MINI First introduced

MINI has a new budget model - The MINI First

With all things Eco the flavour of the month, and with budgets stretched in households everywhere, a cheap, entry-level budget MINI is a tempting prospect. You still get the iconic shape, and you still get a very good chassis – which translates in to good handling and a decent ride – but you’re not paying a fortune for the fripperies. After all, there are MINIs that will set you back £25k (the MINI JCW Cabriolet), but the new MINI First is a very tempting £10,950.

Not surprisingly, you do lose out on a lot of the goodies but – if economical motoring is the aim – you do get the same engine as the MINI ONE – 75bhp – with Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration, Variable Valve Technology and Shift Point Display. Which adds up to 53.3mpg. And with residual value estimates at 50% over three years this is going to be a cheap MINI to Lease or Contract Hire. MINI are quoting £99 a month with a £4253 deposit or £169 a month with half that deposit.

You can still add some of the MINI packs to this model if you want a few more comforts, such as the Design Pack at £525, the Tech Pack at £855 or the Salt Pack at £390. But that sort of defeats the object of a cheap MINI. What is worth having is the TLC pack at £185, which gives you 5 years service and maintenance.

The MINI First is now on sale in the UK

By Cars UK