I am looking to sell my MINI. I love the car but I do not drive anymore as I live and work in the city. I have listed the car on cars.com and Craigslist since the begining of the year. I have had no serious offers on the car at all. I am looking for a little input on the ad. Here is the car and the ad. Thanks for any help anyone can provide! (I do have 4 pics on the ad)

If you want to buy it lemme know


2003 Mini Cooper $16,000 FIRM. (Kelley Blue Book Private Party Value)
No dealers or brokers, please.
52,000 miles
Black Body/Black Roof
New Clutch at 33,000 miles
New Tires at 40300 (Stock Run-Flats were replaced with Pirelli P Zero Asimetrico)
After Market Exhaust

I can provide all my service reciepts (there was one previous owner) and a clean title CarFax report to the purchaser.
“One-touch” window/roof control using key, 16” Alloy 5-Star Wheels, 4 cup holders (3 front, 1 rear), 5-speed Manual Transmission, 6 way adjustable seats (manual) w/height adjustment
ABS, AM/FM Radio, CD Player, Auto AC, Body colored roof, Climate Controlled Glove Box, Cruise Control, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Flat tire monitor, Front Fog Lamps, Frontal/Head/Side Driver-Side Airbags, Frontal/Head/Side Passenger-Side Airbags
Heated Mirrors, Heated Seats, Heated Washer Jets, Leatherette Interior, Map reading and footwell lights, Multi-Function steering wheel, On-Board Computer, Power Dual Pane Panoramic Sunroof, Power exterior mirror control, Power Front Windows with “one-touch” down operation, Rear Spoiler, Rear Window Defroster, Rear Window Wiper, Remote Keyless Entry, Sport Seats, Spare Tire (some Mini Coopers do not have a spare tire), Tilt Wheel, Power Steering

 

Maybe people are confused whether or not it is a Cooper or an "S". The photo looks line an S but the description of the car and transmission makes it sound like a regular Cooper.

It was not immediatly apparent to me when reading your ad.

 

It's a Cooper

 

I recently tried to sell my 2003 Cooper. It was listed on Autotrader, Craigslist.com and a few forums for over two months with absolutely no interest so I know how tough it is.

I have a few reactions to the ad. This isn't to say that you have to answer them here... just letting you know what I see and what might be an issue to potential buyers.

1. Why was the clutch replaced so early? Was the car abused??

2. Price - I think its too high. A MINI selling at Private party is no deal. I'm seeing that you are the second owner too so I'd, personally, expect a lower price.

 

I'd have to agree with Stefanie, $16k for an out-of-warranty 2 owner car is too much. And the FIRM thing is a little off-putting.
Have you tried selling it to a dealer?

 

why do you care where the money comes from?

Just a thought...

Matt

 

price is reasonable, could be a little lower of course (like everything else), but it is not my business to discuss it since i have no intentions in purchasing it. If i was a buyer, i would have sent an e-mail or pm to discuss the price with the owner.

Hope you sell it quickly, Good Luck

 

Your price is too high to be FIRM. I sold my '03 with half as many miles as yours for $16250 this past summer.

The other problem with your ad is that it's cluttered with things that are standard on all MINIs - CD player, climate-controlled glove box, 6-way adjustable seats, power windows/mirrors, tilt wheel, power steering, etc. Most MINI buyers are pretty informed, so adding all that extra verbiage just makes it harder to tell what extra options the car comes with.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the responses!
The FIRM & no dealers/brokers is responses to inquirys that have offered me $10k and dealers who have just wasted my time. I will be sliming down the ad as suggested and will be removing that also. I really can't come down much on the price because of the outstanding loan on it and I know I am on the high end. I am working out somethings to be able to bring the price down to sell the car.

Thanks for your help guys and gals!

 

You really can't factor your personal financial situation with the car into the price and expect a potential buyer to care about that.

It's worth what it's worth, unless selling it is optional for you.

Just trying to help!
Chris

 

I am also going by KBB pricing for the price, not just what I owe on it. And I really don't need to sell the car. Just would like to free up cash to save for a down payment on a convertable.

 

all I have ever heard about KBB is that their prices are unrealistically high. I can't think of the book that dealers use (black book?) but that is the book with more realistic pricing

 

Yep. IMHO, KBB.com is a waste of bandwidth... For what it's worth, a couple of MCS's have been posted and sold for less over the past few months.

 

edmunds.com seems to have a reasonable pricing guide. I am about $1,000 over that amount. I will be lowering the price to $15,000. (the amount on edmunds.com) and taking it in for and oil change and a good look over.

Thanks for the help!

 

NADA Blue Book is what most dealers use, I believe. I also think most banks/lending institutions have them and base loans on it - maybe you could look at one there.

Jake

 

$15,000 sounds reasonable. The FIRM might have scared a few people off. Between those two changes hopefully you'll see some more interest.

Best of luck with the sale!

 

You also have to factor in that a lot of people want the S.

And if you still have your stock exhaust, I would say "Will put stock exhaust back on at the time of purchase if you prefer." Most people, especially people buying a regular MC will not want the mods, simple as that.

-Cody

 

Didn't find any substantial nibbles until I got under $16k. Still waiting for a buyer, but I'm getting interest at least...

Also, consider time of the year: After Christmas until tax refund time, money is tight for most folks.