I just purchased an 04' MC with Sunroof, premium package, CVT, Metallic paint and Leather. (5k miles) When I got the car it was stated an airbag had deployed in a mild accident. I had it checked out, and the accident yeilded 2 airbags on the passenger side, with no body damage except a cracked bumper cover which was replaced. I bought the car for 17,500.
My problem is that I dont want to keep the car if it has the airbag problems, or larger problems I can't see. I was quoted around 2k to fix the airbags, which would raise my purchase price up to 19,500... do you think I should give it back, or just keep and fix? The dealer said he would buy the car back if I wasn't happy with it, however I feel I got a really great deal. What should I do, I only have a few days to decide?! Please advise!!!

 

Are you going to be carrying many passengers on that car? If so,
it might be worth it to get the airbag.

If it was me, I wouldn't care... I would spend the $2k on other mods.

 

So you're thinking about buying a car from a dealer with non-functioning safety equipment... Money issues aside, stop for a second and think about that. Do you really think it's a good idea to buy a car with non-functioning safety equipment?

Would you be so willing to buy the car if the headlights didn't work? How about the turn signals? What if the seatbelts didn't work right?

Don't be a sucker, either take the car back or make the DEALER pay for the airbags to be fixed! And make sure the repair is done by a reputable shop that will certify the work... One of the hottest scams in the car repair business involves airbags...

 

Are you saying that at present there are two airbags MISSING from the MINI? I would not want to own a car in that state - but I can't believe that is how the car was sold to you.

If the airbags deployed but have been properly replaced, then there should be no issue - so what do you need to pay $2K for?
If the car hit something hard enough to deploy two airbags, there probably was more damage - is the front wheel tracking OK? Is the car still straight?

A brand new MINI to that spec is going to be about $21K but you could easily forego the leather because the basic leatherette is just as nice (in fact I think it wears better!) and that brings you below $20K for *new* with no accident worries at all.
I don't think you should pay more than $15K, and that should be for a fully working car that does not need any money to fix issues that should be fixed BEFORE the dealer sells it to you.

 

If 2 bags deployed on the passenger side,that would be the front and or,side or head bags.If the front bumper was involved,then some kind of diagnal hit happened.
I would take the car to a 3rd party frame/collision shop,to get it checked out.
If all looks good frame and tracking wise,then spend the extra 2K,and keep it.
Then motor knowing you and your passengers are in a very safe car

 

Don't be a PT Barnum! Take the car back and demand a refund.

 

Now that I think about it,up here a dealer has to sell a safe car,used,or not,and if that car comes with 6 air bags,then they could not sell it untill all 6 bags are in place.
Take it to a 3rd party,then talk the dealer into fixing the car,or get your money back.

 

There is the potential for frame damage!!! Be careful!!!!!!

 

If you had bought the car in perfect condition then I'd say $17.5K was a good deal. With the extra $2K to replace the air bags, I think its way over priced. I can't imagine driving around in a car with non-functioning/missing safety equipment. And, after being in an accident in a MINI where the air bags deployed, I can't imagine willingly going without them.

No passenger side air bags -> I'd take it back to the dealer.
Paying $2K to fix the air bags, thus making the car overpriced -> I'd take it back to the dealer.

There are soooo many used MINIs out there right now. I'm positive that you can find the perfect one for you without compromising things like airbags ()

 

Buy new and save yourself from the headache.

This used MINI with possible extensive damage = FALSE ECONOMY

 

Now I see your looking for a lease on another thread because of airbag issues on what you have,I guees you have figured out what you are going to do.

 

I beg to differ. There's no issue buying used, provided you do the work beforehand and ensure that you're getting a car thats safe and in proper working order. Used cars aren't for everyone.. but if you do the research, theres no reason a buyer can't find a suitable one for them.

 

Maybe it's obvious, but buggered-up airbags will probably complicate things, when you aim to sell or trade this car, down the line.

Why am I thinking that your dealer probably scooped up that particular MINI for a nice LOW price. Did he seem strangely happy, for how good of a deal you got?

Also, I'm disappointed but not surprised, f the dealer somehow isn't obligated to fix them on his dime.

Maybe just disclosure is legally sufficient - it's just that it's a SAFETY feature, (I have a thread around here someplace about my Caravan's SRS nightmares), and dang it, I can get ticketed for forgetting to snap on my seatbelt when I leave the gas station (ONLY once and it was in a '93 Tercel) but i digress...

I meant to say "where's the common sense" in a system that ALLOWS cars with busted airbags to be SOLD!

OK I'm done, whew... If he's really not required to pay for replacements, maybe you can compromise and split the cost of the repair.

Peace,
Tatt

 

I agree! My 03 MINI is the first new car I have owned,first from a dealer.I've owned 20+ cars and trucks in 35 years of owning cars.

 

I see all of your points... The problem I am at right now is that I can't find another mini in California for anything even close to that price. I dont want anything over 10k miles, and new dealer mark up is horrendus out here. 19.5 Doesn't sound too bad after looking at many 02-03 minis stripped of options selling for $20!

 

If you're so concerned about the price that you're willing to compromise on safety, then this is not the time for you to be considering spending the money on a car as expensive and in demand as a MINI.

 

You can find something OUT of California for MUCH less than $19.5 and have it shipped or fly to pick it up and still end up saving money.

 

i agree..

 

I would return the car. At 19.5 it seems overpriced. For that matter, 17.5 broken may be an even worse deal since your resale is going to be horrible.

I think if you shop around you'll find something you're just as happy with, if not more. If I was really attached to the car, I'd try to find the replacement parts used to save on the repair bill.

 

I agree,buy a used chevette

 

It's my guess that in California it is illegal for this dealer to knowingly sell a car with non-functional airbags.
If he's willing to cut legal corners about the bags, then I wouldn't trust him to be very moral about his dealings with customers.

YMMV!

 

It has nothing to do with the cost of the Car itself, I was just looking for a good deal. My past 2 cars were Mercedes, My mini is 30% of the retail of my last car, and 50% of the one before it. I never said I was going to drive the car w/out bags, in fact I WILL NOT let any passengers in the car until it is fixed. I typically don't like to buy cars new, I'll wait until they have a few miles on them and purchase used which is usually the best way to go.... the problem with this car is that I thought the cost to repair the bag would be a lot less than it ended up being. I will probably just return the car and shop around.

 

In case you haven't figured it out, you're not getting a good deal here.


I'm not completely sure why this is the best way to go, especially on a car like a MINI which holds it's resale value so strongly...

 

Too bad we didn't talk before I traded my '03 in for an '05. I spent my time waiting for the '05 trying to sell the '03 at a good price, and nothing ever clicked that was worth my while. So, I traded it in.

During that time I noticed that most of the MINIs on Ebay are not getting their reserve price. I think that, although they still hold resale pretty well. its not what it once was. If you shop carefully I think you can do almost as well on a MINI with working airbags that has *not* been in an accident.

I'd give the current one back to the dealer. (Who should have never sold it to you without working airbags!)

 

I'm not familiar with MINIs, but on other vehicles I've owned, the airbags don't deploy unless they really need to deploy. This car most likely keeps dark secrets. I'm just going to echo what everyone else has said - stay away.