Haha, I didn't even test drive the regular clubman. I couldn't imagine having less power than the s had.

 

http://www.ocfiat.com/used/MINI/2009...b97e3e0cbf.htm


This was the one I looked at.

 

Look at this one.

...and this one (will require negotiation, but offer $19,500).

 

I would hold out for a certified.

 

Even if I'm able to get a warranty?

 

I don't know anyone who has had any luck with 3rd party warranties. Just my opinion. If you find a certified Mini you know the Mini dealership has gone over the car with a fine tooth comb.

 

There are good and bad extended warranty companies. One sold through your lending agency will usually be good (protecting their investment). The one sold by a reputable dealer will usually be pretty good, too, protecting themselves. Beware the "freebies" offered by some used-car-only dealers... a "free" warranty is worth what you pay for it.

Ask your lender for a list of good ones, and don't be afraid to ask them to look at the policy you are considering. End of Month times are good to buy a warranty (there is considerable mark-up on these).

Just remember, look for a car with less than 30K miles and at least a year of warranty left. There are LOTS of low-mileage MINIs out there, even ones that are ten years old. MINIs often get purchased as 3rd cars.

 

My problem is that I'd like to keep ti close to 15k

 

I hear you. Gonna be tough. $18K might be possible, and still have a few months/miles of warranty left. 48 months, 50K, whichever comes first.

An out-of-warranty one might still have an extended warranty, and might have had all the work done. The 2008-09 models had a little ironing out to do (IMHO).

IMPORTANT: If you buy one, MAKE SURE it has both keys, or a promise in writing from the dealer/seller to get you a second key within 30 days. Don't make a $300+ mistake (there are NO alternatives to a factory-sourced key).

 

My daughter did on her Mazda5. She bought an extended warranty from her credit union, and it MORE than paid for itself (Lesson #2: Don't trust CarFax completely).

 

I guess I'm lucky that I haven't had any problems with my Mazdaspeed3. I bought it from a private owner without test driving it, lol. If I can sell it privately, I should be able to get more for it and then I'd be able to spend more on a Mini. I just want to keep it to a max of 12k financed. If I was to trade in my car I'd get 3k after paying off what I owe and that'd be 15k without anything coming from my pocket. I could probably make it up to 16k and I could get the one I posted, but it wasn't Mini Certified.

 

My daughter's Mazda5 had been wrecked, but unreported to insurance. There were lots of frame issues with the vehicle. She (and I) got most of the fixable things fixed, and then she traded it for another Mazda5. Great vehicle.

 

I got out of a tuned SAAB 9-3 aero v6 2006 sportcombi... 320hp and 400tq (www.vtunersaab.com)

i was doing 28hwy max...

I now do 42mpg for the past 4 tanks, and miss the tq, but I am happy..

 

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/ctd/3276784004.html

 

Damn. I'm really looking to only spend about $16k. That's what I liked about the one I posted earlier.

 

I understand. A MINI Next CPO isn't gonna fall in that range, nor will one with any factory warranty left (unless the car had an extended warranty).

Here's a nice example in your target price and location.

 

That car is at a MINI dealer, but it's not a CPO. However, you can sure get them do a FREE major inspection (if it hasn't already done so).

http://www.creviermini.com/VehicleDe...-CA/1832316323

 

The Clubman is a little heavier than the Hatchback. The price difference in a usedmobile isn't much, so it comes down to gas mileage and reliability versus the extra power. I get 29/32 consistently in my MCS with AC on, about 1 mpg better with it off. Gas is cheap to me. The car is very quick, you'll find that out when you test it. I never considered a Justa myself so I never drove one. 2/3 Mini buyers get the MCS, that should tell you something. It's more of a premium brand than an econobox, so people paying that are more likely to opt for the faster engine.

 

MINI Next certified, Irvine MINI, 6-spd manual... but well over $16K.

http://www.irvinemini.com/VehicleDet...-CA/1821746473

 

You have some room to negotiate. It seems the prices have come down since i bought mine a month ago (based on the links posted by pmsummer).

I got mine at Ontario MINI. I found it on Cars.com and i waited a full week before calling the dealership to go down and take a look. It was listed at $24.9k and i got them to do $21.5k. 2010 with 25k miles, factory warranty, and the maintenance contract is until 100k. I went ahead and bought the extended warranty just for peace of mind. After my trade, i ended up paying $13k out the door.

You just got to shop around. The right one will pop up. Search other dealerships than just the ones in and around OC. There are MINI dealerships up in LA county too.

Good luck!

 

http://www.ocfiat.com/used/MINI/2009...b97e3e0cbf.htm


So I shouldn't try to get this one? It's still for sale but it doesn't come with any type of warranty. Well, it comes with a 1 month warranty from the dealer, but after that it's nothing. Most certified Minis have been substantially more.

 

At that price I would grab it. My suggestion would buy it. and then bring it in to your local MINI dealer for a going over. If everything checks out you are golden otherwise you will have a couple of choices, get it fixed or trade it in.

Good luck,

 

There is a Mini dealer within a few miles. Maybe I can work something out where they'd let me take it there and have it looked over before I bought it.

 

That's a good plan. If they object to a Pre Purchase Inspection at the dealer, I'd run like hell

 

So the Clubman S I was looking at had it's price reduced to $15995. It's a 2009 with 52000 miles on it. I'd like to get it but I'm concerned with the mileage. If it was less I'd be ablet o get the extended warranty from mini and it would alleviate some of the concerns.