I was just on the local MINI dealer sites and they are leasing new MINI Coopers for 250.00 a month 36 months PLus offering under 4% to buy new MINI Coopers. I notice that the market is flooded with used MINI Coopers as well.

I bought my car last year and it took me forever to find a good used one for under 20k. Now I see good deals everywhere and used prices as low as 13k.

What gives?

Is it the economy?

 

Partly, economy and also MINIs just like parent company BMW is dropping in price after new models (R56) come out. I have seen low mile E46 M3s for $24,000, but a year and a half ago (before E90 came out) you couldn't find them under $29,999. But generally, they both hold their value for their 7 year life cycle. (BMW traditionally builds models for 7 years)

But it sounds like your itching for a new one?

 

I also noticed the 3.9% financing. The dealer I looked at said "sale ends 1/31/09". Anyone know if this is true?

 

I wish that I was in a market for a new one but it is not going to happen for me since I just bought my used one last year. I wish that I had waited a year and just bought a new one. I love my MINI but she is no longer under warranty.

 

I never had any mechanical type problems with my 06 GP0019, and I just exceeded the 30k mark, (no longer under warranty) I hope the good luck continues, but not too worried about it. Because last 04 MCS I had, I put 134,000 miles on it, both crank and SC pulleys installed, several track days and never a problem. But as for maintainence issues there are much much cheaper options than "stealership". I am not sure where you live, but I assume you are near Philly, a good place www.helix13.com they are moving to Manyunck or if you are near Ottos MINI there is www.bimmerworks.com in West Chester. But really, I think the 1st gen R50/53 has more character, than newer R56 model. So, it sounds like you made the right choice. IMO

 

The really weird thing I just noticed on the dealer sites is they seem to have pulled their inventory lists. I've been watching North Scottsdale and their inventory had gone up to 226 new MINIs. Now they show only one of each model and their few used models.
Maybe they are worried about the appearance of too many MINIs in one spot, but there is no way they could sell 222 in one day.
I watch out of interest as I'm on the list for the 2010 4WD should the fates allow. I don't want to trade in the Clubman after waiting 25 months for its release here, although we'll see. By 2010 it may be time to trade for a new one, after the warranty ends.

 

The lease rates have gone down a few percent since the fall in western Canada too.

 

Thank you soo much for this information. I bookmarked both sites. I have been looking hard for places to take her since she is out of warranty now. I live about 1 hr drive from West Chester so those links will come in handy. I do want to join the Philly Mini group one of these days too.

 

The '09 Philly MINI memberships start 4/1, and there's definitely some great events already scheduled. You should at least join the forums to keep up to date on things going on.

But yeah, economy is part of the issue as cars in general aren't selling. There's two dealerships just down the road that have had the same MINI's (and other cars) on the lot for months now. The one has had their MINI and smart car sitting next to each other for at least 4 months now...

Bimmerworks and Helix are both good alternatives to taking your car to the "stealership". Haven't been to Bimmerworks yet, but have heard nothing but good things about them. Was just at Helix last Friday getting a pulley, CAI, and strut tower defenders installed and they were great. Plus the couch is comfy.