Warm greetings to All from the Eastern Sierras of California!

I've sacrificed having a nice car all my life so that I could take care of my family and get secure. My current car of over 3 years is a 1994 Acura Legend LS with over 300k miles (still running strong!) that I bought for $3k, put 60k miles on, got a refund from insurance for $2200 on (sucked out most the dents!) and drive everyday. It's time. After almost 4 degrees and workin' my donkey for years. I've turned 30: my family is safe, healthy and whole.

I have been thinking about what to finally get for myself for many years, but seriously in the past year. Last year, my friend Ian had a patient in his chair at his dental office who owned a super-highend car dealership (ferrari's and all that) - so he asked him, what's his favorite car. Answer: Mini Cooper JCW. Ian was stunned, avid car magazine reader and also looking to buy his own dream car never really looked at the mini because it was simply just under his radar. We went to test drive them. Drove the MCS, MCC automatic, and HAD to have them pull the JCW out of the showroom so we could take it for a spin. Wow. We had a lot of fun. 3 weeks ago Ian bought a beautiful barely used black MCS JCW with sunroof (not premium, package why not??), sport (of course), and cold weather - get this - only 4300 miles for $25,000 shipped from a mini dealer in NJ to Southern California! Of course I am jealous, and so I have to get an even better deal.

Of course I scan ebay, autotrader and cars.com, but I also have a method for seeing all the minis for all cities on craigslist: that's where the deals are (please don't ask me how to do this as it was hard for me to figure out and I don't want to ruin a good thing since it still work, apparently craigslist doesn't like it and it's banned from doing commercial and I'd only go through the hassle again for $, so no can do).

I think I've found one. First, let me tell you have given up as I think I've found some pretty amazing deals:

1. 2005 MCS HB/HB 20k miles, #1 sport, chrono, #3 cold weather for $19k (Chicago - sold)
2. 2004 with 3-spoke steering wheel (2004.5?), 43k miles, #1,#2,#3 for $16,500 (Minnesota - sold next day)
3. 2005 PW with the biege/black leather interior I love, 38k miles, #1,#2,#3, navi for $18,500 (he might still have it, in NJ)
4. 2005 HB/HB 17k miles, #1,#2, int. chrome, h/k, driving lights: $21,995 Florida (click here - search for Mini)

So here are my options, I am pursuing #1:
1. 2005 MCS JCW DS with 5k miles, #1,#3, chrono, driving lights, interior chrome, aftermarket XM (should I have this removed?) - Southeast (not gonna let anyone in on THIS deal <grin>)
2. 2005 MCCS 16k miles, #1, #2, #3, ext. chrome, int. chrome, H/K for $24,250 (if you want it, to get this price mention "b8b" to Ramon - here is the link )
3. some guy who won't reveal his name or number and hasn't responded to email with contact info and info about the car I would buy NOW if he would: 2004.5 BRG, 18k miles, (?!) #1,#2,#3,H/k, navi $17,000 (AH! I WANT IT! <sigh>) - So.Cal.

So what should I get? Any suggestions? Why does some 2004's have the 3-spoke steering wheel - do you call it a 2004 and 1/2 like some do other cars that change mid-year like this? Does the 2005 JCW come with LSD or only after a certain date? What does build-date signify in 2005 JCW's (seen some posting that referred to it)?

My goal is to buy and drive it for a few years and sell/trade it on another and keep going and not pay more than $0.15 per mile in depreciation expenses... which I am fairlycertain I can do, if the strong Mini market holds.

I've searched the forums but must be searching in a way that is not retrieving the info I am looking for. Although I'm new to this forum, I am familiar with mini's and values and been watching them for a long time. I'm ready. Any an all comments, advice, feedback etc. is greatly appreciated. I also hope that someone finds a couple of those deals above good for themselves.

Thanks in advance, b8b

 

DOH! Forgot to say how much on my preferred purchase (2005 DS JCW): $23,500

I really want #3 cold weather and #2 premium as I lvoe the steering wheel controls, bummed about that... any way to add it?

