I'm in the market for a Mini. There's a used 2003 MCS nearby at a Saturn dealer (of all places) for which they're asking $23833. It has 6500 mi. and all three optional packages (Premium, Sport, Cold Weather) but no other options or accessories. I like the car and it's configured exactly the way I would want it, even down to the color.

Building a 2004 MCS on MiniUSA's website and configuring it exactly the same as the car above yields a $23349 MSRP. Based on the research I've done, some MiniUSA dealers sell at MSRP and some mark up. I'm not sure what the dealers in this area do but based on what the used MCS's are being listed for, it would seem they're being marked up quite a bit. It doesn't make sense for a USED car to cost more than the latest model NEW car. Do any of the three Mini dealers in the DC area sell at MSRP or do they all mark up? Mini of Sterling is closest to me.

I haggled at the Saturn dealer for the better part of last evening and the lowest they would go is $22940. Still a bit too rich for my wallet. I want to get an idea of what you local folks paid for your 2003 or 2004 MCS's, used or new. Please state the options and accessories if applicable, whether used or new and how many miles.

Thanks!!

 

Welcome to NAM, Victor...my 2002 MCS purchased from Towson at MSRP was $22,500 with the premium and sport packages. It was a part of the first wave of customer-spec cars in country. Your deal doesn't sound bad and you would be avoiding the long wait for an '04 or '05. I would be weary of the reason that it was traded for a Saturn though, there have been some unfortunate souls who have had bad luck with their MINIs as far as problems...then again, it might have been a case of not being able to make payments on an MCS.

Good luck, but check it's history if possible. :smile:

 

I asked about the car's origin and apparently they got it from a wholesaler (not a trade-in), which means it's even less likely they paid top invoice dollar for it.

 

Hi Victor and welcome to NAM.
I live near Annapolis, hence near Tate MINI/BMW. I have the 25th 2002 MCS delivered to MD, which I got in Aug.'02. It has all the options and packages with the exception of H/K speakers, GPS, and the back-up warning system. MSRP was less than 25K at the time. The price they're giving you seems a tad high to me for a used MCS, no matter how gently it was driven.
My husband bought a used '02 from a private party last year which has the cold weather and sports, but not the premium, packages. It had 16K on it when he bought it and he paid 22,5 which was probably a lot, but it had everything he was looking for.
What you might try to do is get the VIN and do a car search on it. I believe you can do that at the Edmund's site. You'll have to pay maybe 20 bucks, but it's worth it if it gives you any pertinent info about the car. Good luck :smile:

 

I think it would be foolish to purchase a 2003 Mini for that price. Shop around the country at new Mini dealers. Have your car ordered EXACTLY how you want it and delivered in 2 months for MSRP...Plus it will be a 2005 model with many improvements and a full 4 year/50,000 mile warranty

 

You'd be better off to check out of state dealers. I bought from Mini of the Hamptons and I've heard good things about Classic Mini in Ohio. I bought my '04 MCS with winter, performance, sport and leather last November and the process couldn't have been easier. I arranged everything over the phone, flew up to Islip on Southwest from BWI for $75 one way, took a Hertz rental (also one way) to Southampton ($65). At the time, Tate had no cars on the lot and both Mini of Towson and Sterling Mini were charging thousands over MSRP by loading up their cars with every possible dealer installed option. I ended up saving over $2700 and had a beautiful drive through Long Island in the Fall. You won't be able to finance your taxes for your State of residence and be sure to check what paperwork you need from the dealer to register a new out-of-state car before you go. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the input. At this point I'm not in the market for a brand new Mini. Even the MSRP is a little too high for me. I was hoping the used cars would sell for less, which is why I'm astonished at how much folks are asking for their used MCS's. I will either have to bite the bullet and spend the couple thousand extra or just wait until the values depreciate a bit.

I'm going to pay the Saturn dealer another visit and wave a downpayment in front of them to see if they'll bite.

 

Go talk to Sterling, they are willing to negotiate on in stock 2004's right now. Talk to Jim Bartanowicz he's the MINI sales manager, and tell him Michael Babischkin sent you over. I don't know how much they are willing to move, but they are willing to move on the price of their in stock cars for the first time ever.

As for the Saturn Dealer, don't hold your breath, there will be some wiggle room, but not much. Resale on used MINIs are insane, close to and sometimes exceding original MSRP in some cases, and the things are selling. I like the car, but if you're in the market, get a new one and take advantage of the ENTIRE warranty...

 

Down at my parents house in Durham, there are 3 used MINIs for sale nearby and they are all priced (I think) above the original MSRP! Granted, the nearest dealer is Flow in Winston-Salem which is an hour or more in some case away but still.....you can find new one for much less.

 

I'm thinking of getting rid of my Cooper S for a Evo VIII.

I love the Coop, but I've always wanted an AWD car and the Evo fits the bill perfectly.

It's fully loaded - all packages - I've already done the pulley mod. I drive this car conservatively, but wanted the extra oomph the reduction pulley gives.

PM me if you want to talk about it.

It's an '02 build - 23k on the clock. Oil changed every 3500 miles by me. I'm **** with everything I own - so rest assured that it was taken care of.

russ

 

Funny you should mention the EVO. I come from the DSM world so the EVO is close to my heart. I can't see spending $25k+ on a Mini when an EVO is just another few thousand dollars away.

How much are you asking for your car?

 

I'm looking for around 19 ~ 20k.

I just want a decent down payment for the EVO.

Of course the price is always negotiable.

Email me at kapolani@hotmail.com subject: Coop 4 Sale if you'd like to get the specifics and a phone number to reach me.

Aloha!

 

Well I ended up getting it. Thanks kapolani for the offer on yours, though. The dealer lowered the price a little more, but I realized I could put a bigger downpayment on the car because I can sell a bunch of spare parts I have in my garage. Duh. That and I got some good financing.

Here is a pic that the dealer had taken:


Thanks for all the input. Now I get to add my number to the list:
'03 MCS, 6500 miles, Premium/Sports/Cold Weather packages, H/K sound (I didn't realize it had this until recently), $22700.

 

Good choice and congrats!!!

 

It's a beaute! Congrats. Already tinted too?

The bumblebee look has been one of my all time favorites on the MCS. :smile:

Miniature

 

I thought it was tinted like that from the factory.

 

In the picture it looks a little darker than the factory tint...

Is that the Saturn dealer on 234 in Manassas?

If so they've had a few MINIs cycle through their used car lot

 

Yes, it's the one in Manassas. They mentioned that they've had some Mini's before, but I dunno how much they sold them for.