Hello,
I'm new to the forum and would like feedback from the more experienced. I'm on the hunt for a gently used Countryman S All4 in white or cosmic blue. I have found a white used 2015 with 2880 miles on it at a dealership about three hours from me. It has the packages I want but I'm hesitating. I'm planning on calling the dealer to suss it out and negotiate a price. My concerns are:

1. Why are it's miles so low? Does that send up a red flag to anyone? I've only seen used 2013 and older with much higher mileage. I'm sure they will give me some story but what do you all think? According to the carfax document it was owned for four months then returned.

2. I'm not sure what to ask price wise. They have it listed $300 ($29850) above the brand new 2015 end year stock at my local mini dealership. I've Kelly bluebooked it and it values it at 1k less than what they are asking for. I want the best deal. Any advice?

Thanks!

 

You should ask for the dealer to send you the maintenance history. It will have all the good info you are looking for.

 

I would just ask the dealer why the owner returned it within 4 months. Yes, it is a good idea to ask for maintenance records so that you can read up on what may have been done. I'd negotiate on the price. Look at TrueCar.com to help with pricing comparisons.

 

Thank you. I spoke to the dealer today. The car was purchased and then four months later traded into a Dodge dealership for a large truck. There hasn't been any maintenance done since it hasn't reached enough mileage yet. It turns out it doesn't have the nice radio that is usually included in the premium package. I really want certain things in my mini so I'm going to be patient and keep looking.

 

Have you heard the Harman Kardon system on the CM, I was not at all impressed.

 

That's funny you say that. I was talking to my husband last night and he said essentially the same thing. I am reconsidering it again and waiting for the intake inspection report from the dealer. After adjusting the price estimate for the sports package (which wasn't listed initially) it looks like a fair price, though I will still attempt to negotiate for the best price.

 

I find that the Countryman is so noisy that discerning the difference between sound systems is a tough chore. For my needs the HK is fine. One of these days I'm going to tackle sound deadening this car.

 

What I noticed was that it sounded better than my current stock subaru radio and I was kind of annoyed they would list the premium package but leave a part out. I realized I was being silly as the car has everything else I want and I'm not really into sound systems. I'm going to use it as a negotiation point to lower the price.

I thought the CM was pretty quiet but my current Subaru Forester has lots and lots of road noise - mostly wind from poor loose seals. It's almost deafening on the interstate.

 

i got a lot of addons in my negotiations. driving lights, striping, roof rack, all weather floor mats, boot liner, mud flaps, center arm rest ... stuff that adds the cost up pretty good after the fact. keep this in mind too when you think you've got him as low.

my "this is the car i want" was the black housed xeon headlights. i also didn't find the hk audio to be worth it over some other visual options i wanted.

 

It worked out and I'm going to get the car tomorrow! I got him down where I felt good about then asked for rubber floor mats and the boot rubber mat. They are adding those too. There wasn't anything else I really wanted. I'll post a pic tomorrow once I get it in hand. It's white with black top, piano black trim, fancier wheels,sun/moon roof, and xeon lights.

Thanks for the advice!

 

awesome and congrats, glad it worked out for you.
gotta love the light whites

 

My countryman!

 

love it !

 

Congrats , great combo with the light white on black.

 

Congrats, same color combo as my wife's Countryman. You will love the 2015 with the LED fog lights.