Used vs New

[monkies]

Hi everyone,

We're new to the forum...my gf is in the market for the mini...but we're a bit thrown off by why a new mini is running so much less than a used (i.e. 2007 base with 15K miles is $23K+)! I understand there's a wait sometimes for a new auto, but even if you rented a car for 3 months you'd be saving with a new. Is there something we're missing (such as additional fees/costs/dmv costs) for a new that would warrant someone buy a used for sooooo much more?

Thanks!

[cougsfan]

I wondered the same thing when i first looked at Mini's. I bought a new one and never looked back. Glad I did.

[monkies]

We may be going the same route as well, but the question still remains on why.

Are consumers really willing to pay more for something just to get it faster, rather than rent a car for a few months (which in the end will still cost less) and get a new car? I find it hard to believe that a "I want it now! [pout pout]" attitude still prevails. Then again stranger justifications for people's actions have been made.

[cooperman]

Yeah, it's mind boggling. The only reason I can think of is supply and demand. As in most suburbs, people drives SUVs. I think the pre-owned dealerships target most of these folks. Besides when you take into account the cost of ownership of a Chevrolet Tahoe vs a Mini and add to that the convenience of taking one off the lot now versus continuing to pay outrageous gas prices...yeah it makes sense now, and places like carmax targeting those demographics.