this thread could just as well be for any model/ generation.
the sale prices for minis in the market place are at best fantacies for the vast majority of vehicles--is it no wonder they don't sell. have the sellers fallen for the hype that mini owners can sell high milage cars for unrealistic prices to other members of the forum ( despite the fact that forum members are more savy than the average joe blow) or expect to get very close to what they paid for a vehicle that for whatever reason they find that it doesn't fit their lifestyle or bank balance. . lets get real

 

I'll Bite.......

The seller is the working the controls. Hey, it's his/her time wasted if the car is overpriced. I just flip thru the high priced adds, get some customization/build ideas, an go about my way. If a seller is serious, a realistic and fair trade can usually be worked out. IMO a few things come to mind when I notice inflated prices on used minis: 1. The ability to "build your own coop" makes owning one much more personal and could lead some to believe their car is a "special mini". 2. The small, if any, ability to negotiate price when buying new filters down to the owner if forced to sell early. Good reason not to opt for too many add ons if you don't plan on keeping it for a long time.

High prices on used minis, as well as minimal price reductions on in stock 09's, are just another reason I'm waiting a few months to order a 2010.

 

Surfblue replies:
It's the free market, drno. A seller can ASK whatever he wants. Nobody is requiring you to PAY that price, so just OFFER your best price according to what you see fit to offer, or simply IGNORE the car and move on
Your line about the forum members being more "savy" (sic) cracked me up. You don't have to come to this forum to figure out fair pricing.
I assume you're looking to BUY a used Mini? Given the state of Mini resale prices, I'd go bargain with a dealer and purchase a NEW Mini. Sell whatever you're currently driving on your own (do NOT trade in) and then take your money and DEAL. Good luck.
BTW, I ordered my 07 MCS to my spec, and paid $28.8k out the door. See my gallery and open pics for description of my spec. From what I see, I think you can do better than this now. There's a lot of STUFF available on an MCS that really isn't necessary. The dealers count on human nature (we all tend to like STUFF) and many packages/tack ons to drive your price way up. It doesn't have to be that way.

 

Umm, Minis are a highly desired car, If you want one bad enough you pay the price. I am selling my MINI S w/ 30,000 miles on it for about 5,000 less than I paid, which is about 2,000 dollars below what KBB says its worth. Im serious about selling mine so I priced it as such.
It always amazes me when people think you charge too much for your MINI. If you dont like the used price, go buy a 33 thousand dollar NEW one.

 

33,000?

I can nicely equip a 2009 MCS for $26,550 (non metallic paint, white turn signals, premium package, LSD, heated seats, xenon lights, rear fogs, chrome line interior, roster red trim line, piano black dash, anth head liner). Or, you can drop the premium package and get a MFSW and punch leather seats for 250 dollars more ($26,800).

KBB is nothing more than a quick reference in today's market....

 

The definition of "nicely equipped" varies person to person. I can't build a new Mini that I would own for under $28k, average just over $30k for my fun builds.

 

Very true...regarding what is nicely equipped to me may not be nicely equipped to you. It's kind of my point when I said building a mini gets alittle personal for some, but in the end it's just a car and will only depriciate.

My thinking (and it's only my humble opinion) is the more you load up a Cooper with options the harder it will be to find a buyer willing/able to pay your asking price. Especially if you plan to sell within a few years. Many people will opt for lower interest rates, longer warranty, peice of mind, etc., which comes with the purchase of a new car rather than buying used.

Your JCW looks awesome BTW....

 

I paid $36K for my 2007 MCS new. I could have spent more, but just got cloth seats.

 

Whining about the sale price of used MINIs ?

They retain their values better than any car in the US market... Honda Accords are right there with them, IIRC.

Whine now, but that will serve you well when it's your turn to sell a MINI.

 

I don't know. It always seems my car is the only one that doesn't get what the market seems to be - but maybe I'm paranoid. It's not just on here. I looked at what the local dealer is selling used ones for. They had a 2006 S drop top for like $25k. Just did an edmunds on mine (just a year older) and it came out for $18k retail.

 

A car dealership sells used cars at a much higher price than a private seller can ask, for various reasons.

Also, check out more sources than Edmunds. Besides other commercial vendors, such as NADA, also look at what private sellers are listing for prices for similar cars in your area.

I'm betting you could get a good bit more than $18K for your MINI.

 

Not looking to sell it (at the moment) but just check periodically. Glad to know that the estimate is a bit low. KBB had it a bit more but I keep reading on here that it is a bit unrealistically high at the moment. Oh well. Good luck to all the sellers and buyers.

 

There are good and bad deals on Marketplace just like Autotrader, Ebay and Craigslist. The difference I see, as compared to when I was looking last July/Aug, is that there are actually SOME deals to be had.

This 2008 MCS with 7100mi for $23K on Marketplace looks like a good deal IMHO.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ct/5350/cat/20

 

first of all i am not in the market for a mini ( i have a 08 clubman s) but since i purchace a new car approx every 12 months i stay up on new and used car prices ( not only minis , of which i have owned three) . secondly i am not whining but merely stating a fact . last week a so cal 06 jcw with less than 12,000 mi loaded wth everything from jcw suspension, brakes, carbon fiber, leather , roof , jcw 18 " wheels, full aero kit, painted wheel arches,nav plus more sold for 21,400 on ebay. now i agree that was a fantastic deal but lets face facts -- in todays market ( whatever kbb says) over priced never sells. having owned a collector corvette business ( only 60's) in so cal i am more than aware of the ins and outs of buying and selling cars

 

Surfblue says: drno, if you are buying/can afford to buy a new car every twelve months, you are a fortunate guy with way more bankroll than most of the drivers on this forum and do I have to point out that you are LOSING money on every one of those twelve month cycles?? But thanks for wasting our time. It's sure been fun hearing you complain about the high prices ASKED for Minis. If you've been in the retail collector car business, I can't see why you even brought this topic to the board. I'm outta here...going DRIVING.

 

surfblue.
just because i have money (which i worked hard for as a doctor/ medical school teacher for 27 years) does not take away from the validity of my observation, and how i spend my money should not be of any concern to you. i said i buy a new car about once a year--i didn't say i sell that car a yr later . by the way , thanks for correcting my typo

 

How about the absurd prices you doctors charge for a simple medication refill. Dude, give it up, you want a mini, pay the price otherwise be quiet and drive a GM product, get ur self a SMART CAR

 

matty125
" it's better for people for people to think you are stupid "dude" than to open your mouth and prove it ". its amazing how a simple non directed statement promotes a personal attack .

 

One of my favorite quotes. In the interest of accuracy, here is the complete quote with proper credit given to the author.

"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."
— Mark Twain

 

Wow...this is better than the TERMINATOR SALVATION

 

I probably should given a disclaimer that my post was in regards to the quote, not in any way was I trying to make disparaging remarks about anyone else. In fact, it is a quote I try to keep in mind BEFORE I open my mouth.

 

thanks for the info and correction on the quote. i heard it quite a while ago ------yes , i am old but didn't know mark first hand. good luck mattyt125 in selling your mini(s) to get a bmw. great cars ( i have had a 2002, m3,335i,and 535i and loved them all but "care and feeding" is a *****.