I've been eyeing a black 2005 Cooper S at a local dealership. I checked it out about a 2 months ago. The dealer called me today informing me they still have it and want me to trade in my Cooper for it. Here's the thing. I'm not worried about making payments, but the thing is, I have so many modifcations on my car now, that they probably will take a lot off the value of my car. There are some things I can switch back to stock. I can put the rear seats back in, the rear wiper and motor can go back in, all the vinyl graphics can be pulled off. There are some things that can't go back. The stock tail lights, stock springs were sold off along time ago and the Remus exhaust was welded on.
They want $25K but will drop it down to 23K. The car is loaded . I told him that I have a baby due in September and I'm trying not to have the payments too high. Trade in value is $14,200, and I owe $14,200, so if they actually gave me that amount, I'd only be upside down by a couple of hundred dollars, which isn't too bad. Do you guys think it would be worth at least seeing if they could give me a good deal?
I really don't have any problems with the car I have now. I do like the color of the Cooper S. All black fits me perfectly. Anyway, any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

Wow, tough question. You basically walk away from the old Mini free and clear, and start all over with the MCS.

Being one of the "older" Mini Patrons, you have to decide if the new MCS is worth a new book of payments, and starting over with all the mods. It is a newer generation and now may be a good time to switch depending on miles on the older one etc.

You are trading in a used car for another used car. There isn't much room to play with from the dealers perspective. He paid $XX for car A and hopes to get $XX for your car. My guess is he isn't going to "sweeten" the deal a whole lot more.

Don't think this helps much, but don't get yourself screwed up with more payments if you are happy with your Mini now. I assume you have a lot invested both $$ and emotionally with your old friend. All of us want something newer and better until we realize how much we pay for it.

 

It's really up to you...

If you really want to get a MCS, the deal seems good.

Why not testdrive it and see if it worths it.

It's a tough decision but in the end, Cooper or Cooper S, we're all a big family!!

btw, congrats on the new baby !!!

 

Thank you all for the advice. After some careful thinking, I decided to part away from my SG/B 2003 Cooper. The deal I got for the black S was unpassable.

My first thought after driving the S was "Wow, they really accelerate!!" I really like this car. The downfall, is after the suspension mods on my base model Cooper, it handles better than the new S. I really am going to miss my base model, as it was the only Solid Gold MINI with a Cooper S gas door and side skirts conversion that I know of. It's going to be hard trying to get this new S model to have a personality. I guess you have to sacrifice some things. I just love the sound of the sc spooling up. I'll have more information soon.

 

Congragulations. All black . Once you go black, you never go back .