There's a car lot down the street from me that has a 04 mini s coupe for sale. It's priced cheap 6k because it was hit in the front. Not bad by any means. Has a salvage title with 82,000 miles.

I have been reading a ton of info on here and im a little nervous about taking the plunge. I drive a 00 chevy silverado "gas hog" daily and Im selling it and looking at the mini. Are these cars plagued with problems? I mean some of the issues I have been reading about in american made cars the repair bills are small but in a mini there expensive!!!

Also whats the resale value on a salvage title mini if all the repairs are done?

Hate to pay 6k and have a total of 8k in it after fixing the front just to turn around and have a car worth less.

 

If you're thinking about resale value, then salvage title is not what you'll be happy with. Any buyer will hold that against the sale and use it for bargaining power.

Just bought a non-s 04 for the missus, 99k, cleanest one we'd seen, it's replacing her 00 s10 blazer gas hog. We drove a couple of s's and weren't impressed with the price or how people had taken care of them.

Think of it this way, would you buy a camaro ss with a salvage title? Same line of thought should answer your q's.

 

I plan on fixing the body damage myself and like alot of people on here, Id proably not sell it. Just thinking out loud

 

IMHO, I'd rather have an '05 MCS for the improvements they made in the SC, gearing, etc. The amount of money you'd potentially save in purchasing the '04 just doesn't compute for me.

 

I'd look around a little more. For a couple grand more, you can find an intact MCS with around the same mileage and you don't have to worry about restoring it or any complications if you decide to sell it with a salvage title. Check the forum's marketplace and keep an eye on the classifieds. You may be able to find a good deal.

 

Understood, just looking for a sounding board of peers.

If it's clean and taken care of I'd look into it, but if the interior and engine bay are trashed I'd move on. We found one that was very lightly treaded on, very little blemishes on the exterior/interior, seemed very well taken care of. They are fun cars and my wife loves hers. I've already installed a stereo and cat back exhaust. If you work on the silvy these won't be an issue. The parts do cost a little more, but I luckily haven't found any heart stopping things wrong with mine.

Just be warned the dayum things have lug studs, not lug nuts so when you pull the tire theres nothing there to keep it from slamming into the rotor. I tried to stop it and ended up with a bruised finger and fingernail snapped in half.

 

I did take it for a drive today, it ran great and was very sound. Did notice a few things. besides the obvious body damage.

1. A/C needs recharged, which sucked today being 100 outside
2. The power moon roof went back but could not get it closed
3. Could not open the drivers door from inside. Linkage must be off
4. Did have a light on, looked like a tire but flat???

I think that was about it. He was frim on 6k because he thinks it worth ALOT of money. I told him not with a salvage title. I told him I will have to think about it.

Still thinking.

 

I would have a mini/bmw mechanic take a look at it first. If there is too much damage to it you'll end up spending more money than it's worth fixing it up.

 

I did take it to a mini dealer, the front end damage is not bad, gave me a print out of the total cost if they were to repair it was 2300 including all parts and labor, I could do it myself for around 1000. Also had them check out the motor. He said it was solid but could use a good tune up.

 

I would look for an 05 model. my .02

 

I bet you can get the price down a bit more. Everyone always says they're "firm" on the price until you mention the magic word "cash" (lesson i've learned from watching pawn stars). Since you dont plan on selling the car i think it sounds like a pretty good deal should make a nice little project car.

 

I just got a 04 MCS with 64k miles for $10k and that was after about 4k of haggling. Giving you a price idea based of Washington DC area prices. Really love the car, highly recommend it.