So, we're a 2-Mini household. Her base R56, and my GP2. The fiancee has mentioned she'd like more room, as she's a photographer and hauls around a bit of photo gear from time to time, plus we use her car for roadtrips. We've always managed to fit everything, but it's always been a hair tight, since the dog occupies most of the backseat. However, she doesn't want to give up that Mini feel behind the wheel, and I can't blame her. So, long story short... I work at a dealership, and happened to see that one of our customers will be trading in a 2012 Ice Blue R55, with 37k miles and a stick sometime soon if all goes well. Current owner has some health issues and can no longer drive a stick (). Clean carfax, ran the VIN through the BMW Archive VIN decoder, and it seems like a solid car. Finance rates through our bank aren't bad, either... I'm thinking over 3 scenarios: 1) We trade her R56 in. She owes ~9200, and trade value should be ~8-9k, and I could probably get my dealer to wash everything clean. She'd also gain a tax incentive and not have to pay the majority of the sales tax on the R55. 2) Keep her car. I drive it for the winter, and sell it in the spring for more than trade value. Pay off the R56 loan and bank the rest. 3) Keep her car, I take over the loan, and use it as my daily driver, and leave the GP in the garage. :crazy: Thoughts?
Why leave the GP in the garage? Just me, but cars are to be driven. That being said my Miata sleeps in the warm garage. After a couple of years driving MG's I've sworn off roadsters as winter use rides. See what the dealer will give you on a trade. Nothing against your MINI, but the legendary resale value is a myth perpetrated by dealers when selling MINI's. If you don't like the offer use it this winter & sell it in the spring. I think you'd make more money doing this.
Because winter sucks and so do Pennsylvania roads. The poor GP hasn't been washed in a month, it snows or rains every day I have off. I'm leaning towards option 2, but entertaining the idea of option 3.
It always great when you get to spend other people's money, with that being said option 3 would be enticing if'n it didn't make you car poor.
I'm a fan of Option 3 if it doesn't require you to sell blood on a regular basis..... It's always a great idea to have an extra car available.
Wait..I have an idea. :idea: Donate the extra MINI to M/A. Yeah...sounds like a real good plan to me...:ihih:
:lol: On the bright side, I did just put new tires and brakes on it. Hopefully the Clubman doesn't need tires and brakes. :lol:
I'd vote for the trade. Get the R55 for road trips and here utility needs, and then get a $5k roadster for summer driving--Miata, Z3--something completely different. On another note, It looks to me like this is not the crowd to ask for rational car-buying advice (Except for me. Trust me.).
:lol: The GP would be for summer/pleasant weather driving. I'd be using the Justa for daily duties, hauling the bikes around, transporting the dog in a pinch, and parking in places I could never park the GP. It's got a few scrapes and scratches, but is mechanically sound - we've had it since 20k miles, and I've done all the maintenance. Three would be the max. I hate submitting the GP to daily duty abuse around here, especially in the snow and salt (actually it's a lot of fun in the snow, but the salt... ). It'd be a lot better having a daily that was still a Mini/something fun to drive, but also something I didn't care so much about when getting pelted with salt and rocks from the road. The responsible side of me has also tossed about the idea of selling the GP in the spring and putting the extra GP money towards paying down the Justa quickly, and then I'd focus on my college loans more. But that's too responsible. :lol: