Hey ya'll... I think I found the perfect mini cooper for my mother. It's a 2010 S with 3K for a hair over 23K.

The seller listed it on NAM but is not a member (per se...) The car is in Texas, I'm in NC and my mother is in FL.

If it were mine, I'd fly there and drive it home. Because of logistics of time and distance, I'm going to have to find a transport company.

No disrespect to the seller as I do not know him. I've never used an escrow service, how does that work?

I want to be protected that the car is not a POS or a fake ad before I wire 23K to someone I don't know.

Any suggestions?

Any members in Texas that want to verify the car for me? (Houston area)

Thanks,

Mark

 

When I bought mine from Kansas (about 7hrs away) I posted an ad on craigslist to have someone take photos for me but I still didn't buy unseen. I drove to get it with the cash. I'm in Texas but not in your area but I wouldn't just wire the money regardless of having it inspected unless its to a dealer. Way too risky. Also, there's all kinds of bad weather in Texas so flooding and hail is common. A thorough inspection is mandatory for peace of mind.

 

for what you'll pay in trucking - in my experience - you may as well go to the local dealer and buy a new one . . .

Have you priced that out yet?

A basic S is 23,000 according to the configurator right now and my experience with trucking a car says you are looking at almost $1,000 .... sight unseen and discuss "damage" with the trucker.....

I'd buy a new one . . .

But perhaps you see a loaded car?????

 

I appreciate your thoughts and I'm with you 100%, I won't buy a car without either having someone I trust look at it or myself.

Here's the ad...


This car has a few things but I'm sure it's worth the 27K he paid for it, as far as shipping, I'm sure I can get it for under 1000. It cost me 1100 to ship my oversized H2 from NC to CA, surely I can get a car 1/3 the weight shipped at half the distance for less than that. (hopefully)

Thanks,

Mark

 

When I bought my car the seller had a lien outstanding but wanted me to pay for the car and trust her to get it paid and get me the title. Ironically she didn't trust me enough to accept a certified check. I told her to pay the car off and I'd only go through with the deal if I got the car with the title. My philosophy is no car and title, no deal.

If you want the car despite an outstanding loan you'd need to confirm any outstanding balance on the car and pay only the bank. If the amount paid won't satisfy the loan the person would need to pay the shortage before you pay the balance. Make sure you have a Texas bill of sale signed if you dont get the title with the car.

I bought a motorcycle from a guy that told me he'd send me the title. He didn't and I had to get for a bonded title. Some people get very lazy once they have the money.

 

pulled the listing


that used car is not worth $20,000 any more

used versus new . . .

OR

a used car is worth EXACTLY what you can find someone to pay

and not one dollar more

 

In person is best. Pull a CarFax on it. I flew half way across the country to buy a street rod for $16K I "won" on eBay only to walk away when I saw his idea of condition and mine were way different. We had one-way plane tickets even. Good thing was my Son and I got to see a bit of Chicago waiting till the next day to fly home.

Then like this makes sense - I turned around and bought one from clear across the country also off eBay, site unseen, and it also did not meet expectations the day it arrived in a enclosed transport, but was much better. 3 years later sold it on eBay and back it went to the east coast. The new owner also had complaints, he found things wrong with it I thought were fine. Here's a pic of it:





The only people making out here are the transport companies!




Here's the company I used, was not cheap - and waiting for them to pick it up and deliver it is stressful and never goes on time - just like waiting for our MINI now. Supposed to be here yesterday - won't be here till next week now stealership tells me........

http://www.horselesscarriage.com/

 

Have a pal who bought a Porsche Boxster that was in MA a few years ago. He used an escrow person, who basically looked the car over and took it to a shop who checked it out mechanically. Then my pal arranged shipping to AZ. Cost about a grand. The shipper got the paint messed up because he parked it in Phoenix near someplace where paint was being sprayed that got on the car. My friend never did get the shipper to make that good. I think the lesson is to have the escrow person make the shipper sign for the car and its condition (pix too maybe) before it leaves town. If it gets boogered up in transit make sure the shipper is bonded/insured to fix whatever is wrong when it gets to your place.

 

No offense but you're crazy if you think a 2010 isn't still worth 23k.

You show me just one 2010 for 20K and I'll buy it.

He'll, the dealer gave me 23500 trade in on my 1 y/o 2008 last year.

Mark

 

Dang Mark, I wish Houston was closer to me and I would take a look at it for you. Are you just looking at a S coupe or maybe even a Clubman?

