MINI Cooper Soapbox
MINI Cooper Customer Depreciation
Certified Pre-Owned MINI Cooper S or What NOT to do when your MINI breaks down.
I bought a 2004 MINI Copper S at a dealership. The car was Certified Pre-Owned, (CPO), with an extended warranty. Here is a synopsis of what happened:
April 2008: I return the car in 48 hours because the bumper is two-toned (re:bright yellow and sunset orange in a small space). Als, the cd player is " sensitive" and prone to skipping.
December 08 : I hear a squeak near the wheel well.
January 09 The crankshaft pulley/ bolt and tensioner need to be replaced. The mechanic has to disassemble a large part of the engine to make the repairs. The repairs are covered under the warranty and I am a happy MINI oner.
October 09: I take the car in for its annual. I have added 15,000 miles in in 18 months. The sobering reality-the car has several mechanical problems including the clutch, brake arms, bolts, run flat tire, other parts & maintenance
The repair for this MINI Cooper CPO is estimated at $6,600. The car is valued by the dealership at $11,975.Plus, I am still making payments on the car.
Frustrated, exasperated and dismayed, I am embarrassed to admit, I paid a price premium.
While MINI Corporate attempted to help- it came too late...
Advice on Car Repair-What not to do when your MINI Cooper needs a repair:Learning the hardway...before you go to a third mechanic party exhaust all options with MINI. Here Are a Few TIps:
Good Luck! Bon Chance! Happy Motoring |
|---|
If you are considering buying a MINI Cooper do your homework and know the true market value, cost of ownership, and resale value of the MINI. The MINI Cooper Forensics page provides additional car buying tips.
On the plus side, the MINI NEXT program offers a more useful CPO these days. Be sure to read the fine print.
MINI Cooper Trade-In: I just want a Happy Ending...
I am MINI Cooper Buyer #011-1112 or at least that is how I feel.
Earlier this week, I ventured back to the dealership where I purchased my car. My hope was that the dealer, who seemed nice enough, would " work with me". I guess, I thought that being a repeat customer and the issues I experienced with the car they sold me would lend itself to better negotiations. Didn't happen.
Instead of a happy ending & reliable car, I left with copious hand written notes for a car that was not quite the right fit. According to the sales team, I could get the special interest rate of 2.9% if I was willing to put down at least $3,800 in cash and increase my monthly payment by $130 for the next 61 months. Well, I am no math or finance savant but, when does paying more on an item that depreciates translate into savings? Especially, when you are already out $5,400.
Determined to hunt down and trap my "Happy Ending", I went to a dealership in the Irvine area. Honestly, these guys were great. I left the dealership more informed than when I came. I had a print out of the buying scenarios and I knew my options.
When I called the local dealership and mentioned that I went South looking for acar, the salesman's interest was peeked. I was no longer MINI Buyer #011-1112.
As it happened the dealer had another car that was more within my budget. I was elated. Unfortunately, the sticking points are the money down and trade-in value. Honestly, after spending $5,400 on repairs, putting down an additional $3,800-$5,000 for another MINI car seems well, ridiculous.
All I really want is a happy ending where the dealer does a trade in and I get a new reliable car with the same or less in monthly payments...
Update- MINI offered me a car detail voucher for my trouble.