MINI Cooper Prices Paid

thaddeust

Its called a free market economy. Supply and demand. Capitalism.

dustman9000

Escondido's Brecht Mini (the closest Mini dealer near me) requires LoJack and some interior/exterior coating for $1700 or something. Is this really necessary or can I negotiate this out of the price? I did manage to get them to offer a Clubman S at MSRP. They're adding over $3000 to the MSRP for since they can't keep them on the lot. Damn Capitalism.

mikefm58

You can try negotiating anything, but I doubt they'll go for it, sounds like Mini's are REALLY hot sellers in your local market. Give it a try and let us know how you make out.

I also just started looking at the Mini and love the car. I can see why they're going form MSRP plus.

blueguydotcom

Escondido's Brecht Mini (the closest Mini dealer near me) requires LoJack and some interior/exterior coating for $1700 or something. Is this really necessary or can I negotiate this out of the price?

You can get all that junk taken off the msrp and pay the flat fee. I bought from Brecht. Wish I hadn't but such is life.

The places oozes of 1970s car stereotypes. It's almost as bad as BMW of San Diego.

dizzy007

Are convertible S Mini's also going for sticker or close to it.

Thanks!

aafflyer

I live in Escondido and went to Brecht yesterday with a written price from another dealer close by (< 100 miles) that was somewhat below MSRP and no junk add ons. Even with a firm written price, they said no, our price or nothing. So I ordered today from the other dealer and I will never buy a car (Mini or BMW) from Brecht. Yep its capitalism and/or supply and demand, but it works two ways.

blueguydotcom

Good for you. I'm so far from Brecht that I had little choice but to use them. I didn't want a breakdown to turn into a situation where I can't get a loaner.

edwin177

Just spent the weekend checking out dealerships in LA. All are charging $3-4k above MSRP (required dealer options or dealer markup), or are no longer taking orders for '08 models.

Anyone buy a Cooper hardtop recently for MSRP in LA?

bijoubaby05

i bought mine from mini long beach. 1500 below msrp. they can do it, but they can be complete [non-permissible content removed] about it.

07 silver mini S auto sunroof, etc. see my previous post. very basic but that was my choice to keep the price down. also, if i could do it all over again, i would choose a brighter color.

aafflyer

Call South Bay Mini. Ask for the internet sales manager that also works at the BMW dealer (not supposed to put names or numbers here). Tell him Charlie from Escondido referred you. I don't know what the deals are now, I just know that I got the best deal there when I ordered on June 18th. Good luck. Let me know if you order from them.

fierket

I'll be ordering my MCS this week. My dealer here in the Detroit area (Motor City Mini) said the finance rate they are offering righ now is 4.7%

apollo182

Hi im new to the forums here. we just ordered our clubman 3 weeks ago and we paid MSRP for the car. well we are leasing it at the moment with an intent to buy after the lease. us college students need some way to get a mini. our MA told us it would be about a 6-8 week wait for the car to arrive, but as of today it still hasnt gone into production

mikefm58

If you already have plans to buy it after the lease is up, why wouldn't you just buy it from the start? I've got to believe the cost difference is significant.

apollo182

actually for us the cost is quite a significant difference. leasing we are paying about 180 a month compared to buying the car at about 400-500 a month. so we chose leasing for now and by the time this is up we will both be out of college so in our case it is a win, win.

rayainsw

"180 a month"

Interesting.
$$s down?
- ray
Looking at a garage-mate for my Corvette....

blueguydotcom

I was thinking the same thing. When I looked at leasing a Cooper S, all the rates I found were about $100 a month more than a purchase as the MF was outrageous.

apollo182

that is with a 5000 down payment with 180 a month with a 3 year lease at 10000 miles, this was compared to about a 350 dollar monthly with traditional financing which is almost double the lease rate. with this type of lease we are able to pay a low monthly payment and then purchase the car after 3 years for about 14,000. the way i looked at it was in 3 years we will be buying a used MINI that we have been using the whole time. this also protects us in case we get a "lemon"

rayainsw

Aha.
I see.
The 5,000 ( dollars "down" )
plus the 10,000 ( miles / yr )
explain the difference in what I was seeing...
Thanks,
- Ray
Much more clearer now...

rik4

this is not a real good deal by anymeans. if you watch susie ormand on tv (financial advisor) her first words are never lease a car. forgetting that. 180.00 a month for 36 months is 6480 plus tax. remember each lease payment gets taxes at the rate determined in your state and it may be more than the sales tax rate it is in pennsytlucky where the sales tax is 6% but the lease on car rate is 9%. now the 5K down means you will have 11,480 invested in a car you do not own. lets say the car is 21K with a few options that means you would have 9520.00 left to pay instead you will have 14K and at 6% sales tax 840.00 more so the loan would be 14,840 for 60 months at 6% which is a very good used car rate. 286.90 so after eight years with the same car you would have paid out 28,694.00 for a car worth 21K. now that is if everything goes right. if you exceed the 10K a month and do not buy it there is a still penalty facing you. also if you do any damage to the car you will have to pay to refurb it. and if you read the lease it will more than likely state car is to be returned in reasonalble condition. and if you are magoring in law you will know that is very loose language that can go either way. if you are in college and pressed for money they buy to fit your needs and ability to pay . you do not have the newest and most fashionable car. I had very old used cars but made it through and today i am a surgeon do i regret it no. in the end it is your decision.

blueguydotcom

5k down on a lease = money lost should the car get wrecked while it's parked and you're in class.

So the actual lease is really about 320 a month ((36 * 180) + 5000) / 36. Does that include title, doc fees, acquisition ($850 with Mini/BMWFS)? security deposit?

waltermb

Just bought a 2006 Mini S Convert with factory JCW. I paid $29,800 with 5600 miles on it and it had the following on it
-aero kit all around-including jcw grill and rear grill
-lambo door kit
-custom 18 inch wheels
-black leather interior
-cold weather package, premium package
-painted to match exterior dash in red
-xeon lights-rear flood
-factory full blown harmon stereo
-several smaller add ons-chrome caps for roll bars, aux plug, chrome interior kit
-black tinted windows

likely left out some small items--but wonder if peeps feel the price was a good one. the guy did mod out the car a lot-which i didnt realize when i bought it since first time mini buyer. it still has 2 years on the warrantee. thanks for imput--and if anyone has suggestions of what i should add to the above to make it better let me know. robert

busiris

Personally, I think you overpaid. For that price, I would have purchased a new one with the exact options I wanted, in the color I wanted, and a full warranty.

But, what is done is done. So, ....enjoy your ride!

waltermb

i hear you--i looked at the dealer books--and range with factory jcw was $29-32,000, so i figured i was in the ball park. guess the key for me was finding a red car-convert-with factory jcw--with sold black color leather seats--couple years old with very low mileage--not easy to find and i looked for a year--till i found exactly the this combo. i looked to order a new one--but at least $10,000 more for exact config--new car premium is tough. thanks for the imput

waterflame

I finally got all my financial ducks in a row and went to the nearest Mini dealership in Hartford,CT only to be told that the approximate wait time on any customized Mini was close to 13 weeks. So I called the other dealership in CT and was given a 5 week time but over the phone. I'm not sure who to believe because the wait time is nothing they can control.

