What do you guys & gals think of this one? It's somewhat local to me, and is priced (what I believe to be) very reasonably considering how well it's optioned. Just when I thought I'd narrowed it down to Chili Red/White, this baby has to show up for sale:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/car/308872283.html

:impatient

 

I think you should grab it. Go drive it, do a carfax. And ask if you can see what has been done to the car and by who (reciepts)

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

 

The only things I'm not sure about are the Lapis Blue seats (I think straight black would be so much simpler, but whatever - it's not the end of the world) and the Aero Kit. I'm not into the whole "Boy Racer" scene, so I don't want to be mistaken for someone who is by driving a car with an aero kit.

The MINI is the only car out there, though, (that I can think of) that has a factory aero kit that, 1) doesn't look that different from the "plain" car, and 2) still looks good.

 

The lapis blue and the aero kit are very nice in person. For all the features and the relatively low mileage, that is a good price.

 

I'd look for one with more options

Looks great - go for it.

 

that is a nice price...get it!

 

I would inquire about the warranty...I think that extended warranty should give you more years...
4 yr 100k?
Maybe it is a misprint since the factory is 4 year 50000 miles...
Otherwise nice ride....(try to talk em down a bit..there is always negotiation room)

 

I think I like the seats. However, I know I think all auto seats should be fitted with covers from Wet Okole. That would be an easy way to get good looking, tight fitting seat cover in any color you want.

 

That's a nice one.

Did it have the red JCW brakes in the front wheels? Don't know if that was a dealer installed JCW item in the kit as well.

 

I was finally able to email the owner. The car is a 1-owner, ordered new from MiniSF, no accidents. Owner states,

How expensive of a piece is that to replace?

At any rate, about the warranty - sounds legit - here's what I got from the owner:

As for the brakes, no JCW brake/suspension package. I'm fine with that - if I want to upgrade to a set of Brembos or something in the future, there's always that option.

I'm not planning on really modding this car - I have a 96 Corvette that makes close to 400hp. I've done the "import tuner" thing, and while it was fun, I always found myself frustrated with the end result i.e., a car that became less reliable and less fun to drive. Never mind the fact that I was STILL slower than 90% of the new cars out there, and so thus entered the Corvette. I did a few tasteful mods to it, and I'm leaving it alone now. Just upgrading the parts that wear out with better stuff (brakes, suspension, etc.). No more HP wars - there's always a faster car out there.

 

Oh....and current owner states the out-the-door price on this car, including tax, title, fees, etc. was north of $46,000!!!

 

Edmunds.com says it's around 24 K, but that doesn't take JCW into account. I'd say this is a fair place to start, and that I'd offer him 24,000$ for it and start negotiating by saying you'll give him book value for it. Since you understand the JCW is an increased expense, you might be inclined to move up to 24,500 or even 25,000. I'd stop there.

mb

 

If it were me, I'd be arguing that options and mods (even JCW) isn't returning anything substantial, that the market isn't supporting blue book or edmunds, and offer him 21K or 22K. The resale isn't there. (46K? Were people REALLY paying that???)

If he doesn't do something close to that, I'd let him sit on it for a couple of weeks and call him back.

 

Interesting....

My search on KBB showed 23.8 for a car in "Good" condition and 25.2 for one in "Excellent" condition. Because of the scratches on the RR rocker panel, I'd have to lump this one into "Good." Otherwise, it'd probably be excellent. Tack on the JCW package - that's gotta be worth *something*, right?

Also, take into consideration that the demand for MINIs might be higher in the Bay Area with the high gas prices, lack of places to park a big car in SF, environmentally conscious people, etc., and I think the price isn't *too* far off. I feel like if I insult someone with a lowball, I won't be counter-offered - just shown the door. Maybe start at 24.5 and go from there?

 

Ahhh... yeah I've heard West Coast is high

But I've heard explicitly from a couple of sellers that the JCW isn't always fetching much if anything lately

And I've heard KBB described as a fantasy

 

2005 MCS + Destination Charge = 20,950
Hyper Blue Metallic = 420
Hyper Blue Metallic Dash and Doors = NC
Lapis Blue/Black Leather Interior = 1,300
Combo #1 Premium = 1,350
Combo #2 Sport = 1,350
Combo #4 Convenience = 400
Limited Slip Differential = 500
Chrome Line Interior = 200
Harman-Kardon Sound System = 550
Dealer installed iPod Adaptor in glove Box = ? + cost of installation
Dealer installed Aero Kit = 1,250 + cost of painting and installation
Dealer installed John Cooper Works Tuning Kit = 4,775 + cost of installation
Touch of Class – Exterior / Interior Protection = RIPOFF
4yr/100k Extended Service/Maintenance Contract = 1,995

If this car was purchased at a Bay Area dealership figure an additional 3,000 to 4,000 in labor for dealer installed items

 

That's $35089 if I did the calculator right

Of course if there was an additional 11,000 of vaseline included, does that count? And then the ttl portion? I wouldn't count those-I'd only count the 35K, right?

 

Depending on how many miles a year the buyer drives, the Extended Maintenance Contract may not count either

 

I purchased brand new black plastic trip (6 pieces in all 4 front, 2 rear) for around $60 from Classic Mini in Ohio (Check the Vendor Directory on the forum). They're really pretty cheap... can't be more than 12-15 dollars each.

 

Here's an extreme close-up of the "scratches"... Poor MINI...

 

chances are that if hes asking for $25,900 he/she probably really wants $24 even!

 

I recently purchase an '05 Hyper Blue JCW with Lapis Blue interior and pretty much all the other goodies listed, save aero kit, extended warranty and upgraded wheels, and similar mileage. My wife and I admittedly lost all objectivity after going to "check it out", so we could probably have done a better job of negotiating. But I'd say this deal is better than the one we got if you assign some reasonable value to each option. In retrospect I think we could have done without some of the "bling", but my 63 year old wife is ecstatic. She even told me the other day how much she likes the sound of the supercharger when she runs it thru the gears! To me, a life-long gear head, that's priceless! ;-)

I say - don't delay, as you'll be sorry if you miss it.

Alan

 

I'm in the SF Bay Area, too, and Minis are not moving as quickly as they once were. I've been watching for 3-4 weeks and some very nice cars are still around because they are priced too high.

For that car without JCW kit, I'd expect it to go for $22,000-22,500...so add whatever the JCW kit would be and that's probably your goal.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the info...but it begs the question - What *is* the JCW worth in the 2nd-hand market? Surely not the $6,000 it was from the factory or dealer. Half? One-third? $1,000? Nada?

 

I just bought my MCS in the Yeah Area as well and saw this one too. I think the price is OK, but you should still knock them down a bit. Options never get you that much in resell even JCW.

I paid 19,800 for an '04 MCS with 30K and sport package from a Mini dealer and it was really clean. I tend to find some minis have not been treated that well.

To sum it up, I think you can get this one for closer to $23K. Thats what I would offer.

Also, there is a guy selling an awesome 06 JCW, with JCW brakes and everything and I know he'll go 27. Listed at 29. Given this, the 05 is better around 23 given its options....