I made a few changes you may want to consider.


Options Installed

• CD Player
• Cruise Control
• Power Mirrors
• Rear Window Defroster
• Side Airbags
• Panoramic Sunroof
• Tilt/Telescope Steering Wheel

Seller's Description and CommentsThis MINI Cooper features a 6 spd Automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters! It is a ton of fun to drive and it gets AWESOME gas mileage too!! Comes loaded with lots of options and is in Excellent condition! Automatic A/C, Auxillary port, All scheduled maintenance performed, garage kept, Custom 17" wheels and tires, Fog lights, Keyless Entry, Keyless Start (Push Button), MP3 Player, 1 Owner & Non-Smoker, Panoramic Sunroof, power locks & windows, tinted windows, Tire Pressure Monitor, unique attention getting color - Oxygen Blue, factory installed Harmon and Kardon Premium Sound System, very clean inside and out, and well maintained. This MINI is a must for anyone looking for a fantastic little car that will provide pure driving enjoyment.

Also, the idea of pricing it at $15,900 is an excellent idea.

 

I made a few changes you may want to consider.




Options Installed

• CD Player
• Cruise Control
• Power Mirrors
• Rear Window Defroster
• Side Airbags
• Panoramic Sunroof
• Tilt/Telescope Steering Wheel

Seller's Description and Comments: This MINI Cooper features a 6 spd Automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters! It is a ton of fun to drive and it gets AWESOME gas mileage too!! Comes loaded with lots of options and is in Excellent condition! Automatic A/C, Auxillary port, All scheduled maintenance performed, garage kept, Custom 17" wheels and tires, Fog lights, Keyless Entry, Keyless Start (Push Button), MP3 Player, 1 Owner & Non-Smoker, Panoramic Sunroof, power locks & windows, tinted windows, Tire Pressure Monitor, unique attention getting color - Oxygen Blue, factory installed Harmon and Kardon Premium Sound System, very clean inside and out, and well maintained. This MINI is a must for anyone looking for a fantastic little car that will provide pure driving enjoyment.


Also, the idea of pricing it at $15,900 is an excellent idea.

 

NovaScocean, thank you so very much for taking the time to write out all your suggestions. I really appreciate it! And thanks for finding that other ad for me to review for example and ideas.

I ordered my Mini and there weren't any in Oxygen Blue for me to see in person. The color was totally different from the way it looked online in the "Build Your Own". I like it though!

 

Thanks, that was a quick and easy change - so I just did it.

 

Wow, thank you MinMin2010! Very nice of you!

 

Thanks, I didn't know anything about eBay classifieds. I was going by private sale on NADA and KBB...but that was also in March. I haven't looked since then and the figures definitely could have changed by now.

Had to look up FWIW.

 

Guys, don't make the ad look "slick" so everyone will think it's being sold by a dealer! Oh, and don't have the owner ask the absolute lowest price so when a potential buyer wants to bargain (they always do) there won't be any room.

I'd say keep the ad the same, maybe add some more information about what the mini has but don't try and be "slick"!

One point to remember ... Mini's sell themselves!

 

Edit: Whoops, didn't read page 2 of the thread before replying. Some of this may be redundant.

I listed my 2003 R53 back in October 2011 when I got my R60, and it didn't sell until Feb 2012. I got a few bites on Craigslist and a few on Autotrader, but I got a lot more bites when I upgraded to whatever the top Autotrader service is called and got the Carfax. Top tier at Autotrader lists it across 8 different websites (no clue which 8), and the Carfax confirmed it hadn't been in any accidents. It costs a little more, but I thought it was worth it.

I also wouldn't recommend lowering the price unless you really need it gone soon. I could have sold mine sooner, but I got $1500 more for waiting a few months. It didn't really cost me anything other than a few bucks for insurance and a couple car washes. If you can afford to wait, you'll eventually get what you're asking.

Ad critiques:
- You say awesome gas mileage, but don't post a number. People like numbers!

- You have auxiliary port in there as well as MP3 player. I'd combine those for clarity and mention it has a USB port for music access as well (not totally sure on the 2008s).

- If you can take it somewhere a little more exciting for pictures, that might help. Beach, mountains, or just somewhere with better lighting. It's kind of shady, which makes your pictures a little weird.

- If you still have the window sticker, type word for word off the options list. If not, look up the names of the actual options and packages.

