I was going to order a 2008, but now I'm thinking about waiting to see what MINI might do for the 50th Anniv. in 2009. Do you think there will be any special edition versions?
A year is a long wait but I could always find a nice used Miata or something already depreciated to play with for a year.
Anyone else considering this?

 

I had thought about this, too, but we've heard nothing and it makes me wonder if it's worth waiting for. I think there will be many cool opportunities to be Mini/MINI-nerds during 2009...I guess there's an upside to already having one's car so one can partake fully. We had a blast in 2003 when The Italian Job came out, and I expect similar fun in 2009. Buying a MINI (like a special edition) is only one part of the fun...owning a Mini/MINI at such times can be equally rewarding.

 

Just like with technology there's always going to be something new and exciting around the corner. If you're constantly waiting for the next great thing then you'll spend all of your time waiting, not motoring.

That said, if I hadn't just ordered an MCS before they announced it, I might considering waiting until mid-2008 when the JCW Stage 2 factory car is available.

 

Get a used Mini, then trade it in on a 2009. That way you can enjoy the mini fun now and then!

 

That's more than a year of mitoring fun that you will never get back!

 

I wonder if there will be a limited edition, like the GP, except "50th anniversary" etc.

It'd be cool, and it is when I'm looking to get my MINI, so hopefully something cool is around the corner!

 

You would loose a few grand, I suppose if you're *really* that horny for the mini then go for it... otherwise pick one or the other....

 

I'd go for immediate gratification...

 

If I was a true car collector, I would buy a anniversary model. But I will be putting on miles after miles driving the value of the car down farther and farther. From what I have seen, anniversary/special edition models often have special uniqueness to them but they come with equally raised price. Performance wise, they won't be unique. At best, JCW stage II will come standard on them but you will be able to buy a JCW II car without the extra premium anyway.

 

A Mini holds it's value well enough that I'd buy what I wanted now and trade in if something really great showed up. If you knew what it was that was coming out later on, and knew that it was something you'd wait for it'd be a different story, but why wait on something great for something else that might show up and might not be worth it to you?

 

Buy one now, and if some super-neato-keen Special Edition comes out later, you can either buy it then, or stick with your current MINI for a few years more and then buy one of the Special Editions used.

Look at the GP - it's coming up on two years since they came to the States, and even though only 415 came here, they're still trading hands all the time.

The only problem I see is if you not only want whatever the Special Edition ends up being, but if you also want it *as soon as it's available*. That's the only situation that would "force" you to take a big depreciation loss on a MINI you bought now.

 

I'm sure the mini holds it's value well, which is why I said you'd loose a couple of grand, not 5-7k which you'd prolly get hit with on other cars.

 

You should buy a Kia Amante and style in that badboy instead.

 

Yep- I understood what you were getting at, I was just trying to say that to me, that couple grand was worth a year's worth of driving a car I wanted.

If it turns out that I'd waited a year and the only change was a dash option I didn't want in the first place...

Then again, maybe this is one of those times a lease makes sense?

 

The thing with the special editions (thus far) is that they aren't all that special (except maybe to their owners ). I suspect the 50th anniversary observance may be something all Mini/MINI can participate in (MINI United, for example, will be a blast!!)...not only the release of a special edition. Most of the special editions have different paint, some graphics, or maybe an added feature or two, but once three, four, or five years are past they lose their uniqueness. IMO, it's not worth waiting for...I'd rather have a MINI, spec'ced out the way I want it, sitting in my driveway and observe the anniversary in other ways.

And since we're on the topic...
I do think the talented graphic-design vendors here and at MINI should seriously consider offering some nice 50th anniversary vinyl that is visible from street-level. I would gladly add something classy (and classic) to my MINI for the year, and the offerings don't all have to be the same. Clubs may want to design their own and do a group buy. I'd love to see enthusiasts from all over sporting something special for the 50th.

 

Nothing against cars like the GP (which is pretty darn neat), but these special limited editions in some ways end up being the most ordinary since there are several thousand copies of them running around the streets.

A car spec'd by an enthusiast with carefully chosen (and omitted) options is what I consider unique.

 

Well......I just bought a nice 2000 Miata with the sport suspension option, to keep me entertained until 2009. My biggest concern right now is the Miata goes around corners... well... maybe better than the MINIs I've driven... but I'm pretty sure I'm going to want a MINI nonetheless. I considered some used MINIs but I'm a little concerned that MINI resale value might tank over the next year ... which might make buying one now and selling it next year more expensive than I am comfortable with. Looks like I'm waiting a year... to order a 50th ... or maybe try to get a deal on a used 07 or an 08 if the 50th dosn't spin my crank.

 

What makes you think the mini's value will tank over the next year?

 

I've been watching the used market, obsessively. Basically, the supply of used MINIs seems to far exceed the demand... there are many that have been on the market for months without selling, and I'm not sure that is going to change until the prices come down. But I wouldn't be concerned about that at all if I had one that I intended to keep for a long time.

 

Personally, I'm on my fourth Mini, have two in driveway. Nothing about the new ones impresses me except for fuel milage. I want a diesel mini and in contact with seller in UK. Problem is getting it here and registered as they will not pass the pollution standards. I want a Diesel and I will get one but will probably have to pay thru the nose to get it here legally or somewhat legal. Was on list for GP til found out they were put together in Italy. Not many people have kept them for one reason or another, really poor workmanship for what I understand. I will buy anniversary model in09.