I have a new MCSC (BRG -loaded-) just started production on Monday [7/11]and I'll be moving out the 2004MCS (Pepper White -loaded too-) in mid-August when it gets here.
I put a posting here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?p=591648

but I've not yet gone to eBay Motors or any of the online sites yet.
The dealer will give me just shy of $23,000 for it, but I know it will do better here in North Carolina with Nav, Aero, R90 wheels, etc...

So... have you sold yours before? Where did you do it?
What suggestions, tips, recommendations can you offer?
Pitfalls to avoid?

All advice welcome!!

MINISteve

 

are you selling when you have an '04 model?

 

I had a 16 month old 2004 CR/W MCS with 17K miles that I successfully sold in just 6 short days after I placed my online ad at: www.cars.com

I sold the car for $700 above of what I originally paid for it new. Quick and easy sale. Interested party paid for the car in cold cash and did not even want to take a test drive!

My story may not reflect your own experience, but I can tell you that if you find the right buyer, these cars still command top dollar prices in the used car market.

If you are going to sell the car online whether in cars.com, autotrader.com or elsewhere take PICTURES. Photos is what sells the car. Get the ad packages that allow the most photo uploads

The car was replaced with a brand new CR/W 2005 MCS in late March.

good luck with the sale.

 

Because the '05 is much, much better. The changes MINI made for the '05 MCS were the primary reason behind me wanting to upgrade from my '04 MCS.

These cars feel and drive completely different from each other.

 

I paid $50-60 each to post mine on cars.com and autotrader.com, and the ads have been up for 3 weeks without a single bite, other than scam artists. My price is below both Kelley and NADA, and is listed as negotiable.

I've had 3 people look at the car so far, and a couple more who may be interested. All were a result of my free craigslist ad.

From what I can tell, the good time to sell a MINI ended about 4-6 months ago, at least on the east coast. Now the production times have gotten so short that it makes sense for people to just buy new. So, good luck!

 

Yepper. I have a 2004 Pepper White MCS
17K miles. I wanted a drop-top but didn't want to wait until winter for delivery of an '06 so it'll be one of the last '05 to roll off the line.

Interested??

MINISteve

 

Thanks C4... just the kind of experience I was interested in hearing. And good advice as well.

I have to do the full clean-up and have my wife do the photoshoot. She's great with her D70!

MINISteve

 

A few tips:

Before showing the car, keep it nice and clean. Give it a good detail job, it pays!


Keep a nice and neat folder with all service records. Prospect buyers love to see the service history of the car and this instills confidence in the purchase.

If the car still has the new car limited warranty left on it, make sure to make a great emphasis on this. This is a BIG SELLING POINT to used car buyers and makes the sale much easier. Tell them that aside for the remainder of the factory warranty, they'll also get all the other benefits of new MINI owners: 24 hour roadside assistance, trip interruption benefits, map services, etc. Transfering the warranty over the new owner is free, quick and painless. Just have them call MINIUSA and with the vehicle's VIN number, the warranty will be transfered to the new owner at no charge


Be honest about major body/paint work. However, don't feel compelled to point out every little paint chip, nick, ding or scratch to a buyer. The understanding here is that they are buying an used car, not a brand new car off the dealer showroom floor. If people want 100% perfection, then buy new.

Replace the tires if they look too worn out. Even if the car is pristine outside/inside, worn off rubber is a potential turn off to many buyers.

If a buyer(s) want to test drive the car, be prepared to ask for their driver licenses. Just do this as basic precaution.

If you feel uncomfortable with an individual(s) that come to take a look at the car, don't feel obligated to go through with it.

Don't accept personal checks for payment. Cash or Bank Cashier's check are safer methods of payment.

If you still owe money on the car, disclose this to the buyer. Also find out the most current up-to-date payoff from the bank and what procedures need to be followed (Including total time) to have them release the certificate of title.

If the buyer insists in having the car checked by an independent mechanic, offer them that you will pay for the check-up service.

Make sure the buyer has current car insurance coverage which is required for you to sell the car and transfer the title.

That's all I can think of for now.

 

Sorry for your experiences. Hoping I'll get lucky, then!

