I currently own a 2008 Hardtop with a moonroof and have loved my car. However, I have a love/hate relationship with the moonroof. I love having it and use it frequently, but it sure gets hot (even with limo tinting) in the summer living in Houston. I have found two 2014 Cooper Hardtops that I really like at two different MINI dealers. They are both moonwalk grey with black bonnet stripes. One has the moonroof package and that's it as far as options go. The other doesn't have a moonroof, but it has the comfort access system, rear camera with rear park distance sensor, and the media package. After negotiating price and trade in, the second model with the media package is $2,167 more than the one with the moonroof. What I'm wondering is which car to go with. The display screen seems cool, but is it really worth it? Also, the feature I'm most interested in is being able to stream music via bluetooth but I'm wondering if there is an after market Bluetooth stereo I could get for less than $2k and just install it in the one with the moonroof? Also, does anyone know why the moonroof package is being discontinued? The MINI dealer didn't know. Thanks!

 

First, negotiate the cash price for whichever of the two cars you choose -- you need to make the call. Leave your car out of the deal. Then get the price they are giving you for your car. Either before or after this, go to CarMax and see what they will pay you. It's a cash offer good for seven days.

If CarMax offers you more, take that to the dealer and say match it if you want the car.

Compare the price from the dealer and Carmax to what you see on Craigslist. If really bad (i.e. low), consider selling it yourself.

I sold my 09 MCS in three days on Craigslist by not going crazy price wise. I asked 2K or maybe 3K less than the other CL prices, but those were dealers or cars that had been on there a while. I got my full asking price, and got 3K more than CarMax and 3.8K more than the dealer offered.

Just my two cents...

P.S. I think all cars will play music via USB, but you need to double check...

 

Thanks for your reply. My issue isn't so much with the trade in value. I went to Carmax prior to going to the dealer to get it appraised. One dealer offered $2k more than Carmax and the other offered $1k more. I'm planning to buy a car today so opinions/advice on which car has the better options would be great!

 

I personally wish that I had comfort access on my car. I am sure my husband is sick of me complaining about not having it by now. The moonroof is nice but I live in WI so we do not have extreme heat like houston. I would go with the one with the comfort access. my 2 cents

 

i realize some people are upset about the 2015s because of the price increase and how initially some options are tied together, but if you buy a 2014 it seems like you're going to see a lot more depreciation initially since the '15s will show up any day now.

 

Get the one with the sunroof. Because you will miss it. Rear park sensors on a Mini... really.

 

My 2007 had sunroof I didn't open it often but liked the amount of light it gave the interior. I live in AZ but not Phx, at mile high. Now I have a Coupe (can't get sunroof) with tinted windows and I like it MUCH better. Want some air: roll down the windows. The car is way cooler. I'd get the comfort access (don't have it, MISS IT) and the media package. PDC is fluff. Just my .02.