...after coming from a pretty nicely modded gti 1.8t, it's damn slow. When I got it, I really didn't mind having a slow car, but it's beginning to bother me as I get the need for speed from time to time.

I pose this question, because I seek advice: Would it be reasonable for me to trade from my 06 Cooper with only about 5500 miles on it to an older model S? I've heard about some reliability problems with the older models, but other than that, I'm really attracted to them.

Here's the scoop. I owe about 20k on my car, I got blasted with a high interest rate since this the first time I've bought my own car, no help from parents, etc., and have little credit history. If I tried to sell the car outright, I'm pretty sure I'd be upside down. But would it be feasible to trade to an older, maybe 03 or 04 S? Do dealers do this type of thing? Of course I'd be looking to get into a car with equal or lesser value, as I could afford bigger payments, but would obviously steer clear of them.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

Yes, as long as your dealer accepts trades ( I heard some don't), then all you need to do is clean her up real nice, go to kbb.com and get it's trade in value, and take it to the dealership. Have the kbb.com value printed out so they cant cheat you, but mini's keep their value very well. If you try to get an older model S, your prices should even out.

 

please remove my post.

 

OK, my answer is two-fold:

First, if you're going to sell, don't trade-in... sell privately. You're more likley to get what the car is worth. Then get the newest S you can afford as options like the LSD, revised gearing and some remaining factory warrantly might be important, as well.

Secondly, there are a lot of driver's out there making the NA Cooper out-perform the S. It's all about keeping the engine revved up in it's powerband and using better technique to carry more speed through the twisties. Spend the money take some classes and become a track day junkie instead (vs. buying the higher powered car). You'll get more out of it in the long run, no matter what cars you own in the future.

 

Look at this month's issue of MC2 magazine. They test 11 cars, and only 1 is a Cooper. The Cooper placed in 5th place. Go Coopers!!!!

 

Do not use Kelly Blue Book as a value guide. It's useless. Ordinarily, you would do better to sell than trade. However, given your Cooper is new and you are looking for an older S, maybe the dealer would be interested in replacing your new (is it 2007?) with a year or two old S. Worth looking into. Also, I don't think you need to worry about prior model problems if you stay with 2004 and up. I had an 04 S, which I bought used, and it was great. I don't know about where you are, but when I was in NJ, the used MINIs were actually selling for less at MINI dealers than at other dealers. Finally, I don't know of any dealer that does not take trades. Many limit trades to being no more that 2, 3, 4, etc. years old, but that shouldn't be a problem for you. I'd go to a MINI dealer and see what you can get. If they aren't willing to work something out, you are most likely better of selling than trading, but I believe it would be difficult to cover your loan.

 

If you're upside down on the car, and make a dealer trade to switch to something else, you're guaranteed to be even more upside down after the deal. That's not a situation I'd want to get into if I were just starting out to establish a credit history. You're also unlikely to get the same rate on a loan for a used car - it will be even higher. I'd say don't do the deal until you pay down the Justacooper for at least a year (make higher payments than the minimum if you're upside down), at which point it might make more sense.

 

You bought a standard Cooper and are complaining about it being slow by comparison to a GTi? Well YAH!

Get the S, a 2006 if you can find one. You'll wonder why you ever think about the GTi anymore.

 

Thanks for all the replies, there were some really good points in there! Yes the car is on 06, I just bought it in December. Obviously I wouldnt do this if it didnt make fiscal sense. Im looking for an upgrade and to spend less money or the same amount. Im not looking for an upgrade and to spend more. Also, the car had been sitting on the lot for a while, so it was on "special" when I bought it. It really was a fair price for what I got, so I thought.

As far as forgetting about the gti, I almost have, but that thing was FAST.

I like the one person's comment about the cooper outperforming the S, but how much money did they have to dump into it to make it like that? I want a car that I can leave mostly stock, add a few bolt ons and suspension, and be happy with. The Justacooper just isnt cutting it in the "Fun" department.

 

What's your idea of fun? Straight lines? Then you're in the wrong car.

If you cannot find fun in the Cooper... ummm....

Tires are the biggest bang for the buck for making things handle better.

A bigger rear swaybar is also a good, cheap upgrade.

Adjustable front camber plates are a great upgrade, but not cheap ($500 for good ones).

The best plan is: do nothing to the car, buy / borrow a helmet, and get to an autocross. If that doesn't help you find the fun, something's wrong with you.

