[Evlkarl]

I have been looking at Mini Dealer Sites Ebay etc etc and there are so many Mini,s for sale with great Miles on the clock and some really good prices used I really think that my next Mini will be used from a Mini Dealer. Sad too say since they have so many Mini,s on there lots trade in $$$$ is not that great at all for the moment. I think buying new is great when you want a specific color and options but if you a little flexible on the color and option list you can find some great deals right now. There are even some great deals on the new Clubby right now too. What you say? Is buying used a good thing or is it better to drive the wheels off yours?

 

[KYDan]

I ordered it with the options/setup that I wanted, however, since BMW slipped in some changes that I was unaware of (No real dipstick and no rear power outlet, and a few others. I did not get everything I expected or wanted. I generally swap out cars every few years to get the latest, greatest performance options, but I may keep this one until one of us explodes!

 

[Evlkarl]

Dan, the no dipstick really bugs the heck out of me. I know some call us old farts nuts when we smell and rub the motoroil thru our fingers. I am too old to find a no dipstick policy acceptable.

 

[Desert Rat]

I ordered because the dealer didn't have, and couldn't find a close enough spec in the US. I was firm on Visual Boost, roof rails, storage pack and manual gear box and flexible on others. In the end they could not find something close enough for me to spend my money on. Now with the changes MINI has made to the standard features I could probably find one that I liked. Although I still don't see many manual gear boxes on dealer lots.

 

[minnieman]

$7,000 usd was my incentive to buy used. Low miles 2014 well equipped car vs a lightly optioned new one. I don't have an overwhelming passion to have a new car, with used I don't freak about every scratch. Let someone else take the biggest depreciation hit.

Btw - the MINI dipstick sucks, don't miss it at all.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[shineywheels]

For me it depends on how long you intend to keep the car. When I used to change every 18-30 months I thought a car about a year old 10-15k miles was the best value. Now I keep my cars 7 years the premium for buying new is spread out so I can justify buying exactly what I want.

 

[Davyboy]

My last 3 have been new and I ended up with a better deal than any used one in stock mainly due to dealer contribution, manufactures contribution and hard haggling.

But I am aware the F series prices are dropping like lead weights!

 

[TheAlterKocker]

Keep my cars an average of ten years or so. So ordering exactly what I wanted was a no-brainer.

 

[fradaj]

It is smarter to buy used, but I still prefer buying a new one. I found a nice new one with a lot of cool options on it. Didn't really look for a used one.

 

[Chzplz]

I ordered because the dealer didn't have, and couldn't find a close enough spec in the US. I was firm on Visual Boost, roof rails, storage pack and manual gear box and flexible on others. In the end they could not find something close enough for me to spend my money on. Now with the changes MINI has made to the standard features I could probably find one that I liked. Although I still don't see many manual gear boxes on dealer lots.

Are you me? That was my exact order. F55 for the rear windows for the dog tho.

 

[02fanatic]

I understand the temptation to jump on a slightly used MINI due to the up front depreciation (which is sad indeed, but a fact). But, it all depends on each buyer & their wants & needs. I think it's perfectly fine to surf the internet for a great used find...or simply stumble upon a great deal. But, there's nothing wrong with ordering the car you want even though you know you are buying depreciation as soon as you drive it off the dealer's lot! Everyone deserves to spoil themselves once in awhile! My guess is that Karl will keep popping in to his local MINI dealer until he finds "that special MINI" that checks all or most of the boxes! Not too far in the future either is my guess! Happy hunting!

John

 

[rtowell]

Why ... MINI's are customized from the start. First one was to order; second was from the lot and, while good, missed a lot of boxes. Having said that, we still have it after eight years.

Mine will be exactly what I want ... good and bad to that. If I didn't care, I would buy a GTI ... three versions, options do not exist. I love the base version's tartan seats but if I want nav, I have to get leather. I love MINI's customization. Expensive... yes; however, it is what make MINI special.

That said ... could we have more interior color choices?

 

[jeremybingham]

Always always used to buy second hand but the mini buying experience, the options the deals and the fact that I can run it in how i want make me feel safer-if i do decide to keep the car the oil will have been changed yearly rather than ruined by minis headline attracting regime for eg. Buying new is a bit of a mugs game BUT it's nice"!

 

[Evlkarl]

RTO I have to agree with you 100% on the interior color choices they just plain suck here in NA. Mini could really really offer more. IMHO

 

[Squirrelly]

Haven't bought a mini as yet... I'm still in my research phase. It usually takes me at least six months to research and purchase. My motivation is I used to own a 2.0T Quattro Audi A3 sportwagon and I absolutely loved it. I factory ordered mine with very specific package choices. The principal thing that influenced my factory order was the fact that about 90% of the A3s stocked by dealers all had the panoramic sunroof which I had no interest in at all. With high mileage over time, the A3 became tired and was consuming oil. Unfortunately, Audi stopped importing my model to the USA and only brought in the "e-tron" model, not to my taste. So I traded the A3 for a new 2014 A4 in late 2013. Fast forward... I've decided the A4 is too big and I want to go back to the smaller A3 format and the newest Mini Clubman S ALL4 iteration is almost exactly the same size and specification as my old Audi A3 and you can order it without a sunroof! I am waiting to see the new Volvo V40 but I think the Mini Clubman S ALL4 is at the top of my "List".

 

[wwleone]

I (52y :crying::laugh came from a 4x4 SUV: Chevrolet Captiva (Equinox in the US) but in Europe the Chevrolet has divested and going to look for a similar product I found my Coutryman MINI Countryman R60 (used for 3 years). 0

My young son (22y) was looking for a small car, but sports and chose his MINI Cooper S R56 (used but old), after about 2 years he decided to go on a new product and chose the MINI John Cooper Works F56 (which should arrive in January 2017). >

 

[dgswick]

That new car smell.....

No, seriously, the difference between nearly new and new in terms of finance package ie. monthly payment was negligible and all the nearly new JCW's I found were specced up to the max. I didn't want that, I only wanted loud stereo and exhaust really, and wasn't going to pay for stuff I didn't need and in some instances really didn't want (eg. try and find a nearly new JCW on 17's????)

Oh, and the new car smell!

 

[MINIkiter]

That new car smell, seriously!

And, I couldn't find any used JCWs near me at all (I like to try and keep it local.) Plus, a bit of a treat to myself since I could afford it (for now.. until the customisation takes off!!) I also found it was only marginally more expensive than recent second hand after all the discounts/contributions. Of course the cheapest car is usually the one you've got... but who wants to keep a diesel Astra another 3 years!!

 

[sootyvrs]

I think a deciding factor is usually if you finance your car purchase...

Sometimes it can cost a similar amount monthly payments to buy new vs used Mini as there are usually better financial incentives e.g. deposit contributions, Finance APR rates, dealer sales targets etc... especially if you are doing some sort of lease type purchase when you just owe a baloon value after a given finance term but never own the car outright in most cases.

If you are paying for the car outright, then buying used can make a lot of sense...

 

[Squirrelly]

RTO I have to agree with you 100% on the interior color choices they just plain suck here in NA. Mini could really really offer more. IMHO

Yes... Interior choices are not that great. I'd like to see a medium grey leather offered.