 

How about buying mine,all the packages and many more mods than a JCW. Also extended service plan and low jack. Check out my post under 2004 chili red MCS. Give me a cll if interested and we can work on the price 7149934740.

Gianni

 

Not as interested in mods, but open to it. Does it have a 3-spoke steering wheel (no pics of interior)?

Thanks,
b

 

PM Sent

 

Mine's a 2004 MC CR/CR with an original JCW tuning kit, but my daughter is seriously trying to buy it, so guess it's not for sale anymore. It does have a very unusual retrofitted cruise story that's so much fun to tell, therefore, I do have the three spoke steering wheel. It's also got HK and the Nav system. I was asking $19K but you prolly want an "S" anyhow, right?

 

I do want/need an S, but I am VERY interested in your 3-spoke story!

 

1. Build date of 07/04 on is a 2005 model.
2. LSD is an option you could buy first in 05. Its something the original owner had to order.
3. Nothing. A car built from 07/04 on is an 05. JCW has nothing to do with it. However ... 04 JCWs may NOT be the same or have the same HP as 05+ models unless the original owner also bought the JCW upgrade kit. Caveat Emptor. You can most likely tell if the 04 car has the upgrade kit if it has the JCW CAI.

 

Thanks for answering my questions... when I find another '04 with the three spoke steering wheel I'll post a link or PM you one so you can see...

 

#1 is still an option for me to buy
#2 sold yesterday
I have another option (I'll call it #4): 2005 S PW with cream leather/black interior (not sure what color ya'll call it). #1,#2,#3 packages. Extended service to 50k miles, issue: 38k miles and counting... $18,000

I am also seriously considering MINISPIDER's (choice #5, not in order of preference of course):

So what should I choose? Advice based on optimal resale value and purchase value appreciated... TIA!

 

No need, I have one ...



BTW, 38K miles on a one year old car??? I would never buy that. WAY too many miles considering the average person puts on 10K/year. The miles will kill the resale value.

 

Great advice! Thanks!! That's the kind of advice I am looking for. Keep it coming

Are you selling yours?

 

I thought I would get a lot more responses... you're feedback will influence what I buy! this might not be a lot fo money for some, but it is for me!

Was my original post too long? Thought it might be fun for some...

 

My new baby is an '06 PW/B MCS JCW and is an awesome car. The guys in the MINI service dept drool over it everytime I take it in. JCW wheels, brakes, and next week a JCW suspension is getting installed. About the only things I don't have are a sun roof (yuck, too hot) and the Nav (got a portable Tom Tom). I'll PM you about the steering wheel story.

 

I am getting a HB/w JCW at the end of this month (its on the ship on its way). I have to say I don't have the most experience with the Mini Cooper yet, but I think for what your looking for a MCS with a few MODS or a JCW of course a 6speed, the sport package the preminum package and maybe a sun roof and your good to go.

PS misfit toy is selling his and its clean and there also some on on here trying to sale a black on black and its very clean look in the classified section.

 

While 38k miles is high for an 05, have you talked to the owner about what kind of miles they are? For myself, if its only freeway miles, then that is not so bad and worth consideration. I would rather have freeway miles than 1/3 the miles with an autocrosser. And you should always have the car checked out by a trusted mechanic to make sure all the bits are OK.

Price-wise, that is a great deal.

Good luck.

 

Ah NO. I'm keeping it until about 2024 then putting it up for auction at Barret-Jackson

No your post isnt too long, ask all the questions you need, someone will try to help

38K, regardless of how used, is terrible for resale, dont even think it. Just look at any used car guide (e.g., kbb.com) they always subtract for high mileage

 

Yeah, I saw those... not exactly what I am looking for and thoo much (respectively). I am leaning towards choice #1, I just wish it had premium or eve just steering wheel controls as I could live without the sunroof :(

Is there a way to add a steering wheel with control if there were non before?

 

That's a great story! You should post it