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I want to buy/lease a MINI and I have lots of Questions...
[FONT=Arial]I am preparing to purchase my first MINI ever and I have questions for you wisened folks![/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]I'll start out with the MCS I built online that contains all of the features I would ideally have that cost extra: [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]Mini Cooper S [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Standard/Manual[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Lightning Blue/Black Roof [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Cold Weather Package [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Premium Package [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Sport Package [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Convenience Package [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Sport Suspension [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Limited Slip Differential [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Park Distance Control [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]10-Speaker. Hi-Fi Sound System [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Interior Surface Fluid Silver [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]Total MSRP $29,400 [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]Accessory: Mats and Ipod Adapter ($425) (but hopefully the mats will be thrown in!) [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]Questions: [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]1. Are the Sport Suspension, Limited Slip Differential and Dynamic Stability Control worth including for $500 each? Are any of them MUST have's? [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]2. Is there a noticable performance difference between the 16" and 17" wheels. Is it worth the upgrade to 17" [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]3. Has anyone gotten the ipod Adaptor. Can you really control it from your steering wheel and see the display on the screen. Also, do you know if you are able to get the Ipod Adapter and the 10 Speaker Hi-Fi Sound System? (FYI, the Mini site allows you to choose ipod adaptor but when you print out your options it doesn't inlude the price in the accossory field. It marks it as $0. Odd.) [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]4. Has anyone found a Dealer who's willing to bargin below MSRP in Socal? What items are they generally willing to throw in? [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]5. Do you think it will be possible to find a Lease for $350 a month or less for this $29,400 MSRP? Lease options something like, 36 months, 12K or 10K per year, $2500 down max. Credit Score of 869. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]7. Does the CA tax make it cost prohibitive from purchasing/leasing in Nevada or Arizona? Sorry if this question is naive. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]8. Does the traditional "wait until the end of the month or buy on a Tuesday, etc." come into play with the MINI's? Or are they still so popular it's the same deal whenever you buy? [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]9. I read a lot of discussion boards saying that you should not lease a Mini because it's resale value is so good and you end up losing money. I'm leasing because it is a business write off? Should I buy? What is the general consensus on this?[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]Thanks for your help! I look forward to joining the group as a full-fledged MINI member ASAP!!![/FONT]
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Last edited by esgam; 07-17-2007 at 04:07 PM.
Reason: Changing Title
You can't order a MINI for under MSRP. You can (and should) call around to SoCal dealers to find someone who will sell for MSRP. If no one will, try out of state. Tax isn't an issue. You won't pay taxes twice, rather you will pay tax in the state you purchase from, and then make up the difference to CA when you register here. I purchased for MSRP from Dreyer & Reinbold in Indianapolis (in 2005).
__________________ His: '03 PS/PS DinanSBam Bam * * * Mine: '05 JB/JB MCSa Malibu Stacy See my photos!
"It's not a thread, it's a lifestyle." - Eric_Rowland
-DSC is part of the Sport Package, and is definitely worth it. It makes a safe car even safer.
-The car will have an aux. jack for connecting anything with an 1/8 in. plug to the stereo. So instead of spending $330 for the ipod adapter, you can spend $5 on a cable that connects your ipod to the stereo. That being said, it won't charge the ipod, and you can't use the multi-function steering wheel for it, but that doesn't bother me, and the cable is waaaaay cheaper.
Hopefuly you get your questions answered and you get your MINI soon. They're crazy fun!!!
__________________
2007 MCS chili red/ white [croc #297][sport/premium/cold weather pkgs][rooster red/ black seats][rear fogs][mfsw][enkei rs5 17"]
[alta: cai/turbo inlet hose/cat-back/boost gauge/2" shorty][checkered mirror caps]and yes, my hood scoop is functional-=O=- [up next: alta 19mm rear sway bar, fmic, ECU]
Wow! that should be a nice mini. First off I would avoid a lease if you have good credit, you may as well just buy it with a good interest rate, but then again it could all depend on how long you want to keep it. I used to write off the payments on my van for my business and it was not a lease.. Read the discussion on the iPod hook up in the nav section of the 2nd gen forum, Robin has a pretty good solution for about 50 bucks, I do not feel the 300+ dollars is justified and that's JUST for the parts.
The only way I'd ever lease again (I leased a 2000 Corvette) is if I could write it off (I can't). If you lease the car, you'll never really feel like it's yours - you'll always feel like you're driving a rental. (Like I said, my .02 cents - others will feel differently.)
However, if you are able to write it off as a bidniss expense, then by all means, lease it. If not, my recommendation is to strongly consider buying the car.
Residual is great on the MINI, but because of this, money factors are usually high. I usually lease, but because of the lousy money factors, I bought mine
The DSC and LSD are worth it. If it comes down to 1 option of the 3 you listed I'd get the LSD..
The DSC will help resale value in years to come, and it maybe what saves you from an accident in the years to come
The DSC and LSD are worth it. If it comes down to 1 option of the 3 you listed I'd get the LSD..
The DSC will help resale value in years to come, and it maybe what saves you from an accident in the years to come
I like how you mention the resale value and potential life saving feature of the DSC, yet still recommend the LSD.
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Mine:
LaB/B MCS, leatherette, anthracite liner, LSD, Xenon, MFSW, rear fog, 6 speed, Piano Black, S-Winders with all season tires, white indicators + osram bulbs, V1
Thanks for all of the responses thus far guys. Keep 'em coming. Does NAM have a thread for people who have leased MINI's and the deals that they got? That would be very helpful for those of us looking to lease. Maybe I'll start it, but I don't want to duplicate!
Do you drive less than 12K a year?
Are you fastidious about keeping your car in pristine condition?
Do you change cars every few years?
Do you have an excellent credit rating?
If you can answer yes to all of the falling then a lease may be right for you. However, you can lease a 3 series BMW for about the same as a MCS.
I leased mine because lease was about $95/month less than purchase and I knew i would be ready for a change in few years (always am). Also, mileage of 12,000 is about right as we have 2 other cars. I shopped a couple dealers to get comparable prices. Best deal was 306/month for 48 months (includes 7% sales tax) with 1000 out of pocket and 12000 miles on $20,600 msrp MC. Still high compared to MSRP as I lease a 2006 Ford Fusion for business at 280/month for 39 months, $1000 out of pocket on $20,000 MSRP. MC is sure a much interesting car than Fusion!!!
Leasing a MINI can be a good option but prices are quite high vis a vis a BMW. Check both out to see. Remphoto $306 on a $20 K MINI. I have a 328 that is near $400 plus tax a month. Sticker $37K. I can't figure out why?? I also own an 07 MINI S that I purchased outright.
[up next: alta 19mm rear sway bar, fmic, ECU]
