I am brand new to this forum and looking into a purchasing a 2004 MINI Cooper S. It has 100,500 miles on hit, selling for $8,950. Here are the details.
I would be trading in my 2002 Saab 9-3 with 135k miles with numerous problems. Can you please tell me what kind of repairs I would be looking at and if this is a good deal. He did just have the power steering pump replaced. If you need any more details just let me know.

 

IMHO, not that great of a deal considering the high mileage.

 

The ad states automatic, but the car pictured is a six speed, FWIW.
The repair was more likely the PS fan, but I suppose it could have been the pump.

See here for the ultimate buyer's guide.

Also, see here for and excellent primer on the MINI and maintenance issues.

 

Personally, I wouldnt get it. thats about 75K miles too many for me if I were still looking for one.

 

What if you only had 9 grand?

I got mine w/22K miles and a year old, but it was $21K. Not sure what the market is for the high mileage car, but it might not be a bad deal if it's in good shape.

 

Looks like a good price.
However, Minis can be expensive to maintain. Do you do your own work on cars? If so, maintenance is not such a big deal. What does the engine look like, is it clean and well maintained? Expensive things can go wrong with high mileage Minis, such as the supercharger. Verify if it was the PS Fan or PS Pump that was replaced. If just the fan, the pump could be next and it is expensive to have replaced.
On the other hand, Minis are very fun cars.

 

Based on the blue book listings, it's a fair price, not a "great" price. Spend an extra $2k to buy an extended warranty. These cars are a riot to drive, but given their electronic complexity are extremely unreliable and incredibly expensive to get fixed. Also, if possible, hold out for a 2005. The gearing is superior to the earlier models and cuts nearly a second off the 0-60 times.

 

Glass half full / half empty.....

Same could be said that the parts which usually fail on a MCS of that year probably already have and were replaced, and by your standards of wanting one with less mileage - YOU would actually be looking at the huge repair bills friend

Post #3 above left you a thread on what to look for. Give it the usual once over and maybe bring it to a mechanic who knows MINI's knowing what to look for. Maybe previous owner can be helpful on what was replaced ?

Good luck, she is a beauty.

 

I don't know if it helps or not, but to put things in perspective, I just bought a 2004 Pepper White MC (base MINI) for my wife and we got it for $11k with only 57k miles on it, and I think we got a great deal on it. It's a great car.

My MINI Cooper S we just purchased was an 02 at 69k miles and we got it for $9,950.

 

depends where you are I guess, but I would not pay more than 7k for it.

 

$8500 take it or leave it

 

Thank you for all your help, I am getting a mechanic tomorrow to look at it before I make an offer. @Oxybluecoop thanks, thats what I was thinking of offering.

 

+1... but for the Mini alone, w/o assessing the value of the trade-in vehicle.

 

New news!! I got it checked by a mechanic mentioned on this forum. He said it would be A stage II tune-up (includes: Air Filter, Oil Change, oil filter, cabin air filter, spark plugs, brake fluid, antifreeze, hydraulic fluid, and fuel filter) for ~$500 and the control arm brushings need replaced ~$550. FYI, I live in Orange County, CA so prices are generally higher. I made an offer to the dealership for $7,000 after my trade, tax, reg, etc. He countered with $7,900, I walked. He came back and said he would replace the parts that need fixing and sell it to me for list...good idea. I would be able to have their work double checked by my mechanic. Thank you for all your help already, it has helped emmensely.

 

It might be more work, but I would NEVER trade in a vehicle. Take some good pics and sell it private party. You'll be surprised what you could get for it. Dealerships will give you less than wholesale prices, then sell it for retail. I just got the kelly blue book price for an 02 Saab 93 (not sure of your options) and got $4,700-3,700 depending on condition, for private party. If they're only dropping the price to $7,900 after trade, thats only $1k!! Take your time, sell the Saab yourself, and spend the extra money on your new MINI. Unless your repair bills total $3-4k on the Saab, I'd sell it PP.