[Aqualung]

As much as it pains me to even think this, I'm seriously contemplating selling my '04 MCS/JCW. Two primary reasons, 1) I just took a job that's 2.5 miles from home, and I'll be traveling quite a bit (the company pays for a limo to Logan) so I'm forecasting less than 1100 commuting miles per year; 2) My son enters college next year and anticipating the expenses, I could stand to free up some discretionary income.

While it's true that with regards to 1) above, I could really have a low mileage MINI in a few years, I also have a 14.5 year old daughter that's going to be driving soon enough. So I'm toying with getting a used Volvo or something to drive for a couple of years until she needs it; could get a high mileage car for <$8k and would still do well. Well, wouldn't have the fun of driving a MINI, which is what's causing me to really hesitate. I know I'd look depressingly at every MINI going by....sigh.

Anyway, I've looked at Kelly Blue Book, and my car (sans JCW) retails for $24k or so in the Boston area. I'm looking for advice on what I could reasonably ask for the car. IB/B, 25k miles, not one body side ding or dent, Zaino'd lovingly every month, inside is very clean, etc. Also have a set of R81s w/ Nokians for the winter to toss in. Added the AUX jack, Ian's auto-up, Whalen shift knob, and Xenons (forget offhand if they came w/ the sport pkg). The car out the door was ~$31k; Jan '04 build.

I'm thinking around $26k or so? Any input welcome.

P.S. Ian, do you know what MoP is asking for your car (GBMINI #2) these days? I recall it started at $26k but it might have dropped some.

[GBMINI]

Chris,
Sad news - if you do sell

From my perspective, there are a lot of pre-owned MINIs on the market this year - the '05s triggered many upgrades, most especially from owners of the quicker MINIs. Presumably due to the LSD option among other things.
I don't think KBB and the others have caught up with the "saturation" of used MINIs yet.
Last I saw, GBMINI#2 was at $23.5K. That is for an '03 about 10 months older than yours, and with 28K miles - similar.

What is next is TOTAL "finger in the air" - I don't check used prices of MINIs regularly and I am not in contact with MINI Peabody all the time (no matter what people claim )
If your car was about $25K new, I think you can get $20K for it now.
The JCW upgrade does not seem to be offering the investment that we hoped it would, so you might get $2K extra for it.
So I am suggesting you can sell at $22K - you advertise at $23999 and cross fingers.

Now I am well known to be an extreme pessimist.
But I also know of some MINIs owners that are having trouble selling their old one - and of course there is GBMINI. Some of the slow sale there might be due to customisation, but MINI Peabody has had other upgraded MINIs on their lot that have not sold for what you would expect.

[Aqualung]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI

Chris,
Sad news - if you do sell

From my perspective, there are a lot of pre-owned MINIs on the market this year - the '05s triggered many upgrades, most especially from owners of the quicker MINIs. Presumably due to the LSD option among other things.
I don't think KBB and the others have caught up with the "saturation" of used MINIs yet.
Last I saw, GBMINI#2 was at $23.5K. That is for an '03 about 10 months older than yours, and with 28K miles - similar.

What is next is TOTAL "finger in the air" - I don't check used prices of MINIs regularly and I am not in contact with MINI Peabody all the time (no matter what people claim )
If your car was about $25K new, I think you can get $20K for it now.
The JCW upgrade does not seem to be offering the investment that we hoped it would, so you might get $2K extra for it.
So I am suggesting you can sell at $22K - you advertise at $23999 and cross fingers.

Now I am well known to be an extreme pessimist.
But I also know of some MINIs owners that are having trouble selling their old one - and of course there is GBMINI. Some of the slow sale there might be due to customisation, but MINI Peabody has had other upgraded MINIs on their lot that have not sold for what you would expect.

ah, interesting re: the drop in GBMINI#2, thanks Ian...

[jcsinnh]

I hate it when I have to agree with Ian but......

If you advertise it, stress less the JCW name and more that it's a HUGE & MASSIVE performance package. Also stress mileage.

This, of course, comes from someone who still has 2 MINIs although I am not trying very hard to sell the legendary SCAR-GO. Ian's #2 looked awfuuly nice yesterday at MoP. Ian musta had the day off...had to buy Hrach's coffee break all by myself.

[Aqualung]

Quote: Originally Posted by jcsinnh

I hate it when I have to agree with Ian but......

If you advertise it, stress less the JCW name and more that it's a HUGE & MASSIVE performance package. Also stress mileage.

This, of course, comes from someone who still has 2 MINIs although I am not trying very hard to sell the legendary SCAR-GO. Ian's #2 looked awfuuly nice yesterday at MoP. Ian musta had the day off...had to buy Hrach's coffee break all by myself.

hey, maybe he was holed up in his office <g>...like the huge & massive part!