If Mini's stopped being built on 1 Oct 2004:

Would the Mini become an instant classic?

Would the few convertibles already built be worth twice as much as retail?

How much would an '05 MCS be worth?

Just wondering...

 

That's certainly an interesting question. Right now, it's hard to say how much values would be adjusted, perhaps even impossible to say for sure. We would have to compare the MINI to other vehicles that are no longer available, perhaps with close production numbers (though we could extrapolate, based on higher or lesser numbers), and see how prices changed on those cars after production ceased.

Not every production car is destined to be a classic. One would think the MINI would be, but that's just based on how things stand now. A large number of MINI's have been produced worldwide, so far, and most of them are still on the road. There are, however, not enough of them to assure a constant supply of parts over the coming years, so that would turn some potential buyers away. Many potential buyers would be turned away just because they would perceive that getting these vehicles serviced would suddenly become much more difficult, and expensive. Which it probably would, though that might take a little while to happen.

The Cabrios would definitely increase substantially in value, as would the S's, or any otherwise rarer version of the car. CVT's would likely go up in value as well, in comparison to the standard (and more numerous) stick shift MC's, but not by as much as the others. I'm not sure if heavily modded vehicles would be as desirable. Newer MINI's would likely be more valuable at first, but first year models may eventually overtake them in time. Because the 1st, and even 2nd, year MINI's were rather problem prone, many people would shy away from them. In the long term though, a 1st year MINI would eventually become more valuable, because that's just how things like that tend to work out, though it might take 20 years to happen.

Just about any rare vehicle option might help increase value. How many folks out there have a MINI with the stock upgraded exhaust? JCW's would also likely increase, perhaps subtantially. Would these cars double in value right away? Hmmm...I think not, but I'm not one to answer that. Anyone else out there have any idea? I'd not thought of any of this before, and I can't say I care terribly about the answer, at least for the moment, but I'd still be interested in a more informed opinion than mine on this subject. The up and down valuation of cars no longer in production, and the reasons why, can be a fascinating subject...IF you're really into cars. :smile:

For many years, and even now, I'd been interested in buying a Jaguar E-Type, and I've looked a little bit on prices for those old classic sport cars. Values on those can range very widely, depending on model, year of production, and condition. I've seen working models, that weren't so hot looking, starting around $5,000, and I've seen mint condition examples selling for prices in excess of $50,000. I even saw one selling for $75,000, once!

 

It’s a strange set of questions, but I’ll do some speculating.

As far as an instant classic, I think not. The MINI has been in production long enough that most people unless living under a rock know of the MINI. If they had an interest in the car they would have one or be in line to buy one. The future people who do want one will be willing to pay top dollar for a used one, but that doesn’t make it a classic, only time can do that.

I’d think the few Convertibles out would bring double or more to the collector wanting to round out their collection, but the price would be set by the collector market only. The normal person wanting a MINI would not feel the need to pay $60K or higher for one knowing that service and parts may be hard to obtain using it as a daily driver. I would think the few convertibles out there would go to collections and possibly driven at special events only.

As for the worth of a 05; whatever the market will bring. A 05 is no more special than a 02. It may have a few subtle changes or options the earlier MINIs didn’t have, but the early ones in retrospect have options you can’t get anymore on the 05’s.

 

I was guessing that there are only a handful of 05s out there... so it would be considered a rare car.

As far as value goes with this scenario... since production of the Mini would halt at what may be the peak of its popularity, the demand would continue for the car but the supply would be gone. To me, that means price would go way up.

Just a thought.

 

glanced at a magazine last night at the grocery store called the top 100 cars.

Both the MINI and the Mini made the cut.
So did a Buick (?).

Earl

 

Well, not just any Buick, the GNX - whole different world, there.

 

It's still a BUICK

Earl

 

Brutus already is a classic 2002.

 

You're not planning to nuke the factory or anything like that, are you?

 

But no MG made the cut. Sounds like some sort of evil experiment designed to cause panic and despair in the MG and Triumph communities (Triumphs were TKOed as well.)

 

I'm sorry but... I would be smiling knowing my MCSC would double in value.

 

I think I'd be bummed out. I'd would mean no more new MINIac's to buy MINI's! I've met so many awesome people in the past few years that it would suck to cut that influx off.

MORE!

 

Will the Mini ever get like the 'new' VW Beetle.... where there are tons of them sitting on the dealer lot for sale? I would hate to see that.

I hope Mini doesn't increase production too much.

 

It ain't gonna happen. BMW clearly understands and knows how to nurture the MINI brand and their excellent product. Keep in mind the MINI is in a class by itself because the car has a dedicated chassis not shared with any other car in the BMW product line. The MINI has its own marketing machine, factory, designers/engineers and dealer network.

Now look at the Beetle which was launched in early 1998. This car is simply a spinoff of the VW Golf (Shares the Mark IV chassis with the Golf/Jetta) it is manufactured in Mexico (Whereas the MINI is built in England) and aside from the "Beetle" body shape it has no resemblance to the classic Beetle whatsoever. A "REAL" Beetle should be RWD with an aircooled opposite piston engine. The current car is just an ordinary FWD Golf platform with an aircooled transversely mounted engine.... Again nothing like the original.

The MINI has stayed true to its roots...... FWD, transversely mounted engine, low center of gravity, wheels placed out far in the corners. This is the very essence of what sets the MINI apart from the crop of impostors in the market place.

Ditto for the Chrysler PT Cruiser a car that supposedly resembles a 1930's V8 Hotrod, instead it rides on a Dodge Neon platform and it is again FWD, not RWD.

BMW understands that in order to keep the car appealing and interesting, constant changes need to be made to the product and new models be introduced quickly into the market place.

VW's New Beetle became stale and boring. Between 1998 and 2001, the Beetle was essentially the same frickin' car. VW waited 5 years to bring the long overdue Beetle convertible and when it finally arrived it was nothing overly special. It was until 2000 or 2001 that VW added the 1.8T Turbo engine in the Beetle. VW FLOODED the market and the car almost a year later after introduction had lost the"exclusivity" and soon VW dealers were offering discounts, rebates and special financing.

VW announced earlier this year that they have no plans to overhaul or redesign the Beetle and perhaps they will let it die in obsolence because they gave up on it.

BMW has watched and learned from the mistakes of the competition and they are doing everything right with the MINI.

The MINI was introduced 27 months ago and the car still has astronomical resale values, a strong cult following community, a strong product in quality and desiderability and long waiting lists in many parts of the country.

 

I REALLY like my MINI,hope to keep it for awhile yet,but would hate to think that a new one is not in the cards some time down the road
Turbo MC shows up,and I'm in