 

I'm afraid the S isn't what you are looking for. You most likely will not be happy with a stock, or mildly modified MCS....there's no way around it. I USED to be happy with my stock 03' MCS at 16 years old...then wanted more power, so I did an intake and pulley (wow, the difference was night and day!) and now again I'm still craving more power because I'm now used to it (Turbo anyone?)!

The problem is that you will continue to want more and more power, as you are doing now...so you will most likely dump more money than you want into the MCS.

If I was you I would drop the money in the MC....go turbo, pistons, etc. and build it to be faster than a mildly modified MCS.

-Cody

 

i disagree.

 

I am amused that a slight wording change has people posting dramatically different points of view.

 

In a drag race, I don't see it happening.

Autocrossing, spend ~$400 on a set of Falken Azenis, and a Cooper should best a stock MCS. Spend ~$800 on a set of Kumho 710 or Hoosiers and a Cooper should best a modded MCS (with crappy tires).

On a track, spend the ~$3000 price difference between the Cooper and MCS like this:

$1000 - light 15" wheels and 205/50R15 Toyo RA1 tires
$1500 - suspension (JCW suspension upgrade, front camber plates, rear swaybar)
$500 - track brake pads and fluid

The Cooper should best the MCS on most tracks, even with some mods to the MCS. If the MCS has crappy tires, the Cooper wins in the corners. If the MCS has stock brake pads / fluid, wait until 10-15 minutes into a session - the MCS will be way down on brake power and you'll toast it under braking.

 

I'm not into drag racing or autox, let me state that. I just want my car to be able to get out of its own way. It still is a neat little car to drive, don't get me wrong here. I'm just looking for something with a little more pick up. I dont feel like spending thousands on a turbo, intercooler, new brakes, suspension and everything else that becomes necessary when doing a major overhaul.

Has anybody had any experience in trading with the dealer like this?

 

Anything involving a trade and you're going to take it in the shorts. Period. Think about Plan B.

 

I love Fawlty Towers, of Farting Otters, or Farty Towels or ...

 

Whatever you do...don't mention the war.

 

For many of us there's a feeling/sensation we want or expect out of our car...and we should go with it. A Cooper is great for me, but another might have an expectation of something different in their motoring experience. Great...dial it in!!! The really cool thing is that 1) for the most part there is a MINI spec (factory, aftermarket, and R-whatever) that can meet most owner expectations (most, maybe not all because...it is still "just" a little FWD MINI) and 2) there is such an extreme range of enthusiasts that continue to embrace this car. From hard core gearheads to moms to commuters to racers, we occasionally trip over each other (and our different motoring needs) simply because of our extreme diversity...and ultimately we're fine w/ that!! It is a testament, I think, to both the Mini and the MINI so many types of people can be true enthusiasts about one car.

 

I just traded in a '05 Cooper. It had about 10,000 miles on it. I got it as a summer car and it was a great ride, but like you, I found it sluggish. In March I traded it in on a '07 R56. My dealer gave me an excellent value for my trade and it made perfect sense for me. I was not upside-down though. If you are, you have to negotiate carefully and be prepared to pay for your 'mistake'. The new turbo 'S' is so much faster than the standard Cooper it is a joke, but the car has to be actively driven. It is jumpy when cornering over uneven road surfaces. You can't sit back with your left hand on the wheel at 12 o'clock and relax. You have to drive the car. I love driving the car. It's great fun. Good luck.

 

Thanks Ron. I'm not head over heels upside down, but it would probably be about 1.5-2k in my estimations. Can you give me some more details on the negotiation process you went through? Pricing of the cars. I know dealers offer incentives to trade in your car and get a newer one, what about an older one?

 

When I bought my MC last year, it was the 1st one I had seen in a long time. The dealer told me that the used Minis went FAST. If you're trading in a newer model, you should be able to get what you want in a older model. (If you can find one to your tastes or needs)

 

good call. i definitely wouldn't want to settle on any old mcs, itd have to be a good color, with a couple of options that im set on.

do you know if theres any sort of wait list that i can put myself on at dealers to get notified when new (used) cars become available? I know I could call the dealer and ask, but I like to have as little interaction with any car dealer as possible, and like to have as much information as possible before talking to them

 

I put myself on a call list at BMW. We didn't have a MINI dealership here in Springfield, MO. So BMW called me up within a month. they got it from a guy who couldn't keep up the payments. I got a 02 with around 30,000 miles on it last year. It's fully loaded, leather and heated seats, etc. I even traded in my classic Mercedes for it. BMW didn't push me to buy it, just to come in and take a look. It was the third MC I looked at before I fell in love.