As I have posted before I am looking at buying a Mini Cooper S again (Had an 02 and regret selling it). So i have been searching the Autotrader localy and found a 2005 Cooper S in Dark Silver with a black roof (not my ideal color combo bu t it will do) it has just under 50k miles, DSC, Multi function wheel, on board computer, Pleather, All weather mats, and new non runflat tires. The perfect low option car for a guy like me.




I drove the car tonight and it has excellent pickup, the paint and windshield are in great shape, appears to never have been modded. No squeeks or rattles, handles just like a mini Should.

Now here is the Kicker. They only want 16988 for it.

What are you opinions on this? Deal? ? No deal?
I have to see what they give me for my focus but if I can break even i just might do it.

 

how many miles?

 

As in the original post its just under 50K miles. So its just about out of warranty.

You could probably get them to drop the price a bit since it doesnt h ave runflats (just argue with them, "what do I do if I get a flat?") and dont let them tell you to use the MINI roadside service as an acceptable answer as that is only during the warranty perioud I think which is almost up.

Go to www.kbb.com and check the value that these are being sold at in your area. It sounds like a goof price for the year but its prety much out of warranty and has 50K miles in under 3 years.

BEATNUT

BEATNUT

 

A 2 year old car with just under 50K? Guess why it is available.
This seems to be a favored tactic from those who put a lot of miles on cars; trade it/ sell it just before the warranty runs out. Looks good to the buyer (still in warranty), but not for long.
Keep looking. Better examples will be available.

 

well i have been looking for 6 months and i have not seen an 05 for this price. I know the warranty is up but anything in at this price is usually an 02 or 03 with the same amount of miles or more and has no warranty either. Plus i am pretty handy and have a good local shop that can handle anything major for a fair price.

 

I think it's a great price for an '05 ... you'd generally be getting an '03 or '04 at that price but here you get the improved gear ratios (faster off the line) and better quality (three piece dash) - hopefully the new Xenons too?


I think someone who put 50K on the car in two years probably made sure it was serviced properly ... if you're OK with the risk of being out of warranty, go for it!

Also - get the VIN; your local dealership should be able to call up the cars service history.
And confirm no accidents.

PS: I asked MoP yesterday, my '05 (automatic) is good for $19K as a trade, with 23K miles - they dropped $1K because it doesn't have runflats, because they'll have to upgrade them. Your non-MINI dealer won't have any such liabilities.

 

That really isn't a bad price. I'd try to get them down to 16k. The high miles aren't always a concern. Do they have the service records? MINI should have all of that on file.

 

GBMINI makes some very good points. If you are comfortable with the lack of warranty, then it is a good deal. Sorry for the negative vibe in my earlier post.

 

Minor but persistant issue: I've got the same wheels and it takes me longer to clean them than to wash the car.

 

I'll trade you my rockey 5-spokes! Only 2k miles on them!

 

I'm with GB - Great price for the year and options.

Get the VIN check it out, see what they'll do ref the tires (but honestly the price reflects that, IMO), take it to the dealer for a look over (might cost you a couple hundred - less if you pay the tech direct).

If all that checks out grab it, drive it and then take it in for any necessary Warranty repairs.

BTW, great color!

 

No your vibe is fine . I want all opinions as sometimes i think i have all the angles covered and some one makes a valid point and makes me see a better option. I will try to talk them down since it has no spare and no runflats.

I have had these wheels on my 02 and they are lightwiegth but suck to clean (I will paint them black to cut down on cleaning time...lol ).

 

here is the Autotrader Add:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...ce=&cardist=10

it comes with a Detailed Cafax as well.

 

I bought my '05 MCSa with all the options you said, plus a few more and it has run flats on it, and keep in mind mines an automatic. I paid a little over 20,000 and it only 18,109 miles when I bought it. Yeah its a little more but it has almost all the options and low miles for a little bit more. If you aren't worried about the milage and the warranty issues then I say its a great buy! I agree with everyone else about trying to talk them down since it doesn't have runflats or try to talk them into putting runflats on it for the same price (if you want the runflats).

 

Carefull you're giving folks lots of info here, someone will buy it out from under you

Look like they need to reset the tire light

 

i think i might be oone of the only people who want runflats. I used to blitz through NYC on a frequent basis and they held up great and i aimed for potholes.

Plus if i get this car i am going to the dragon this year!!!!!

 

Looks like good deal to me. More than 100km on my car and still tight like young goat.

Simon

 

i say jump on it, see if u can get them to take off about $800 so you can put on runflats. Its a great deal for what looks like a great car! I paid more than that for my 03' Cooper that was 50miles out of warrenty.

 

If you do bring da Hound Dog and he can play with our girls

 

hey doug welcome back! when did you move to Ohio? thought you lived in NJ/PA area?

 

Get it! That's a good deal.

 

Nope I am a runflat lover too. There are a few of us lurking around here The Mini sounds like a good deal if you are comfortable with being out of warranty. Go for it

 

so did you buy it or are you still on the fence?

 

Discodan,
I moved to Oio in February of 05. 2006 has been the worst year of my life but I want to end it out with a bang!!!

I am still on the fence about buying the car. I have an 11:00 am appt to see the car Saturday morning. They will also be looking at my car and seeing what i can get for it on a trade in.

 

Are you the same vdubdoug that drove this car?