Thinking of trading my '04 S.
I may trade off to get an 07 Mazda Speed3......
4 doors and plenty of power are an attractive package for a guy with 5 kids!

Anyway,
KBB shows a trade value of about $20,500 for my car. I know I shouldn't expect this much from a dealer, but was wondering if anyone could tell me a ball park amount that a dealer will offer BELOW kbb trade value.

Could I realistically get $17.5 or $18K for my car on trade?

I know that sale outright would yield more $$$ but I would have to sell in my small town with a very small population..... or go the classifieds and sit around waiting...... trading seems easier in this case if it'll work out.

One more question:
What kind of offers does "car max" give on these cars? I'll probably be travelling to Houston Tx to make a deal..... I hear people talk about carmax over there alot.

Thanks
Donald

my car is:
2004 S
30,000 miles
Sports package
Leather
HK
17" web spokes
Xenons
in very nice condition.

 

 

If you want a more accurate idea of how much you would likely get for your car, I would hit up edmunds. Follow this link and enter whatever options you have and it'll give you an idea of what your trade-in value will be:

http://www.edmunds.com/used/2004/min...tion=vdpresult

GotMINI

 

Duplicate post...

 

carmax is pretty reasonable, from my experience.

also check out the GTI 4dr wagons.

 

Sure you want to sell? Your car looks great, keep it and get a four door beater that the five kids or nothing else can hurt.

 

Why not wait for the '08 R55 Clubman wagon instead? That baby is shaping up to be a very nice family hauler with all the attributes that make it a MINI.

If you insist in getting the Mazda 3, be sure to get it with side airbags. This car without side airbags is a deathtrap:

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=304


BTW, your '04 MCS looks gorgeous!

 

5 kids + the parent(s) are not going to fit at the same time in neither Mazda 3 or Clubman.

It seems to me you need a Minivan.... I know not fun at all :(

 

I agree with resmini...I've got a Ford Cargo Van (E-150) that I drive when the weather gets bad, when my 3 dogs go for a ride, etc., etc. I know you'll need more than 2 seats, but why not look into an E-150 that has seats (you know, the models that churches and schools use). It could work!

Also, you won't worry about hailstorms, etc.

Chuck

 

My wife has a chevy Suburban that we use when we travel as a family.

The biggest issue is that my 1yr old's car seat is HARD to access in the back seat.
I need a FUN car that can cary my Wife and Myself, with the 1yr old and 1 or 2 other kids.

Also, the nearest Mini dealer is 100 miles away......
The '04 Mini's value seems to be FALLLLLLing quite a bit. I'd like to sell this one before it hits rock bottom.

Oh well.......

 

My ex-girlfriend has a Mazda 3 and that car is a blast to drive. I can only imagine how nice the Speed 3 is!

 

Is your 1 year old child still travelling rear facing? If that is the case, yes placing a kid on a fixed rear facing car seat can be challenging, though not impossible. By the time he or she is 18 months old, they can safely travel forward facing and that should make life a lot easier for everybody.

I am not advocating using a 2 door MINI as a family car (Although we are at this time ) but if I were you, I would wait for the R55 Clubman because that car, I suspect, will have better rear legroom than the Mazda 3 5 door hatchback.

But on the other hand, if you nearest MINI dealer is 100 miles away, I can't blame you from wanting to switch over. How about any independent mechanics in your area that can work on MINIs? Something worth considering if you love the car and want to justify keeping it.

MINI resale values are still strong, even if they are going for 25% less than high retail. Mazdas are not known for strong resale value, so as soon as you drive that Mazdaspeed3 off the lot, expect to lose anywhere between 25%-35% from the get go.

best of luck in whatever you decide to do.

 

Soil, I think you've got a great idea in the 3Speed, I'd consider it as well. Lots of bang for the buck. OTOH, I just read this morning that Ford is going to import one of my favorite Euro Fords in 2009, and it's bounced up near the top of my list:

 

We have three sons, 8, 7 and 5. I also had issues with fitting them into my Mini. I installed three sets of 5 point racing harnesses(2" wide webbing) across the back seat to secure all three boys. This is a little tight when we all are in the Mini, but how often does this happen? We have a Honda Odessey and a Passat wagon for car pooling or long trips with the whole family.

One side note, I've had other sports cars, RX-7, Spitfire, Supra etc. and have nevered experience such a wonderful community than the Mini family. Most owners are really neat people who love to gather and just have fun.

I also have read good things about the Madzaspeed3.

Good luck.

 

For what I have read, FoMoCo has no immediate plans to bring over the Euro Focus stateside. Witness the horrid 2008 US Focus redesign. They also killed all hatchback models and the station wagon. No wonder Ford is in the deep financial $hite they find themselves in today. Lousy cars and questionnable quality.

 

Look again. That's an S-Max, not a Euro Focus. It just won the 2007 European Car of the Year award. And Ford have confirmed that they are considering bringing it over. As I have already written.

 

can we talk a bit more on mini's resale value?

do we expect them to fall even more (drastically) when the r56's actually hit the road (when's that? spring?)? i'm asking 'cuz i'm in the market for an r53 and was wondering if i should just wait 'till a while after the r56's get delivered

 

roaduscarnivorous:
Why wait???? buy mine! It's verry nice...... and reasonably priced!

 

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2007/01/...-mondeo-to-us/

 

Carmax is the best advise that I can give you. MINI has the best resale value in it's class no doubt but if you trade it in a dealership you might not be satisfied with the offer, but you have to think about the reconditioning cost ($2-$3000)that the dealership has to put on your car for them to put it back to the market. Add that to the KBB value and the dealership profit. How much do you think the dealership would sell your car for????

 

Carmax here in Miami offers same or lower trade in values than any dealer. That has been my experience. i have never been successful with them at all.

 

Well, I traded mine in 3+ months ago. With FAR fewer miles and Full JCW everything. Both Carmax and the dealer offered the same thing.

Yeah, you might get 17K. Carmax is free for appraisal

 

Not to sound too harsh but I don't really believe there is a chance in hell of getting more than $15k for the car. Your car is very nice! Your car is desireable. With dealers starting to discount the hell out of new '06's what reason is there for them to give you top dollar right now? They are going to want to make $2500 to $3000. Wait till spring and have the car polished then list it for $17,500.

Good Luck with whatever you decide.

 

You could make a quick buck by selling those wheels to an enthusuaist who would trade you for their set of S-lites plus cash. Your selling price for the car won't change.

 

Good point about selling the wheels. I'm going to put the airbox back to stock, pull out the motorolla bluetooth kit, and trade the car in. I've been offered $16500 on trade. I will stop in at CARMAX before i trade.

Thanks
Donald