I decided to buy a new car, and test drove similar cars in a similar price range. I was looking for something practical yet fun. I run a 93 RX-7 in SCCA SOLO class ASP, so a grocery getting corolla just wasn't going to meet my needs.

A professor at my college has an 04 S. She was gracious enough to let me test drive it since the nearest Mini dealer is over 100 miles away. I went to the Mini website, and with the options I want the price will be 23K. I understand these cars are in demand and I won't be able to do much haggling. I can live with that. What I won't be willing to do is pay 25K for something that should be a few grand less.

My questions:
1. Which dealer would any of you reccomend for a FAIR deal? I live in the Central Illinois area.
2. Being an auto-xer, would a slightly used S suit my needs better? I see the new S is classed in G stock.
3. Did any of you get a decent warranty and how **** is Mini about the warranty? I was an F-18 mechinic in the Marines. I can handle basic maintenance on anything that drives on public streets. For God's sake I keep a twin turbo rotary running. I cannot run all the way up to Chicago area for a damn oil change. I am a full time student that has to be a part of multiple activities to get into law school after my under grad. And I hold down a part time job.

Sorry about the extensive detail but I prefer to be concise rather than leave anything to the imagination.

 

whatever you do. do NOT buy on bill jacobs in naperville. you can haggle the price of the 06 models. a sure thing deal is $500 over invoice price. they say KNAUZ mini have the complete models for test drive. that means they have a lot of 06 on the lot to haggle. IMO u will get a better deal buying cooper as brand new coz used coopers r just the same price as the brand new ones if not higher. just my opinion.

 

1. Which dealer would any of you reccomend for a FAIR deal? I live in the Central Illinois area. Anywhere really, I have not come across too many "shady" MINI dealerships. This also includes when I lived in Chicago. A lot of the dealers in the Chicagoland area have to be top notch because of the clientel they receive. Think, people buying Lotuses, Maseratis, etc. They aren't out to screw you. With that said, I would recommend any that are closest to you, even Bill Jacobs. Just because one person had a bad experience does not mean you will.


2. Being an auto-xer, would a slightly used S suit my needs better? I see the new S is classed in G stock. I bought my MINI Cooper used and fully loaded for $17xxx. Being a full time student and that it was a 2003, I really lucked out on the deal. I purchased in 2004 and have loved it ever since. Used MINIs are not very hard to come by (If you live in the right place..) and not very high priced. Once in a while you will find a yuppie who wants to sell his for $30xxx+ because he made it "custom" (Basically put a light bar on it) but most are fairly priced. Keep in mind though, the MINI Cooper is the least depreciating vehicle on the market today. When they go up used, they retain 61% of their value, that's better than any other car on the road. Be prepared to open your wallet for what you want. You will not though, be spending in upwards of $22xxx+ for a used S, more like $18xxx-$20xxx and that is pretty loaded.


3. Did any of you get a decent warranty and how **** is Mini about the warranty? I was an F-18 mechinic in the Marines. I can handle basic maintenance on anything that drives on public streets. For God's sake I keep a twin turbo rotary running. I cannot run all the way up to Chicago area for a damn oil change. I am a full time student that has to be a part of multiple activities to get into law school after my under grad. And I hold down a part time job. MINI is made by BMW, and BMW stands by their cars, enough said. I change my MINIs oil every 3000 miles and maintain it as best I can. If you have worked on an engine before, you can work on a MINI. What you might want to do is ask some of the seasoned NAM members what repairs might void your warranty if you DIY it. Also, call up MINIUSA and ask the same questions, they are always willing to help out.

Hope this helps and happy motoring! I can guarantee whichever route you choose, new or used, you will never look back

 

Larz,

I live in East Peoria; and unfortunately, we don't have a local dealer! I bought an S cabrio from Patrick in Shaumburg around 5 weeks ago, and would recommend them strongly. I've heard good things about the other two Chicago dealers too... but the thought of 150+ miles to get to my dealer is daunting (thank god for loaners!)

Good luck in your search & Go Braves!

Regards,
Mark Gibson

 

If you buy the right one, a used MCS is a steal. On the plus side, there are a lot of them out there, and even better, a lot of them have not been modded in any way. I bought mine and got a load of equipment that I would not have been able to afford if I bought new. More than a year later we now have the R56 out and the natural ebb and flow of used cars when a new model comes out. You should be able to spec a non-sunroof car with minimal extra equipment (for autocross) for a good price. I'd seriously consider trying to find a used R53 if that's what you want (supercharged vs. turbocharged). The 05 and 06s have better ratios for getting off the line than the 02 and 03s.

The best thing for me buying used is that I still have a few months of warranty coverage left, and I've already talked to my MINI dealer about the final warranty appointment. After that, I drop the car off at Detroit Tuned for the tweaks!

 

Thanks for the replies. I'll ask if there are any used MCS's, but I will buy new if need be. I'd like to own my first new car. I hate having to make repairs on stupid things incompetent previous owners did.

 

According to the MINIUSA site.. the nearest dealership to Macomb is MINI of StLouis (Clayton, MO), otherwise Patrick or Bill Jacobs. It sounds like you're pretty handy so used might be the way to go for you. As mentioned, if you get an '05-'06, you'll still have some original warranty left in case there's any real work that needs to be performed. Good luck on your search

 

Hola - newbie here too - so I appreciate you posting the same 'dumb' questions that I am thinking of.

Only thing is I had the complete reverse experience at Bill Jakobs - plus the two female salespeople made me feel much more comfortable vs the experiences that I had a Patrick and Knaus...

My one open question is it really true that you will always pay the 'sticker' price for new minis?

appreciate all responses - so excited about getting my mini!

 

That's pretty much the way it works. The demand is so high, they don't feel the need to offer discounts. And if you lived on the west coast, you'd find some dealerships actually charge a surcharge.

Since visiting friends in Barrington last summer, my question was why would a Mini dealer be located on Golf Road? I would have expected a VW dealership there, instead.

Welcome to NAM. What kind of spec did you end up ordering?

 

I ordered yesterday and while very exciting was a strange strange experience to sign away on the dotted line - and drive out in my old car... now the wait begins!!

I ordered: Cooper S, Manual, Laser Blue, white roof, mirrors & wheels, premium package, cold weather package (I live in Chicago I wont say more), all season tyres, parking warning, roof rack & bike rack (forks), portable navigation.... umm and I think thats it....

I am in week 36 production and thanks to reading the posts didnt panic when I went into the Owners lounge typed in my production number and it showed I had ordered a Metalic Black Cooper S.... I will try again in a few days and then panic - and likewise if I get moved to a later production will also know that is part of the thrill of the .... wait!

thanks for your help!

 

Sounds like a great order. The heated passenger seat also doubles for keeping takeout food warm. I suggest Borinquen on North California or La Unica on West Devon.