Hi I'm new to this forum. Just a quick intro, just graduated school about a year ago, and have been trying to decide on what kind of car to buy. Started first with a G35 coupe, then new Audi A4, then to a new 330, back to Audi, and finally decided to a MCS. So I found a great deal on a '04 MCS, black with less than 10,000 miles for under $13,000. Clear history, Manual tranny, The only draw back seems to be that it doesn't really have any options, no sport, no nothing, except for the sunroof, basically bone stock. With the money saved on buying the car, I could mod the crap out of it, suspension, wheels, dinan stuff, etc...what do you guys think?

 

This sounds like a really great deal, actually. I have the Sport Package, and although I really like the fog lamps, the Xenons and DSC, I would definetly had seriously considered the car you mentioned here. I was just being picky since it was my first new car in while. I really don't think this great deal will last at that price.

 

Even with just the sunroof, that price sounds suspiciously low. Is the seller just clueless? Should be at least $4k higher.

 

yeah it sound really low to me as well, but the seller moved to europe for work and he has to buy a new car. He's looking for a quick sale. Carfax totally checks out and he's willing to fly back to the states to complete the sale. How important is DSC, seems like a major selling point with the sports package?

 

sounds way too low, but if it's not salvaged yeah, get it. you can always flip it later if you want to upgrade. you could probably trade it in to your mini dealer for a new order for more than that...

 

Run the vin by a mini dealer as well. Carfax doesn't catch everything, but it's pretty good.

Leaving the country sales usually benefit the purchaser so it's probably completely legit.

Don't worry about DSC(dynamic stability control), go to some autocrosses and learn to drive the car so the car doesn't have to help , and viola, no need for DSC.

Nice find.

 

Thanks for all the help guy, I really appreciate it.

 

If have checked the vin with the dealer I would go for it. You could mod the crap out of it and have lots of fun.

 

Wow, that is an incredible $$ . Go for it if the title run is clear , and do what you want.

 

What state do you live in? That affects the price as well. If you live on the west coast, the price is too low.

 

Not trying to rain on this, but I am still a little skeptical with the price for that car. All I can say is be very careful! There are a LOT of scams out there and if the seller starts asking you to do stuff in a weird way (wiring money around and so forth), I'd run away!

 

I'm being very cautious with this deal, but he did offer to fly out, and let me test drive the car. I will not deal with anyone that wants me to wire money.

 

I'm skeptical too, but it sounds like you're being very cautious If it is the real thing, you're getting a fabulous deal. Great find!

 

Great deal if its not a scam. Where did you find the deal? If its on the internet somewhere and the seller has emailed you back, send the email/situation to the website asking if it might be a fraud. People don't usually change their story much so if it has already been turned in once as a fraud the website will recognize it and let you know. I've found great deals a few times and the websites have confirmed my suspicions for me, and took care of it.

 

If you have done your homework and you "know" there are no problems, just to be on the safe side, see if you can take it to a MINI dealer and have them hook it up to a diagnostic computer...if there are any problems, they will show up there. I had a '04 MC that was under recall because the motherboard went bad....

The price seems too good to be true and I have a little voice in my head saying "Buyer beware!"

Once it has been checked out by the dealer, and there isn't anything wrong with it, then JUMP ON IT and motor on!!! Good luck, Mick

 

I'm with chrisneal on this.

What state was the car originally registered in? If it was Texas, Lousiana, or Florida I'd be very suspicious of water damage. That can never be fixed short of replacing EVERYTHING electrical in the car including all the wires etc.

Find out which state it has been registered in, if you can.

 

I ran the carfax, and it was originally registered in florida, but there aren't any reports of severe accients or total loss, and everything checks out. I'm going to give mini a call and have them double check the vin, like draggonmann suggested. I am going into this deal expecting it not to happen, but so far the seller has been very open, and not vague about any of the details. Part of me want to believe it's real but an overwhelming part of me is yelling, "BE VERY CAREFUL!" I have delt with one other scam artist, and I knew it was a scam but I just played him to familiarize myself with what the enemy's methods are. he is willing to meet with me face to face and let me test drive the car. Right now it's just a wait-and-see-type-thing. I won't really no that much more until he responds. You guys are awesome, thanks for looking out for a future mini motorist.

 

Call ASK MINI @ 1-866-275-6464 give them the VIN tell them your going to buy it and ask them for the history.

 

It sounds like youve gotten a bunch of good advice... Good luck and we will keeP our fingers crossed this is a real deal!

 

Yeah, awesome deal!!! Great Price for an S. If I could do it again, I wouldn't have gotten sports or premium packages, mainly due to the amount it cost and the fact that DSC sucks. I almost sold mine to get the same exact color, but bone stock.

 

Sorry, sounds like a scam for a flood damaged vehicle. You know the saying "if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is". I would have the car checked from top to bottom by a reputable mechanic if you do plan on going for this...

 

You said it was originally registered in Florida. Do you know if this is the original owner selling the MINI? You may have said and I overlooked. The reason I ask is because I had an 03 that I sold earlier this year. Bone stock MCS plus fogs and sunroof. If push came to shove and I had to sale it for payoff. It would have been around $12,000. Maybe that is the case here if it is the original owner and they are selling it for payoff. I don't see a payoff being that low with a second owner.

Then again. Still be careful. That may not be the case. Even after checking it out completely like mentioned. Check into the Carfax buyback guarantee. I've never used the guarantee but some here may be more familiar if it actually works if there is a problem not visible upfront.

As for being a bone stock MCS. Don't worry about that unless you like a lot of options in a car. Like I mentioned. My 03 MCS was close to stock with the only major option being a sunroof. I sold it for an 06 MCS and basically ordered another near bone stock MCS. I have a few options such as Anthracite headliner, chrome trim and LSD. But I have no packages or options that will make the car have a higher resale if someone were to point a gun at me and made me sell it. Base or loaded. Either way. The MINI is a fun car to drive everyday.

Good luck and hopefully it's not too good to be true.

 

Echoing sentiments to be very, very wary. Take it to a mechanic and have them go over it closely. They did recently have a few hurricanes in FL - flood damage = not good.
Sounds even more suspicious (IMO) that the guy will fly back for a test drive. That's a big expense if you're just a tire kicker. I'd probably be a jerk and ask to see his plane ticket.
BTW - the word you're looking for is 'base' or 'stripper' - mine was bone stock, but loaded with options.

Good luck!

 

Assuming everything is on the up and up, you could instantly flip the car and turn a few grand profit!!! If you were really interested in a new MINI, the dealer would probably make you a good deal with this as a trade! 12G sounds to good to be true but if it is I'd jump on it

 

I had a bone stock '04 MCS with no packages, no sunroof, just H/K and a few options here and there. I sold it privately for $22K a year ago and the car had 17K miles.

Be very careful with the type of deal you are getting here. Get the car inspected with a fine tooth comb. Lots of Flooded cars in coming out of the US Southeast due to last year's hurricane season. price seems too low to be true.

Enjoy but be careful. Once you are scammed, you'll be royally screwed.