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Year: 2006 Make: MINI Model: Hardtop Price: $1 Mileage: 100 Color: red Private or Dealer Listing: Private Listing Location (Region): Midwestern
Originally Posted by krawzdogg
What if the boat was already sunk? Then the tide wouldn’t make a difference. And if a boat is sunk, is it still a boat since it can’t float? Lol (I know that quote has nothing to do with boats)
I’m amazed at what people pay for these cars on BaT. I could find a nicer car than that with the same miles for $5-6k.
Ah come on now, a 28k mile 2005, in good condition, for $5k?
Curious -- has anyone ever found a nice quality deal at a buy-here pay-here used car lot?
I would typically dismiss those right away. I might miss out on something, but not worth the experience to me.
Are you talking about something like CarMax?
I've seen a few GP's, both 2006 and 2013, there and at other car dealers that didn't know what they had. The last was a clean GP2 for $16K at a Ford dealer. Also happens with JCW's as they aren't usually familiar with that option.
This might be one of those worth looking more into despite an ad without good pics or info in the description. From the VIN, it appears to be this highly modified car and might have a lot of goodies still left on it. Looks like it had a GP wing and Rota RB(?) wheels added after the ad below.
I've seen a few GP's, both 2006 and 2013, there and at other car dealers that didn't know what they had. The last was a clean GP2 for $16K at a Ford dealer. Also happens with JCW's as they aren't usually familiar with that option.
No - CarMax gets some decent stuff.
"Buy-here Pay-here" refers to the small dealers that prey on people with horrible or no credit. You've seen the signs, "Bad Credit or No credit - OK!" They finance the car for you at 20%+ interest rate, and as soon as you miss a payment, they'll be looking to repossess your car. Similarly, I wouldn't trust their inventory...
Curious -- has anyone ever found a nice quality deal at a buy-here pay-here used car lot?
I would typically dismiss those right away. I might miss out on something, but not worth the experience to me.
I was lucky enough! Or I think is was. Bought an 05 with 67k on it in 09/18. Fellow wanted $6900 for it but did not know anything about the car other than it might be cool for his daughter. However she did not want the stick, so he parked it on the lot. OTD I paid $4,5k. I obviously did not finance it, so don't know much about the buy here, pay here part.
For those of us without a CF subscription... what does it say??
Originally Posted by krawzdogg
Just look at the carfax 😉.
Originally Posted by Jonny
That’s a nice find, I guess because it’s “the same model mark wahlberg drove in the Italian Job, they don’t need to list the mileage lol. At that price, probably 180k or more.
Low priced, higher mile cars are often a solid value to buy !!
Heres my thoughts for the evening.... FWIW... and with respect to all owners, collectors, thrashers, drivers, wrenchers and fans that make this whole hobby go round!
Profound gratitude for all on this thread...Sincerely !
For these cars in the $3500 - $6500 range... for a used car.... unless it is falling apart.... It's a decent value.
If it needs a clutch... which most do... thats an expense... but after it is done... you KNOW it's done and not going to cause you issues with that major component...Even some of the "lower mileage" cars that were used in hilly cities/towns or by a non clutch-friendly driver, often need clutches
I'd expect to have to do mechanical and cosmetic work on any sub $10,000 Mini.
At $6000 for an R53 JCW... you're getting a fun ride for sure... expect it to have blemishes.. I get a kick out of someone looking at a car for $3500 and saying "It has an accident in its history... I'm out !! " or "Too many rock chips in the hood/windshield... I'm out !! " or "Paint meter came up with the wrong numbers." .... "Has an oil leak"... "AC doesn't work"..... Seats are cracked.... tires are too old... has more than 100K miles.
Not much, IMO, to really 'pick apart' on that eBay car above... buy it or don't... but know that it is not a new car, nor does it have an asking price of $12000 +
On a $3500 car....not so much to ask about to queer the deal... just make sure its not a "junker"
Maybe ask that about a $8000 car... For sure on one for $12000 or $20000 car.
Have it inspected... always a good idea.... Keeps you from buying a lemon that can cost you a fortune.
A "great deal" MINI can still have an accident in it's history, or some mechanical/cosmetic issues.
