Can I get your thoughts on this car? It is $3K above full retail. I have only driven an S so I'm not sure how different it will be yet 36k miles is really interesting. And I dig the colors but the wheels need to be upgraded.


Thank you for your time.


Link, http://www.rogerjobs.com/VehicleDeta...-WA/2133760073

 

Why would you pay $3K over retail? I have been thinking about trading my 2011 S on a roadster, and trade value is only $15K. It is a Mini CPO car, including maintenance for up to 100K miles. I would guess retail on my car is around $17K - $18K with 53K miles on it. The car is flawless with a sunroof, HK stereo, 6 spd manual.

 

Dude, no freaking way! 15k for a justacooper? Even if it has 36k miles.

Heck you could get a good condition JCW for that much.

 

Sorry I didn't mean to leave the impression that I would pay that amount.


I guess I'm caught between paying $10K for an older higher mileage S or a lower mileage base........

 

I'd take a S over the base any day. Also keep in mind that the transmission in the base is prone to problems while the 6 speed is a lot more reliable.
What do you mean by high mileage?

Also, as a person who bought a R53 a few months ago, i regretted not waiting to find a 2005+ R53 as the interior looks better (steering wheel etc) and you should check it for all problems before buying it. (clutch noises, axle noises, wheel bearing noises, supercharger, leakdown test, compression test)

 

Keep looking. Nice car but way overpriced. I bought a near perfect '04 MCS w/ leather, sunroof, heated seats, auto AC, etc in September from a private party for 10K - priced right where it should be. Car had 37K on the clock and all maint receipts.

You'll be frustrated by the car's lack of power and really won't be able to do anything about it except trade it.

 

Dealer is smoking crack ! I'm surprised that is only $3K over retail. Your area must be high cost of living and this is coming from someone who lives in the DC-Baltimore Metro area.

If that dealer gets more than $9-10K for that MINI, he's robbing somebody.

If the Justa-Cooper is your thing... and it does suit some people's needs and situations... then see if he will come way down on that price. If not, move on.

 

MINIs are expensive in the Seattle. Looking at them in SoCal they are much cheaper. Thanks everyone for your time.

 

def get a MCS , high mileage? these cars will run to 200k+ from what ive seen, just picked up my 05 MCS 2 months ago with 120k for 6900 from a dealer, after the extended warranty and all fees it was around 9500

 

I have a '06 non-S because I liked that body style with non of the S problems. However, I bought mine with 100k for $6500 so even though the miles on that one are low, no way is it worth anywhere close to that price.

You might be better off with a plane ticket to Cali and driving one back.

 

Sultan is correct- MINIs are priced much higher here in the Northwest. tbearmini has the right idea- my wife did that three years ago and got an '03 Silk Green for $8300 with about 45k or so on it when she picked it up in Turlock California. I bought my '02 earlier for 11,5k in Hawaii and had it shipped over; it had similar mileage. We had both of them checked out by independent mechanics and bought them sight unseen.

Unless that blue and grey are your dream color combo (and they might be- it's sharp!) keep looking or talk the dealer down to around 11k or so- I'm allowing for the very low mileage.

Val

 

Wow this deal you would never find in the NW, http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...gIndex=5&Log=0

 

That Justa is a very nice car. Wait a while, the price will come down.

 

The BASE in BOTH gen1 (especially 2005+2006 when the tranny changed from the 5 speed midlands to the 5 speed getrag...RUNAWAY FROM A CVT)) and GEN2 is pretty reliable....
not sure paying MORE than book is smart...
lower mile r53's are getting hard to find..but still around. The challenge is finding a adult driven, non-flogged/abused S......so you have a RELIABLE car!!

 

Here is my advice: 1. Stick with an S--it's more fun to drive. 2. Don't buy any car without researching it, inspecting it, and driving it. 3. Go shopping and look at, and price-out, lots of different Minis. You will learn a lot and likely wind-up with a different car.

 

I just drove an S with 130K miles. After drive an 2009 Clubman S I was disappointed with the 2004. The R53 felt low on power. I think I need to either rethink my budget or rethink the idea as a whole........yet I love the way MINIs drive and I have been driving a Miata for almost 10 years!

 

R53 has plenty if power with just 1,000 in upgrades.

 

If you drove a 2004 and then drove a 2009 you will think the 2009 was zippier or more powerful.. But remember one is super charged and one turbo charged.. There is a difference in feel when it comes to the power band type deal.. Ive had both...but I still like the r53 super charged version

 

Oddly the 2009 was justa Cooper. I have driven a 2009 Clubman S and loved how it felt I just didn't like the price with 75K miles.


I have to admit that I liked the feel of the 2004. The 2009 did feel nicer and for me I am not sure that is a great thing.


My gut says I will never be happy in a base model.....I guess I will keep looking.


Thanks again!

 

Ok the MINI lore is the best R53 is 2005 and 2006. I am sure that is correct yet I am never clear how much better. I ask because a 2003 S just came up for sale. The price seems high yet according to NADA the price matches retail.


Thoughts?
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/4264408728.html

 

I just talked to the guy.....nevermind

 

You're thinking of the automatic, or possibly the Midlands in the early R50. The Getrag 5spd in the 05-06 R50 is not known for being problematic.

That said, it is priced higher than I think is reasonable.

 

I just drove a 2005 base and dug it. A couple of questions, the shock towers loom lime the paint has come off in a couple of areas. Not sure if that is due to stress or normal. Also it has 144k miles. Drove like a new car and came with all of the service records. Most of the work was do e at one shop. They want $7k. On it has leather, power sun roof and HK stereo.

Thoughts?

 

Try to negotiate, my 05 MCS was listed for 7500 and i got it down to 6900 with 125k miles

 

Yea that's pricey my 05 mcs was 8600 and I overpaid.