The other thing the salesperson in Hartford mentioned was the $400 dealership charge they tack onto the MSRP for processing the paperwork and other formalities. Anyone else have any experience with this?

nwminicruzer

I just signed a lease for an '08 Chili red S Coupe - 24 months, 12K miles/yr

WA Dealer selling at MSRP - $25,350 (Incl Cold Weather & Convenience Pkgs, DSC, Xenon, speaker upgrade, 6spd) + Dealer Prep $595 + Addl Cap Cost (lease origination fee?) $825

So Adj Cap cost = $26,770
MF = 0.00295
Residual = 78%
Tax = 9.1%
Monthly Payment = $467.86

So up front payment = $1,154.61 ($467.80 1st month pmt + 500 security + $136.75 DMV + $50 Doc fee)

What do you folks think? Can't wait the 70 or so days before I get the car

Thx!

fierket

Ordering next week in the Detroit area and was quoted 16-20 weeks for a standard Copper and 8-12 on a Cooper S. Not a problem for me since my current lease is up Dec. 1st. Ordering an S and requesting delivery a couple of weeks before my current lease is up just in case it takes longer than the 8-12 weeks or if production times get longer before I need my car!

alexwalex1

Yes, New Country Mini charges $399 dealer fee and there is no way out of it. We bought one a year ago (well, ordered one on 7/31/07) and got it in less than 5 weeks, so 13 weeks now is a huge change. Perhaps increased demand for these cars? Anyway, the car has been an absolute joy! So if you test drove it and liked it, get it! I must add that I am sure another Mini dealer is charging a similar fee -- very unlikely to be any less than $399.

waterflame

That's the thing! I spoke to a guy in the Mini of the Hamptons and there is no dealership fee. I love the car and am definitely going to get it. it's just a question of where from. I'll let the local dealer know about this and see what happens. Frankly, this fee is [non-permissible content removed] and comes across as a very tacky way of making money.

weinerdog1

Exactly! There are still PLENTY of dealers who won't add on garbage fees and markup over MSRP. Simply call around and find out which ones. I'd also suggest checking out www.northamericanmotoring.com for dealership feedback and buyer experiences. Plenty of folks(many CA residents) have been told 1-3k over sticker, and they've responded by buying out of state and getting to roadtrip with their new car.

Road Trip to avoid markup

Karen_S

A newswire reporter would like to speak with owners of the Mini Cooper. If you are an owner, please respond to ctalati@edmunds.com with your daytime contact information no later than Friday, July 18th.

minifan3

If they were hard up to sell a car then I'm sure they would negotiate price and packages with you. However the fact is that MINI is in such high demand with the rise of gas prices that dealearships can sell them for pretty much whatever they want. You don't buy the car thats no skin off their back, there is another guy standing in line right behind you to buy it. Good luck finding a MINI under MSRP, it's not gonna happen!

sabastian

So after going back and forth between several sport compacts (Civic Si, GTi, MS3, etc...) I am looking again at the Mini Cooper S. My budget is pretty tight so I want to go easy on the options, and I am wondering about the sport package. I've driven Cooper S with the sport pack and found that it was a hoot to fling around, but the rough ride would have made road trips a no-no. So, what if I skip it? Would I see much improvement in the ride? Will I notice much difference in the handling? (I don't really do track days or autocross, btw.) Thanks for your input!

waterflame

I don't mind paying MSRP. It's the additional dealer charges like 'processing fee' and 'dealer delivery charge' that gets my goat. Even these would be justified if they were adding any value to the car or providing service beyond the usual.

But New Country is charging $400 for just to take a look at my application and then process the paperwork that any car sale would require. There is no additional benefit to me for paying the fee.

I understand 'supply and demand' and just because of that principle, I found 2 dealers who are selling at MSRP, no questions asked. Not my loss

kyfdx

Yes.. it will ride better..

Will you notice a handling difference? Hard to say... if the rough ride bothers you, then the small difference in handling won't matter to you, IMO..

If ride is an issue, stay away from the 17" wheels... (16" are standard on the S)

blueguydotcom

I drive my Cooper S hard. Love it...but the RFTs 17s were literally a pain. when I get Coopers with 16s the car's handling is similar but the ride is infinitely better. With real tires over RFTs the car should absorb bumps far better and in my opinion hold corners on poor pavement (is there another kind in san diego?) far better.

