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Silly trade in price at large MINI dealership

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  • 12-11-2007 10:22pm
    #1
    trant
    Registered Users Posts: 321 ✭✭


    Hi,

    I have been looking for a nice Cooper S for quite a while. I spotted a lovely '06 one with Chili Pack, Harmon Kardon, 17" alloys, panoramic sunroof, xenons and leather in a well known MINI dealer in Dublin, priced at €34,000.

    I drive a 2006 Golf 1.6 Sportline with 32k kms on the clock. Mint condition with full VW service history. I had a figure in my mind of about €21 - €22k trade in for my car, and figured I'd get the MINI for €30k at the very most - considering it's the end of the year and they'd be trying to get rid of it. That would equate to ~ €9k to change at most, which I was happy with.

    When it came down to money the salesperson did his calculations and wanted €16k to change! I nearly burst out laughing at him when he said this, but he was deadly serious. He was offering me €18k for my car, and not budging on the asking price of the MINI. This was considering that my parents spent a lot of money on a 3-Series in the same garage only 4 months ago.

    What I'm really looking for is other people's experiences in MINI dealerships trading in non-franchise cars (i.e. VW etc), and the kind of money you got for your cars. Ned78, if you have anything you could add I'd appreciate it - I'm completely and utterly amazed at the money the guy was looking for to change for a MINI the same year as the car I'm trading in, it just doesn't make sense!

    Thanks for the advice, and sorry for the long post.


«134

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    #2
    Lawdie
    Registered Users Posts: 863 ✭✭✭Lawdie


    trant wrote: »
    offering me €18k for my car

    Trant not rubbing salt into the wound, but more than likely he was pricing your car at less than 18k when you account for vehicle discounting. I did not check carzone etc for either models but my only advice is shop around.

    Also try outside of county. They "sometimes" appreciated D registered cars. Assuming you golf is D reg of course.

    Your right not to jump at any temptations. Trading is about negotiation, he may be holding off to see how keen you are...


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    #3
    CrowdedHouse
    Registered Users Posts: 6,819 ✭✭✭CrowdedHouse


    Maybe because it's near the end of the year and not being a VW dealer,they wouldn't expect to sell your car quickly so they're offering a 3 yr old/2005 price.

    Seven Worlds will Collide



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    #4
    MugMugs
    Registered Users Posts: 17,875 ✭✭✭✭MugMugs


    I went to a well known Toyota dealer across the road from a well known Mini dealer in Dublin with a 03 Skoda Fabia Comfort 1.2 with 30K on the clock last year......

    I was offered €2k...

    Reserve your Skoda jokes but I would have gotten more in salvage value !

    Pretty typical of these "Stealerships"


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    #5
    JoeA3
    Registered Users Posts: 7,422 ✭✭✭JoeA3


    Your car is 2 years old. Its the 1.6, which a dealer will find harder to shift than an equivalent 1.4. The premium you paid for the 1.6 engine is gone. You are trying to trade outside the VW dealer network. As far as I know, Mini's have virtually no discounts available, new or secondhand. 22k would seem a bit on the optimistic to me to be honest.
    All the above are among the reasons you're car is worth less than you thought it was.


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    #6
    drdre
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,245 ✭✭✭drdre


    18k is good for your car with high milage.Also its a 1.6 so hard to shift.He might give you abit more if you talk to him nicely.


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    #7
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,159 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    You are trading a fairly common family hatchback model in against a niche model which don't last on forecourts that long. The dealer can probably afford to be fussy and hold out for a suitable price on the MINI. The MINI has one of the lowest depreciation figures around as demand is strong for them, so they are fetching silly money used. The laws of supply and demand apply. I know it sucks but that's the way it is unfortunately.

    Similar thing seems to be happening with the Nissan Qashcow at the moment. Used models are fetching silly money because they are hard to find and people want them.

    All you can do is shop around really and see if you can get a better deal.


