I'm a first time poster----I have been looking for some time for the right car for me, and I have found it in a Mini Cooper! I can see from this site that many of you order them rather than buy them off of the lot. Is there a reason for that? Do you have to actually pay more than the sticker from a dealer? Or is it just to get certain color combinations and options? Also I am undecided between an automatic or a manual-- both my husband and I know how to drive both--any reason why any of you would choose one over the other?

 

I buy nothing but manual cars. They are much more responsive and as a bonus they save on brakes. As for the mini, it IS a sports car. It just HAS to be a stick shift.

I got lucky. The mini I bought off the lot had everything I wanted. Besides that, there was no way I was going to put myself through those weekly support groups. :impatient

 

Bought mine off the lot, many areas have a huge waiting list so, many have no choice but to order or travel cross country to pick up their MINI.

I have a manual, I think its a blast and would have it any other way. I do know that some people prefer to go auto just because of the commute, I feel akward driving one just because I have become accustomed to a certain degree of control and vehicle input. Also a manual has less drivetrain loss, better MPG, little less brake wear (I'm still hard on them into the corners, gotta push the limits of the nut behind the wheel ) and I think there is just something extra fun about having all limbs moving at once to perfectly weave through a twisty road.

 

I can't believe I forgot, Welcome to NAM!!!

 

Aside from the many replies you are bound to get in this thread if you do a search you will find all sorts of info and opinions on this very subjective topic

Just buy whichever your husband and you prefer after a test drive and in consideration of your personal needs and lifestyle. People order for that very reason, there are so many options and choices that most prefer to order it to their taste and tailor it to their wants/needs exactly vs making any concessions to what they might find in stock. As for what you pay it varies by dealer, look around here and call your preferred places and get the best deal you can - you can avoid paying any mark up over MSRP and might even get a discount if you do opt for an in stock car.

Cheers and have fun in the search or ordering

 

I ended up ordering mine because most of the cars on my dealer lot were automatics, or had the Premium pkg (I didn't want the sunroof).

The other reason is that I wanted exactly the car that I wanted!<img> I'm very picky when it comes to cars and since I have a particular love for this vehicle, I wanted it to be just right.

Do what makes you happy!!

 

Hiya and Welcome to the MINI madness...

Like others have said, what you end with is a personal choice - stick or auto, color, etc. etc. Buy what you like and have fun with it.

Check out www.miniusa.com - build one for yourself. Then start calling around the various dealers and see if they might have what you want on their lot. If not, we'll all be here to help you through the wait...there are MANY dealers that do not charge over MSRP...

Donna

 

I knew exactly what options I did and didn't want on mine, and it wasn't a combination any dealer anywhere would have orderd. It only took 5-6 weeks to get mine that I ordered. If you aren't picky about color, price, or options, then try to find something that appeals to you on a lot at a dealer, otherwise, order it, you'll be glad you did, it's worth the wait IMHO.

I always go for a manual transmission whenever possible. You generally get better performance and better gas mileage with a stick (definitely in the case of the MINI). There are only three cases I can think of where I wouldn't get a manual transmission: 1. If the vehicle wasn't offered any other way, like many minivans, and SUV's currently, 2. If my daily commute involved more than a half hour of rush hour stop and go traffic (it currently doesn't), 3. If I lost the use of one of my legs or was otherwise handicapped (I'm not). I've been driving manual transmission cars since I was about 13 and wouldn't have it any other way.

-Keith

 

Now in the debate over auto vs. manual go with what you are most comfortable. There is not denying the manual will give you more (+ many more options for performance mods) though I have been in some automatic minis where the drivers knew how to use the steptronic really well (I am learning) and it has been an awesome ride!