Hello NAM!

My name is Jason, 34 from Phoenix. I am in process of buying my first Mini, a 2005 S Cabrio with 85k miles. My first convertible ever, in fact. It's a beautiful 80 degrees here in Phoenix (in December) and the wait to get this puppy is killing me. I've attached a few of the sellers pictures as I'm well aware of the 'if there's no pics it didn't happen' mentality. I plan on a full by-hand detail as soon as I get it as well as some basic maintenance/check up items. I've been lingering for about a week now and this forum is great.

Mods are in my signature. The car appears to have been loved and well cared for. I needed a daily driver for to/from work but couldn't stand to get another soul-less econobox, I needed something fun again. It's been far too long since I had a manual and this thing is a BLAST to drive (as you know). My wife and I have a 2 yr. old son and I can't wait to take them both for their first topless motoring session. Well, you know what I mean.

Previous cars owned include Civic Si, Subaru WRX and Nissan 350Z..as well as a few motorcycles. So far based solely on my test drives, this is fighting for the top spot of 'Most Fun to Drive'. I'm hooked!

 

That is a beaut! Love the wheels!

 

Thanks! They've grown on me considerably. I think swapping the grill(s) for the black honeycomb style will really make it come together.

 

PP or dealer? Carfax/Autocheck OK? Service/Maintenance records available? Planning to have a PPI (PrePurchase Inspection) done?

Car is a looker indeed with lots of mods already done. Congrats!

 

Thanks! PP, some records available, clean CARFAX, Autocheck did show 'Auction announced as Unibody Damage' a while back under a previous owner. Had a Mini master tech inspect the frame for any damage, found a small dent where a jackstand had obviously been used..the ONLY damage he could find. I could live with that. All original body panels/paint etc.

Purchase price $11,800. Felt it was a fair deal given mods and items he recently replaced, your thoughts? Any red flags?

Here's the ad w/ details: http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/3407364661.html

 

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination. No red flags based solely on his ad, sounds like owner is an "enthusiast"

If I were buying this car, I would
* ask for receipts/records of work/upgrades he listed in the ad
* have a PPI done by a tech/shop who knows MINIs

I check Edmund's, NADA, completed listings on ebay and Autotrader to get a "baseline" for pricing. Seller has already adjusted his asking/selling price but still a tad "high" IMHO.
P.S. Have you already agreed upon a price?

 

Welcome to R52land!! Stay on top of regular inspection and maintenance and you've got yourself a joy to drive. That is a very good looking motor you've found.

 

The issue at hand is he's only owned since late 2010 and put about 10k miles on it. This is inherently the risk one takes when buying a multiple owner used car, you only know as much as the seller can tell you/prove. The seller has all records of what he has done to the car. So, for the majority of the car's history I have to rely on the inspection, Autocheck/Carfax and the condition of the car.

Additionally, the seller was asking $12,700. Way too high, I know. He's the type that put alot of love and $$ into it and wants most of it back. KBB excellent is $11,600. I wanted to pay 11,300 based on KBB and other similar cars. The problem are the mods and wheels, which he insisted made the $11,800 price more than fair...his bottom line. Not a terrible argument given the $$ invested. He did include a PPI in the cost of the purchase which I thought was fair and pretty much unheard of.

 

Is the background in his ad a "popular" setting in AZ? I ask because it is so familiar looking (surfed the net a lot when I was shopping in the past for a P-car and a Busa).

So he is set at $11,800 and your counter is $11,300. If PPI by a shop NOT OF HIS CHOOSING gives the car a clean bill of health and your test drive is OK, then I say GIT R DONE.

 

Not sure about the background, but scenes like that are common in housing communities here. Financing is already in motion at $11,800 so no looking back now! I know the owner of the shop he took it to so we're good there.

 

Gave her a good detail and snapped a few pics with my phone this weekend. December in Phoenix with a MCSC, can't beat it! Love this car.

 

Welcome, looks nice.