Hello!! New to NAM and I'm glad to be here. I've been wanting a mini cooper forever! When I first started driving 5 years ago, that's the car I wanted. Sadly, couldn't afford it being just outta high school! Now that my little Mazda 626 is costing more money to keep it running than it really deserves, it's time for me to get a new car. Mini has been at the top of my research list and the more I read about it, the more sold I am. I just pray that when I test drive it, it meets my expectations.

I have sooo many questions to ask but I'm trying to read up on current threads before I post. There is a LOT of great information here. I look forward to getting to know more of you!!

 

Once you drive a Mini, you will be hooked!

 

Welcome to the collective we call NAMily!! Love the Handle BTW!! Read...Read...Read and then read some more...questions are always welcome here. Give us an idea of your build when you get that figured out...that will seem like FOREVER, but it's the WAIT that will be FOREVER!!

 

Welcome Elf!!! Yes, this is a great place to learn about MINIs. Of course, there's no substitute for a test drive. Will you be looking for a new or a used MINI? There are subtle differences between various models that may help you in your search.

 

Welcome. Take a break from the reading and go for that test drive!

These are amazing little cars and I'm sure the driving experience will not let you down.

I am relatively new here also and learned so much from reading the posts. Read as much as possible (you'll know more than your MA) and ask questions when you need some input.

My advice is to set a budget and keep to it. The Mini is great, with our without a lot of options.

 

I've actually already picked my build! Really all I need to do is stick it in my purse and go to a dealership. How important do you think actually scheduling a test drive is? Is it bad I'm planning on just showing up without an appointment?

I'm sorta a no nonsense type of gal. I don't want a lot of stuff on my car that can break and have it go wrong with it. In my opinion, cars are a BIG money sink, which is another reason the Mini is so high on my list, the depreciation value is almost non existant. And because of that, I'm going for a NEW mini. But my point in saying I don't want a lot of stuff on it is, I'd be happy without automatic door locks, automatic windows, etc... just more crap that can break. So in essense, the Mini i'll be getting will be pretty "stripped" by most standards, haaha.

I'll be ordering an Oxygen Blue Mini Cooper with an Automatic transmission.(cant handle a stick save the jokes for later!!!)

I'm hoping to keep it under $21,000 even with the "dealership fees." Which hopefully should be doable as the MSRP from MiniUSA suggests the build I want is going to be $20,500. I've read mixed reviews from folks, sometimes them having outrageous mark-ups and others getting their cars for below MSRP. It really makes me wonder what I'll be running into when I go to look at mine.

 

Shouldn't be a problem to just walk in.

Sounds like you've done your research and thought this through. I agree with your assessment. Cars are huge "money sink". Smart going with fewer options to lessen the sink. I have a fairly stripped Mini too and it is great.

As far as price, that will depend on your local market area. Do you have a few dealerships you can cross shop? If so, you may want to send an email to see what they would be willing to do. I often find you can get the best deal if you can get two, or more, dealers competing for your business.

Car sales are very slow currently, even Mini should see some impact from the current economic climate. I'm sure they would rather make a little less, rather than lose a sale. I would expect to negotiate a figure under MSRP and/or have them throw in extras, maybe $500. I'm not sure what others are getting. Be sure to look at the purchase in total, including other fees, finance rate, etc.

Best of luck.

 

Welcome and best of luck! Keep us updated!

 

I wish I had the chance to shop around. Unfortunately we only have one Mini dealership in Portland. The nearest ones are in San Franscio and Seattle. But hey, I'm totally willing to break in my Mini on a road-trip home if the price is right elsewhere!!

Thankfully I'm pretty decent at haggling. I don't really like to play the silly games dealerships like to do. Just give me the best price you can or I'll go elsewhere, it's that simple :P although, reports from purchasers in the Portland area usually say they don't have to mess much with this. So it sounds like my kinda place. But we'll see.

The thing is, I want a Mini, but I can live without it. I'd be happy with a Sebring or a Jetta or a VW Bug probably just as much and I don't like playing games, and I KNOW that car dealerships like to do that.

But even still, when I'm willing to pay a certain price, really the only thing I DON'T want is to get hosed. If I can get it at MSRP price, I'd be thrilled. If I get it below that, I'd probably be on cloud 9, but I'm not expecting that.

However, given the economy, I AM hoping for the best

 

Elf -

Welcome to the NAMily. Good luck with your search and ordering process. I hope you don't get jerked around by anyone. Around here (VA), I am halfway between two dealerships (abt 50 miles either way), but both were MSRP with no required dealer add-ons, so my choice was made by the loaner availability (one offered, the other only offered a shuttle) and the fact that one is closer to my workplace. Also, the dealer I went with was a larger dealer with more allotment slots, so I got mine a few weeks earlier than I would have if ordered from the other dealer. Luckily, both were very nice, and I would have been happy with either (actually bought my last car from the other dealer network).

Keep us posted on your progress.

 

Ah, I see you have exceptional taste in both cars and automotive aesthetics!!!

I have had two Cooper and both have been very selectively...and lightly...optioned. I am a big fan of this approach as one can wind up with a fairly reasonable car with everything you need. In any case, MINIs come pretty well equipped in their most basic form, including their superb driving dynamics (which come standard on all models ).

MSRP is the typical deal w/ MINIs...I don't get why some dealers insist on going above that.