Been loving a Mini Cooper S ever since I bought my MazdaSpeed back in 2007 but I am just starting to feel the gas mileage and cargo isn't needed for the commute back and forth to university. My questions for the community are:

If they have Minis on the lot, how much do you really think I can talk them down? I went to one dealer and received a quote for $24,500OTD for a Hardtop S with Bluetooth/Ipod and the Dongle Key along with full tint. They are only discounting about $1,250 off of it for a cash offer.

Is there room to get them to knock it down more or should I talk to them more and haggle another $500 or a service warranty/something and run with it?


What is everyone really paying for their Coopers?

Also, is the maintenance package really that great to have? Is it 5k oil changes and such?

Please list anything else that is the good, the bad, and the ugly!!


EDIT: I am looking at a 2010 MCS Brand New

 

I have an 04 MCS, sounds like you're shopping for something newer than I have, but if you're looking for a used one, blue book the trade in value of the mini you're looking at, then compare that to what they're asking on it. Chances are there's a decent cushion between the 2. They were asking 15,500 out the door on mine, I got out the door at 12k..it really depends on what they got the car for . May take you a few tries before one sticks for a good price. Good luck!

 

I am looking to purchase a 2010 MCS right off the truck pretty much. Apologizes for not stating that in the beginning

 

MazdaSpeed3 is pretty tight ride if you set-up suspension and add an intake and exhaust maybe a Cobb AccessPort.

 

I have it all tuned up with Cobb and things but it just has turned into too big of a car for me. I just want something small.


Does no one honestly have comments towards their MCS? =/ I really want to hear some comments about how happy they are or aren't happy with them.

 

That is what this forum is full of comments about people saying that they like this or don't like that. Do a search and start reading through the posts.

 

I have enjoyed my '09 MCS convertible more than any car I have owned including three 3 series convertibles, three Fiat 124 Spiders, Mazda Turbo Rx-7, Mazda RX-7 convertible etc. The MINI's make going to the grocery store fun.

The maintenance will get you 2 oil changes and some wiper blades maybe some brake pads but the oil change interval is much too long for me (I do an change between dealer changes for a 7,500 mile interval).

Not sure what current discounts are. Happy Motoring!!!

 

I say go for it I've had mine now for a couple years and still love driving it. Bought mine used it's an 06. I'm not sure how much you can talk the dealer down on the new ones. Guess that depends on what you feel is a fair price. If you can try a couple different dealers for a similar optioned car and see who's willing to give you the better deal. the extended service probably isn't really worth it if your able to do the work yourself. The service intervals according to mini are about 15,000 miles. many here change their oil at least once between that though. good luck with your search!

 

when I was browsing around for cars, I mentioned test driving a mini... my whole family seemed to like the coopers, my old boss said it'd fit me perfectly, etc.

I'm still getting used to the new gadgets. what sold me was the intoxicating supercharger whine. buuut, that's not an option anymore. :/

 

I think if they are offering $1250 discount you are doing well, any thing over a 1000 is a deal. Take it!

 

2010 clubman factory order - I paid MSRP + $295 dealer prep which included fill up, floor mats, and a couple of other things.
I did get a free option worth $1250 for financing through MINI.
No sales tax in my state

My dealer would not take a trade unless it was another MINI or BMW.

The dealer would take a few hundred off of some of the 2009's on the lot. But would not budge off MSRP on any 2010's on lot or special ordered. (This was in Dec '09).

The 3yr/ 3600 maintenance is not optional on a new purchase. As far as I know you just get it. The oil change interval is determined by the on board computer depending on how you drive. First oil change is ~15,000 miles or 1 yr from purchase. You can get extended maintenance 5/50K for more $.

Don't know what you mean by 'dongle key'? All MINI cars have the remote key FOB. If it has the comfort access option then your get a similar FOB but you can unlock the doors and start the engine without touching the FOB as long as you have the FOB with you - in your pocket.
.

 

I have a 07 MCS that I ordered. I got $0.00 off of sticker so I think you are getting a good deal. I still love looking at it, and really enjoy driving it every day.

One thought: You might try getting some John Cooper Works (JCW) accessories either thrown-in or heavily discounted. I added the JCW leather steering wheel, and both carbon fiber shifter and e-brake handle. They (especially the shifter and steering wheel) are well worth getting because they are quite a bit nicer to look at and have a much better feel than the stock stuff. They are also pricey.

Good luck and Happy Motoring.

