Hi Folks,
This is my first post to the forum. I'm in the market right now for my first Mini. I want to get an '05 - '06 S Hardtop, manual transmission of course. I live in Brooklyn, and today I saw 3 cars in the NYC area, and drove one.

First, any advice about buying a used Mini in general would be greatly appreciated. If there is a thread already about this, I apologize. Would love to read it if it already exists.

Second, what is considered a good deal right now? I see a lot of '05/'06 Cooper S Hardtops with relatively low miles retailing at dealers for 17K and up. I would like to get the price closer to 15K while having as low miles as possible.

The car I drove today is an '05, Black on Black leather Cooper S, 6 Speed Stick, only 21,000 miles. The guy who showed it to me claims to be a dealer, who buys and sells between dealers and auctions. He had the car near where he lived in a garage and had magnetic dealer plates to take it out on the street. The car looked fantastic and drove great. I saw no problems at all, and would of course have it completely checked at a garage before I bought it. It Carfaxed clean and backed up what he told me about the car. One owner, from upstate New York. No accidents reported.

His asking price on the car is $15,500.00. I haven't tried to get down to brass tacks on the price. Also he said he could take my '99 Camry in trade but we haven't talked any numbers. This seems like a really good starting point for a deal to me - what do you think?

 

Hi Poppyknuckles,

I had similar situation a while ago and decided against buying used MINI. Price was about the same. Too many unknowns and the dealer looks a bit unusual. Also remember that Carfax is not a perfect indicator that car was not involved in any accident. Do not ask me how I know...

I would not risk. I decided to wait couple months get more cash and order new beauty. Just personal opinion.

 

That's a really good deal. I'm trying to buy an 05 non S and with around 50k they seem to value around 11-12. Buying used is always a wise financial decision. Don't know if I could ever make myself buy new when I grow up. Edmunds.com is great for car values, my local bmw dealer told me they have the most accrate prices and they are lower than kbb. If a shop gives you the thumbs up and you research pricing then you are good to go. With low mileage you will have the warranty still anyways, big plus. (50k)

 

Thanks, ThomasW. According to the CARFAX the car should have only a couple months of the factory warranty left, despite the low miles, which is better than nothing I suppose. I guess what I'm trying to figure is what price is "too good to be true". This seller was quite straightforward about the fact that he knows retail is at least 17K, but he doesn't operate a used car lot and seems to be a wholesaler who buys and sells cars at auction in NY, NJ, and PA. At first I was really wary of that situation but after meeting him and seeing the car I was more at ease. He also pointed me towards his company's eBay account that has clearly sold a ton of cars, with very positive feedback.

Perhaps this car is also not as highly optioned as some others on the market? I assume that black is not an upcharge color, and aside from the leather interior, it doesn't have a sunroof, although I'm not sure about any additional packages it might have.

I will admit I am being cautious and I am a damn skeptical New Yorker, but I would love to buy this car. It looked brand-new and was a blast to drive.

Anyone have an opinion on whether it is better to get the Mini checked out at a reputable garage versus a Mini/BMW dealer? One better than the other? My next step would be to have it inspected.

 

The panoramic roof was the big selling point for me, but the price he is giving you sounds more than fair for the mileage.

 

Puppyknuckles,
I bought a used '03 with high miles for a low price plus a decent trade-in. I would have got a lower mileage car but this was all I could afford and pay it all off at once. I did not have an inspection done first, but I lucked out with a car that appears to be in good shape after I finally got it inspected. I wouldn't do that again, though.
I think Mom-and-Pop operations like your dealer sometimes get ahold of nice cars that they can sell for a lower price because they are interested in selling a lot of cars without the dealership pressure to meet certain prices. The guy I bought mine from looked like a stereotypical used car salesman-spray-on tan, mustache, sunglasses-but I think I got a good deal. Get the car inspected and use the info to leverage the price. My worry when buying a used S would be that the PO drove it like a maniac.

 

The price seems reasonable and the low miles are great.
Go on e-Bay and see what similar cars are selling for around the country...
that might help you decide.
Plus make sure the title is clear.

 

I think it is a very good deal if all is legit. I sold my '05 MCS with 61k miles to a dealer on trade-in for $14.8k ($15.2k with my aftermarket wheels, which I probably would have kept if I'd known I was going to get another MINI). I hadn't expected to get more than $15.5k private party for my S, so $15.5k for one with such low miles is a good deal, IMO.

