Basil is at the dealer (visit #7) for a runability problem. This is the last attempt to correct said problem. I am torn, as I really like Basil, have done some non-transferrable mods, and don't want to take a huge loss. I can't in good conscience sell him, if the problem isn't fixed, so I am left with the choice to keep him, or trade him. Keeping him (if repaired) would involve new brakes and a new clutch in fairly short order. The plus side is a low payment. I only financed $9k due to a large trade-in allowance.
If I were to trade him, I would take a huge loss in value, plus having to start from scratch on mods. I would gain new car warranty/ maint, revised gearing and that new car happiness. And a larger payment.
The wife seems to be OK with the new car idea, but once the payments kick in, that would change. Happened before, will happen again. Fact of life.

What would you do?


Oh, the trade would be for an 06 MCS. Wouldn't even consider any other car. I LOVE MINIs.

 

Hmmm... Have you started negotiations with the dealer yet? Maybe their desire to deal can seal it one way or another for you...

On the plus side, you get the new car and warranty. From a mod standpoint, you can "start over", which can be a plus/minus, depending on how you look at it. You will certainly get the benefit of hindsight with your new mods (if that matters.)

Tough call; I've only had my '06 for a year, and I am really attached to it. But once the factory warranty is over, if I start seeing un-diagnosible (is that a word?) problems (like you described in your other thread), I would probably swap for the newer car...

Good luck!

-Ed

 

Can you still get an '06? '07 is a signifcantly different car, in more ways than just being turbo vs. SC-ed

 

Yeah, dealer still has a bunch of 06s. And they are discounting!
Guess I'll see what happens this trip and go from there.
At this point I wouldn't consider an 07; don't like being a 1st-year guinea pig.

 

Get a Beater of a 1000 dollar car and put your Mini into the garage, making it an all out fire breathing race car

Thats what I would do.

 

I agree with Catastrophe, sort of... get a beater and pay off the MINI loan, and then save up for the new car. Screw all theat interest.

(...please forgive me, I am a recovering bankruptcy lawyer, and I absolutely hate paying interest on anything....)

On the other hand, if you absolutely cannot wait to get rid of the current car, then I say dump it now, and roll it into a new loan, and do not get any mods now. Just pay double payments ont he loan, and enjoy the new ride. A stock car is not all that bad, so you would not be suffering too much. Why keep paying interest? That is money you could put into modifications later - wait up on them for now.

Just MY take. Your mileage may vary... /// JR ///

 

Can another dealer get the job done?

 

When you trade it is the dealer going to know it doesn't run well and apparantly can't be fixed? If so, what is the dealer supposed to do with it. I'd hate to see them turn around and sell it to the unwary, but you know they will.

Not sure what the problem is with the car, but if its not an OEM failure but is caused by your mods I think you should sort out the problem first, or sell it outright "as is", informing the buyer of the problems of course, and take your losses honorably.

 

Your going to take a beating on the trade-in.

Keep the 03 and just by the 06

Work on the 03 when you have time and money. Keep the 06 STOCK.

 

I say cut your losses & trade in Basil for Basil 2006 It will hurt your pocketbook at 1st but the joy of troublefree motoring will make up for it & you can re-mod a lil at a time. Plus by the time Basil 2 wears out hopefully there will be a more clear direction as to where the R56 (or whatever it will be called by then) is heading

 

My '06 is much better in soooo many areas over my '02; drivabilty, gearbox, complete lack of issues and gremlins. If you can get a good deal on an '06, I'd say go for it....

 

Lesse here; in no particular order:
No other dealer within 500 miles.
My dealer pronounced it "normal" when they couldn't figure it out. What they do with it is up to them.
My mods are pretty standard, and I haven't heard of this problem from the rest of the modded S's, so the mods are probably not the problem. (I am removing the VGS and putting that back to stock).
If I can get it running better than halfway-decent, I'll keep him. Got a daughter about to turn 16 and she'll be needing a car, so I'll put the new car on hold for a while.
Thanks for the support.

 

Best of Luck-- a very hard decision. If they can't fix it and call it "normal" then they should give you a good trade in value in an ideal world... Do they have any 06's that you like???

 

What's the problem? Maybe the combined expertise on NAM can assist!

 

Not to be a backseat parent, but no, she doesn't need a car.

I didn't get a car until 18, and even then I paid for it, not for lack of ability to pay for a car from my parents, but for my parents trying to teach me the value of a dollar. And after 3 long years of putting the car back together (900 dollar beater), I think I learned it
2 pennies

 

My daddy gave me a car on my 16th B'day & I turned out OK

 

Catastrophe, I hear what you're saying, but she has a job and will be paying her share. It won't be anywhere near a new car, like she thinks. Saw a 65 Rambler station wagon on Craigslist today that might fit the bill.
Oh, and I got a car for my 16th too, and I turned out....well, nevermind.

Might pull the trigger on Basil 2.0 today. Had him at the dealer yesterday and they charged me for work not done; I think I'll use that as a negotiating tool.

 

My father bought me a Vega when I started college. I still have PTS.

 

Oooooooh keep us posted

 

Just remember....small back seat for a teenager. Very small. If you take the leap show us pics!!!! Good luck

 

Basil 2.0 is waiting in the wings. 06 MCSa, all hyper blue, silly-good discount, plus the dealer is swapping over some of my mods (not the pulley, dangit!).
Picking him up tomorrow since the detail shop was closed by the time I decided on which car I wanted. I am not totally thrilled about the auto trans, but the other family members really liked the idea. Ever the diplomat.
Pics to follow delivery.

 

Oh brother! Good for you!

Mind if I ask what neighborhood silly-good is in? (NM-I could fly-drive...)

Hmmm....

 

Congrats! Sounds like it worked out well for you all-around.

 

Congrats!!!

 

congrats 3cocinas... sad to see basil 1.0 go, but i think you'll really notice the difference in the 06... can't wait to see pics... and welcome to the hyper blue world! (now a collector's color!)