaky/needing replacement. Both of these are problems this year/engine combination don’t typically have; those were reserved for the 4cyl engines. I bought the car used in 2018 with 40k in the clock and have done regular maintenance on it as prescribed.

I’ve been tossing around the idea of a Mini Countryman or Clubman. I wanted one back in 2018 but my budget at the time was low enough that I couldn’t find a Mini in the range I was able to afford but the Subie was.

I’d still like to buy a used car, simply because I can’t justify paying new car prices for a car these days.

In my search, I’ve test driven a 2020 Countryman and Clubman. I enjoyed both of them very much. I am looking to budget under 35,000$ for the car. If possible, I would like a JCW for the extra oomph on the engine. While I can drive like an arsehole, I don’t typically. Most of my current driving is in the city, though, within a year, I plan to move more rural and that ratio will change.

My questions are these:

1. I have found a handful of 2019 JCW Countryman/Clubman in my price range. They are the pre-rework and have the lower HP of 228hp. Those of you who have this engine, what do you think of it? Would you buy one of these again or would you wait to find the higher HP car?

   1. Those of you who have these cars (2019-2022ish) what do you find are the biggest maintenance issues you’ve had in your car? Or, rather, what are the biggest unexpected maintenance issues you’ve had? What was the mileage these popped up?
   2. What is your favorite thing about your Mini? What is your least favorite thing?
   3. Would you buy your Mini again? Why or why not? If not, what would you buy instead?

Let me finish this by saying that I HATE my Subaru. The other car I’m considering is the Golf R (over the GTI because it has the AWD because I do enough snow driving to feel better having it over FWD) but the price point on those cars is absolutely insane.

Thanks, y’all!