 

Shop around. There are mini dealers all across the country some willing to deal more than others. Across the board the east coast seems to be a little cheaper than the west coast but there are some good West Coast dealers too. Goto the website goto the map select the dealer and Find a mini and email the dealer and ask up front what kind of deal they can give you on a particular model you like! Since you are trying for a 2010 you have less wiggle room. If you were going for a new 09 then you definitely could get invoice price most likely. Also!!! you should know the 2011's coming soon will have a little more horse power - 7-9 more hp and an engine upgrade of sorts and some refresh on the exterior supposedly and this may help you deal a little because the 11's will arrive in September and make the 10's look like yesterday's news. Really the lots are full of 10's and the new 11's are coming soon so you can wait for that or use this information to your advantage to demand a good deal! FYI i bought an 09 JCW convertible at invoice in February 2010. I love it. I want another JCW clubman now. I should add I could have had a new 128 bmw convertible for the same price as the mini but the gas mileage wasn''t as good and gas mileage is a concern of mine.

 

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Last thing, if I were getting an 09 today I would want 4000 off or invoice; they are still making money because dealers buy in bulk (don't listen to them they are car dealers for goodness sake). If I were getting a 10 I would want at least 2500 off but depends on the model too. This is for a car off the lot. You have the cash so you have control in this economy. Again shop around!! BUT really I'd just wait for the 11's . There are some executive demos out there that are bargain too and for one of those I would ask for a free oil change before you bought the car no matter the 15000 mile BS. But you are trading in which complicates things. Best scenario is you sell you car privately and buy the car cash or finance at 1.9 percent which isn't bad. I got to finance at .9 percent in February which is almost same as cash. Just my two cents for what it is worth.

 

juliansorl gave some great advice and I don't have much to add other than the fact that a few years ago it was pretty much guaranteed that you were going to pay some dealer markup just because everyone was spending money like water (or so it seemed where I live). But today's economy as you know is much different so if you can get $1250 off MSRP I think you're doing fine. I think they're still throwing in an option (up to $1750) until the end of the month so maybe you can use that as leverage to get them to throw in some freebies or drop the price further. Never hurts to ask. Good luck!

 

I ordered a car to my specs and saved $1500.00 off of MSRP. There are deals out there, you just have to find them. If you are on the west coast, pm me and I will tell you where I went.

Larry

 

Hi
I figured I'd throw in my 2c.
opinion:
speed3= stupid fast. i love the car. torque steer can be a bit too much for many drivers. once you get used to it its not so bad. Insurance IS high. Gas mileage is fare I averaged about 24mpg going to work 50mi round trip
It was trouble free for 2yrs oem tires were sticky but lasted about as lond as a pencil eraser in 1st grade.

cooper s 04= no where near stupid fast. but a blast to drive. mine is loaded up I like the sun roof and its more comfortable than I thought it would be. It has a good ride I dont think it is as stiff as the speed3 . better shifter than the speed3 also. gas mileage so far is about 32mpg driving to work

My main reason for the switch was cost reduction without getting stuck with something boring to drive. This move was a huge success for me. The more I drive the mini the more I like it! I miss the power that the speed had but I think the mini is more fun to drive.

They are both great cars!

Kevin

 

Maintenance package is 15k or 1 per year for oil changes. They cover other stuff, like brakes, belts, hoses, and standard maintenance - 15k/30k scheduled maintenance.

I paid close to what you're paying for premium + cold weather package on 2010 MCS. I drove mine off the lot - they had exactly what I was looking for, so it worked out well. As far as how much you can negotiate, you won't know until you try. Give it a go and see what they are willing to do. The numbers we came to agreement on satisfied my budget and reconciled with the research I had done.

I've had my MINI for a couple of weeks and have had a real blast driving it! I drove the 2010 Mazdaspeed3 and found the MINI more to my liking, but that's totally subjective.

 

Bought both of my cars a year ago. Paid cash and ordered both to my spec. Paid sticker but got mats thrown in for free. Big whop.
You may get a better deal now cause it's more of a buyers market. But then again the cars are still in demand and depending on what type of shape the dealer is in is going to dictate the deal. The dealer in our area does not have a lot of cars on the lot so the deals may be thin.

Shop till you drop.

Good Luck with your quest.

Pat

 

If you want small I would suggest 1st gen. I love mine on my second one, totaled 1st one. Rode in MSP3 and auto-xed MSP6 and MINI felt more like a small car but the MSP3 had a punch to acceleration. I prefererred the MINI Cooper S.

 

I Looked in the paper and online for Deals finally found one 1 owner he had it for 19 mos. traded it in for an Audi the window sticker says he wanted 21,888 but i got it for 17500. it is a 2008 MC-S with 27000 miles I think i got a good deal it looks new had a little over 22000 miles on the warranty left but i added 6yrs or 60000 mile warranty bumper to bumper for a little more $$$$$ over all i think i got a good deal all i have to say is look and for me the MC dealers wouldn't budge on the price GOOD LUCK ON LOOKING MINIINHD