I'm want to buy my first Mini and I have been looking at used ones. I want to spend 21,000 to 25,000 and I don't know if I should get a new or used Mini. Does anyone have any feed back? I live in San Francisco and I have fould any helpful dealers.

HELP!

 

Well, there are some considerations:

1. The market in the S.F. bay area is pretty tight; finding a slightly used MINI is not that easy.

2. The R52/53 (current generation MINIs) production run is just about filled. The chances of getting a production slot for your exact requirements are slim and getting slimmer.

3. Used 2002, 2003 and 2004 models are starting to come onto the market as owners of these cars trade/sell them to move into a new MINI.

In other words, depending on what you are looking for in the way of equipment, you might be able to find a 2002, 2003 or 2004 that might fit your requirements at the price point you have listed. Emphasis on depending on your requirements, however.

What are you looking for?

 

Welcome to NAM! With $21-$25K to spend, you may as well order a new one. You could get online and see what inventory is available at a number of dealerships, like Murray in Salt Lake City, or some of the dealerships in SoCal. Do a little research and consider possibly flying to pick one up and motor it home. Many have done that and enjoyed it.

 

I didn't know how smart mini coopers could be! I had trouble with a sensor and took my mini back to the dealership. They had to reset the computer. My cust. service rep. informed me that this would change how my car drives since my mini had learned my driving style! I thought I got used to my mini, turns out my mini got used to me!! It's like new again. Moral: If it's been loved and looked after (and is still under warranty) a used with the works is better than a new one with less. Good luck.
FYI: Crevier Mini in Santa Ana is AWESOME!! Call Christian, he's fabulous!!

 

Do you have to go to each dealers website or is there one large one? Just curious

 

To me, there is no decision to make!

TRAVEL!

Go to a different state, to a MINI dealership that doesn't have the "Cali Mark-up", and one that has some actual inventory. Buy a brand-new MINI and drive it home in sheer bliss.

Out on the west coast, I don't have any suggestions to you about dealers that don't have the Cali Mark-up going. But out here on the east coast, and in the midwest, there are many, many dealerships that have inventory and great reputations for fair prices. I'm sure you could get some help on west coast dealerships, once this thread progresses a bit further...

Good luck, and remember, GET A NEW ONE! You'll spend virtually the same price on a good used one, since these cars depreciate very slowly, compared to most other cars out there!

 

Unfortunately, each dealer maintains their own website. Some dealers (not many, but some) do not post their inventory on the site, which forces you to call them....

 

Is the loss of California's Lemon Law coverage. If you buy a car out of state and problems develop with the car, your Lemon Law rights are based on the Lemon Law in the state where you took delivery of the car. In extreme cases, you may be required to make the repair attempts with dealers located in the state. Your factory new car warranty (48 months/50,000 miles) is good throughout the U.S.; just the Lemon Law coverage is tied to the state where you first took delivery of the car.

I am not trying to throw cold water on the concept of getting a car from out-of-state (I did it); just go into the transaction with your eyes wide open. My biggest concern was getting the car registered, which ultimately turned out to be a non-issue. When I purchased my MINI, I wanted to get it built to my exact specifications, I didn't want to pay dealer mark-ups (~$2,500 to $3,500 at the time) and I didn't want to wait from 6 to 12 months for a slot to place my order. Buying outside of California solved all of my concerns. And my car has been a model of reliability.

 

I would recommend going to the MiniUSA website, and building your Mini. Then take a look at Niello Mini in Sacramento. After talking to them and all the Bay Area dealers, Niello impressed us the most. They sold at MSRP. I don't know what the so called "CA mark up is" but have never run into it. Many Mini dealers (so I've read in here) will mark up their Mini's, because for that car, it is a sellers market. Seems to happen all over, not just CA.

 

Living in Reno...we have no mini Dealer. Niello has been wonderful but has been getting over MSRP of late!

I found my 1st regular MC at a Rum Dum Lot (2003 with 24,000mi) and in really good shape. Also got it for a good price since he had no idea what is was.

Well, got bitten and soon afterwards wanted an S!

Found a 2004 at another rum dum lot, this time in even better shape, really loaded, and with 18,400 mi! Niello has apparently seen it (they replaced the Battery just before I got it) and all seems well! In fact, it runs great! Had a few minor issues like a driver's side broken kick panel (luckily I had a spare) and the HK radio has an LED burned out...but other than that..

It was missing a key and the manual pack, but the dealer had to foot the bill on that one since I told him it was a deal killer! (I know how much they cost!!!) I have to drive over to Niello when the key comes in for programming (seller's expense too!) SMALL PRICE TO PAY!

REMEMBER, IF YOU BUY USED AND IT IS NOT TOO MODDED, DEPENDING ON VINTAGE AND MILAGE, THE WARRANTEE IS EXCELLENT!

Just my 2cents

jeff