I am thinking about trading in my '06 MC with 97,000 miles for a new 2013 MCS. I have built the car I want but was wondering if this is a "fixed price" or is there any wiggle room? There are two Mini dealers with driving distance of me, but one is really close to work and the one I would prefer just b/c it is easier to get to.

 

I did a search (which I should have done before posting, sorry) and found some interesting threads.

 

rule number 1 is to come to an agreement on price on the car you want to buy then talk about trade in's. If you don't you will not get as good a deal.

 

I had no problem knocking 1300 off Msrp plus the 750 I had from the take down event!

 

I managed to get 3250 off a new direct order Clubman. 2K of that was incentives associated with my insurance company, but the other 1250 was basically found for me by my motoring assistant.

My own belief is that this was directly due to a couple of things:

1. I contacted a specific salesperson directly - after getting a card during a casual conversation while getting my '02 MCS serviced seven months ago - and let her know I wanted her help in finding my car.

2. I knew exactly what I wanted - hence the special order rather than cruising the lot for something close. Ordering a car also indicated real interest in buying the car.

3. After a few emails exchanged, I took the wife into the dealership, we looked at cars on the lot to confirm our choices of color, interior, options, etc., and then sat down with our salesperson to hash out the details.

OBTW, that last $1250 in discounts came after we had negotiated a price and signed the paperwork to order the car, making it a very pleasant surprise when we went in to pick up the car.

Needless to say, I love my motoring assistant, as does my wife. We'll be going directly back to her when it comes time for another Mini.

 

Oops. I was waiting for my car when it was in for service and asked how much I could get if I traded it in.....First mistake

 

Good to know. I have the $750 from the takedown event too

 

CitadelSix.....thank you very much for all the info. So far I like my MA, I hope she can hook me up like yours did!

 

Short answer: yes, there's room to negotiate. Lots of threads on this very topic.

 

With a trade you just want to know what you are willing to pay for the difference, starting points are almost irrelevant.

"OK, we'll knock $2K off MSRP" won't matter much when they are pounding you on the trade. I would try to sell yours first, that takes the variable out.

I checked Manheim to see what they are selling for, below is a sample. I tried to pick a couple with your same miles.
Hope it gives you an idea of what the dealer should be paying you for the trade.


100,500 mi
Above: $9,475
Average: $7,525
Below: $5,550

BIN: $8,500


93,000 mi
Above: $10,100
Average: $8,150
Below: $6,200

BIN: $8,000



103,000 mi
Above: $8,825
Average: $6,850
Below: $4,900

BIN: $8,995

 

Thanks Cary Cooper, I am bad at doing this stuff face to face so I might go the email route first so I don't cave immediately.

Thanks for the numbers! They low balled me a bit, but not too much.

 

If you find yourself getting nervous, just remember: it's your money.

 

It's because they are going to have to wholesale the car more than likely. Money is just something we trade for stuff we want

 

Soon to be their money

 

Yeah, that's what they told me would happen to my baby. I am going to be so sad to give her up.

 

Ok......