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    #8
    Gatster
    Registered Users Posts: 1,415 ✭✭✭Gatster


    Probably not much use to you as a trade-in can't be arranged, but a friend of mine has an '07 Cooper S (new model) which I know he is selling for under €30k, still under warranty, only done about 4k miles. Not sure of the spec, PM me if interested. Selling because he's emigrating, so open to negotiation I think.


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    #9
    trant
    Registered Users Posts: 321 ✭✭trant


    Thanks for all the suggestions. I guess I was being a little overly optimistic about my trade-in value, but it was the guy's attitude that annoyed me more than anything.

    Dre, my car has done 32k kms, not miles (this equates to 20k mls). I don't think that's high mileage for a car that's nearly 2 years old.

    I might try and sell my car privately, and buy a MINI with cash.

    Thanks for the input lads.


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    #10
    Owen
    Registered Users Posts: 12,683 ✭✭✭✭Owen


    Hi Trant,

    Was out of the house last night, so I missed this thread. 18k would be the trade value of your car. So if you go against a MINI, that's pretty much what you'll get. I'm sure if you went against a different brand, they'd use the margin in their car to prop up the trade in. For example, if you went for an Almera, you'd probably get 21/22k for yours, or if you went for a 7 Series, you might get 28k for yours. It's just down to how much money is in the car you're looking at ... but every garage would have the car costing the same.

    Think of it this way, a good way to shop for a car is to negotiate a straight sale price, then introduce the part exchange. That way, you can see the discount in each car, and see what kind of a deal you're really getting.

    I know it's disappointing against a MINI, I face the same issue every day. But it is the norm unfortunately.


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    #11
    CarLover
    Closed Accounts Posts: 146 ✭✭CarLover


    trant wrote: »
    Thanks for all the suggestions. I guess I was being a little overly optimistic about my trade-in value, but it was the guy's attitude that annoyed me more than anything.

    Dre, my car has done 32k kms, not miles (this equates to 20k mls). I don't think that's high mileage for a car that's nearly 2 years old.

    I might try and sell my car privately, and buy a MINI with cash.

    Thanks for the input lads.

    Car salesmen...I've said it before...the lowest of the low. They'll bite your arm off when times are hard. Over the past 5-10 years they've never had it so good...so they've gotten very cocky and forgotten who the real boss is. Most of them know squat about your car. I've had to explain specs to some dealers...

    Selling privately is the way to go...but be prepared to wait. You won't sell it this side of Christmas unless it's for nothing. Everyone is waiting for January/February.


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    #12
    oilsheik
    Closed Accounts Posts: 90 ✭✭oilsheik


    JoeA3 wrote: »
    Your car is 2 years old. Its the 1.6, which a dealer will find harder to shift than an equivalent 1.4. The premium you paid for the 1.6 engine is gone. You are trying to trade outside the VW dealer network. As far as I know, Mini's have virtually no discounts available, new or secondhand. 22k would seem a bit on the optimistic to me to be honest.
    All the above are among the reasons you're car is worth less than you thought it was.

    Joe A3 is spot on..... but don't expect a VW dealer to give you much of a premium eiither. OP I'm in a similar position to you I have a 1.6 Sportline and last month odered a new A5 the best trade-in I got for the Golf was 18.6k the worst 16.9k so 18k isn't that bad.


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    #13
    Owen
    Registered Users Posts: 12,683 ✭✭✭✭Owen


    CarLover wrote: »
    Car salesmen...I've said it before...the lowest of the low. They'll bite your arm off when times are hard. Over the past 5-10 years they've never had it so good...so they've gotten very cocky and forgotten who the real boss is.

    You should try it from our perspective too sometimes. Customer who lie about bodywork, mileage, tyres, mechanical condition, spec on their car. Lie about the deals they're being 'offered' and when they can get cars delivered. It's a funny old market, and blame lies squarely down the middle. Unfortunately, it's when a person gets the wrong dealer once or twice they'll tell 200 people. And there are enough Delboys out there who give the trade a bad name.

    Having said that CarLover, it's you're money. If you don't like dealing with one place, then go to another.
    CarLover wrote: »
    Most of them know squat about your car. I've had to explain specs to some dealers...

