[Mister]

We finally picked up my little yellow 2004 MC from the body shop after almost a month. He was sideswiped by a Mercedes SUV on the freeway and the damage was minimal, but apparently these things take time to get just right.

Anyway, during the time he was in the shop, we had rented a convertible S that we became quite attached to. After all, you can't come from a car with 115 hp to a supercharged car with 168 and not be a little impressed! So, after picking up the Cooper from the body shop, we drove straight down to the dealership where we had rented the convertible to take it back to them. The Mini dealership had so many in stock that we couldn't resist and selected an adorable S that looked just like my little yellow Cooper.

Unfortunately, because the Cooper had been in an accident that caused over $300 worth of damage, the dealer took over $2,500 off the trade-in value of the car!!! Total crap, if you ask me. Apparently, even if we hadn't been forthright with the dealer, they would have found the Cooper in a database that reports all vehicles involved in accidents. Good for people buying used cars, bad for people trading them in.

I absolutely adore my new S, though! If we had ordered the little guy, I don't think I would have gone with the chrono pack, but I'm getting used to it (the rented convertible had it as well). I just wish I could have taken pictures of the Cooper and the new S side-by-side. It was raining cats and dogs the night we bought so standing outside taking pictures was pretty much out of the question.

I've read in the S manual that you're not supposed to drive like an idiot for the first 1500 miles. Can't wait until those are up!!!

[NeedMiniInfo]

Sorry to hear you feel like they took advantage of you, but glad to hear you're lovin'
your new car!!
May I ask about how much you got for the 2004 Cooper? Guess a lot depends on mileage, but I've been reading recently here that many aren't that thrilled w/their trade-in values, despite the buzz being that used Coopers & S's retain their value well.

I'm curious as in the process of buying, but not sure how long I'll be keeping my first one.
Please share more if you feel like it....
do you mean they took $2500 off the Blue Book value??

[Mister]

Quote: Originally Posted by NeedMiniInfo

do you mean they took $2500 off the Blue Book value??

Yes! It should be a crime! They gave us $15,500 for the trade-in. The Cooper had 17,500 miles, was equipped with the premium HK stereo, had the Sports package, and no dings, dents or scratches. We were pretty shocked.

My new little guy was about $27,500 after all the tax and crap that they add on. The sticker was approximately $25,000. He's got the Premium and Sports package and that chrono pack like I mentioned before, but the stock stereo which, if you asked me, doesn't sound all that different from the HK. If you asked my husband, however, he'd tell you that the new stereo sounds terrible. Good thing it's my car and not his!

[NeedMiniInfo]

Did you have the Premium Package too on your 2004? (or just the premium stereo)

Anyway, that IS discouraging. :-{
'Course it's easy to be talked into an upgrade when feeling like you're paying
10k or so...even if that IS still them taking advantage.

Did you consider selling privately? Seems like a hassle, but our dealer here
fully admits that we wouldn't get the best value selling back to them \& recommends doing that. (but even w/that...I wonder if they're delivering a load of hot air, & if in reality...
prices aren't that high when selling directly, either) Hmmm...

Anyway, enjoy your brand new S convertible! Do you find the blind spot
from the roof is difficult? I think that's what's held me back, anyway.
Otherwise, the color choices are fun w/the convertibles! :-)
But, I see you stayed w/yellow...definitely a playful color.

[Mister]

Quote: Originally Posted by NeedMiniInfo

Did you have the Premium Package too on your 2004? (or just the premium stereo)

No Premium package on the Cooper. It did have the Sports package with run flats, DSC, and sport seats. It also had the "Convenience" package, which is the auto dimming rear view mirror and rain sensor wipers.

We decided to go with the S hardtop instead of the convertible. When I had the rented convertible for the month that my Cooper was in the body shop, it rained almost every day and that blind spot became dangerous on the wet freeways. It was fun with the top down, though, and I suppose a person can get used to not being able to see out the right back corner. Not me.

We thought about selling it privately, but didn't want to go through the headache of advertising and showing the car. We still would have had to disclose the accident to the buyer, which I'm sure would have caused a great deal of haggling over the price.

And thanks. I love Liquid Yellow. It makes me happy just to look at it.

[pocketrocketowner]

Let me see if I understand this:

Your car gets crashed into, you have it reapired. You don't want to sell it yourself cuz of the hassle.
And you are upset about your trade in value?

Kidding just kidding....glad you goy yourself a new one!!

[Cooper76]

Remember, high demand also means that dealers are willing to lowball current owners because a lot of current owers like to trade-in for a new MINI as well.

The first line is free...

...then you start paying....