I'm just getting a feel for the market on these cars right now, but will start actively shopping for one after the holiday season. Figure I'll de-mod and trade the S in, by that time it'll have around 50K miles on it.

So, any market predictions? With the R56 S coming in, will the market soften to the point where I can deal under MSRP? I predict we'll see dealers trying to get the GP off the showroom floor and make room for the new arrivals, which should hopefully push prices down to around $30,000 even...

It's ironic, because when I bought my current car, the market was exactly the same for the Cooper S then as it is with the GP now...some dealers waiting on the impulse/uninformed/carefree buyer to come and swoop it up for over MSRP, while others (like myself) shopped around and specced/bought my car at MSRP and had it shipped in.

 

Yep, spot on, my dealer is about to crack right now. No room for the 07's on the lot with the GP's clogging the drive.

GP 0019

 

May I ask...which dealer is this?

 

I think hes in VA.

 

I'd be surprised if any GPs go for under MSRP, even next year if any are around by then. But, dealers do get hungry too.

 

I think the market on the 2006 mini's still on the lot will go down. As for the GP I think the dealer will milk it for all they can get. Nothing lower than MSRP. However, I think you could pick a GP up private party after the holidays for 30k. Maybe even less if you deal with a person in need of cash.

 

http://atlantamini.com/

Check out their new car inventory! A whopping 100 new 2006 Mini's.

 

looks like they will have fun selling all those.

 

Let's do the math. Only 415 of these italian made GP's around for the whole US market and you guys actually think the prices will go down. Let me make a prediction for all you guys out there looking to buy a GP; once all 415 of them are sold, prepare to pay big bucks to get one (mid to high 30's).
GP 0750

 

I totally agree, and even more if the 2007 Mini turns out to be not as good as predicted.

 

I heard a lot of dealers are stocking up on 2006's because it will be at least a month or two until the 2007s make it to the dealers, they have to have something to sell in that time period, even if they can't get ordered 2006s, at least they'll have some for people who don't want to wait. I don't think they'll have a problem getting the 2006s off the lot. A lot of people STILL feel more safe buying a tried and tested design than risking a first year designed car.

 

Your dreaming. The fact that they can't even sell the 415, for whatever reason, is telling. For many enthusiasts, it was another watered down attempt ... A placque with a number will get you nothing on the open market. With the next gen coming out and JCW in summer of 2007 with 230bhp ... GPs will down in price like an 05 Elise.

 

So true! So few new cars actually increase in value!

 

I respect everyones opinion, we will have to see how it all plays out. I still think the GP is a great buy for what you get.

 

The GP is a great buy, however dont expect it to make you money.

 

In a similar thoughtstream, there are plenty of Porsche enthusiasts who still really like the 993 (last of the air cooled Carrera), certainly during the 996 era ("fried egg" headlights), and even with the new 997's on the street (which are really top notch well done). I hope the R56 does extremely well, I'd bet it's going to sell like hotcakes, and those of us with GP's can still look forward to enjoying it for many years to come. YMMV

 

Chows4us
I think you don't know what you are talking about, have you even driven a GP yet? How can you offer an opinion without first hand knowledge? If you were to take a poll, among GP owners I think you will find a very high satisfaction rate. If I did not already own 9 cars I would buy another one.

Get the dog hair out of your eyes! I'm going back into the woods,

 

For once I actually agree with Chows. I'm surprised that all the GPs haven't sold yet, but if they can't even sell 415 of them by this point, then they may not be considered all that special in the marketplace. I'm sure they are fun to drive, but it doesn't look like that many people are willing to fork out that much money for a MINI, especially when some dealers are asking ridiculous ammounts over MSRP.

 

How interesting - as I said before - that non GP owners are so focused on sale/ resale value of the GPs.

1) If you have not driven a GP, please save you performance comments. Would you comment a movie w/o seeing it?

2) GP will be a unique car 10 years from now as it is now. Colour, spoiler, skirt design, rims and #s are unique of the GP. Show me another Thunder Blue MINI with Solar Red mirror caps STOCK.

3) The GP is not a car for everyone as has only has two seats. If you have a child or a dog the GP is not going to work out for you; so to have a GP you either have another car or you are single. And how many people can afford to have a car just for the fun of driving it ?? I haven't see too many race drivers (even the occasional Sunday racer) with one car only. I am not talking about the cost of the car itself but insurance, registration etc. what I am saying is that an adult is more likely to buy a GP. At the MTTS special deliveries we did not see many 20 something owners, in fact most of us were over 35. - OK in my mind I turned 35 just two days before delivery -

4) Who is buying the GP is not INVESTING is HAVING FUN and can care less of the value of the GP two years from now.

