Now let me begin by sharing that even though I have been a member for some time I rarely post and in sharing this I do not wish to create a stir but rather share a few thougts.

I have a GP that was purchased with 9 miles on her and since that time was driven once to the dealer and then tucked back in my facility with her now having approximately 70 miles on her.

When she came to me immediately her entire nose, complete bonnet, and other high risk areas were wrapped in plastic, the rear OEM foglight and center console switch panel were integrated, the optional gauges located within the lower portion of the center console were integrated, the JCW steering wheel was integrated, an iPod interface was integrated, a new set of OEM rotors were installed after being cross drilled and black coated to keep them from rusting, the JCW strut bar was installed after the center section was powder coated a matt black, and then likely the most significant thing is I imported a pair of OEM Panther black JCW Sparco seats and integrated them.

At this time I am looking to integrate red seat belts and maybe even find the time to exercise her a bit regardless, I never grow tired of looking at her.

Now what do I think that these gals are worth; considering that they are the last of an era and IMO extremely cool car with a solid story around them; a lot.

In the case of my gal is she for sale; "no" however if I were to consider such as I have from time to time the figure that comes to mind is $50K.

My reason for sharing these thoughts is because from time to time folks will consider whether their gal is old and maybe something fresh should be considered and IMO when those thoughts crop up I encourage you to reflect back upon why you were drawn to her in the first place, read the story of how they came to be again, and then smile because she was, is, and always will be a very unique piece and a reflection of days gone past.

Takes care

Shadowman

 

For a GP, WOW!

Glad it's not for sale in this case.

 

If I had a GP. I would drive that thing all the time. Its a sweet car and a real head turner.

I really enjoyed reading your post. But why did you buy the car if not to drive it? Are you a collector of fine automobiles that just lets them sit around?

I recently purchased a loaded up factory JCW. I did MINI Select financing and when the 4 years are up, I think that the car will be worth more than the residual/balloon payment. So then I will have to think about what I want to do, keep it or sell it. Time will tell.

 

I am glad; I too had a 2006 Factory JCW S at the time I purchased this gal; both truly very cool. The Factory JCW S has since been sold to another NAM member and I undertand that she has treated him very well.

As for myself; yes I have a few vehicles however she has not been sitting because I do not enjoy driving them but rather because I enjoy them as much whether driving or looking at them. Then add to this there were several things that "out of the box" I wanted to tend to which included those items as mention with a significant one being the seats; I was not impressed with the OEM seats as presented in the USA gals' so much so that I sold them to a NAM member when she had 9 miles on her.

The JCW Sparco seats not only feel better but IMO are consistant with the basis design theme of the gal. I wanted everything to be OEM as such have been willing to create her over time as I also spend time with my other gals.

She will be exercised and even thouugh when compared to some of my other gals is low on raw power I expect that this will be made up for by her go-cart/slot car feel as she is pushed through the twisties.

Takes care

Shadowman

 

...Except YOUR GP doesn't have a story, since it only has 70 miles; can't have many stories with that. I think GP's were made to uh.. drive around?
So to me, it seems like you ripped someone off who really wanted a GP and drive it to it's potential and give it proper usage

 

Thank you for your opinion as shared

As for "story"; every GP out there has a story, the story of how they were created and what the goal was.

Then add to this mine has a the personal story of what she has been through to date; what she is lacking are miles exercised and this too as shared will come.

All the best

Shadowman

 

I know of a few people who bought two...one to store, one to drive. Nothing wrong with storing the one you own if there are reasons for doing so.

As comfy as the stock seats are, nothing makes a MINI more fun than proper seats from Recaro or Sparco or similar. You get to finally focus on the limits vs. holding yourself in place.

 

in my opinion, if you want a GP to hold value you should keep all original equipment. If you dont plan on selling it then it worth to you is the only thing that matters. I recently went to a car show where an old man was showing his GP. The first thing I thought when I saw it was it needs a stubby antenna. You better believe that old man was having no part of modding his limited ed. GP in any way.

P.S. Those seats you removed....are they for sale?

 

Wow, for 50K you can almost buy two GP's.

 

oops didnt read the whole that part

 

Sweet GP Shawdow, I kinda wish I had 2 GPs. My GP is approaching 30k, but miles were put durring several cross country trips ie: MTTS, AMVIV 08 and Dragon trip. I would love to have a set of JCW Sparcos, Euro GP Recaros or JCM Recaros.

