Hello,

I've been a long-time lurker on this site, posted a bit a couple of years ago, but life took a turn and I stayed in NYC making the need for a car minimal... I'm still in NYC, but am going to need a car very shortly and it will either be an 06 Cooper (perhaps even straight out of dealer stock) or an 07 a year from now and driving a beat-up saturn until then, so I've been reading through the site as much as possible. I'm not going to get into the 06/07 semantics because both appear to be fab, however, I am leaning towards the 06 because it is a tried and true model and then when I have kids in a few years I can trade up to the traveller.

So here's the thing... as much as I would like to custom order an 06, I am waiting on a financial disbursment and don't know if I will get it in time to purchase an 06. From what I've read here, in the NYC metro area you can order 06's until near the end of the year which I hope is true... what is the wait time in this area from order to delivery? I know it varies widely throughout the country.

How about Dealers in the Metro NYC area? I know there are a bunch and I've read great things here about Mini of the Hamptons, but I am interested in hearing about some of the other "Greater Gotham" dealers. There is a possibility of needing a car ASAP and taking from dealer stock- so I was curious about who you thought in this area had the best stock.

If I custom order, these are the things I am interested in and would be curious for some feedback on some of them (I'll highlight those).

Cooper, Chili Red/White, White bonnet stripes, leathertte (possibly cloth).
-premium, sport, cold pkg
-What are some of your thoughts on convenience, seems nice but is it worth it?
-chrome line interior
-piano black or anthracite... any thoughts re: peeling, durability?
-H/K stereo
-Sirius? Any thoughts on their accessory sirius or should I buy my own?
-Aux or Ipod input

If I bought out of stock I would look for CR/W cooper with at least premium and sport pkg.

This is just the beginning and I am sure I will come up with some more questions, but I wanted to get started in case I end up going to the dealer in a few weeks. I've been trying to find as many answers as possible by searching through the site, but I'd also be grateful for some fresh feedback.

Thanks in advance!
JennyS

 

Cannot comment on most of your stuff because Polly is still at the docks. I had HK on my M3 and don't think it is worth the extra. Better value is to get a subwoofer from Bavarian Soundwerks. Regarding the Sirius - you can get XM with Blitzsafe or Sirius with Soundgate for about half the price with the same functionality.

 

I know there's a MINI Dealership in Mahwah, NJ, (just across the George Washington Bridge, near Paramus), It's on route 17. It's called Prestiege MINI There's a ton of Prestiege dealerships on that route, but there's a dedicated MINI Dealership, which seemed to have a lot of inventory the last time I drove by.

Here's a link to their site: http://www.prestigemini.com/

As for your other questions, I vote no for the convenience package. It seems overated and unnecessary. The other issues you raise are totally your preference. You'll have to figure that out yourself!

The last issue is Sirius and the aux port question. I had the aux port installed, and love it. I can use one of my 2 iPods, or my Sirius StarMate receiver, or nothing (if I'm in a car show or something). That way, I can just swap any of them in or out. PLUS, if you have another vehicle, you can bring your Sirius receiver into that car, or even your home, provided you have purchased extra antennas, (because once an antenna has been installed in your car, it's a pain to bring that in and out often). So on long road trips where we use my wife's vehicle, we can still hear our Howard Stern! I guess I therefore recommend a portable Sirius receiver, with an extra antenna for your other car(s). I got my extra antenna on eBay.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks! I checked out their site and they do have a nice stock. A couple of cars there that I could happily drive off the lot in. Might have to compromise on color though, but that's ok. I like most of Mini's colors.

Has anyone dealt with Prestige? If so, were you happy with the service you received there?

So, do you recommend the aux port over the iPod adapter? I guess if I am going to do portable Sirius, I should go aux... going to have to give that some thought!

Thanks again,
JennyS

 

Convenience Package rocks! The automatic dimming mirror is fantastic and so are the rain sensing wipers. Since I don't have a power garage door opener, the Homelink just sits there. If I had a garage door, I'd love it. Carrying a remote around is a pain.

The automatic headlights are OK...nothing special. The good part is that they can be turned off or on at will. (Some cars with automatic headlights give you no control at all.)

Before you pay extra for Aux Ports and iPod adapters, remember that '05 and newer MINIs will play MP3 CDs. Just pop it in the slot and it plays, and the best part is that it's free.

Rawhyde

PS CR/W is the fastest color combination.

 

Thanks! I have decided to do the new car thing, it's just going to depend on what kind now... I am definitely leaning *heavily* toward the Mini. The only thing that's holding me back is that I am still in grad school for another year and the practical side of me is screaming to lease a Toyota for 2 years and move on to a Mini then. I would totally wait under normal circumstances since I live in Manhattan, but my clinical site is waaaay out in Westchester/Rockland and I'll need to drive a lot. The reason my practical side wants a Toyota is because I know It'll never be in the shop... but Mini gives you *some* kind of loaner if your car is in for work, right? And Mini's resale value is so much better.

I'm actually going to go out to Mini of Fairfield County on Monday for a test drive... my sister lives out there and is going to be my helping hand. Any recommendations for financing? From what I've read on this site, Mini's financing is not the way to go. Any advice on that score would be great. Also, is anyone on this site leasing their Mini? Worth it or no?

