You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!
I live in Southern Illinois (moved here from Edwardsville, Illinois) and I teach at SIU Carbondale. I am planning to purchase a MINI S soon and I am wondering about any experiences with the MINI of St. Louis dealership. Good, bad, otherwise. Also, how willing are they to "make a deal" - it does seem like they have many 2009's in stock - and it seems that the 2010's might be there soon. So.....
I just purchased my Cooper the other night using this government "Cash for Clunkers" program. To my understanding, the don't "deal" at all, unless you are buying one of their demonstrator cars. The way it was explained to me was this: If you are ordering a car the way you want it, it's $500 over sticker. If you buy a car out of inventory, it's at sticker. And if you buy a demonstrator, it's usually $500-$700 off sticker. Of course, when I went to pick my car up, they had the $500 "bump" on my paperwork...when I reminded my salesman (Mike Womack, a very nice guy) about how he explained to me that buying out of inventory was at sticker, they immediately took it off.
All in all I had a very positive interaction with the whole dealership, and I imagine that you will find the same.
Edit: Despite what I said about how they price their cars, it's entirely possible that something has changed and that they are now selling at $500 over on everything except demos. Best to check with your salesman. I only know the details of how my purchase went down.
MINI of St. Louis has been great to me. I bought my JCW from them last September. I ordered the car, and when it arrived it had the wrong color driving lamps. The sales manager ordered replacements and got it taken care of with no problem. Their service dept. is first rate and takes great care of me, even though I've done some mods and tracked my car. The are part of Autohaus BMW and the company has a very good reputation with the BMW and MINI clubs and enthusiast community in St. Louis.
__________________
2011 WR Blue Subaru WRX STi 4-door
2009 JCW Chili Red/White (gone, but not forgotten) RaceTripper Photos
They have treated us right, with both purchase and warranty work. They just did some rust warranty work on my 03 Canadian spec. Cooper. No questions asked.
Sales folks are good there, I never had any pressure and they love the cars and are knowledgable. Service staff are even better -- i've had great service there with minor warranty work and routine maintenance. Thumbs up.
I think even though the economy is down since I bought my '06 MCS, it's still basically a deal if you get a Cooper below sticker anywhere in the country and you usually only get that if it's a demo that's already on the lot and configured. If you pick out your options and order a car you're going to pay the normal amount and in some states a good bit extra. I do believe there was a dealer fee of about $500 even back then too--that sounds right.
I was fortunate to get a deal on a demo unit before gas jumped to $4 gal but what you are hearing here about $500 is consistnet accross the country from what I've read
I had a very positive experience with the whole purchase experience. The service dept for the most part has been top notch as well. A couple of annoyances on a couple of minor tweaks I asked to be done that weren't but they've been rectified
__________________ Tim Shackelford & 'Augie'
07' MCS Chili Red with lotsa mods and more on the way......
Bought our second Mini this past January --- a Clubman this time. Outstanding experience with Mini of St. Louis.
At that time, the lot was full of inventory and plenty to chose from. I knew what features were "must haves" so my biggest dilemma was color choice.
I fully intended on driving out with a new vehicle but had some difficulties getting what I wanted on my PT Cruiser for trade in. At Mike Womack's instigation, a demo (1800 miles) was tossed into the equation. It had all my must haves and a few other "would be nice" items. I ended up with more car for less money than I originally planned on paying.
Our buying experience with a 2008 Cooper S in May 08 was equally satisfiying.
Rick has taken great care of my wife and me with our infrequent visits for service. We know where we'll be going for the next vehicle.
Don't know what the Mini sales situation is by St. Louis but I know that compared to the San Francisco Bay area it is usually a lot cheaper to buy a car when I check cars.com etc.
I got $1250 off an ordered '09 Clubman S about a month ago. I was told that it is actually cheaper for them to order because the car sits on their lot for a day or so. I'd go on edmunds.com and see what others in your area payed for Minis. Too late now but good for peace of mind.
__________________
Dark Silver 2009 Mini Clubman S
Torred 2007 Charger SRT8 (467 RWHP, 11.09 at 120 MPH in 1/4 mile)
for Mini of St. Louis and their sales department.
Baby '07 MCS | Chili Red | White Roof l Checkered Mirrors | White Bonnet Stripes | White Turn Signals | Driving Lamps | Fog Lights Front & Rear | Cold Weather Package | Sports Package | Convenience Package | Automatic AC / Automatic Transmission | Chrome Line Interior | Craven Speed Stubby Antenna
