Would you do this trade in/swap?

w12ee3e

Trade in - KIA Picanto X-Line 1L (Body damage, buckled side (door and lower skirt MOT OK non write off) £2-2.5k 

• '68' plate
  
• Electric Sunroof
• Climate control
• Heated seats and steering wheel
• Navigation head unit supporting AA/iPhone maps
• Bluetooth handsfree
• Front and rear fog lights
  
• Reversing cameras and sensors
• Cruise Control
• Alloy wheels
• Keyless entry
  
• Start stop
• Tyre pressure monitor
  
• Intelligent collision avoidance system (braking)
  
• 26k

For - Mini Cooper D 'Base Model or near to'

• '65' plate
• 71k miles
• Start stop
  
• Electric Windows
• Aircon
• Black alloy wheels
  
• DAB radio with handsfree
• Remote central locking and keyless ignition
  
• On top cost - £600
  

Obviously the other difference is MPG and power.

Thoughts?

Grumpy_chap

Has the mini ever been in a collision?
Don't want to swap a "known collision damage" for "unknown collision damage".

What is your reason for swapping cars?

w12ee3e

Grumpy_chap said:

Has the mini ever been in a collision?
Don't want to swap a "known collision damage" for "unknown collision damage".

What is your reason for swapping cars?

No idea but I really doubt my friend checked that with the dealer.

The Kia cost an absolute fortune to drive especially on longer journeys. The MPG was a disaster (even with the most careful driving habits it hits the low 40's)

facade

I wouldn't personally, but I don't rate minis, they can be expensive trouble.

However, if you really really want a mini, then you can have this one for £600, which seems ok. I think it is zero tax, and easily does 55mpg, but diesel is more expensive than petrol. 

No-one really knows what is happening with used cars at the moment, prices are high, but sales are supposed to be moving away from diesels, so I couldn't comment on whether it is a good deal or not money wise.

As long as it hasn't been crashed, everything works and the clutch & gearbox are fine, I'd say if you want it get it- but do have a decent test drive first.

Herzlos

It sounds like it'll be quite a downgrade in terms of age, mileage, spec, etc. Will it safe that much in fuel?

If you're trading in to a dealer remember you're losing at least £1000 on the transaction automatically  - they'll be looking to make at least that from your trade in.

Is it worth paying £600 to save a bit of fuel and tax? Do you use any of the Kia features that aren't on the mini?

Goudy

There's something wrong with either that Kia or the driver if the mpg on a long run is in the low 40's.
On a motorway run I can hit 58 mpg in my Clio 1.3 litre automatic petrol.

I'd guess the low 40's in because of short trips in town and a diesel Mini won't do much better in those conditions, in fact short tripping a modern diesel is just asking for expensive trouble.

CompulsiveSaver

Goudy said:

There's something wrong with either that Kia or the driver if the mpg on a long run is in the low 40's.
On a motorway run I can hit 58 mpg in my Clio 1.3 litre automatic petrol.

I'd guess the low 40's in because of short trips in town and a diesel Mini won't do much better in those conditions, in fact short tripping a modern diesel is just asking for expensive trouble.

I would agree with this, a friend has a 67 plate Piccanto 1 (no aircon, or start stop, but the 1.0 engine), I asked him and he was surprised at how bad mpg you are getting. On a motorway run he usually gets around 55mpg (driving 65-70mph), and around 53mpg back and forth to work, he said he can get more if he is careful.  So something is not right, as those numbers are significantly different.