 

$23,000 to a person you don't know. A car you have not seen. About $1,000 to have it shipped. Are you out of your mind or what?

I'm sure you can find a Mini Cooper for sale closer to your home. If Mom lives in Florida just go to WWW.Mini.USA and go to a dealers site close to where she is and check out the inventory. I know that Orlando Mini has a bunch of used Mini's on their lot. Don't send money like that to anyone you do not know. Well, you can always just send it to me if you just want to give it away.

 

^^^^+1

I Minimania.com has classifieds also and there a some nice New MINIs on there in the Florida area.

 

And what rationale are you using to come up with this statement? After all, 2010s arent even listed in NADA, KBB, etc. yet.



Mark, U live in Florida, right? there has to be a TON of decent used 08s and 09s out there....

 

If it's in pristine condition, one would think the seller could sell it back to the MINI dealer.

I would have to see the car in person before I committed to it. A Carfax does not always show all issues.

A couple of years ago I found my dream car online - a BMW 6-series convertible. The pics online were gorgeous! I worked the deal via e-mail, secured financing, trade of my existing car, etc. A few days later I drove 7 hours to Orlando to pick the car up. OMG - what a piece of *****! The car only had 9K miles but easily looked as if it had been driven 100K miles. Needless to say I was very disappointed and did not proceed with the deal.

 

Nah, I live in NC, my mom lives in FL.

I'm not worried about the condition of the car. I've got a couple of members that I trust that will go look at the car for me.

If the car checks out, I'll go from there.

I don't know why but NJ and TX has a TON of cheap 2010 minis.

Anyway, not in a hurry but when I find one, I'll worry about it then.


Mark

 

Sounds like an invitation to disaster to me.

 

Mark, that sound like a reasonable deal if the car is immaculate I only paid 24,700 for my brand new ordered 2010. Stats are below. The person who said that car is only worth 20,000 is crazy. I looked extensively and could only get to the 20,000 range when I looked at the 07 model years or older.

 

Wow, how did you get your 2010 model for 24700? I spec'd one out and minimally came up at almost 30K for an automatic with the features the seller has.

If fact, he just paid almost 29K for it and I'm actually buying it for 23K. It now has a little over 4K miles.

I'll have to have it shipped but other than a JCW kit on it, she'll be fine. (that and chrome rims)

Mark

 

I saw a posting on NAM from Amanda White at South Bay MINI and gave her a call. She has special pricing for NAM members. I believe that the MSRP on my mini was just under 28,000. I paid 24,700 plus tax title and registration.

 

Great deal...

I may have to look into that.

I had a cashier's check ready to buy the white one I described above but it's a no go. My mother insists on leather... not leatherette.

So we start all over again...


Mark

 

Just check and see who operates the Escrow account. I had the misfortune to deal with some rogues in the UK. The money was to be paid into an Escrow account specified by them but it turned out not to be independant as it should be. The money (deposit) went to the Escrow account which was then sent to them. The money should have gone to the dealer.

morrisminiminor

 

The original post was on July 21st. and it is now August 8th. & the car is still for sale at a very cheap price. Now orangecrush wants to send a third party $23,000. RED FLAG_RED FLAG_RED FLAG_ RED FLAG_RED FLAG

I could be wrong about this but it just don't smell right.

I was over in Orlando Friday night at the dealers and they have a whole bunch of used Mini's as well as New Mini's for less then $23,000.

orangecrush needs to be careful "REAL CAREFUL"

 

Here's the deal... the guy is a young professional that bought the car. He's being transferred to Canada so he has to sell the car.

I had a fellow NAM member who I respect and trust go out and check out the car. He test drove it and gave me his thoughts.

Basically, the car is PERFECT except ONE stone chip in the front bumper. (which is okay since I'll be putting a JCW aerokit on it)

As far as payoff, I've already spoke to BMW financial and they have a special form for people that are selling a car to someone else financed through BMW.

The NAM member will pick up the car once confirmation that it has been paid so I really don't have a problem with the deal.

BUT.... here's the problem. The car doesn't have leather and that is a deal breaker for my mother. I'm actually dealing with a few junkyards that have some 2009's and 2010's that have leather in them.

I am still looking around locally, I just haven't seen an S in an automatic for less than 25K. (which by the time I pay for leather seats and shipping, I'll be there)

Problem is.... finding one. I've got a dealer in CA looking, a dealer in NC and one in FL. You'd think someone would come up with one...lol.

Thanks for being cautious Ronnie, it's nice to know people on the forum aren't being azzhats, they're looking out for fellow members.



Mark