[GodWhomIsMike]

I purchased a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT Limited, automatic, fully optioned. I've had it since Sept 1st, and currently have 3500 miles on it. This car refuses to grow on me and now sits in my driveway 6 days a week. I don't know why, it's fast and handles great, but it's missing something to me.
I always had a soft spot for the Mini Cooper S, but never wanted to deal with a 6-speed in NYC traffic. Last week, I was at the auto show and was drooling over the Mini and realized that there is now a MCSa. I felt like "Damn it!!!! Why wasn't this out a few months ago before I went with the Legacy?"
I am currently in a "smart buy" finance plan. At the end, I will have a balloon payment due at the end of 48 months. My car's MSRP is about $31,400. The MSRP of the MCSa I am looking at is about $28,500. Would I be able to do a trade in?

- Mike

[AprilWhine]

Best bet is to talk to a MINI dealer. My opinion is that you can do anything you are willing to pay for, but getting out of a "smart lease" can be very expensive. My hubby wanted to get out of a lease on a Rendezvous but it would just have cost too much.

Have you checked sale price on Ebay, or the trade value on NADA?

PS, I have an MCSCa on order, due to arrive in less than two weeks.

[GodWhomIsMike]

Quote: Originally Posted by AprilWhine

Best bet is to talk to a MINI dealer. My opinion is that you can do anything you are willing to pay for, but getting out of a "smart lease" can be very expensive. My hubby wanted to get out of a lease on a Rendezvous but it would just have cost too much.

Have you checked sale price on Ebay, or the trade value on NADA?

PS, I have an MCSCa on order, due to arrive in less than two weeks.

Someone one eBay is selling one with 8400 miles for $25,000

NADA doesn't have any values yet for it.

- Mike

[pyratio]

Quote: Originally Posted by GodWhomIsMike

I purchased a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT Limited, automatic, fully optioned. I've had it since Sept 1st, and currently have 3500 miles on it. This car refuses to grow on me and now sits in my driveway 6 days a week. I don't know why, it's fast and handles great, but it's missing something to me.
I always had a soft spot for the Mini Cooper S, but never wanted to deal with a 6-speed in NYC traffic. Last week, I was at the auto show and was drooling over the Mini and realized that there is now a MCSa. I felt like "Damn it!!!! Why wasn't this out a few months ago before I went with the Legacy?"
I am currently in a "smart buy" finance plan. At the end, I will have a balloon payment due at the end of 48 months. My car's MSRP is about $31,400. The MSRP of the MCSa I am looking at is about $28,500. Would I be able to do a trade in?

- Mike

--Wait till you drive the MCSa. Flooring it at a stop feels like you're launching in a bobsled with jato bottles just lit. It's not so much that it IS that fast, but the way that the cabin is designed you just start hysterically laughing as you accellerate and the supercharger just makes music to your ears. It's a great feeling. My girl couldn't stop giggling after we hit 0 to 50 then back to 0 again. Stop sign spoiled our fun. During my test drive the other weekend, I just wanted to stop by the dealership, sign the papers and keep on driving. But alas it didn't have all the goodies I wanted. Yet it was still a mountain of fun.

I know exactly what you're talking about when you say the Subaru is missing something. Subaru's don't really reach in and touch your soul. My friends have WRX's and STi's, but I just don't think they express any kind of soul. Kinda cold and antiseptic despite their powerful little engines. The Mini on the other hand... man it has so much soul you can actually hear music while driving with the radio turned off. Just my opinion. But don't take my word for it. Test drive one. But be ready to part with your money because you'll want one. They really are addictive cars.

--pyratio

[GBMINI]

While I agree with everyones comments about the MINI ... I warn against a test drive.

You will be seriously hurt by attempting to trade your current car so early - most cars in the used market are doing very badly at the moment due to the ongoing need for incentives to get new cars out the door. With finance charges still not paid down, you might find that escaping your Subaru will cost you $5K-$10K; you would need to add that to the cost of the MINI you desire and factor that total into your new monthly costs. I think the result will scare you.

Sorry to be the bringer of such news ...

[Cooper76]

Yet ANOTHER example of a MINI lover who is also infactuated with the Legacy/Impreza. Man oh man...does it ever stop?!?!?!?!

[Kraigster414]

My advice because I have had a similar experience, is to bite the bullet, take a loss on the Subaru (yeah, I owned one of their wagons a long time ago - good car but...) and get the Mini of your dreams. Next time, just be more careful and do your homework. Consider it a learning experience, albeit an expensive one.. You'll never truly enjoy the Subaru. (But you are going to love the Mini!).

[Aurel]

Life's too short, bite down and trade in for a MINI.

I live in NYC as well. There is nothing like dodging cabs in Manhattan in a MINI