Hey, I'm considering buying a 2004 mini cooper with 55,000 miles that I found. The seller is asking $9000 for the car and I've talked with him a little bit about why the price is so low. He told me that the carfax report is wrong and it says that the car was in a serious accident/has flood damage. I ran a report myself and sure enough thats what it says. He says hes taken it to the mini dealer and had them check it out with no trace of water damage found. Hes tried to get carfax to change it but they won't do it. Hes even offered to have a mini dealer do an inspection at his cost. I don't think I'll find another mini with only 55,000 miles on it at that price. What do you guys think? Do 04 minis have many problems around 55,000 miles? (Its a manual btw) Thanks

 

Hello Jarman, have you see the MINI Dealer report? Will he let you take it to another place to be looked over? It sounds like a good deal but maybe too good. If hey won't let you take the car to another place or see the dealer report I'd walk away. A flooded MINI is a time bomb.

The 5 speed is known to have issues and if the brakes have not been done in the last 10K they will need to be done soon along with other basic care.

 

Hard to say. You didn't state what options/features it has. According to edmunds.com, without specifying options, Trade-In is $9k for one in Excellent condition. In this economy I would pay no less than $2000 *below* Trade-In. (Don't rely on KBB; it's numbers are inflated.) I bought my '06 MCS convertible at $2500 below Trade-In from a BMW dealer.

Carfax is a voluntary system so it can be inaccurate. I found that out when I bought mine... not all the work done by the dealer were listed. I had to call up the dealer to obtain the records by VIN#. A dealer may or may not want to reveal the info if they know you're not the original owner. Try calling different dealers and talking to different people and piece the info together. And most importantly, you should have the car thoroughly inspected by a reputable mechanic (preferably by someone who knows Minis) for mechanical and structural defects.

Here's a guide... http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/

Good luck

 

Is this the Mini?

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/1499992477.html

If so, he sent me some photos and the engine compartment is filthy.

Still has original brakes, struts, and clutch

It can be a problem getting a loan or insurance if it has a salvage title.

 

The financing is no problem. But yeah thats the one. What else did you find out?

 

Here is some info formt he seller:


Do you have maintenace records-oil used? Just the last 18 months I owned it. Two oil changes and tires.

also, is the clutch original as well as the brake pads/rotors? Bought it at 44k miles. Had the entire car inspected by FLO MINI in Winston Salem. They gave it an OK

I would be very wary of a vehicle in a flood, mayby offer 6k?

Here are some photos

This looks like a better deal and it's an S

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/ctd/1509385526.html

Or a Green 05 in better condition for $9,950-very tempting

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/ctd/1507465702.html

 

to me a car with an engine bay that filthy wasnt properly maintained. Granted its nice to know, as at dealers most come in looking just like that.... they get powerwashed with a nice coat of tireshine...so potato potaato.

that green one above does indeed look much better!

Problem with flooded cars especially Minis, is that EVERYTHING is electrical and overtime it can cause problems... I bet if you ever really tore it apart youd find unpleasant surprises. Could be a $5-6K car.

 

Jarman,

Where are you located?

 

Blacksburg Virginia

 

Cool,

a Hokie !

 

Yup, I need a car to commute to school and I've always liked the mini. That 05 mini you posted looks like a fantastic deal. Its a really long drive to atlanta though.

 

Stay away from that car! I can't imagine why the carfax could be wrong. Be patient and the right car will come along. If you can get to Atlanta, that one looks like a deal!

 

Nice 04 in Ashburn VA

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...510911504.html

04 Radford VA, 46,000 miles

http://blacksburg.craigslist.org/cto/1508132527.html

Plenty to pick from on the market right now and probably for a while.

Good luck

 

Don't walk, run away from that car. Flood car = serious bad ju ju for bawana. Yikes!

 

Wow, I really appreciate everyones help, especially GoThingNC. That car you posted from radford virginia looks like a way better deal. Not to mention its only a 15 minute drive from here. Imma try and arrange a meeting with the owner a week or so after christmas. Hopefully it hasn't sold by then.

 

No problem.

One word of advice I've heard from others is not to become emotionaly attached. If the deal falls through or you miss the sale, it was probably meant to be. There are always others that will show up one the market later on.

I almost fell into the trap looking at a 74 911, checked it three times, put it on a lift for a PPI and to me everything looked ok. Decided to have a second set of eyes look it over and he found hidden rust and bondo that killed the deal. I was bummed out but a few months later found another in much better shape and a bit cheaper.

 

I saw you had been looking at cars in Atlanta. If you find one we'll be happy to check it out for you. Just have the customer bring it by our shop and I'll do a little check over and give you a report. That way you'll know someone that knows about MINI's has checked it out, and won't waist time coming down to look at a car that is a no go.

WAY