    Do you honestly expect every Dealer in the country to know the name of every metallic paint from every manufacturer? To know what an SE, SXE, Sport, Chenelle, Executive, Avantgarde, Chili Pack, Works model is? To know what bhp every car is? A Car Dealer will know about the brand he sells, and if you're very lucky, about one or two others as well. You can't go into a Sony shop, and ask the guy about the Beko TV around the corner.


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    #14
    trant
    Registered Users Posts: 321 ✭✭trant


    CarLover wrote: »
    Car salesmen...I've said it before...the lowest of the low. They'll bite your arm off when times are hard. Over the past 5-10 years they've never had it so good...so they've gotten very cocky and forgotten who the real boss is. Most of them know squat about your car. I've had to explain specs to some dealers...

    Selling privately is the way to go...but be prepared to wait. You won't sell it this side of Christmas unless it's for nothing. Everyone is waiting for January/February.

    While my thread was a bit of a rant, it was not a stab at the motor industry in general. I know quite a few garage owners and they are very nice people.

    I don't think that car salesmen are the lowest of the low. Admittedly, they do have things quite good at the moment (ease of credit, people with more disposable income). However, ned78 is right - customers can be extremely deceitful towards garages also.


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    #15
    CarLover
    Closed Accounts Posts: 146 ✭✭CarLover


    ned78 wrote: »
    You should try it from our perspective too sometimes. Customer who lie about bodywork, mileage, tyres, mechanical condition, spec on their car. Lie about the deals they're being 'offered' and when they can get cars delivered. It's a funny old market, and blame lies squarely down the middle. Unfortunately, it's when a person gets the wrong dealer once or twice they'll tell 200 people. And there are enough Delboys out there who give the trade a bad name.

    Having said that CarLover, it's you're money. If you don't like dealing with one place, then go to another.



    Do you honestly expect every Dealer in the country to know the name of every metallic paint from every manufacturer? To know what an SE, SXE, Sport, Chenelle, Executive, Avantgarde, Chili Pack, Works model is? To know what bhp every car is? A Car Dealer will know about the brand he sells, and if you're very lucky, about one or two others as well. You can't go into a Sony shop, and ask the guy about the Beko TV around the corner.

    As a matter of fact...yes I do expect that. Funny that eh?
    I've worked in software development for many years and now work in the Sales and Marketing side of the business...representing technology. My work consists of travelling all over the world talking to customers...selling our products and knowing the business. If I can't talk about all the various messaging buses, protocols, hardware, software development methodologies...basically the whole shebang, then I'll look stupid.

    Oh....and before you answer. What I really expect is for car dealers to know about the cars they're selling...if you don't know your own product then you're an idiot. That's my take on it. That also includes all the trade ins on their forecourt. I remember looking at a Lexus IS200 in a well known Toyota dealership a couple of years back and the dealer knowing sweet fa about the car. "Lexus make great cars" is about all he could tell me...
    Sorry for turning this into a car salesman rant. I'm aware that they're not all bad. I've met a few good honest ones.
    I'm sure you're a good one...

    As for there's enough Delboys out there - I'd personally say there's more delboys than honest traders. If you want I can ping you and personally name all the stealers I've met and spoken to who are so bent they met me wearing sheepskin jackets and gold jewellery :D


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    #16
    Owen
    Registered Users Posts: 12,683 ✭✭✭✭Owen


    CarLover wrote: »
    As a matter of fact...yes I do expect that. Funny that eh?
    I've worked in software development for many years and now work in the Sales and Marketing side of the business...representing technology. My work consists of travelling all over the world talking to customers...selling our products and knowing the business. If I can't talk about all the various messaging buses, protocols, hardware, software development methodologies...basically the whole shebang, then I'll look stupid.

    It's a whole different market! There are over 10000 possible combinations of MINI equipment alone. And that's just one manufacturer.
    CarLover wrote: »
    Sorry for turning this into a car salesman rant. I'm aware that they're not all bad. I've met a few good honest ones. I'm sure you're a good one...

