Well guys, I have been wanting a r50 since December and finally have multiple buyers for my Jeep. Got a shock today when a dealership told me that 2005 r50's are going for $11-12k at the auction now. Auction prices continue to climb because people are buying used instead of new. I think if I had $10,000 a month or two ago I could have came home with an 05..but now its impossible.

I have not actually sold my Jeep yet, I just want to sell it before college in the fall. The sooner the better though so I can get a gas sipper to use for biking and paddling trips this summer.

What are some alright MINI alternatives for $10,000? I have been looking at 05 Mazda3's and they seem sorta cool. I wanted a 2005 Outback forever except the gas mileage sucks.

Was really hoping I could join you all with a MINI but I don't think that can happen now. . Some suggestions on a cool-college-kids-car for me to put a roof rack on and get good gas mileage? Thanks a ton. You guys rock.

 

You had better not even think about another vehicle. You need to stick with it and find the gem in the rough!

 

If you buy a Mazda 3 get one with side airbags. Without them, that car is a death trap.

As far as the MINI, it all depends on what exactly are you looking for. If I were to sell my 2005 MCS with 55K miles, I can expect to get between $15K-$16K on a private sale (Car was $22K brand new).

 

May I suggest expanding your search to out of state leads? The prospect of picking up your MINI from far away is exciting. Imagine getting a nice roadtrip out of the deal.

 

2005 MC with 50-60k have jumped just a little above my price range. One dealer said he had an 05 MCS with 92k in my range though...but not sure about that one.

My mom just told me that she might 'help me out' as my graduation present. I think I could possibly get an 05 MC for $12k now. This market is changing so fast. Average asking price seems to be $15k from dealers.

 

People are buying used because the economy sucks and truthfully if $11K-$12K is going to get them on a nicely maintained used MINI sounds a heck of a lot better than shelling out $20K+ for a new one.

 

Make sure you get an 05 or later, which I believe is the year they went to the Getrag 5 speed and ditched the Midland tranny. I'd also avoid the CVT. You'd be better to spend a little extra and get an 05 or later than go earlier for cheaper.

 

If I were you, I would wait for the "right" '05 or '06 MCS to show up. You'll be happier in the S and personally, is a better car for the money and holds value better over the long run.

Go on Ebay, Cars.com and the other plethora of online places and search for ads. I am sure there are folks in desperate financial situation willing to unload their MINIs for well below book value. Expand your horizons and you'll see what I mean.

 

I have been searching like a bloodhound for the past few months. I have a list of 10 05 MC's within a drive or short flight distance, all sunroof, 5spd, 50-60k miles. I've done all the research now and know what I want, just having a hard time finding it. I think with a little help of a graduation present I can be in one.

I have only been looking at dealerships, hard to know if any private party sellers need money or not with their cars priced so high.

The sunroof is kinda my limiting factor, there is a perfect 05 BRG at BMW of Atlanta, listed at $11,XXX but it does not have a sunroof. Coming from a Jeep, I have to at least have a sunroof. . My parents said the same thing. South Carolina has perfect sunroof weather.

 

I paid a mint (from my perspective) for my used 06 Cabrio S.

However it as loaded as you can spec one with every single option only lacking Navigation. However it was a well maintained mint one. Mileage a tad high but I knew the owner and what she used it for was a long commute every day for three years. They didn't get rated the top resale value for nothing I guess. But its and S with Aisin 6 speed, HK, Leather, 17" wheels, Red and its a Cabrio... so your going to pay. Heck I had to argue my way down to 20K from almost 22 (NADA claimed it was worth almost 22)! What can you do? If you like it, feel its worth it then you buy. And takes your chances.

 

I think you may stand a better chance of finding a better match pricewise from a private seller. A lot of people don't know how to price their vehicles accordingly of if there are life/job change situations there are more willing to discount. other advantages is that you get to meet the actual owner of the car (Unlike a dealership) and you may also get the opportunity to review maintenance records and such.

It pays to expand your search beyond dealerships and your immediate geographical area.

Don't be afraid to buy a car from 2K-3K miles away if the price, equipment and conditions satisfy your criteria.

 

Checked cars.com, its like they don't let you list it unless its an autotrash. No luck there. I guess I can probably buy one if I get a little graduation help, but otherwise my $10,000 wont get me anything. I could always settle for the BRG and no sunroof one in Atlanta, but I want a sunroof badly.

I will just have to see what my parents say later on tonight. I got class in a bit so I'll just keep looking for MINIs in there, however I think I have found all there is to find online.

