MINI - Buying a used Mini

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
View Threaded
Wed 25 Mar 2009 07:54
Buying a used Mini - Gabe
I have a budget of around 8500 and am considering buying a Mini. My aim is to buy a 2-3 year old vehicle with relatively low mileage. What do you reckon? Is it worth spending so much money on a used vehicle when I could buy a Fiat 500 for example and get something almost new? My main concern is depreciation as I want to sell the vehicle in 18 months time. My other question is whether Mini tend to 'take offers'? Can you barter them down on a used vehicle? I've heard that Mini salesman can be quite uncompromising.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 25 Mar 2009 09:12
Buying a used Mini - DP
>>I've heard that Mini salesman can be quite uncompromising.

Try it. If they won't play ball, walk out.

Given what I'm hearing from friends in the motor trade, I find it impossible to believe that a dealer won't move at all in the current climate. Many of the big plate glass outfits are selling in a week what they used to sell on a Sunday.

There are always private sales as well.

Cheers
DP

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 25 Mar 2009 13:57
Buying a used Mini - robroy
I have a budget of around 8500 and am considering buying a Mini.

Hi! - You surely havn't road tested both a Mini and a Fiat 500! - It's not that I'm knocking the Fiat, but it cannot compare with a Mini, assuming that you intend to cover a fair amount of Motorway miles. The Mini is a 'real' motor car, with great 'feel-back' from the road. My mini [bought new] which is about 6 years old and has covered about 70,000 still drives like new, and is still much admired[not that I'm bothered!] -and all for under£12,000! I have test driven a diesel 500 lounge, and whilst I liked the build quality, I was of the opinion that it was more suited to town use...not like a Mini, which behaves much like a large car on the Motorway. While Minis do appear to be overpriced, and with little or no discounts on offer, they are, and will continue to be, quite sought after, - hence no knock down bargains! The best site on the web which usually has a couple of hundred offered for sale categorised into Ones,Coopers and S's [private/trade] is PISTONHEADS.

Happy Driving.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 25 Mar 2009 16:33
Buying a used Mini - Andrew-T
I've heard that Mini salesman can be quite uncompromising.


The screen price on a car lot is only an 'offer to treat'. If you are trading in you can argue about the difference between the screen price and what is offered for your car. If you aren't, you can offer something below the screen price - how far below depends on your chutzpah. At your level (£8500) I would start about 1000 below (but make it sound genuine). That will test how uncompromising the salesman is.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 25 Mar 2009 18:13
Buying a used Mini - Gabe
thanks for your advice - i'll see what I can find for my budget.....
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....