    Cheers :)
    CarLover wrote: »
    As for there's enough Delboys out there - I'd personally say there's more delboys than honest traders. If you want I can ping you and personally name all the stealers I've met and spoken to who are so bent they met me wearing sheepskin jackets and gold jewellery :D

    Ah now you're being harsh. My watch is stainless steel ;)


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    #17
    MercMad
    Registered Users Posts: 4,269 ✭✭✭MercMad


    ned78 wrote: »
    You should try it from our perspective too sometimes. Customer who lie about bodywork, mileage, tyres, mechanical condition, spec on their car. Lie about the deals they're being 'offered' and when they can get cars delivered. It's a funny old market, and blame lies squarely down the middle. Unfortunately, it's when a person gets the wrong dealer once or twice they'll tell 200 people. And there are enough Delboys out there who give the trade a bad name.

    Having said that CarLover, it's you're money. If you don't like dealing with one place, then go to another.



    Do you honestly expect every Dealer in the country to know the name of every metallic paint from every manufacturer? To know what an SE, SXE, Sport, Chenelle, Executive, Avantgarde, Chili Pack, Works model is? To know what bhp every car is? A Car Dealer will know about the brand he sells, and if you're very lucky, about one or two others as well. You can't go into a Sony shop, and ask the guy about the Beko TV around the corner.


    ............I agree completely with you ned78, having been involved with selling cars also ! I see it from Carlovers point of view too !

    The way it is now is that there is such a demand for new cars, particularly "specialist cars", most dealerships have a certain amount of "order takers" posing as salesmen. They have it their own way where, as in this case, demand exceeds supply. They wont discount the new cars and hold out for the sweet deals.

    I think €22k for the Golf is a bit high, you claim the car has average mileage for a 2 year old car, yet you seem to be looking for the price for a 1 year old.

    The other thing I would say, and I have proved this sevreal times over the last 3 or 4 years, shop around, particularly outside Dublin.

    My SIL traded her 04 Megane for a new Passat in 2006 and she saved €4000 over the prices she recieved from several Dublin dealers. Yes you read correctly €4000 !!

    Most Dublin dealers are stuck for space and simply offer you the trade price for your car so they can move it on instantly ! You need a dealer who will value what you have and see the value in retailing the car !

    Bets of luck...............but why change your 2006 Golf anyway ? It seems a bit premature, and you will pay through the nose for the priviledge !


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    #18
    CarLover
    Closed Accounts Posts: 146 ✭✭CarLover


    ned78 wrote: »
    It's a whole different market! There are over 10000 possible combinations of MINI equipment alone. And that's just one manufacturer.

    I'm not talking about every nut and bolt here...the basics would be nice.

    You should try working in IT. The array of technologies and legacy systems is mindboggling!!!
    ned78 wrote: »
    Cheers :)



    Ah now you're being harsh. My watch is stainless steel ;)

    It was your stainless steel watch that made me think you were one of the honest ones... ;)


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    #19
    MercMad
    Registered Users Posts: 4,269 ✭✭✭MercMad


    How do you get the gold paint to stick to the stainless steel, I've been trying for ages !! :D


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    #20
    Owen
    Registered Users Posts: 12,683 ✭✭✭✭Owen


    CarLover wrote: »
    You should try working in IT. The array of technologies and legacy systems is mindboggling!!!

    I did, for years!


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    #21
    CarLover
    Closed Accounts Posts: 146 ✭✭CarLover


    ned78 wrote: »
    I did, for years!

    Fair enough...you're a good man in my book so. I'll give you a shout next time I'm buying a motor ;)


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    #22
    skyhighflyer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,149 ✭✭✭skyhighflyer


    Get your Golf a professional valet inside and out, take some good pics of it and put it on Carzone / Autotrader and put a for sale sign in the window.

    Get the best price you can for it and go over to to the UK to buy a higher specced, cheaper MINI with the added advantage of serious bargaining power that having a wad of cash in your back pocket brings.

    It's not for everyone, but I'd be deep in the cold ground before some car sales cowboy would take me for a ride like that. :D


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    #23
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users Posts: 73,405 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    I'm sure a lot of buyers would prefer a 07 1.4 Golf with aircon. 22k seems excessive.


