I'm really dreading trying to trade in my old car on the day I go to pick up my new MCSC.
Seems like I'll be in no position to negotiate, while they're holding the keys to my new car, which has been on order for months. It's not like your usual car purchasing experience, where you can always walk out and try another dealership.
I'm planning to go armed with info from KBB on trade-in value, maybe even hit a used car lot or two to get a price quote. Any other words of wisdom?

In fact you have the bargaining power, not the other way round. They have a new car on the lot that they need to shift.

Sell it to CAR MAX - They will buy your car on the spot... The will pay KBB value..

The dealership will NOT...

Example:

2002 BMW 525i 21,000 miles Pristine Condition.

2 Mini Dealer's offered us $22,750 & 24,100 < Horrible Offers !!! :(

Car Max Purchased our car for $26,000 (which they are now trying to sell for $29,500)

Car Max is the quickest and most profitable way to Sell your car... They will buy even if you are not looking to buy a car from them.. They give you a 7 day 300 mile Appraisal.

Trust me you won't regret it!!

Joe Z

Yep, we've used CarMax in the past twice. Both times we swung by CarMax for a price quote, then were able to use that to get the dealer to match it (plus by selling to the dealer we got the sales tax break as well). :D Unfortunately, we've moved and no longer have CarMax as an option (there are no CarMax locations in Washington state, and California would be a long drive for a trade-in). :(

Thanks anyway for the suggestion.
Anyone else have comments on how they were treated by a MINI dealer when it came to trade-in of a non-MINI?

I traded my 15 year old car. They gave me more then my wife and I thought they would. We got 300 for it. Then we learned they sold it for 500. Put the funny part of the story is the guy that bought it got approached on the street and was offered 1500 for it. I got a good laugh.