I am a newb on this forum, and not linked into the MINI community.

I offered to sell this car for my aunt, but am kinda surprised in the lack of interest. I did have a couple low ball offers and one screwball that wanted to trade a Lincoln Town Car. I really expected this car would move quickly.

I have been advertising a MINI in the local paper for the last 2 months and only getting luke-warm interest. Nearly every call wants a base model/high efficency MINI...haven't had one single call for someone looking for a JCW upgraded MINI.

I did put an ad in the marketplace section here on Motoring.com today (I didn't realize there was a section here until today). See the ad here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=119864


Anyone here have advice on a good place to market this car where it will get exposure to the target buyer? I have bought cars on Ebay, but never sold any. I have always had cars that sold very easily locally. I am mildly concerned that buyers won't bid for private seller cars like they would for a dealer car. Opinions?

Check out the ad, and feel free to PM me or respond with feedback about the car or any suggestions on marketing. It is getting late in the year in Michigan, so I would like to sell the car before it starts snowing.

 

Hmm ... I bet you can always sell it back from where you bought it. I mean post an ad on eBay. Surprisingly, many people do that. Try cars.com or autotrader.com .. those are the big names for auto marketplace.

 

Looking at youre pics I'm guessing your uncle (sorry for your loss) was involved with a club? if so that might be a good contact point as they might know of someone interested in a JCW. I think the reaction from your local paper is common-it takes a buyer that really knows what they want for JCW modded MCS. It looks really nice however it is out of warrenty so that might be a sticking point for some. I am glad to see your uncle got to rack up some good motoring in the three years he had it. Hmmm....5 kids...sounds like you need an escape pod! (an excellent choice in is your driveway now). I'd also recommend the online sources-also look into craigs list as it is availible in most metro areas and I think you're more likely to find a buyer there.

 

Maybe keep the car and place an ad for the wife.

 

FYI it's also a tougher time to sell a fun sports car. Most places in the US are in winter mode. Lots of money going out on thanksgiving and christmas and the general consumer doesnt have a "summery" sports car on their mind. I'd put a guess that come March this would go in a flash.

 

I agree. I think the problem is the season. In the snow belt people aren't looking for a low slung sporty car in November... or September for that matter.
If there is no financial hardship I would hold onto it until spring, then throw it on Carsoup, Craigslist, and AutoTrader. I did that with my Miata and got a much better price for it.
I think the 60k miles is a little bit of a deterrent also. Lots of Minis with lower miles. Looks like you do have it priced competitively though. The miles might narrow the field of potential buyers. Waiting until spring and not driving it would align the miles a bit more also. Might want to put the build date so people can calculate the miles per year easily.

 

Sell the other "second car" - how many times do you try to fit everyone in the second car anyway? Unless you get to drive the minivan, in shich case you simply need 3 cars. Bumped your ad, looks like a great car at the right price to me... if only I didn't already have a Mini...

 

One, it's the wrong time of year. Xmas is around the corner, and people aren't in car buying mode.

Two, modded Mini's are the hardest to sell, and the mods will only appeal to a very, VERY slim portion of the Mini buying public, and actually devalue the car. There's a lot of options on there I wouldn't ever want.

I think eBay would be a good place to go.

 

I did get a great idea by seeing the air horn mod your uncle did or had done-I've been wanting to do this but couldn't figure out where to put them. Thanks!