Out of 10 MINIs that I was watching on eBay 9 didn't meet the reserve and 1 got no bids.

 

What were they asking for compared to the MSRP of a new one?

 

MINI resale prices have been insanely high since 2002. Only in the last year have they dropped anywhere near normal. Prior to that, people were routinely getting MORE for a used MINI than MSRP (due to ADP and demand.) There is finally enough supply for MINIs to actually depreciate (though still at a low rate.) It will take a while for sellers to acknowledge the lower residual prices. Until then, unmet reserve prices.

 

I agree Eric, that is the dynamic that is at work. People are still not adjusted to the market. It is like when the stock bubble burst and people didn't want to sell because they hoped the old prices would return and as a result they waited too long.

1nf3rn0 I have also been watching Minis for sale on Craigslist for many months. While I have not fully compared the asking prices to similarly speced new ones, let's just say that the asking prices are so close to new that I didn't bother checking every detail. It just wasn't worth it.

 

A perfect example. When I ordered MIB I had a 2000 dodge stratus and went to CarMax to sell it. They bought my dodge and asked what I wanted. They had 2 MINIs both 2003 MC. One had 40,000+ milea and they wanted $19,000 The other had 21,000+ miles and they wanted $20,500 I told them, no thanks, because for only $250 more I could have a brand new car with full factory warenty. (I did neglect to mention that I would have a 2 month wait!)

 

Resale is a delima. My Mom asked me to sell her 04 Cooper because she doesn't drive much at her age. But that's proven to be difficult due to it's high value (according to Kelly Blue Book). We're actually below the listed value and it has less than 4000 miles but the best offer has been 19k:impatient I think it'll end up staying staying in the family...and end up 10 inches wider, 5 inches lower, 1000lbs lighter with a 400hp motor in the back seat

 

Selling a MC must be tough once the customer drives a MCS. Teens and twentysomethings always want that supercharger.

 

The best bet would probably be buying used from a MINI dealer.

I was able to get a used 04 S with under 33k on it for under 18! The gave me only 16 for my 05 as trade in, and are now reselling my 05 for 18,800 ( which is odd, because i only paid 18,100 sticker for it... )

 

Not true, there are plenty of us who care about fuel economy and the environment more than horsepower. I see about as many Coopers as Cooper Ss here in Boston, and many are driven by young people.

I've never driven an S, and I'm sure it'll be fun when I do, but it's not going to make me buy one.

 

I can vouch for that. I bought a used Cooper for a reasonable price in 02, then sold it 25k miles later in 04 at the CA market price. The profit I made on that transaction paid for half my JCW kit. Those were the days....

 

There are several thread about eBay sales.

Consensus seems to be that "most", not all, but most ppl just use it to generate interest and the real bargaining occurs after the auction. The ppl who are really interested will look later and not buy, sight unseen, at eBay. Some ppl, will, of course.

 

That's what WE all thought too!

 

yeah, i thought that too..


first day i drove an S i walked out of the dealer minus one cooper and +1 an S