MINI2

sadler · Oct 10th, 2007, 06:39 PM

i'm considering buying a mini (probably a convertible) and am in los angeles. i've never owned one, but have a question for the forum:

there are a lot (and i mean a lot) of used minis available and i wonder if that should worry me. why are people buying but not keeping them? are they costly to upkeep? is there something i'm not seeing? i love the look, and the drive, of the car, but what am i missing? it would seem to me that the more successful the car, the fewer you'd find for resale...

any comments would be appreciated. thanks

Mister · Oct 10th, 2007, 07:39 PM

I can only speak for myself. I'm currently on MINI number 3. Each trade-in was, IMHO, a trade-up. I started with a 2004 Cooper, got a 2005 S, and now drive a 2006 JCW convertible. I bought the 2006 used (it had 5,000 miles). The guy who owned the car before me couldn't afford the payments so traded it in for a 2006 Cooper, which fit his price range a little better. I hope you see the pattern here

P.S. I highly recommend you make the drive to Crevier in Santa Ana and avoid Southbay in Torrance.

rellik666 · Oct 10th, 2007, 09:51 PM

I think it is more of a case that you enjoy one and see another equally good or better and want another one!

I too am on my third MINI, I had a one in the UK, got an S hardtop about 18months ago, and now I am getting an S convertable on Monday! I am keeping the hardtop, so will be a two MINI household! I wouldn't have it any other way!

MINI's are a bit of a drug, you get an entry level model and keep moving up!

I would see a lot of used cars as a sign of popularity and confidence not the other way around!

manys · Oct 11th, 2007, 04:58 AM

Sadler: I'm an about-to-be first Mini owner too, and I know what you mean. One thing to notice (at least here in NorCal), is that I'd say half of the minis for sale are just under 50k miles, which is the warranty limit. I think this is just how some people sell and buy their next cars.

Yellow/Black OneD · Oct 11th, 2007, 07:50 AM

I have sold all my MINI's to..................................trade up to a MINI with a better Spec!!!!! No problems as I know, they are reliable and economic, GO FOR IT, you will never have more fun than when driving one!

Jaydash · Oct 11th, 2007, 11:15 AM

Sadler, being honest, in the UK I think a certain number of people buy a MINI and then realise it's not that practical, especially if they have a family. They've had some fun and then trade up to a VW Golf or Ford Focus or something. Or, they are rich families and it's just a play thing for a year-or-so, a third or even fourth car in the household (when many households will have two).

None of that should influence you though really; it's not as if the MINI is a duff car with lots of problems etc. They are very well-built cars and the TLC package keeps the servicing costs low.

Yellow/Black OneD · Oct 11th, 2007, 12:23 PM

Disposable incomes (Thats not me by the way) more finance & lease options helping people to keep buying new cars. The MINI is also cool, full stop, and many people must buy it for that reason and fair play, but many of these people just move onto the next coolest thing after a year or so. A MINI is hard to compare with other main stream mass produced vehicles, but I think that you can gather that it isn't the reliability (For most, there are duff ones same as ANY manufaturer) that makes people part with their MINI's.

Oh if you get one, I hope you are prepared to fall in love, because it will happen

sadler · Oct 11th, 2007, 03:33 PM

thanks for all the replies, this forum is great.

i was in the market for a new car after my beloved 1970 mercedes 280 sl (a pretty special car) was stolen and i'd always loved the mini, too.

found a 2005 mini cooper s convertible, 6 spd, john cooper special edition, (orange) fully loaded at what i though was a reasonable price, and jumped on it.

it will be ready to pick up this weekend and i can't wait to drive it

again, thanks for all of your responses.

VeryRedMCS · Oct 16th, 2007, 04:14 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Mister (original)

I can only speak for myself. I'm currently on MINI number 3. Each trade-in was, IMHO, a trade-up. I started with a 2004 Cooper, got a 2005 S, and now drive a 2006 JCW convertible. I bought the 2006 used (it had 5,000 miles). The guy who owned the car before me couldn't afford the payments so traded it in for a 2006 Cooper, which fit his price range a little better. I hope you see the pattern here

P.S. I highly recommend you make the drive to Crevier in Santa Ana and avoid Southbay in Torrance.

Mister speaks the truth...we like them so much that we can't wait to get another! In my case I got an '06 Cooper and was just crazy about it. I was hooked, and just had to upgrade to an '07 "S"!

mikbmini · Oct 16th, 2007, 05:26 PM

When I bought my MINI I asked the sales staff why there were so many used MINIs, and they told me that its because a lot of people get into it and move up the MINI ladder, upgrading from a ONE to a Cooper, or from a Cooper to an S, etc. Obviously they were trying to sell me a MINI so they weren't going to say its because people go off them, but in all honesty I think they are being fairly honest. If it was because the MINI is rubbish then why would they hold their value better than pretty much any other car on the market (in the UK at least), and why would so many new MINIs still be being bought? I think its safe to say that its just a very popular car so there are loads of used ones about!

