I live in southeast. Essentially only two dealers for all of NC, SC, combined with fairly high demand here = no deals. But I also tried Herb Chambers, thinking I'd take a trip with my friend to new england where it's a much bigger market and inventory, but even they wouldn't give much off to make it worthwhile. I tried, and best I could do was $1000 off msrp during the mini rocks event. I guess I'm not the best negotiator. I'm not the type to demand I get the car at such and such price either, because if I was on the other side as the salesman, I'd tell them to go fly a kite, something like this:

 

Then I guess I like it dirty...

 

 

Sorry all I don't mean to blow up or hijack this thread, last post honest! Can anyone explain to me how you agree on a price before building the car?

That's it last one...I will sit down and shut up now.

 

it's simple. just ask if they are willing to sell the car at a specific number over invoice. once you agree to that number it does not matter what options you pick as the profit margin does not change for them. it's alway that number. for example in my case it's 1000 over invoice. you build the car using the dealer cost for the base car plus options and add the agreed upon profit margin. does that make sense?
p.s. no need to sit down or shut up i did start this thread

 

I wanted the car so much, that price wasn't an option. I ordered the Countryman to coincide with the lease termination on my 2008 MC. It never crossed my mind to haggle over price. I feel that with the new model and pent up demand, dealers didn't need to cut their price. The only thing the dealer through in the deal was a set of valve stem caps with the Cooper "S" on them.

 

Angler, makes sense. I agree it's a great way to negotiate a special order when you put it that way. I don't see it actually working at my dealership, but good for you.

 

i agree it would be hard to cut that kind of deal when they first came out. no matter what the price is over invoice it still needs to be reasonable in the environment you are in.

 

Then you're the greatest negotiator ever. I mean, better than that Priceline guy. I wonder why my local dealership wouldn't move a measly $500 off sticker to sell me a car. Twice. I WALKED TWICE.

I'm not calling BS, I just find this curious.

 

Also, I'm curious to know whether or not you:

1. Had a car to trade in
2. Paid cash or financed the new car

 

You know, the dealer didn't go for the invoice+ either. They explained that the car was in high demand relative to their allocations. They only get a limited number, why would they use it to get only $1000 when they can just as easily make 3x that?

I only pay wholesale for bikes and bike parts, because I am in the industry, but sometimes I can't get that if the model is new, in high demand, or limited production. I expect it the same for cars, so I don't know how you pulled that off. Not that I'm envious, I am. But I guess people feel the same about me when it comes to bikes, given how expensive bikes are, so I guess it all works out in the end.

 

The last 3 new cars we bought, out price was based on invoice+ also but Mini's are a different beast.

Like I mentioned earlier, I purchased through a buying program with my insurance company. Dealers pay to be part of this program. I got the name of 2 dealers who were equidistant to where I live. One refused to honor his agreement with my company. In other words, he refused to sell me a car at a discounted price. Dealer 2 stepped up and got me the available ALL4 that Dealer 1 saw sitting on the docks awaiting shipment.

Only 3 dealer in the state of Ohio; 1 refused to work with me through my car buying program. Drove to another state to get my car and my deal.