I think one of the differentiators for me will be the huge delta in cost between what it would cost someone to buy one new, configured this way, and what they would pay me. New, this car will run about $33,000 -$35,000 depending on the dealer install costs. Mine's going out at $26,500.

Good luck chrisnl!!

MINISteve

 

Again thanks... Nice short-list. I'm fortunate that insurance requirements aren't in play here in NC for a private sale. I did check title release with the bank and it's a simple matter. They are sending the title to my loacal branch and my bank officer can sign the lein release on-the-spot. This will allow a buyer to receive a clear title at delivery if we conduct it during banking hours. A notarized signature on my sale of the car to the new party is required here, and the bank officer can provide that service at the same time... and I can put the funds directly in to the bank right then... Convenient to have your car loan through your local bank!!

Thanks kindly for the advice.

MINISteve

 

Chrisl, also keep in mind that Coopers are a bit slower sellers in the used car market vs the more "desirable" Cooper S models.

True, the new vs used market is pretty tight, but there are buyers outthere willing to spring for a quality used MINI

In the West Coast used MINis are selling at ridiculous prices. These buyers would be advised to look for cars in the East coast.

 

The fly-drive approcah is a great way to get to know your new MINI!
and coast-to-coast reliable, covered trasport is pretty reasonable as compared to what's being paid on the 'left coast' now.

MINISteve

 

I got my 05 Cabrio MC in October 2004. In December of 2004 my husband traded my 03 MC with 20k miles for a BMW. BMW gave us a trade in for exactly what I paid for it in January of 03.

Lois:smile:

 

Thanks Lois... It's harder to get that type of paper trade-in value when buying a new MINI 'cuz they just aren't discounted at all (some are even paying premiums to the dealer )

MINISteve
BTW: Love the Cabrio! My new one will also be BRG. Do you have the black or dark green roof (I'll understand if you have to go out and close the lid to remind yourself )

 

If you post for sale on-line, your first question to any inquiries should be, "where are you located?"

Don't share any information about yourself until you find out if the potential buyer is located in the U.S. All inquiries you receive from overseas will be frauds. They will try to sound like they are interested in the car, then they will tell you that they represent a buyer, who cannot be reached for the next few weeks, but has left a cashiers check for several thousand more than your price (or some variation on that). They'll send you the check, you send the difference back to them, and they'll arrange for transport of the car.

Of course the way this will play-out is that, you deposit their check, mail the difference to them. Then their check turns out to be counerfit, or otherwise fraudlent. The funds never get to your account or, if they have, have to be re-claimed by the bank, but your check is cashed at the other end, and you never hear from them again.

I got several of these when I was selling my '03 and just stopped responding when I found out they were overseas.

 

Thanks! Always good advice.

Where did you post your car?
Were you happy with the final results?

...how long did it take?

AtDhVaAnNkCsE,
MINISteve

 

I saw one for sale by owner today here in Birmingham. The owner really needs to remove all of his bumper stickers and take the yakima roof rack off.

so my advice would be to take any stickers or personal items off/out of the car. they made it look like a college kid was bashing it around. . . .

 

It's black:smile: I think Although the top has been up since Monday due to Dennis

Lois

 

I don't have a MINI sale experience to contribute, but just wanted to welcome another BRG cabrio owner!

Mine is BRG with the green top, and I LOVE IT.

Good luck with the sale and congrats on the new MINI!

-Teri

 

SORRY!

Remember... if you drive quickly, the rain won't get in... though it does make pulling in to the garage an interesting study in applied physics!!

 

Thanks! I also ordered the green/green. Love to see pix anytime.

MINISteve

 

Check out his gallery the BRG Cabrio looks great.



Art

 

No Link

 

I posted on craigslist, autotrader.com, and I ran an add in the San Francisco Chronicle. However, I live in a location with 5 MINI dealerships within 60 miles of me. So there are quite a few MINIs in the area. In addition, my car was financed. So I would have had to clear the lien to transfer title. In the end, I wasn't able to get enough over the dealer's valuation to make a private sale worth while.

 

Sorry to hear that, but thanks for the good advise passed earlier.

MINISteve