Oct 10th, 2007, 06:39 PM	#1
sadler MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Local Time: 02:43 PM Posts: 2 Offline	considering buying a mini ...but i'm considering buying a mini (probably a convertible) and am in los angeles. i've never owned one, but have a question for the forum: there are a lot (and i mean a lot) of used minis available and i wonder if that should worry me. why are people buying but not keeping them? are they costly to upkeep? is there something i'm not seeing? i love the look, and the drive, of the car, but what am i missing? it would seem to me that the more successful the car, the fewer you'd find for resale... any comments would be appreciated. thanks

Oct 10th, 2007, 09:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
rellik666 Keeping The Top Off! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Melbourne Local Time: 07:43 AM Posts: 555 Online	I think it is more of a case that you enjoy one and see another equally good or better and want another one! I too am on my third MINI, I had a one in the UK, got an S hardtop about 18months ago, and now I am getting an S convertable on Monday! I am keeping the hardtop, so will be a two MINI household! I wouldn't have it any other way! MINI's are a bit of a drug, you get an entry level model and keep moving up! I would see a lot of used cars as a sign of popularity and confidence not the other way around! OH MY OH MY! I own a Sidewalk!Almost.........

Oct 11th, 2007, 03:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
sadler MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Local Time: 02:43 PM Posts: 2 Offline	thanks for the replies--i bought one yesterda! thanks for all the replies, this forum is great. i was in the market for a new car after my beloved 1970 mercedes 280 sl (a pretty special car) was stolen and i'd always loved the mini, too. found a 2005 mini cooper s convertible, 6 spd, john cooper special edition, (orange) fully loaded at what i though was a reasonable price, and jumped on it. it will be ready to pick up this weekend and i can't wait to drive it again, thanks for all of your responses.

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Oct 10th, 2007, 07:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mister Uranus is composed of gas My Classifieds Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ghettoville, CA Local Time: 02:43 PM Posts: 3,195 Offline	I can only speak for myself. I'm currently on MINI number 3. Each trade-in was, IMHO, a trade-up. I started with a 2004 Cooper, got a 2005 S, and now drive a 2006 JCW convertible. I bought the 2006 used (it had 5,000 miles). The guy who owned the car before me couldn't afford the payments so traded it in for a 2006 Cooper, which fit his price range a little better. I hope you see the pattern here P.S. I highly recommend you make the drive to Crevier in Santa Ana and avoid Southbay in Torrance.

Oct 11th, 2007, 04:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
manys Aspiring Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Local Time: 02:43 PM Posts: 3 Offline	Sadler: I'm an about-to-be first Mini owner too, and I know what you mean. One thing to notice (at least here in NorCal), is that I'd say half of the minis for sale are just under 50k miles, which is the warranty limit. I think this is just how some people sell and buy their next cars.

Oct 11th, 2007, 07:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
Yellow/Black OneD Clubman D Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Staffordshire Local Time: 10:43 PM Posts: 1,320 Offline	I have sold all my MINI's to..................................trade up to a MINI with a better Spec!!!!! No problems as I know, they are reliable and economic, GO FOR IT, you will never have more fun than when driving one!

Oct 11th, 2007, 11:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
Jaydash MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2005 Local Time: 10:43 PM Posts: 80 Offline	Sadler, being honest, in the UK I think a certain number of people buy a MINI and then realise it's not that practical, especially if they have a family. They've had some fun and then trade up to a VW Golf or Ford Focus or something. Or, they are rich families and it's just a play thing for a year-or-so, a third or even fourth car in the household (when many households will have two). None of that should influence you though really; it's not as if the MINI is a duff car with lots of problems etc. They are very well-built cars and the TLC package keeps the servicing costs low.

Oct 11th, 2007, 12:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
Yellow/Black OneD Clubman D Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Staffordshire Local Time: 10:43 PM Posts: 1,320 Offline	Disposable incomes (Thats not me by the way) more finance & lease options helping people to keep buying new cars. The MINI is also cool, full stop, and many people must buy it for that reason and fair play, but many of these people just move onto the next coolest thing after a year or so. A MINI is hard to compare with other main stream mass produced vehicles, but I think that you can gather that it isn't the reliability (For most, there are duff ones same as ANY manufaturer) that makes people part with their MINI's. Oh if you get one, I hope you are prepared to fall in love, because it will happen

Oct 16th, 2007, 04:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
VeryRedMCS The Fourth Stooge Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Local Time: 04:43 PM Posts: 25 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Mister (original) I can only speak for myself. I'm currently on MINI number 3. Each trade-in was, IMHO, a trade-up. I started with a 2004 Cooper, got a 2005 S, and now drive a 2006 JCW convertible. I bought the 2006 used (it had 5,000 miles). The guy who owned the car before me couldn't afford the payments so traded it in for a 2006 Cooper, which fit his price range a little better. I hope you see the pattern here P.S. I highly recommend you make the drive to Crevier in Santa Ana and avoid Southbay in Torrance. Mister speaks the truth...we like them so much that we can't wait to get another! In my case I got an '06 Cooper and was just crazy about it. I was hooked, and just had to upgrade to an '07 "S"!

Oct 16th, 2007, 05:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
mikbmini No MINI no more :( My Classifieds Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tunbridge Wells Local Time: 10:43 PM Posts: 245 Offline	When I bought my MINI I asked the sales staff why there were so many used MINIs, and they told me that its because a lot of people get into it and move up the MINI ladder, upgrading from a ONE to a Cooper, or from a Cooper to an S, etc. Obviously they were trying to sell me a MINI so they weren't going to say its because people go off them, but in all honesty I think they are being fairly honest. If it was because the MINI is rubbish then why would they hold their value better than pretty much any other car on the market (in the UK at least), and why would so many new MINIs still be being bought? I think its safe to say that its just a very popular car so there are loads of used ones about!

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