I agree, go for the bright, happy Red, IMO it fit's the MINI personality better that the other color options you mentioned.

 

I will suggest to check for a new 2006 first. If not, choice #2 looks nicer (I will try to get $500 off)

 

New leftover '06 or #2.
Which did you get?
(if you didn't get one - MAKE UP YOUR MIND ALREADY! )

 

Lol.

Going to see choice #2 this evening. I'm still searching for left over new 2006 models but I'm just not finding what I want.. even within a 200 mile range. I'll find the color without the options (or wrong top color), then I'll find the options and the price will be perfect and then I'll realize it's not an S..

Trust me when I say I'll keep you all informed

 

Good Luck! (It takes a village to buy a car! This is fun!)

 

So is the days long enough for you???? I would imagine the evening evaluation scheduled will make the clock run in slow motion to day, not much longer!

 

Just to give you an idea, a couple of months ago I bought an 05 MCS with all four packages, Sirius radio, Navigation, limited slip, leather AND $1,800 [I saw the invoice from the Mini dealer when I got the maintenance history for the car] worth of the absolutely gorgeous OEM after-market anthricite R90 BBS two-piece wheels! The car had 13,900 miles and was basically perfect in every respect. I bought it, of all places, from a Lamborghini dealer here in central Ohio for $21,500 - way below what they were asking and only a hair above what they paid wholesale. Of course, it was about 15 degrees outside at the time and not too many people were shopping for cars. Good luck. I have never been a guy who wanted a completely optioned up car but, frankly, I am loving stuff like heated seats, automatic headlights and wipers and so on.

 

You never know--the color you dislike now you might end up liking later. Give the other MINIs a chance.

 

You know, I don't know if there is one single color I dislike, but there is deffinetly combinations that I would not prefer. I usually like darker colored cars. They can be bright but dark. I like the Hyper blue, silver, dark silver, grey, black and even the racing green, but only with black. I don't dig the white tops. Body colored tops are ok but I really think the different colored top gives the Mini part of its' personality.

I wouldn't get purple for obvious reasons and the only other color I am really unsure of is the pepper white. I'm sure I'm not the only one though.

 

Right now they are going fast because I don't want them to My parents come into town tomorrow and I was really hoping I would have an idea of what car I wanted by then so I could take care of getting the check from my credit union, getting the title transfered, etc by then because once they are here I don't think they want me spending my time on finding a car. My appraisal at Carmax on my current vehicle is also only good until Sunday. But, I'm not going to rush things. I am very keen on getting what I want.

 

You know, I felt that way about the white top at first and our first Mini had a black top, but then when we were to order the second one we really noticed the Minis on the street with the white tops, they really stood out and had a very distinct 'Mininess' to them - from near to very far away the cars with the white tops were really unique and noticeable. We changed our order to HB/white and in retrospect are really happy we did. Of course everyone is happy with what they have, but I'm just saying that I had the very same POV when it came to roof color and am very happy I found a new perspective with that aspect

 

Abigbadzebra,
Your choices and responses are interesting as I bought a 2006, similar to your number #1 choice a couple of weeks ago. It has the Convenience, Premium, Cold Weather, Sport, and Chromo package. I’m not sure if it was additional yet, it has the DSC and HK stereo. Looks exactly like your pics except for the additional gauges, tint, Automatic Transmission, and chrome mirrors. The mileage was similar with 6,000. I’m now a little concerned I overpaid at $25,200. It's a little late to ponder or regret a decision two weeks ago. I can say I have enjoyed her!
Good luck and have fun!
Michael

 

I wouldn't worry about it, the car you bought sounds like it does have more options - congrats on it by the way

One of the silly options I really wanted was the black headliner, I'm wondering how many cars out there have it now that it has been available for awhile?

 

michaelk7 - glad that you're enjoying your car.
I wouldn't lose sleep regarding your price. The additional convenience, cold weather, chrono, and sport packages on your car are going to command a higher price (and will help with future resale). . . and if #1 also lacks the HK (which he probably would've listed), that's another factor raising the price of yours.

Edit-- automatic trans. is also going to affect a direct comparison in prices

 

Leaving now to go look at the black 05 S now. I'll report back in about 3 hours

 

Well, I'm back...

I can happily say I made an offer on and signed a bill of sale for choice #2 this evening.. without seeing any of the other cars in person.

This car is SOOOOO clean. Barely even looks like it has been driven. Interior is 100% immaculate. Exterior has a rock chip on the passenger door, around the rim of the gas cap, and a small rock chip on the drivers side rear window.

The seller visits this website (although I didn't get his screen name), and has obviously taken care of the car. He had a nice M3 and a Ferrari in the garage as well. All records have been kept in a binder, each page in it's on plastic protector sheet (I now possess this binder). The car has been in for warranty not only for the power steering fan shroud but also a cracked thermostat housing. Not one ding on the car at all.

The car is Jet Black and originally had an MSRP of $26,850 with the following options:


Grey Leatherette w/ black interior, Panoramic sunroof, automatic air conditioning, multifunction steering wheel w/ cruise, fog lamps, 17" wheels, Xenon Headlights with power wash, DSC, LSD, chrome lined interior and exterior, Navigation system, Harman-Kardon Sound System, roof in body color, All season run-flat tires..

He was asking $23,000. After seeing how perfect this car was I couldn't bring myself to lowball and start at $21,500 (where I had planned to start) so I offered $22,000. I knew that would put me at about $22,500 which is what we agreed on. I'm sure it will be a very well spent $22k.

I spent most of my time checking the body of the car out. All the panels lined up correctly and there were no signs of an accident (as carfax confirmed). The exhaust was tight, the engine purred perfectly. I really found it hard to find anything wrong with the car and I was REALLY looking.

The test drive went great. Although I never hit 6th gear I got up to about 50 MPH with no vibrations, and the car drove straight. As I was doing the test drive, listening for things the wife was trying out all the interior lights and gadgets which checked out.

I told the wife on the way home that I couldn't help but think I acted too quick, but if this car would have sold underneath me I would be kicking myself right now. Definitely the best $$/options/mileage/condition ratio I could find in my searches. I can honestly say that without even seeing any of my other choices.

So, if all goes well it will be at home with me tomorrow evening. Thanks for your help guys. Oh, and I forgot my camera at home in all the excitement prior to going to see the car so you will all have to wait. I am so excited though!!! I have 6 more days off of work which is plenty of time to motor. I am thinking a drive up into the ShenandoahNational Park is in order! If I do that there will be plenty of nice pictures for you to view when I return.

Kirk

 

Congrats! Best of luck!

 

Good choice and good value. Don't look back..

 

Congrats and enjoy!

 

Congratulations! Do post pics, especially if you head to Shenandoah!

 

Congrats! Many happy miles! Thanks for letting us in on it!

 

Eval and Eager, thank you for your postive comments on the car and price.

Abigbad, Congrats on your new MINI....enjoy!

 

Congrats! I think you got a very good deal, of coarse we all want pics of the new addition! If you feel you need something to break up the black may I suggest a union jack sun roof graphic and some bonnet stripes!

 

Congrats -- beautiful car!!!

 

I searched autotrader to find mine, if you look at some of my first posts you can read all about it. Also, email miniusa with the VIN's and they can tell you all the ordered options for the car. And calling a dealer with the VIN they can look up any service records. Thought this info might help, good luck. I vote for the black one!!