6) Some (non GP owner again) say that the GP is not worth the money.
Put together a MCS JCW with the same stuff as the GP for $31,500. Oh, sorry you cannot order the rims or the spoiler

6) Finally of the 2,000 GP produced how many are still unsold ?

So while you guys are monotoring the GP value and sales we are having a blast motoring the GP ... of course, you can still join us by purchasing one of the many left on the market.

PS: since my first US MINI I'm autoxing, talking engine, tires, rims even more now w/ the GP. My husband for Xmas can buy me auto related presents... how many husbands can do the same? and Yes the GP makes me feel sexy... cannot explain why but it sure does

VERY PROUD OWNER of THESE TWO LITTLE ONES

 

Just because the dealers still have some doesn't mean a whole lot, once they are all in the hands of private owners then their value may start going up. I don't think most GP owners bought them as a $ investment more of a smile investment (like most Mini owners). The old Superbirds and Daytona's did not fly off the showroom floors, in fact they had trouble finding enough buyers for them also. I'm not saying that the GPs are the same as the old Winged Warriors but you have to admit there are some similarities. I think the dash plaque remark was "somewhat" naive. Time will tell.

 

Sigh ... I was only remarking about what the OP posted. "market projections". That is what the OP asked.

I truly hope every owner has fun and enjoys their cars. Fun is what its all about

I can offer an opinion the same way 100s of people posted their opinions. Its just that, an opinion. The fact is that many of those opinions were disappointed in the weak HP adjustments. Just a fact. You can research them in motoringfile. Its not like I'm making this up. sigh ...

The OP asked about market predictions. Nobody said a word about performance other than what I said that many opinions were disappointed in the low HP gains. Disappointment in that MINI did not truly produce a high HP car, is not a reflection on the GPs performance. ... Its just disappointment in what MINI did.

Unique in terms of color and some parts. Can't argue that. Show me another CR/W MINI with red leather seats, JCW Dash, fancy graphics, and a placque ... oh wait, thats a MC40.

All I am saying is dont expect the resale value to go up because of that. Like I said, been there, done that.

Agreed, but not sure what this has to do with what the OP asked?

Again agreed. But what has that got to do with the original question???

Not sure what others think about price. I think the price is reasonable. Its not out of line at all I have only said that many people were disappointed in the lack of HP.

Rims and spoilers, Cmon. Try getting the red leather seats or graphics for a MC40 without a vin. Wait a sec. Vins are all over eBay. Anyone can order them If someone wanted the parts, I'm sure they can get them.

Uhmm ... lemme think. Me? I buy my wife auto related parts all the time

Marina, I know you love your GP. I am very happy you feel sexy in it. I bet your having a ball

Please do not interpret some people dissatification with what MINI has done in creating this numbered model as bashing the GP because its not. Disappointment in MINI marketing is not the same as disappointment in the car itself.

Have fun, I'm glad your into autox, try some road rallies, they are fun to.

Naive? Your calling me naive? Having sold my "dash placqued" MINI, I can only relate what was related to me by several independent appraisers ... simply the gist was ... it means little on the wholesale market. Most used cars go to auction quickly for the masses. Having a numbered car means nothing to the masses. Its a very selective group who might be interested in that. I was specifically told it is much harder to move a numbered car because the market is limited.

Thats not "my opinion" but what I was told by the people looking to buy my car and $$$ was involved. I don't appreciate being called "naive" when in fact ... been there, done that.

It was a bit of a surprise to me that the appraisers were NOT impressed at all. After all, we all think our cars are special ... true?

Peace and have a good day

 

Yeah, but you only have two MINI's, so what can you know? Take your posts
to the correct fourm......this is the no MINI/Mini cat hair forum for us folks
who like to read our own posts.

 

While I am genuinely happy that all GP owners are in love with their cars, let's gently float back to reality:

The GP will devalue every year - just like every other car on the road.

If you want to delude yourselves into thinking it's gonna fetch Hemi Cuda prices at Barrett-Jackson in thirty years - or be some highly sought after collector car - well, so be it.

If you want to make irrelevant points to people who disagree with your point of view - so be it. It doesn't change the fact that in 10 years your GP will be worth about $7K.

The Mini-marketing mavens have done their jobs well - this is the same basic car as the JCW with a modest bump in HP - mainly via ECU tweaks, a slightly modified suspension and some unique interior and exterior bling bling bits.

 

Almost every car made depreciates in value as time marches on. There a few exceptions............. but I doubt the GP will fall into that group.

JohnG

 

Skip ... dude, your soooo baddddd

I do give kudos to MINI marketing. They rock!