well i have an 04 mcs, with about 14,000 miles on it. the more i see the 05's and the features and new options(hp, lsd, anthracite headliner, obc that i dont have), it really gets me thinking about trading mine in and ordering a new 05 exactly how i want it. so to all you guys that have either sold or traded in your mini's for new ones, what can i expect to get for a trade in, or how much will i lose?

again, this is just a thought, but if it can be done, i would be all for it

thanks!

 

anyone

 

Ok let me ask you this. By the time you order one and get it and trade this in, what are you going to do in another year or so after that when the 2007 MCS has a totally new turbo engine. Are you going to trade it in again???

The point it, this happens WITH ALL car models. Every couple of years they add more options, a better sound system, more horsepower (or more engine choices), new colors, new standard features, and some slight-moderate exterior changes (new wheels, tires, kits, chrome as well as different lights, etc.). There may never be the "perfect" MINI as with most things. As soon as you buy one, they make it a little better. So when will it end and how do you know the current model (05) will make you happy???

 

Exactly!

Except for MINIs - I think the more they change the happier I am to have an 04 with the back-up light and clock where they belong, and nice amber blinkers. If only I would have gotten the 2-spoke MFSW instead of cheaping out and getting the plain ol' 2-spoker!

I'm certainly not immune to lusting after other colors, though - my PW/B just seems plain sometimes.

As far as what the original poster can get for an 04 with however many miles - don't trade it in, you'll do far better with a private sale. Not sure if kbb.com or Edmunds have 04 values yet, but that's where I would check.

 

Traded my 03 MC in in Oct for an 05 MCSC...got an AWESOME deal. Would up getting more on trade then I owed on the car. I am one of those people who needs a new car after 2 or three years. And if the MINI's stay so popular the dealerships will continue to give good money on trades. I love my new MINI but I can somehow still see myself ready for a new one in a few years.

 

I am riding this boat as we speak...

First of all, what is your spec in the '04 MCS? Miles? Build Date? Color?

Remember that MINIs depreciate around 7-10% annually, so deduct around that ballpark from the original MSRP price. On a trade in expect to get back around 80%-85% of what you originally paid for, depending on color, mileage and options.

Honestly, you'll do much better selling it yourself and get much closer to get 90%-93% of what you originally paid for. To me that extra 7% you get on a private sale vs a trade in is well worth the effort.

Don't trade if you don't have too. Trading in is a very expensive convenience. Put that extra cash on your pocket, not the dealer's!

Due to MINI's high resale value, we '02-04 owners can pull off "stunts" of having a car a year or two and then upgrading to a new one You can't do that with most other cars that depreciate like bricks, including most domestic branded and Japanese products.

So what's in your mind? Have you test driven a new stock '05 MCS?

 

KBB does not yet have 2004 MINI used car values (At least not published on line).


www.edmunds.com TMV used car values are more in tune with the realities of the used car market in your region, but sometimes they tend to underestimate too much IMO.

 

On a private sale, you will lose around 7-10% off original MSRP price (New) plus sales tax, tag and other fees that are non-recoverable when you re-sell your car. People have a tendency to factor sales tax and fees into the asking price of their used car and that doesn't work that way. Taxes and fees are always hasta la vista money!

If you are not upside down on your current loan (In other words, owe much more than the car is worth) or own the car outright (You have a clear and free title on the vehicle), then trading in to a new '05 MCS is a possibility. Even if you do "well" selling it privately, you will still lose around $2K on the change, so check your finances and see if this makes sense to you.

For me it did!