Hi all, I just joined the site, and I am looking forward to getting my mind clear we drove the Mini yesterday and we really like it a lot, seems very smooth and it feels just like the game ( Project Gotham, XBOX) very tight. But I would to know if the Mini is the type of car that you HAVE to own or just lease it? I love this car but I have never driven or owned one before. We are thinking about getting one. Well I hope to hear some ideas

 

 

I always lease, If the car turn out to be a dud then I know that they will have it back. Saves me the grief of selling it. If the car is great then I will buy it at the end of the lease.

Cheers

Charles

 

The main reason I will be leasing mine is because the resale value for the MINI, especially here in the states, is completely unknown at this point in time. A closed end lease with good terms will give you a good monthly payment and fixed residual value... and a little bit of security that 3 years from now, you won't be 1) stuck with a car that has no value and no one wants, or 2) wanting to keep the car three years from now but getting screwed on it's value because it ended up holding its value much higher than BMWFS originally estimated.

Just do your homework, and check all the numbers... there are good leases and bad leases, just like good loans and bad loans.

~B

 

Welcome to the site! We are leasing our MCS also, basically for the same reasons. We love the car, but with the poor used car market right now, didn't want to be stuck "upside down" and taking a loss. We are anticipating wanting to keep "Alice" Cooper, at the end of the lease, but we can either buy it out (good if the value is higher than the fixed purchase price), or turn it in on a new model.

Something to consider, if you lease, you will be limited to any modifications you make (if any). The dealers may be not be pciky about minor stuff, but I doubt they will be happy taking a leased vehicle back with stuff like lowering kits, aftermarket exhaust, cold air intake, etc...