The US is done... Time to succumb to the Land of the Rising Sun! Tell your kids to get used to living in refrigerator boxes.
Seriously, look at Autotrader and plug in your parameters. They're running at about 14,500-15,500 private sale.

 

I have a radio with a big ten inch in the back....only rattles I have are junk in the door pockets! Bless he who hath invented the volume knob!

 

How much more was the Mini over the trade in value of the SS? $10k? $15k?

How much more fuel efficient is a Cooper S than the SS? The Mini about 6 miles per gallon better.

From my quick calculations using your $5/gallon figure, you will save about $555/yr on fuel.

Assuming $10k difference, it will take 18 years of driving your Mini to make up the difference in fuel efficiencies between the two vehicles....

If you were driving a gas-sucking pig of a truck, you may have some more significant savings....

 

True the gas thing was kinda a joke. My average right now is only 7mpg better. However the HHR cost me way too much time at the dealer. My time has a value and I was tired of jumping through hoops waiting for chevy to fix my car. I knew 4 service reps on a first name basis. My wife was scared to drive it for fear of it leaving her stuck someplace. It's the second mini I have owned and after almost a month I have absolutely no regrets.

 

Sorry to be so serious... my bad.

That's a drag about the service issues. Have fun with the Mini!!