The dealer has my old car on their site for $17.8, which I think is way too much for such a high mileage car. But it leaves them negotiation room, I guess.

But, it would make me a little suspicious to meet a dealer somewhere to test drive - does he have a storefront? I dunno; maybe that is the way it is done in NY?

If you do check eBay, be sure to check the completed auctions. I was amazed to see how few cars on eBay actually have met reserve lately and sold. People seem to be asking a lot for them, but I don't know if they are actually selling them at those prices.

 

I bought new a few years ago when used MINIs were selling for nearly as much as new ones. These days things are different.

The MINI dealer wasn't willing to deal on price very much (although we did get an offer of $1400 off a new MINI on their lot, or $500 off on an ordered MINI) and wouldn't budge on the $13k they offered for my 05 MCS. Otherwise I'd be driving (or waiting for) a new '09 MINI.

 

Thanks for your replies everyone... I am in the process of buying it now. $15,400 minus $2500 for my beater Camry. I got the car inspected at a BMW repair center today and it checked out. I got to drive it some more, this time on the freeway, and it was super tight and fast. Not gonna sleep much tonight - hopefully can pick it up tomorrow. So excited!!

 

Congrats... what packages / options came with the car.

 

Very nice! To me the first generation MINIs are more fun to drive than the "softer" and more "refined" new ones. A MINI is a MINI for sure, but the supercharged fun machine is where my money is at.

Make sure to post pics and a brief review when you get it tomorrow!

 

61k is a high mileage car??

 

I've been looking at a couple 03 and 04's with around 60k and the asking price is around $13,000. I dont think 60k is a lot of miles

 

I bought mine @95k.

 

I thought 61k miles on an '05 was a little high.

puppyknuckles - congrats on your new car! Post pictures!

 

A well maintained car at 60K is still practically new. Consider that a modern vehicle is built to last at least 250K miles...

 

I run a small dealership and what stanislaus says is absolutely true. I just sold an 05 MINI S with just over 100K for $11K. BTW, this car was checked out by MINI and looked / ran like a new car. Heck, I'm selling an '05 S convertible with 75K miles for $17K, retail is over $22K.

My point is that not all deals that seem "too good to be true" neccessarily are. I frequently sell higher end cars like M3s or M5 BMWs for around 60% of retail due to having much lower overhead than a typical BMW / MINI store. My customers invariably ask "what's wrong with it?" and are shocked when the cars are exactly as advertised.

Good luck with your new (to you) MINI. Having had access to some of the neatest cars around, my personal driver is the car in my sig.

 

How much is a 2005 MCS with 55K miles going for these days? Just curious, not in the market to sell (And won't be for years), but wondering about a ball park figure for my car. I have owned it since new and has:

Harmon Kardon
Auto headlights, wipers and rear view mirror
Homelink buttons
front/rear fogs
6-speed manual
1.6L Supercharged
16" S_Winders with Continental runflats
exterior chrome pack
Chili Red/white roof
Leatherette
Anthracite interior trim
tints
iPod Adaptor
clearbra
Cruise control
Trip computer

Thanks.

 

Hard to give fair valuation without seeing the car. I would estimate around $13.5 to $14.5 trade in and around $16.5-$17.5 sale price.

Kinda sad, but the market for MINI's around here has seriously diminished since gas prices dropped. Six months ago, you could have sold that car for $19K easy.

I sold a LOADED '05 with JCW upgrades (supercharger, injectors, exhaust, etc and brakes) for $23K last year. This year I'd probably get $20K for it.

 

As far as I can tell, the car has very few options. No packages. It's black with black roof, black interior (what I thought was leather is now most likely the "leatherette", anthracite (sp?) dash, fog lights, steering wheel radio controls, onboard computer, and that might be about it. It has a traction control switch, is that an option? It does not have the premium or cold weather packages, I'm quite sure. No sunroof. Pretty much a no-frills all black '05 S manual car that goes like hell. Which is all I want. God I am so pumped. Just waiting for my checks to arrive from the bank.....

 

You are gonna be up all night!!
Congrats on your purchase!!

 

excellent price!

 

All I can say is look up strut tower rupture on the boards and invest in a set of strut tower plates. The generation 1 cars are notorious for this issue, and living in Brooklyn I'm sure you'll need them.

 

Good, then my 2003 MCS with 22,000 miles on it will last forever.... I drive an average of 11,000 miles a year so the car should rust out from underneath me before it dies. However I am regretting the decision to drive it thru the winter, I should have bought a winter beater.