My next mini will have 16s and the sport suspension.

miniformetoo

I have a brand new 2008 Mini cooper. The parking light "P" is on all the time even the engine is off. Is that normal?

kyfdx

It's an automatic, right?

The light that signifies that the transmission is in Park?

Yup...stays on all the time..

Karen_S

A reporter would like to speak with consumers who are thinking about trading in a gas-guzzler for a more fuel-efficient vehicle. If you are in the process of making this decision, please respond to jwahl@edmunds.com with your daytime contact information no later than Wednesday, July 22nd.

coupah

My only concern is that the MINI is a MOTORING MACHINE and if you lke to DRIVE, you'll blow past 12K miles in 6 months!

I put 24K on my S in 9 months! (don't drive it in the winter)

coupah

imho, Get the spot package and replace the "run-flat" tires with ANYTHING and you're ride will improve 100%.

AND, I have taken my MINI everywhere-long trips included. Most freeways are in FAR better shape than secondary raods and the MINI S will cruise 80-90+ all day. Just don't get caught!

blueguydotcom

Huh? Wow...just wow.

nwminicruzer

I know...but my other car is a 335i that's a blast to drive as well....so not too worried...I've also got half a mind to buy the Mini but we plan to have a kid in the next couple years therefore the lease

nyccarguy

I just tried to "build my own" MINI Cooper S on the MINI website & it says the Sports Package is unavailable until December 2008. What gives? I'm just curious.

waterflame

You're building a 2009 Mini. It comes with DSC and some other stuff already included in it.

xangman

There are three MINI dealers in the Chicago area, viz:
Knauz in Lake Bluff, IL
Jacobs in Naperville, IL
Patrick in Schaumburg, IL

Has anyone paid less than MSRP for their MINI at any of these dealers?

yybug

seems only a couple of dealers around(SF,Concord,Pleasanton)..Anyone got experiences here?
Just want to buy a basic mini(not s).

thanks.

minisg

I just ordered a 2009 Mini Cooper S with all options. My expected delivery is in 8 to 10 weeks. Paid MSRP. I tried to buy from the NW Mini dealer, but they were too busy to even bother talking to me after I waited an hour at the dealership. On the way home I stumbled on a little place selling used Minis who have worked out an arrangement with an authorized dealer in the midwest. I bypassed the waitlist of the local Mini dealer, plus I didn't have to take their aweful customer service. While I didn't like paying MSRP on a car for the first time, I basically skipped to the front of the line. I understand this place does about 2 to 3 new orders per month, but they aren't able to advertise as they aren't an authorized dealer.

Oh, and as a side note, I was told that 2008 production is wrapping up in 2 weeks. I was offered an '08 model at a $1,000 discount... but went with the '09 anyway.

I can't wait for my Mini, and now I don't have to (as much)!

ponderpoint

Seems to be huge variance in the amount of mini's available between different urban areas... Big cities are exhibiting exclusivity, small cities want your business.

Our closest "mega" urban area is the Baltimore/Washington area and we're in the market for a Cooper S but the exclusivity (real or not) is a real turn off/salesman have that smug "you'll have to wait" attitude. Talked to somebody in a smaller city and they have plenty on hand, no problems.

We've seen this before, no particular pattern - An Acura TL in a small Pennsylvania town (Apple Acura), they acted like it the sales were out of control when, they were actually somewhat flat and they just didn't want to stock a lot of them, meanwhile in Baltimore, the sales were downright dismal and they had plenty on hand. We negotiated thousands off sticker and got the car down there. Seems like the same thing is happening with Mini's but the small cities have them in stock rather than big cities....

blueguydotcom

Geographic too. In So. California we don't have many mini dealers and those that we have are all located in major metro areas. Heck, San Diego doesn't even have a Mini dealership.

fata

My new Mini Clubman is coming in next week and the dealer is charging me MSRP and $600 doc fee. I live in FL. Is that a fee that people are paying? Have others been able to lower that fee.