If you are expecting to find the unblemished cars we saw a few years back at 'steals' of $5000 when they were 5 years newer ... there are just too many people out there looking for those. A search on the web can give many sellers fantasies of high prices.....AND... what really is fun to read from a seller. ... "Similar car just sold on BAT for $XXXXXX.... mine has more miles so its still a 'rare find' so mine is a super bargain at 2/3'rds that . "....
But again...IMO... a $3500-$5500 MINI that Is not the 'Barn find of the month' from a rich guy that 'just wants it out the driveway'.... STILL solid DRIVER DEALS that really won't need much if anything to give a LOT of smiles/miles. like this on one bay from the posts above.
BTW... I like that placement too !
If you need a collector grade car... more power to you !.. but it doesn't diminish the hundreds of 'blemished' cars above in this thread that are certainly "GOOD DEALS".... defects and all.
Treasure hunting is great.. if that's what your all about... but in the end... we either drive em, have fun with em... bruise them occasionally (mechanically/cosmetically) or shine em up, and look at them in the garage or to the coffee house on a sunny saturday a few times a year. Some people still have their GI-Joes in a box from when they were kids !!
At the $45,000 or more Bux it will take to get that Current 302-mile GP1 on BAT.... Plus premiums/delivery/taxes... plus all the work it will take to keep it from having issues related to sheer age at the ripe age of 15.... It is still a great piece of "eye candy" for the "Garage Queen debutants" or a 'neat bit of kit' for someone looking for a great nostalgic ride for around the price of a more 'civilized' GP3 offering.... Worth it IMO if you have that's what you want to spend on a car.
Heck.. new cars... a loaded Chrysler mini-van or a mid-equipped Kia Stinger will set you back $45k these days... and not get you into a loaded F150.
I think the Minis are unique experience... with plenty of fun things and many quirks to live with... Theres a reason Mini's have such a cult following.
Some say..."What a shame to drive it.... it only has 302 miles on it" ..
Would you say the same thing to someone that just bought a limited-production GP3 for the same one with ZERO miles on it at the same money ?
Investment tho... still a big 'nope' from me... compared to what a return on the same money wisely Invested would be... maybe that same $35k spent back in 2006 might have bagged you Dino... and we know what thats worth now !
My clients often have purchased cars on BAT.... much of it is the convenience-factor as their time is worth more than the money it costs them to buy it.... and they didn't mind a bit that the 'peanut gallery' vetted the car in the comments... Now, BAT even has 'one click' shipping at a 'fair' price... Brilliant!
To each their own... there's a car for everyone !!!
Speaking of 248 Dino's.... I love this story... the guy did what HE wanted with the car, no apologies and it is a stunning result IMO... with no damage to history overall in the hobby of collecting with as many as were made..... but again... to each their own https://driving.ca/ferrari/auto-news...s-ferrari-dino
Anyone on here follow up either of these two very possible 'screaming deals" ?? They both are gone
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Last edited by mountainhorse; 03-02-2021 at 09:55 AM.
Reason: spelling
That’s kind of the bummer about this thread currently, we’ve all been posting everything from the $4000 clean but driven MCS or high mile JCW for peanuts. All the way to the 20k mile JCW for $15k
If all the soon to be R53 owners were jumping on this forum, and this thread in particular, they’d end up with some potential bargains.
For a $5000 on an 2006 JCW I don't see anything that is alarming.
Repaired damage, multiple owners. Not really a "deal breaker" ... Structural alteration often means the car was lowered.... this one was. Certainly things to check out carefully, but not knock the car from consideration IMO.
If it were a 'collector car' or someone is looking for an 'investment' with zero blemishes with >50k-miles. you'll need to spend the $10k-$20 to play ball in that park. For the most part, examples of these ARE out there and pop up from time to time at these prices. An extended treasure-hunt or luck might yield the rare combo of "small-money/optimal-condition"... but that does not mean that these lower priced examples are any less of a great deal
This one looks like a potential solid, decent looking, "driver" to me.
Heck, most of the Minis on the road don't even get washed.. and the drivers love em !!
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Last edited by mountainhorse; 03-02-2021 at 01:42 PM.
Reason: spelling
Could be a bargain:
2005 Mini Cooper S, red slicktop, 155K miles, manual trans. "passed smog in January but now is running a little rough and check engine light is on no time to deal with it" $2,100.
03-01-2021, 01:21 PM
Low priced, higher mile cars are often a solid value to buy !!