 

I have 23k on my GP and drive it EVERYDAY....rain, shine or even snow!! I think the GP is the BEST investment option of any MINI. I; like any other GP owner would hope we see a value of 50k!! But in the meantime my real value is when I drive it everyday. It does not depreciate as much as my real-estate! Oh...and the occasional WRX, Porsche and Viper who likes to tease me....and eat my dust!!!

 

Do you drive on a go-kart track?

 

When it comes down to it, a car (or anything else) is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. You are placing a significant value on the fact that your car has only 70 miles on it, which is only of value to the next owner if they intend on continuing this type of ownership, which at this point in time are going to be few and far between. Someday, the car may be rare enough and desirable enough to have made that investment worthwhile. That status is reserved for a few cars. The difference between what that car will most likely bring in 10-20 years with 70 miles on it and with many more miles on it but in cherry condition, are probably not worth the effort, but it's your car, and if keeping it tucked away is more valuable to you than driving it, cool.

I would liken the GP to a BMW E30 M3. One with very low miles on it will be worth a lot more than one in primo shape with miles on it, but who is going to find it worth the many extra $$ to pay for it? Not many (which affects sale price), but there are a lot of people that will pay something beyond top market value for a cherry E30 M3, regardless of miles, and they won't be afraid to drive it for fear of diminishing a component of value. Of course, if you were talking about a COPO ZL-1, Shelby Mustang, or some other museum caliber car, we'd be talking a different animal.

...but that's just my opinion, and I could be wrong........

 

What a shame that a wonderful thoroughbread race horse is put in a tiny stall......not allowed to run......and is "looked at" like it's a painting........


Sell it to a REAL car lover.......

 

I agree with tpetro - having a car sit unused is not only a waste but also not the best for the car. I wouldn't be surprised if a three year old car with only 70 miles on the odometer has many small mechanical issues from not being driven regularly and not even being broken in.

But hey, it's your car and your money.

 

Um, this guy MUST love this car. Sell it to a real car lover? Lol. Whatever guy.

 

cars are no different to some people than watches are to others. Some like to own many nice watches, yet, not wear them every day (or ever). Trust me...if I had an IWC, I'd leave it in the safe at home and take it out only for special occasions.

 

One of my friends has a '03 MCS with the JCW package. It's his baby and he doesn't drive it much. It barely has over 10K miles at this point. Never sees rain (wipers have even been removed) and he constantly fiddles and changes things on the car. Every visible panel above and below is cleaner than when it left the factory. He's currently awaiting its return from a custom shop after getting interior and ICE modifications. I've done much of mechanical upgrades and he has more planned.

The point is this is what he likes to do. He does drive the car to local shows and it fits his personality to a tee. But the car is never driven hard. He recently bought another MINI ('08 Cooper auto) to be his daily driver.

So while we can lambast Shadowman for never driving the car and tell him how poor of an investment buying a car and squirreling it away is, the fact is it's his car and this is how he enjoys it. I have no problem with that.

 

I agree, having a car sit unused is not only a waste but also not the best for the car. I remember helping my neighbor rebuild his '71 Jaguar XKE Series 3 V-12 three times because it sat unused for a year or so before he would take it out to "enjoy it".

 

Great comments from all; thank you

Now to clarify a few things;

1. She is not for sale and yet I was sharing that I feel that these gals are worth far more than the sum total of the parts to create them however over time many folks forget this as such they fade to black.

2. She will be exercised and this process as when looking at and tinkering with her will also be enjoyed.

For some folks they have one gal and she is active daily and then add to this many of them collect other widgets which to others may seem silly/crazy and then there are those folks that collect cars with each having her own character and purpose in one's life. I not only respect but even more so apprecaite the differences between folks.

My purpose for this thread was not so much to share what I do or do not do with my gal but rather to share that the GP is a special car no matter how it is enjoyed.

Takes care

Shadowman

BTW her original seats were as shared; sold immediately to another NAM member.

 

Hey Shadowman,
Ultimately she is yours to enjoy as YOU see fit.......have a blast and a Happy New Year.



ps..... when you do exercise her.....let 'er rip!!!!!!!!!

 

Well, in this case probably didn't matter whether it was unused or not...

 

Ditto

 

My GP is also not a daily driver, but I also agree that it should be driven to be enjoyed properly. Personally, I'm aiming for about 4-5K per year.

However, I wonder why you even bothered to start this thread. In 30 years, maybe the GP will have the value of a '70 hemi 'Cuda or whatever and you can laugh all the way to the bank, but maybe it won't be worth what you paid for it. Then hopefully you can still start the thing and you will drive it finally. The car is only 2.5 years old, so I think it's a bit early to call it a collector car.

Just my $0.02, and BTW the Sparcos must be awesome! I want a set...