Hey, BK_MCS, as one who first posted a suggestion related to your question, and then a comment about the whole social construct of "PC", I personall did not take offense at your use of the term old person. I'm more miffed at the way that term gets tossed by some at those who use it to belittle those hurt by hurtful things. For instance, someone who tells a "joke" disparaging of a Black person, is told it was offensive, and "plays the PC card" by saying they are just being politically correct as a way of disconfirming real issues and feelings. I wasn't chastising you as such. Some people just have different buttons than others.

I think the last post is getting back toward what you were wanting from your thread. Sorry to do a temp. hijack but felt a need to say sorry if my post made you feel personally attacked. Now, best wishes for getting behind the wheel of your own Mini!

 

Oh, no it didnt, the only annoying one was spoonleg, and sugarbelly's little remark at the end about jacking the thread (well, sorry, someone had to throw a little fit).

 

hey all! thanx for all the great help, and the interesting read on PC-ness

ok so i emailed a mini dealer and i have a meeting with the general sales manager tomorow at 3 pm. any tips? i emailed him my situation and said he would do anything he could to help me blah blah blah, i honestly have only had very bad exp with car salesman.

thing is i paid just under 18k for my corolla, thats including the leather, all taxes, all options, moonroof, etc. etc., if i get offered 15 for it, i think that would be great.
i Definitely want a MCS, and knowing me id want all the options so id probably be looking at a price of around 22-24k on a fully loaded MCS (right?) if i can get a decent deal right? so that would mean i would have to finance 7-9 grand for the MCS, for 48 months that would be about 166/month or 133/month for 5 years, on top of my 300/month for the Corolla. I think i could swing that (just barely). Is my logic right on all of this?

what about insurance? is my insurance gonna go up from the corolla to the MCS? about how much, ballpark?

thanx for all your help people, ill let you know how the meeting goes tomorow night.

 

>>hey all! thanx for all the great help, and the interesting read on PC-ness

===>>>I LOVE MCO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I also really dig "Cry Me a River" (the original by Justin Timberlake, NOT the Timberlake/50 Cent remake; However, I do dig 50 Cent, too

 

Yeah, I thought Justin Timberlake provided sufficient rebuttal to the topic. Good call.

First of all, I'm not a guy. I'm a girl.

Second of all, I just want to say that I don't know how much "experience" you've had with "old people" but you can't pretend that it's more than I've had. It's shallow to assume that they wouldn't know the value of a car.

And thirdly, as long as we're making generalizations, I grew up in what could be considered a lower-class "ghetto" community (thus negating your "sheltered/churchy" theory). And in my "experience", all black people are uneducated criminals. Does your girlfriend fit this description???

Probably not, but do you see my point??

Let's avoid generalizations! They're hurtful to others! I'm not trying to pick a fight (and the above generalization was just an example, I truly don't feel that way), but I was just trying to bring some awareness to the table. PC or un-PC, sometimes it's just a matter of common sense. Courtesy is the golden rule!

I know that no one here said anything with the intention of offending anyone else. I myself am not an "old person", therefore I don't take personal offense. But I do find the manner in which the term was used, and the pretense of the entire sentence, to be offensive. Not only that, it wasn't even helpful to the author of this thread!! You could have at least given him the name of this "old person" who is in the market for an overpriced Corolla, since you seem to know him/her so well!

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Soylent Green is PEOPLE!

 

Replying to the thread hijack:

1. I get the extra discounts at Denny's and AARP motel rates... I am a bona fide "old fart", and somewhat surprised I've made it this far! I don't resent being called "old" at all... I AM old, at least to anyone under 59. But old doesn't mean ignorant, and I'll match my car buying, pricing, negotiating and DRIVING skills against most anyone else. Also note the description of my MCS below: this "old" driver is ready to blow a lot of other MINIs off the road. Old doesn't mean dead. Old means seasoned. Besides, "old" is a great excuse to say anything I want to anyone I want... they just call it "ornery" and I get away with it.

2. Many "old" folks might simply prefer a reportedly reliable Corolla over other cars, and would therefore represent a good market for a car like that. It doesn't mean they'll pay too much for the car... it just means they're a good market segment.

Cheers!
An OLD BeerBrewer

 

Hi,

Have you paid ANY payments on the Corolla yet? Find out the exact payoff.
It's almost always better to sell your car yourself than to trade it in because it's the dealers job to maximize their profit. Trade in's are a good way for the dealer to do that. You might want to check the trade in value of your Corolla by going to http://www.kellybluebook.com or http://www.edmunds.com or one of the other auto sites.

What is your current interest rate? Shop around, I've heard http://www.peoplefirst.com is a good place to check. A lower interest rate can make a sizeable difference in your monthly payment.

My guess is your insurance won't change much with an MCS.

Good luck and keep us informed.
:smile:

 

Hiya Spark and welcome to the board!

I wasn't able to find a single dealer interested in taking a trade-in car, and I tried plenty. I'm in CA where there are lots within 500 miles and I checked every one.

My advice would be to keep your Corolla for awhile, maybe then dealers will take trade-in or you can sell it without taking a large hit. Then you can buy a USED MINI and make up some cost savings that way. I might buy used because that way I can check the VIN number for repair history and know for sure that I'm getting a stumble-free car. Since there are soooo many used MINIs for sale (just check auto trader and roadfly) that aren't selling, I bet the prices will start dropping like crazy in just a couple years.

You were a bit hasty to get into the Corolla, don't be too hasty now! Hang out with us and read up on the car, this is a great place to scratch that "MINI itch."

 

This story reminds me of something that happened the other day...

I was at the tint shop in my town here in so cal and one of the installers asked if they can show some customers my car because it had the same tint they were going to get. Well the customers came over to my car and didnt give a crap about the tint they were asking about my mini!

 

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MINI: Best horse for the buck!