I'm in the market for a new mini
I'm in a toss of buying a new or used mini..
the way it looks I can get a 2 year old mini for about 2k-3k cheaper.. then a brand new one. if I purchase extended warranty thats another 1k plus interest rates are higher for used cars..
so in the end is it really worth it?
I know I can get a new basic cooper for $19200
do dealers work on that? or is it pretty much a set price?
thank for any info

 

I think you can do better than $2-3K off a 2 year old MINI but probably not at a dealer. The used prices have fallen a bit. With excellent credit you can get 3.99% financing for up to 60mo (new or used) through Pentagon Federal Credit Union. Do a forum search for PenFed.

 

I got 3k off my 7 month old R56 from the dealer and that was back in december of '07.

 

There are deals to be had out there on the used models. We bought a 2008 MC Clubman this past weekend. It had only 2500 miles on it and we ended up about 5k under original sticker for a car that is basicly new. Just take your time and look around and don't be afraid to walk away if the deal is not what you want (we walked away twice )

 

I got my 07 in Feb of 09 for almost 4k off what it would of cost brand new and with trade in I spent 16,8k. The only thing is I love my car but if I had gotten new I would have gotten more of what I wanted then having to add after the fact. That is the only reason I wish I had bought brand new. Also mileage would have been I concern. But Don't pass up a great deal.

 

I picked up an excellent deal on a used one.
2008 MCS loaded with 8k miles. It's obviously still under factory warranty.

You can get way more than just $2-3k off. I probably got about $9-11k off from a new one.

I had a pre-sale inspection BEFORE buying to make sure it checked out OK, and also run a carfax or alternate history checkup on the car to watch out for hidden issues like previous problems, accidents, odd repairs, etc.

Then get pre-approved from your lender for a lower interest rate on financing so that you have that leverage when it comes time to finance.

Buying new is never the best financial option since cars in general are bad investments. The problem with the Mini is that it's so customizable, it may be hard to find an exact customized option that you're looking for depending on your area. I was lucky and found one I love at a steal. You can too, just don't jump at the first one and haggle like a mad man.

 

9-11k is a little much the Mini doesn't depreciate that bad. At most from a new one to an 07 maybe 6k at the most condition depending.

 

You can land fully loaded '08 Cooper S's with low miles in the $22k range.
I did. If I built this sucker it would have been $31k+.

I guess the greater the options, the greater chance for savings when used.
Yeah, if you're going with a standard cooper non-S, then yes, 6k off MSRP sounds about right.

 

there LOTS of used mini out there....

 

buy new. get exactly the car U want, and full warranty.

 

Buy a new one . You will have full warranty . I got mine in April and they did not come off price . They threw in free racing stripes & floor mats . Do research on Miniusa.com and search the dealerhips in your area or build your on Mini and have it shipped . I went for a Automatic which cost a few more bucks but i don't like to shift gears . I have leather seats = gets hot in summer where i live but like them ! Do your research and get good deals on rates now . Hope they have what you want on the lots ! Or look up cars.com or autotrader.com for used ones . look up consumer reports 09 or buy one = mini's in consumer reports got good ratings . Lower years had transmission problems = beware !I did my research before i purachased my new Mini . Love it now getting close to 35 MPG on HWY and 34 in city WOW ! Happy motoring and good Luck !

 

What about if you wanted to build your mini online but don't have a certain option? I.e. bonnet stripes other color than black or white? Would this mean I wouldn't be able to order online and the only way is to go to a dealer?

I am also starting to be in the market and have the same question of New or Used.

 

Cheezeit
New with the prices of Mini coopers is the way to go if you can afford the note . 4 year warranty . 3 years free everything on your car / not gas ! Only have to chage your oil every year or 15000 miles . rotate the tires your self . If you look at the resale value mini;s keep their value ! Better than Jeeps which i have driven in the last few years . Look up kellyblue.com and look at resale values for the cooper = they are great ! Look up on cars.com & autotrader.com for prices on used ones its high ! Info i found out is early models have had transmission problems stick and automatic =02,03,04,05,06 will cost a lot to fix !If you get a base model about 19200 ! Base model has all you need ! If you go S= Turbo you looking at 24000 up !You can play by shoping on Miniusa.com and make any thing you want and later send it to near dealer= if they don't have what you want / Research do it ! I did mine for 2 months before i pulled the buy plug / and test drive one of course !Hope this helps you ! I love mine Lighting Blue / white top / automatic =34 mpg now ! 35 on hwy ! The grin may never leave you face once you make the call ! the price depends on where you live in the usa if the dealership will come off price . Its a BMW

 

thanks for all your help guys, I contacted about every mini dealer in florida and told them that I'm looking for the best deal out there.. they all replied all being very helpful a few through prices at me others said to call them..

 

Good luck minimartha! The only mini I've got so far was from ebay.... only costed me $20 :D Sits right on my desk for me to stare and awe

 

For me it's about what you can afford. I wanted to go new but I wanted a JCW. Almost fully loaded brand new they are near $40k!! That's a lot for a Mini, even though it's worth it. I got lucky and found one almost exactly how I would have opitoned it, 09 Factory JCW for $29k. I feel like I got pretty lucky to be honest with you. I love the car and couldnt be happier. You definately take your chances with used but get a carfax and a good inspection and you should be able to make an good informed decision.
Good luck and post pictures once you buy!!!

 

after going through several cars, I learned that buying new is for suckers.

you can save tremendous amount of money simply by buying used.

I bought my 2006 with 10,000 miles on it in in 2008 for 12K under what the original buyer paid.

But it did take me 3 months of everyday-autotrader to find the car.

 

thats what i'm doing every single day. Hopefully soon it's about a month now

 

thanks for the input! I do like that fact that a new mini comes with warranty and all the rest. I know if i buy a used one I will be buying a extended warranty. .. which will run about $1200
any of you purchase extended warranty on your used mini??

 

Good luck ! I guess you will be surfing the net for a good deal .

 

I don't know where you are located, but Ralph Schomp had a BUTTLOAD of 1 year old MINI's shipped that were driven for 1 year by BMW/MINI executives. They only have 6000-7000 miles or so and they come with a 7 year 100,000 mile warranty. They got them during the gas crisis last summer and there was a run on all things MINI. I went in for a test drive back when I was still shopping and there were literally 2-3 cars on the lot. I was in a line of 6 people just to do a test drive. They couldn't get and keep new cars in fast enough to keep up with the demand, so MINI sent them all of these demo cars. When I picked mine up last month, there were still a bunch on the lot. Trouble is, they aren't much less than the new ones and they are normally LOADED. Although I think they were knocking off 500 bucks or so and they were still good with the financing.

Maybe a dealer in your area has the same type of offer? That 7 year 100000 mile wartranty is pretty tempting. I would've done it if I could've found one in my price range that had the color/scheme I wanted.