Guy is asking $27,500 for space blue MCS Checkmate with 26,000 miles. It has pretty much everything on it: DSC, chrono with chrome gauges, zenons, Harmon Kardon, convenience, cold weather, premium and JCW aero kit, which really makes it look killer!

Does anyone think the price is a bit steep?

I've contemplated just getting an 09 MCS $28K or even a stripped down 09 JCW for around $32K, but I really like the R53 so much better than the R56.

BTW, I'm probably gonna get rid of my Cayman S for the Cooper much to the dismay of some of my friends. They don't get it though. I keep telling them the Cooper is as much fun or even more fun to drive

 

welcoem to the FUN size family of MINI.. i cant help ya on yr question as my next MINI will be loaded JCW or GP(if they ever do it again)...

did u check the selling price using kelley blue book or equivalent?

btw, cayman S is one of my dream cars to own...

 

FYI.

I bought my Mini last year in March. with 24K miles, Premium, NAV, etc

Dealer (Budget Car Sales) was asking Kelly Blue Book ($28.5) for it and we finally settled on $22.4K. Even tho that was a little higher than I had really wanted to pay, the car was like new and had about everything I wanted at the time.. A few mods here and there and it's a little quicker than it used to be. She's been great for the 42,000 miles we have shared together so far.

Good luck and a little negotiation never hurts.

Jim

 

Keep in mind that the Checkmate was only offered in '06, therefor it is a bit of a collectable. If it is Space Blue Metalic, that color was only offered in '06 as well.

Definitely check th Blue Book listing, but expect it to be valued a little higher than a typical MCS.

 

I bet you could talk him down to 23 or less.

 

Thanks for the quick feedback. I'm obsessed with getting a Mini lately and I really want a 2006 R53, especially this Checkmate which is so awesome, even though people are asking ridiculous prices for 2-year-old cars. The market is really hot. The turbo R56 is fine but it's not quite the same as the supercharger. I've driven both a couple of times. Plus, the interior on the R53 is so much better than the R56.

I think I'll offer the guy $24K and see what he says. I forgot to tell you guys that the car is in LA and i'm just outside DC so I'm gonna have to have it shipped.

Maybe I've lost my mind and I should just get a brand new 09 MCS with some nice options for around $28K? I'm even toying with the 09 JCW with basic stuff like the red leather/cloth seat combo,MFSW and the upgraded sound system.

What sort of regular maintenance costs can I expect on the Checkmate going forward? It has about a year left on the free service warranty and almost 2 on the entire warranty.

 

i would remember to add IMHO after your comments about the R53 vs R56 unless you want to be convinced to get an R56 . If youre going R53 and youve got the cash, i would say go for an 06 JCW. Theyre quite fast and you can option the hell out of it for your budget, and maybe get some aftermarket parts to make it even faster

 

The Checkmate interior is a lot better IMHO, and I think the R53 has a better configuration than the R56, but that's me and nothing against the R56.

The maintenance cost on my MINI have been minimal. I changed the brake fluid (not offered by the dealer as part of the regular service), I do my own oil changes and switched to AmsOil. My MINI has been the most trouble free (knock on wood) vehicle I've ever owned.

Be sure to get with the local MINI club, you'll enjoy talking "MINI" with them and it is a great way to learn more about yours. It really is a culture unto itself.

Keep us posted on how it goes! Best of luck!

 

MINIs do historically have one of the highest resale values. Don't let it scare you. Haggle if you can, I think you can get it a little less than what he is asking.

Mine just went over 40,500 miles this weekend, so at 26,000 miles it isn't bad.

 

I offered $23K. Guess I just have to wait and see. Thanks again for the advice

 

Well, no go on the $23K offer. Maybe the Checkmate is worth closer to the $27.5 asking price, but I just think the mileage is a bit high. Anyway, back to the drawing board. Might just order a lightly optioned 09 JCW and be done with it even though I'm partial to the R53.

 

Have you looked to see what Blue Book was on it?

 

Hiya,

Make sure it's a real checkmate. Get photos if possible. Look for the paint color badge on the right side under the hood. The dash paint and door surrounds should match the body color perfectly, and the seats are the leather and fabric two tone that were exclusive to that year. Mine are a blue leather and silver fabric. Try to run the vin number to see what that says. It should give a list of the included options, which were numerous on the checkmate packages. There are a lot of checkmate wannabe's out there, beware.

jrw

 

I've got about the same car, got it with 7800 miles on it, for slightly less $ in early 2008. You will love the car and they are hard to find. There was a loaded balck one on NAM not long agao, not sure if it's still there, but the space blue turns heads wherever I go, guess it was a special edition, at one MINI event, they alsked me to put it with the featured SHOW mini's.