Yeah I know, I haven't even had my Mini for a year but I'm thinking about trading it in on something that has AWD or 4x4. My question is has anyone here traded in their 2010? KBB only has values for 2009 and lower Coopers. The trade-in value for a 2009 with my same specs in $21,000. I should expect more than this right? I just want to make sure I get what I can for the car.

Specs:
2010 Mini Cooper S - Pepper White - Carbon Black Inerior
7,300 Miles
Cold weather package
16" Bridgespoke wheels
Power Sun Roof

No premium sound system or Navigation.

 

Suggest you take a look at craigslist, autotrader, ebay, and other local resources. If there are any 2010's for sale that's a good guide for your market/area.

 

What was your MSRP? Seems like your car does not have too many options... I don't think you'd get $21k for that car.

For reference, calculate your car's original invoice -- quick shortcut approximation is MSRP * 90%. This is what your dealer can buy brand new 2010 leftovers for. I'd suggest taking another 10% off from that number to get a ballpark idea of what your car should be worth.

My approximate idea is that it will be $19k trade in.

 

Why not just buy some winter wheels and snow tires? That will be plenty capable in winter. That's what I did...

You do realize that you will be taking the largest depreciation hit the car will ever have by trying to trade it now...

 

I actually looked into trading in my 2010 MCS back when VW was offering some ridiculous long term 0% financing options on a few of their cars (I know, I know). I didn't go through with it, but I've gotten the following trade in values on my car - options are listed in my sig.
1. Here in AR - $19k was the best I could get.
2. Dallas - hah, not even funny really, but $16k
3. Tulsa - best of all, $20,500, though that was on a lightly used 128i so they were probably moving some numbers around.

Obviously I didn't go through with it and plan to keep my MINI for at least another year, but maybe that'll give you an idea.

 

As mentioned in some of the previous quotes, without knowing much about the options on the car or the MSRP, it is going to be difficult to throw out a SWAG on trade in value. Having said that, I did try to do a little digging to help add to the confusion:

You said KBB trade in value for a 2009 was $21,000
NADA lists trade in value for a 2009 at $21,225 (clean)

Cars.com for a 2010 Pepper White MCS with less than 10,000 miles has an average asking price of $26,000. AutoTrader.com also has an average asking price of $26,000. I didn't dig into the options of these listings, but based on my recent experience, most MCS hatchbacks have either cloth or leatherette seating rather than the expensive leather, only a few have navigation, most are 6 speeds, and most have the dual sunroofs. My guess is that is a fair assessment of the average advertistment and that this is a close match to your car.

Finally, I looked at the Manheim dealer auction site for their estimated auction value of a 2010 MCS. This is a more generic / commodity approach and how most dealers start their evaluation of a car's value. On paper, what is the ballpark value of the car. They show the average auction value of a 2010 MCS is $23,105, but the range has been between $14,800 - $26,250. Attached picture is a screenshot.

Based on all of my rambling above, I would suggest that you starting point should be as Sarafil suggested. Sticker price (MSRP) minus about 20%. Then to cross check your math, do some local searchs on Craigslist, Cars.com, and AutoTrader.com to see what people / dealers are asking locally. Figure a dealer is going to want $2000 between what he pays you and what he wants to ask for the car.

Both of the two above calculations should get you in the right ballpark.

Hope this helps somewhat. Please remember that if the dealer gives you retail on your trade in, then he is going to want retail on the car he is selling you. If he gives you wholesale on the car he is selling you, he is going to want to pay you wholesale on your trade in. Very difficult to get both ends of the equation to work in your favor.

Good luck!