- Someone mentioned this above and they recommend this on Autotrader as well--mention why you're selling it. Saying that you're staying with the MINI brand will comfort buyers. Maybe say you're sad to see it go, like in your original post up top.

- Estimate how many miles are left on the tires.

That's what I saw off the top of my head. Good luck and stay positive!

 

A small point, but I would change "Harmon and Kardon Premium Sound System," to "Harman Kardon premium sound system." Good luck with your sale!

 

One last thought--if you've kept maintenance records for the car (oil changes, tire rotations, brake pads, etc), type it up in Excel and state that maintenance records are available. I don't know if you're as meticulous as me, but I write down the date and odometer reading anytime I check fluids or take anything apart.

 

Great advice/suggestions, Chrunck! I really appreciate your time! The people on here are so helpful!

 

Ok, thanks, Lostronin!

 

MBU, any way Mulrey can have the MINI shipped to your state for under $50? If those MINIs are in lousy condition and selling like hotcakes, maybe a trip abroad is worth it?

Also, as a car nut, I would say the name Harmon & Kardon speaks for itself. If you're trying to get the message across quickly. there's no need to mention it being "premium." For example, if someone told me about two very similar used cars selling for the SAME price in the same condition and said one had Recaro seats, guess which one I'd jump for...

 

HK was not offered in 2008, you have the Hi-Fi Sound System. I would list that "and" all other MINI Options, do you have the Sticker? A pic. of that would help too I think. Also, I'd be listing it for $16,500 max. be prepared to take less, but then that is a given knowing that you've already had it on the market for 3mo. You also did not state where it was serviced...things most people are concerned about when it's a MINI even though the 2008s are by far the most reliable MINI that I know of currently...I should know...I own an O2 Blue too!!

Good luck!!

 

You said the tires on the factory wheels are worn--do you still have them? Are you selling them with the car? That could be something to consider. 2nd set of wheels is a nice extra.

 

I think depersonalizing is a good direction to take, by removing the decals and the opinion-based wording in the description. It's counter-intuitive but I'd make the ad more boring and let the car speak for itself. Try to appeal to as many types of buyers as possible. One way to do it is to list all the reasons you can think of that people might be looking for a car like yours. For instance: small, safe, good mileage, quick, good price, low miles, etc. Then be sure the ad presents specifics that reflect each of these qualities (X airbags, X MPG, engine specs, under KBB).

And personally I wouldn't call the wheels "custom." "Custom" sounds like $$$. They have value to the person doing the customizing, but to a potential buyer it can say that they're paying extra for something that they might not want in the first place.

 

Thanks, RJKimbell! I didn't think I had the HK, which is why I just put upgraded sound system. I'll change it to Hi-Fi Sound System. I had mine built, so I didn't have a window sticker, if I recall accurately. I thought if I listed it for $16K, people would offer $15,500, which I would have accepted...but so far it's been a bust. Never occurred to me that someone may be interested in where it was serviced...makes sense, though. It's only been Mini serviced, so I'll definitely add that info.

 

Good advice, Kirby11 ~ thank you!

 

Beasleyboy, you took the words right out of my mouth! MBU...I'm bringing my car to wherever you are!

 

Yeah, I still have the factory wheels and tires. The wheels are pristine, and the tires are fine for summer driving, but I wouldn't do it in the winter. I was probably going to sell them separately, but if they're a possible selling pro for the car, I'd definitely throw them in. Guess I'll add them to my ad...

 

Yes, numbers for the MPG would be a definite plus for a shopper to see. Also you can make note as to the reliability of the Cooper vs. it's sibling the CooperS.

 

Thank you so much to all of you. I know I'm bordering on sounding like a broken record, but I REALLY do appreciate you all taking the time to give me pointers, advice, suggestions, ideas, etc. I didn't know what to expect as a response. It's been more than I could have asked for.

I'm feeling encouraged now! I will be heeding a lot of what you all have provided.

Thanks!!

 

The manufacture listed MPG? Or mine? I don't know my exact numbers, but since it largely depends on how and where (city vs hwy) you drive, I wouldn't think my numbers would be pertinent??

 

MPG-wise I think saying EPA rated XX YY would be fine. Everyone's experience will vary. If you're getting better than the EPA rating, by all means throw that in too.

 

Wait - if you don't want to buy a CM All4, then why not buy a car seat that fits?

The Chicco Keyfit 30 fits in the back of the R56 with the front seat all the way forward. We made sure to find a seat (and stroller) that worked in the MINI.