Jenny

 

If you go with a DICE iPod adapter, you get the both of best worlds. It has the iPod addapter that displays the id3 tags and has a aux input that you can hook you Sirrus to. I bought mine from EAS for both the Mini and the BMW. Here is a link http://www.europeanautosource.com/in...46ac40722e194c

 

Uh oh....once you drive a MINI, I don't think you'll be too happy with a Toyota.

MINIs are very reliable...of course, you read about issues here on NAM, but as has been posted ad nauseum, folks just don't come on and do the happy dance about how wonderful their MINIs are.

As for loaners, I believe that it depends upon each dealership's policy, whether or not they extend loaners. For example, some dealerships here in SoCal only offer them to folks who bought their MINIs from them.

 

I have the anthracite interior in my car and I think it rocks. Piano black looks good too, but I could never get used to the circles on the passenger side. As for the convenience package, the rain-sensing wipers will make things more expensive later if you need to get the windshied replaced (which is apparently a common occurrance among MINI owners). I really like the built-in garage opener, but the rest wasn't really worth it to me.

 

Yeah, I have that feeling too... which is why I'm driving the Toyota first. I'm really only doing this to appease my dad who is lending me the money until my financial disbursment comes through. I am 99% sure I will go with a mini because I've wanted one since 02. I figure, I'm 32 with no kids, never owned my own car (city living, doncha know!) and I should have a little bit of fun! Plus we all know that there is no better city car than the Mini! I'm off pretty soon for my day of car shopping.

Jenny

 

The dealer was closed today! I called early in the am to find out what the hours were and the message didn't say anything about being closed. *sigh* As my sister said, I went all the way to CT to get a car and all I got was chips and lemonade. At least I got some family time in. We did look around the lot, though and there were lots of S's and very few Coopers. In fact, as far as I could see the only Coopers on the lot were demos. I am definitely calling them during business hours tomorrow to make sure they can fit me in! Although I may have to try a different dealership if they don't have what I'm looking for since I don't have time for a custom order. I might even brave Mini of Manhattan. I guess it's lucky I live in an area with so many dealerships within a commutable distance.

Jenny

 

[quote=JennyS]Hello,

I've been a long-time lurker on this site, posted a bit a couple of years ago, but life took a turn and I stayed in NYC making the need for a car minimal... I'm still in NYC, but am going to need a car very shortly and it will either be an 06 Cooper (perhaps even straight out of dealer stock) or an 07 a year from now and driving a beat-up saturn until then, so I've been reading through the site as much as possible. I'm not going to get into the 06/07 semantics because both appear to be fab, however, I am leaning towards the 06 because it is a tried and true model and then when I have kids in a few years I can trade up to the traveller.

So here's the thing... as much as I would like to custom order an 06, I am waiting on a financial disbursment and don't know if I will get it in time to purchase an 06. From what I've read here, in the NYC metro area you can order 06's until near the end of the year which I hope is true... what is the wait time in this area from order to delivery? I know it varies widely throughout the country.

How about Dealers in the Metro NYC area? I know there are a bunch and I've read great things here about Mini of the Hamptons, but I am interested in hearing about some of the other "Greater Gotham" dealers. There is a possibility of needing a car ASAP and taking from dealer stock- so I was curious about who you thought in this area had the best stock.

If I custom order, these are the things I am interested in and would be curious for some feedback on some of them (I'll highlight those).

Cooper, Chili Red/White, White bonnet stripes, leathertte (possibly cloth).
-premium, sport, cold pkg
-What are some of your thoughts on convenience, seems nice but is it worth it?
-chrome line interior
-piano black or anthracite... any thoughts re: peeling, durability?
-H/K stereo
-Sirius? Any thoughts on their accessory sirius or should I buy my own?
-Aux or Ipod input

If I bought out of stock I would look for CR/W cooper with at least premium and sport pkg.

This is just the beginning and I am sure I will come up with some more questions, but I wanted to get started in case I end up going to the dealer in a few weeks. I've been trying to find as many answers as possible by searching through the site, but I'd also be grateful for some fresh feedback.

Thanks in advance!
JennyS[/qu

 

Try Habberstad Mini Guy Beys was very nice and offered a discount. 06 seems tried and true. Piano black is awesome. Convienience seems like a waste. I rented a cooper and convt with Sirius for two weeks. A waste of time. It doesn't have enough channels and the sound is a little wierd. Plus if the weather is bad or you are in Pennsylvania or mountains, the reception is choppy. Leatherette is sticky in the summer and hot. I got cloth. Try renting a mini in NY at Zipcar.com. It will be well worth the day of 72.00. If you buy base, get the stick. Don't drive the s unless you are prepared to buy it. It's awesome. Ipod or aux. depends on you. Some complain about the ipod, because you cannot use a cd changer with it. I have aux input. Most stock mini coopers will come with premium sport and cold weather. Dealers will ship along the east coast.

 

I bought my MCSc at Prestige. I got it right off the lot because I didnt wnat to wait the 2+ months (im impatient) They were great- nothing but courteous and helpful! Everyone says they are the best in nj in customer service and price. Enjoy the experience!