Hi all! I'm Penny and I'm taking a test drive this Sunday and hoping to order my first Mini soon! I was going to get a 2009, but since I have to wait 8-10 weeks for delivery on an order anyway, I'm thinking I'll hold out a couple of months longer and wait for a new 2010 Mini this Fall. I'd love to hear from you Mini owners on how you like the car! Oh, I've been driving a 2002 Saturn SC2 (little 3-door car) for a while now, but it's time for something new for me. Let's Motor!

 

Hey Penny. You said it all.... "Let's Motor!"

Never loved driving a car like I love my MINI. It is fast and handles like a dream.

Never named a car before either, but Frodo and I welcome you to this wonderful world.

Before you order, make sure you look at lots of the cars on the lot. It is much easier to order it the first time than to try to switch it later. Everyone has their opinions on what to order, but only you know your budget and what is important to you.

 

Waiting for the 2010s is a good plan. I lost my patience after my first test drive in the hardtop, I wanted to take that demo car home .

 

Hi Penny,

If you are going to wait for the 2010's then don't go for the test drive! Once you drive the MINI you will want one......immediately!

 

Oh no! Now I'm wondering if I should cancel my appointment for this weekend and just cool my jets. Does anyone know when the 2010s go into production? Is it a pretty regular schedule? My husband bought a new Corvette a couple of years ago. He ordered it in the summer and took delivery in August for one of the first cars of the next model year.

 

Hi Penny,

I think you're running just a model year behind me! I just upgraded from a 2001 SC2 to a 2009 MINI convertible. I test drove an 07 and managed to resist buying, with help from MINI's online configurator - there just wasn't anything around with MY options!

In case you're wondering, the numbers definitely don't tell the whole story. Compared to a MINI Cooper Convertible, the SC2 is lighter (it's the plastic panels that do it) and has slightly higher peak horsepower. Once you drive both, you'll know the MINI has more power "off the line", and a much stiffer chassis so it feels much sportier.

So basically, while the Saturn can be fun to drive, with the MINI you'll drive just for fun!

 

Usually things roll over starting in mid to late-August. With the first of the next years cars delivering in the states in early-November.

 

Looking at last years posts, it appears the first 09's were built week 36, which equates to 10 weeks from now, about the first part of September. Hope this helps.

 

Today's www.Motoringfile.com has a report on the 2010 facelift scheduled for the Mini. Interesting read. If I were in the market, it would influence my buying decision.

 

Buzzsaw, after reading the article, now I'm even more confused about what to do. So does that mean there isn't a new car coming out this Fall? Or will there be a model year 2010 that is very similar to the 2009? I'm looking for a Cooper S....and there's nothing in particular that I don't like about the '09. If it's close to the end of the model year, then I'll wait and order a 2010. But if it's still months away from a new model year, I'll just order one this weekend. And if no major changes are planned until Spring 2011, then I really don't think I want to wait.

 

The MY 2010 coming in a few months time will not be significantly different from the MY 2009 R56.

The MY 2011 coming in 2010 will be the R56's mid-cycle refresh with more significant changes to the interior and exterior.

If you can wait over a year for the 2011, it will probably be much improved (or not, if the style changes in a direction you don't like; always a gamble). If not, waiting for the 2010 is probably a good compromise between instant gratification and waiting. At the very least, you may be able to get a better deal on a 2009 if you hold out a little longer. /shrug

 

UGGHHH!! They are making more changes to the Vert and the Clubman at the same time?? Crap.. If I help out longer I could have gotten more money off my lease!!! UGH!! Oh well, at least I got my Simone

 

Zach M, I don't expect to get a great deal on a 2009 because I'm doing a special order. If I picked one off the lot, then yeah, I think the dealer would be happy to unload it. Even with the crappy economy, I wouldn't expect an awesome deal on a car that's special ordered for me. Ugh, my husband wants me to wait for a 2010 because of the depreciation factor, but if the cost goes up enough that it offsets that. then who cares? I just want a new car!! I've waited long enough, watching him get his brand new Corvette that we flew out to pick up from the factory in Bowling Green and then drove back cross-country to California. Isn't it my turn!? And my trade-in value certainly isn't getting any better either...peh, want new car now!! (I sound like Veruca in ***** Wonka)

 

Hehe, I suppose you have a point re: if the price goes up too much for the 2010's and goes down too much for your trade-in.

Regardless of what you choose, just please stay away from Wonka's golden eggs!

 

Penny,
I looked at the depreciation factor too....and it holds for the first two years of ownership. After that, year 3 and beyond, condition and mileage are bigger factors affecting resale value than model year. This applies to all cars, but more so to Mini's because of their unique perception in the auto marketplace. The model changes, purportedly shown in March of 2010 will be for model year 2011 as stated in other posts...
Don't know if this relieves your concerns, but unless you have some significant objections to the current product, I'd wait a few weeks and order the 2010. There are ALWAYS changes coming to products...no way to ever "get ahead" of that curve.
Dale

 

Just test drive it...

 

I went for a test drive and totally loved it! What a fun and zippy little car! I was tempted to take one home with me, but they don't have exactly what I want in stock. So, I'm going to order one and wait for a 2010. Yay! I'm looking to get a Chili Red Cooper S with white top and lots of fun options. I'm excited!

 

I'm happy for you, Penny! This sounds like me back in 2006. I drove one, fell in love, and ordered a 2007 MCSm. The Cooper S is amazing -- no other car has its combination of fun and practicality. Even punching the gas pedal and chasing mountain twisties, I averaged 34 mpg. I still look for reasons to go for a drive!

You are going to love your new ride

 

Penny,
I'm glad you were able to come to a decision. I think you'll love your new car and it will put a smile on your face every time you go for a drive !!!!
Happy Motoring.

 

I have had my deposit in since around the 4th of July, and my MA called me today and said she could put in my order for a 2010 MINI now! Yayayayay! I just have to finalize the details of my build now so I can finalize the order tomorrow

Bonnet stripes or no stripes?
Sports suspension?
Bridge spokes or s-winders, and if bridge spokes, black or aluminum?
Rear fog lamps?
Fluid silver interior?
Roof rack for bikes, or install my own hitch mount?

So many choices!!

 

My .02 cents...
Definitely Fluid Silver Interior, very easy to clean...Clarity...and NO Finger Prints!!

Sport Suspension...a must!! I had to re-check my Build Sheet the other day,
'cause I had forgotten that we got it with the Sport Package on our '08!!

Stripes or no and wheels I think are dependent on your color choice and how you want your car to look. L@@K in my Gallery...Molly is wearing
Bridge Spokes, it was the look I was going for.

The choices are numerous and MINI is the only car with this much YOUification!!

 

Yay for YOUification! That's such a fun part of this process. I've never gotten exactly what I wanted on a car before...always just took something off the lot that had enough "stuff" to make me happy.

I think I'm settled on the standard bridge spoke wheels (not painted black), and my girl is going to be Chili Red w/White Roof and Mirror Caps. I think I may go ahead and get white bonnet stripes. Sporty and fiesty!

And I know it's silly because I may never remember to use them, but I want the rear fog lamps just so I don't have an empty switch in the dash.

 

get those rear fogs! or else the missing toggle switch will haunt you

 

hahahahaah

 

When i was a kid i remember seeing the Mr. Bean show on PBS. (in Ohio) i knew then that no matter what it took i would own a MINI whether it was a classic or a new one. i recently bought an '05 pepperwhite w/black top and chrome mirrors. its not brand new but i've made it my own. so what im saying is all that matters is you get yourself into to a MINI and Let's Motor!!!!!!!!!