----edit---
Thanks for all the great advice ClubmanS, you are always around when needed in any thread. I have been looking around a 500m radius, but I could always go a little further. My mom is a flight attendant so our family flies free. My dad and I could hop a flight to anywhere to pick up a MINI.

 

There was one sitting on the lot at the Dodge place near Seneca SC a few weeks back and one sitting at Performance Chevrolet in Seneca just last week. I don't know the specs on them. Both appeared Hard Tops though. Sometimes Performance will list on Autotrader.com from time to time some of their stuff but you could call them if you were interested.

Doing a search from my zip within 75 miles I show 71 used Mini's ranging from 9400 to 24000 but the cheapest Cabrio is $18500. I would range out from there though. But there are plenty of them showing in that narrow range. Thats using Autotrader.com which seems to me to be best locator. Besides Craigs list.

http://www.autotrader.com/

 

If mom is a flight attendant, then my friend, you have 50%+ of your problem taken care of! Fantastic opportunity awaits you to have a memorable road trip back home with mom or dad in the MINI.

Search high and low, don't give up! I am sure you'll find the perfect MINI.

As far as the sunroof is concerned.... The sunroof in the MINI is a big 2 glass panel assembly that covers 60% of the roof area and adds around 55 pounds to the top of the car. My caveats with this design are:

Extra weight

no solid sunshade from factory (You can always tint the glass)

Complaints of rattles as the car piles up miles.

Some food for taught that is all. I have owned 4 MINIs all without sunroofs and have been very happy not to have to put up with the shortcomings of the MINI sunroof design. You can always add a cool vinyl decal to the roof and dress up the car a bit

Best of luck and do not hesitate to ask questions if you do find something that tickles your fancy.

 

No dice on Lake Keowee Dodge or Performance Chevrlet. Checked their websites. My dads office is in Seneca, he could have stopped by to look at them today if they were still there.

Hopefully I will know if my price range has extended later. And I will expand my search radius and keep looking. I found an 05 MC with 48k miles on it, private party for $14,500....bottom of the auction said "Very motivated seller!" Surely worth a call.

 

Worth a shot for sure!

 

Search the whole country then(continental anyway). You can drive it home in a weekend.

 

Here's an awesome looking 05 S in Florida, 63k miles for $11,995??
Link

Thats pretty rediculous...I'll have to give them a call later. Definitely need to run a carfax on it.

 

You say bike trips, I'd keep the Jeep, ride the bike around campus, and keep saving for the MINI. Ideally I'd personally want a MINI and a Jeep (4wd MJ Comanche please)

 

I agree with Clubman S, the mini sunroof isn't all that great. I don't like the two pain panoramic view, a single would be nice. Also aside from rattles, many have reported leaks. I also don't like the light filter instead of a total sunshade. You live in Greenville SC? You'll get tired of no light block all the time.

I like my 07 MC w/o a sunroof just fine. I frequently (most of the time) ride with both windows down for that open feeling. The sun can be a bit, much.

 

Says 1550 down all over the ad, that could be the price with that 1550 subtracted. I hate places like that.

 

Performance does not always put everything on the we site. In fact maybe half of what they got is on there. Call em

Also see my edit to my post above about the ones I ran across by using Autotrader. I found 71 within 75 miles of me. Give it a shot. Range out further too.

I show this one at Performance but it might be out of your price range.... http://www.performancegmonline.com/V...ails/368392053

Quite frankly a bit over priced for a regular cooper Cabrio but just an example. Plenty of them on Autotrader though.

 

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...cardist=594%3E - 11,987$

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false - 12,500$

Both of those have been reduced, so it's worth a shot to see if they'll take cash for a quick sale. Remember that you have all the chips in your corner. You've got the cash, and if they don't want to deal, you can walk out without a problem. You don't have to worry about financing, you know what you want, you just gotta be pushy about it.

 

I was about to post all the links for all my choices, but realized thats too much hassle haha.

Currently have 12 2005 MC's, manuals, sunroofs, all between 48-60k miles.

Just found this gem while in computer class. 47,500 miles still under warranty. Asking $12,999 and will negotiate. 2005 BRG, white stripes and roof, sunroof. Whats up with the speedo the way it is? Haven't seen too many mounted on the wheel. Waiting on a call back from them now. I really like it, and it seems like the person is ready to sell. Would be sweet if $10k worked, but I might need a little bump as my graduation present.

 

with the way sales are going for dealers, you can most likely make a much lower offer than asking price. just last month i bough my '04 MCS at a dealer. 58k miles, sport package, cold weather package(heated leather seats). they were asking 14k, i offered 12k and got it. it also came with a 60 day warranty. you just have to be patient and look around, even though this was the first one i looked at.