Based on a response in another forum, I went out and ran my car on KBB for it's current value.

05 S, 13,500 miles with only basic S options other than S-Lite wheels basically. Bought the car outright with no trade-in (so I know the price is actually the price, not a dealer adjusted figure).

Private Party is worth $2500 MORE than I paid for the car.
Trade-In value was $200 more than I paid.

What other production line car can you honestly say you have 112% resale value after 1 year.

Congratulations to Mini for knowing how to correctly sell cars AND retain desireability years afterward.

I knew that ordering a low optioned car was the ticket, but Wow, it exceeded my expectations by far.

 

Those are nice numbers, especially if you can really get that much for it.

 

Hopefully, the only reason you would sell the 05 is to get an 06.

 

I recently TOTALLED my '02 MCS. After 3yrs./4mo. I received an insurance check for 86.5% of the original purchase price. Nice.

 

That’s nice... And the reason I went with an '06 is that I think it could become the most desirable Mini due to the fact that it will be the last of its generation... Here's to wishful thinking

 

The late models are usually the nicest quality, too, as all the "kinks" have been worked out over the years. I love my '05 MCS! Always turning heads and getting positive comments. :-) And my face always has the smile while driving.