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    #24
    gratusa
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10 ✭gratusa


    Hey there!

    I got a new 2007 Mini Cooper last Saturday. I had a 2006 high spec Renault Megane which I paid 23k for. When I attempted to trade it in against a mini dealer in Cork I was offered 8950 and this was 500 more than another mini garage I had previously priced!!! The car was perfect! Recently had a full service and immaculate condition! There was 30K on the clock!


    So my Renault and I looked and carzone and made a few appointments down the country! I went to Wexford last weekend and I got 7k more for my car!!! Yes I got 16k in Wexford for my car! It just proved the price differences that are out there!!!


    I love the mini - it's worth every penny!

    :)


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    #25
    milltown
    Registered Users Posts: 4,613 ✭✭✭milltown


    Your cost to change will depend on the dealer for a number of reasons. If it's Frank Keane's who insulted you then definitely try other dealers. Their hands are very much tied when it comes to taking trade ins. Their agreement with BMW/MINI does not allow them to sell any other marques off the forecourt so they are forced to sell them into the trade at trade prices. No mark up from selling your car on. Duffy's can sell your Golf through their Mazda centre and further out the likes of McKeon's in Kells and Barry's in Galway have multi franchise dealerships, giving them the chance to retail your trade in.

    Also, the second hand market differs a bit from new cars, even more so with MINIs and BMWs. Any dealer can get you the new car you're after and it'll cost them all pretty much the same, so the deal is cut on who offers you the best deal for your own car. In second hand, the chances of finding the same year, mileage and spec in the car you want anywhere else are very slim. This, unless you aren't fussy, strengthens the dealer's hand I'm afraid.

    In an ideal world you'd sell your car privately for close to what you think it's worth and buy your MINI with cash for a bit of discount and a service or two thrown in. Unfortunately, second hand cars don't move too quick (generally) and the car you're after will either be gone by the time you have the money, or you'll end up with two cars for god knows how long.


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    #26
    L-M
    Registered Users Posts: 23,694 ✭✭✭✭L-M


    There mother was looking at tradin up from a 05 to 07 golf there near end of september, i know it was a fleet golf she was lookin at but for a 2005 1.4 Comfortline she was offered 16,500.... The dealer then told her to come back next year and change, she'd get more (ie. value for money) for her own car. If ur tradin a 1.6 Golf and since it's only near 2 years old ur going to take a big hit...


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    #27
    DonJose
    Registered Users Posts: 3,470 ✭✭✭DonJose


    CarLover wrote: »
    Car salesmen...I've said it before...the lowest of the low.
    Totally agree, complete scum.


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    #28
    L-M
    Registered Users Posts: 23,694 ✭✭✭✭L-M


    DonJose wrote: »
    Totally agree, complete scum.


    Now lads, lets not be sayin things we can't be taking back:rolleyes:


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    #29
    DonJose
    Registered Users Posts: 3,470 ✭✭✭DonJose


    Limerick-man wrote: »
    Now lads, lets not be sayin things we can't be taking back:rolleyes:

    I'll take it back IF I actually meet an honest dealer ;)

    Back on topic, that dealer who offered €18k fits my stereotype, a search of Carzone for your cars spec brings up the following price range €23,750 - €20,750

    http://tinyurl.com/2o9t4l


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    #30
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users Posts: 73,405 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    do you think a 06 petrol Golf is worth €23,750


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    #31
    Guy:Incognito
    Registered Users Posts: 38,247 ✭✭✭✭Guy:Incognito


    DonJose wrote: »
    I'll take it back IF I actually meet an honest dealer ;)

    Back on topic, that dealer who offered €18k fits my stereotype, a search of Carzone for your cars spec brings up the following price range €23,750 - €20,750

    http://tinyurl.com/2o9t4l

    Would you pay that for one?

    Say your happy paying the lower end of that scale, what price shoudl the dealer have taken the car for, allowing a profit (otherwise why would he be in business)


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