So I have a bit of a conundrum. I currently drive a 2010 GTI, and it's a great car but just a bit boring. I'm thinking about swapping to a Mini Cooper S even though it's not the wisest financial move.

If I order the car, it's going to be:
British Racing Green II/Black Leatherette
---Roof and Mirror caps in White/White bonnet stripes
Carbon Black color line
ZPP Premium Package
ZSP Sport Package
---Conical Spoke 17", silver
Heated seats
Chrome line interior
Anthracite headliner
Interior surface checkered plastic (whatever they call the base stuff, I like it)
Interior color Carbon Black
Bluetooth and USB/iPod adaptor
Rear fog light
Adaptive Headlights
Auto headlights/Rain Sensor

BUT

My local dealer has an Eclipse Grey Cooper S (not my color choice) but with great options minus the adaptive Xenons.

Eclipse Grey Metallic
---Roof and mirror caps in black
Carbon Black Leatherette
ZCW Cold Weather Package
ZPP Premium Package
ZSP Sport Package
---17" Conical Spoke, silver
Chrome line interior
Door mirror caps in chrome
Anthracite headliner
Interior surface Piano Black
Interior color Carbon Black
Bluetooth and USB/iPod adaptor

The sticker on the used Mini Executive car is $29,300. The car has 5,500 miles and has the odor of cigarettes, gross. There are a few little yellow nicks where the driver's door was opened into a yellow pole in a parking lot

I'm not sure how much to offer. I'd order my own but wish to take advantage of the .9/60month financing and free package credit. I doubt they'll go $3k beyond that but just not sure what to ask.

Ideas?

 

Order your own. You can lock in the finance rate when you order and if you wheel and deal, can lock in that free package as well. Then you're getting the exact car you want.

 

Buying a car is never a good financial decision. You're purchasing a depreciating asset that's sole function from a practical standpoint is to get you from point A to B. You could just as easily buy a new Chevy Aveo for 12K. What I'm getting at is if you're already debating this, then I think you should order your own. It's a MINI and meant to be exactly what you want. The executive demo could be a great deal, but the smoke smell is something that is very tough to get rid of. You can deodorize all you like, but on a hot, muggy summer day, that lingering smell comes back. I agree with the poster above, order your own unless the deal is too amazing.

 

You didn't say what the retail on that exec car was... I just bought one of the exec cars, a JCW convertible, totally loaded... sticker near $45k when new, walked out paying $32k. 4500 miles on odo, mint condition - throughout - all options. So $29.5k for an S hardtop seems excessive. YMMV

 

Sticker is $29.3k. Missing rear fog (well, at least the switch on the '11) and the armrest.

I"m thinking to offer $24k. I"ll be aggressive on this one.

 

Just based on this alone, I would not purchase this car.

Order what you want. You won't have to wait that long...

 

I'm convinced I can get it out. I'd like to order what I want but if this is $5k cheaper then we're close. Money is an issue.

Also, apparently the de-ionizers or ozone machines or whatever actually work. They said they could get a guy out there.

 

What are you going to do with the GTi?

Do you owe on it? is budget a factor at all?

I think you need to look at all the angles before you jump, unless budget isn't a factor, and if it isn't why would you consider a car with miles, damage, smoke smell and the wrong color. Plus too and also, I'd want the Zenons for sure.....

 

do you have money to blow???? if not then i would say keep the GTI

dont think the MINI is that much more fun than your GTI. but again, ONLY IF you got money to blow then be my guest.

 

My two cents, if you do any night driving out of the city I'd want Xenons. They are pretty great. However, yeah, for $5k I could maybe live without them.

I bought a condo with cigarette stink a few years back that I was sure I could get out. I did it, but it was an enormous chore and took more time and money than I anticipated. Obviously a car is a different situation, but cigarette stink really gets into and sticks to EVERYTHING. It's inside the vents, etc.

 

I would have to agree with this post. How is the GTI boring? Do you have the APR flash? Unless you are referring to the way it looks vs. the Mini ... no way a GTI is boring. Of course, to each there own.

 

I bought it for more than I wanted to but swapped Web Spokes with another used '11 on the lot.

Remember guys, it has Xenons, just not the adaptives. Xenons were mandatory...I'm driving a base Cooper (surprisingly quick) without Xenons and it's pretty bad.