Hi,
I have never seen such crazy I mean crazy and stupid sales people in Mini in my life ! I still have not put my order in yet as Im still trying to get numbers that I feel is fair and reasonable after all this will make my 7th BMW product with Mini /BMW! Seems and maybe its me If you order you build instead of taking whats on the lot you become a 2nd rate customer and are at the mercy of the dealership! Maybe its me But I remember the days when cars sales people would break their neck to get you to buy a freaking car..... Not anymore or well I know its due to Im in SOUTH FREAKING FLORIDA ! The worst state to live in yes it pretty and super nice weather but as they say grass is always greener. Well it is greener but with lots of bull shet LOL ! Sorry just venting but curious do any of you guy feel the same or going through the same thing? Im dealing with 3 Mini deanships in the area and Auto nation and just found that auto nation is tacking on an additional shipping fee for $1500.00 Like I'm going to do that ..LOL

Well I'm still awaiting on the numbers to come in before I say the magic words

"ORDER IT!"

 

If you aren't buying off the lot they have less incentive to sell to you since 'on lot' inventory costs them money everyday a car isn't sold. Further to that mini sales are up and if you aren't willing to pay MSRP or close to it, they have someone else who will pay with far less effort coming in right after you. Granted, repeat business usually means a little more help financially from the salesman but not always. You keep the power if you continue to be willing to walk away.

 

It's no secret you usually don't get a good a deal on orders as opposed to in stock vehicles. The incentives change month by month and you are only eligible for the deals when the car arrives, NOT when you order, which also makes it harder for them to work a deal. Some MINI incentives also only cover in stock vehicles and won't work on orders. Trade in values will change over the order period as well...

Ordering is usually never the best deal, BUT you get exactly what you want!

 

I bought my first two minis off the lot. The first was full retail, the second was a little off the srp. I ordered my third and got a much better deal relative to srp, and didn't pay for items that I didn't want ( i.e. sunroof ). By far ordering the car was the best, financially for me.

 

Do your research, decide on what you want and how much you want to pay, then make an offer. If they say no, move on.

 

Yes its getting them to cal me back and or emailing me back with numbers its like pulling teeth!

 

It's Florida, from your website I see you are a NY'er - good luck I couldn't hack FL life, did my 3 years and escaped.

 

What dealer are you going to? I'm not sure if I'm supposed to name any names here (never read the posting rules) but I bought my 2 new, ordered MINI's from Vista MINI And my MA was Giorgio Ortiz, both times I went to Lauderdale and both times my father and I walked out almost in an argument with the sales rep's and manager, they're extremely rude, these incidents were a year and a half apart and in the year and a half they'd apparently gone through a complete restructuring that didn't fix anything (apparently) and Lauderdale wanted a ridiculous deposit as well for an order. We were expecting better deals from Lauderdale as my dad buys 2 BMW's a year from them, but apparently they didn't want our MINI business. After we'd left Lauderdale, we went to Vista and had a great experience, the staff is awesome, they're service department is amazing and (somewhat) reasonably priced if you're out of warranty and both times Vista gave me fair deals on my trade and some money off MSRP, they're deposit was also the cheapest I'd seen for any ordered car, anywhere, I believe it was $500, and my MA is pretty cool, he's owned many a MINI and knows what he's talking about when he's delivering the car, pretty cool because every time I've seen a sales rep deliver a car, they've looked pretty clueless as to what they're talking about. I've also heard pretty good things about Braman MINI in WPB, never been there though, I know they have a really good inventory of manual cars if threats what you're looking for. As for the two or three dealers in Dade County, I wouldn't ever buy a car in Dade.

 

We're on our 5th MINI, ordered every one, and have never successfully gotten anything below MSRP. You just pick the options you want and deal with the price in our experience.

 

Wow Sounds like exactly what I'm going through ! Well today is the day I get numbers from Bramen Mini in Miami and Im curious to see where the numbers will fall compared to Lauderdale. Yes Last night I was on the phone trying to tell the manager about the assistant drivers package and was told I didn't know what I was talking about that as that was only offered on BMW's not Mini's and I didn't know what I was talking about. I had to count to 10 before I said something bad to the guy (The manager). Finally he admitted he saw that I DID know what I was talking about but not once did he apologize or try and make me feel good about spending my $$$ with that dealership. I feel if a customer is about to spend 40k with you you should better kiss his butt a little or something (HUMOR) I love the line I got from the manager " Im giving you the same deal as if my brother was buying a car from me" Ah OK .... LOL What ever! Get this I had a salesman from WPB Bramen call me as I did the true car online and got a call. I sent the build to the salesman never heard back I called left three messages on the sales guy phone and sent three emails. Its been 3 days today without a call back or no response from any of the emails. (CRAZY) Today should be an interesting day to see how this all plays out. I have decided to look at it as a game as I don't need the car Yes, I have the "CAR BUG" but its now become a challenge to me to see how low I can get a built Mini for. I guess I can't help think with all the cars I have bought/leased via this local Dealership that they would be little more easer to work with and show me some respect as far as a loyal 10 year 7 cars costumer. Hell, I even offered to give the MA a free kids portrait sitting as to helping me get the best deal.... I see where that got me...LOL I know some people on this form is or will say I'm being a little drama queen and they probably right but at the end of the day If I can save 1500.00 to 2000.00 Hey thats money in my pocket! Ill keep you updated ......

Oh I might add I also went through Auto Nation and I did get a better response and more friendly MA giving the MA was more receptive to my needs and cut to the chase with me. The only bad thing was they were giving me a better deal but the deal was sorta canceled out when they had to add a $1500.00 shipping fee as the car would be coming from anther dealership in Texas...... But Auto nation is the way to go if your not building a car to spec's ....

 

I'll second what was said above about lot purchases as opposed to special orders. Also remember: there's not tons of room in the MINI pricing. The dealerships make most of their money on service and options. Do research as hsautocrosser said, and make a reasonable offer, take it or leave it. Be patient.

 

It helps to buy in a local market with competition. Here in the SF Bay Area we have 5 or 6 within 70 miles... it's great to be able to put them in check against each other, and go to the one that gives you the best deal, the best perks, or the most convenience. In my case, I like my local dealer so it just made it easier to get them to give me the price I needed to stay with them.

I've read a number of times about folks on NAM traveling quite a distance to take delivery. Nothing wrong with expanding your search to get a better deal, then making a fun road trip out of it?

 

I received 8 and 5% off MSRP on my ordered MINIs by asking. Nothing beyond a set of floor mats was offered, not even the MINIUSA offers on the website.

 

The sales people at our local dealership are salaried and not on commission. It's possible you might be dealing with the same thing in your area. Where's the incentive for 'customer service' if his not calling you back has no impact on his income?

They do have one feature I like. Each car has a price posted in the window. Usually not more than $150.00-200.00 under MSRP. The good feature is that it's a fixed, non-negotiable price. Buy it or leave.

 

I know that opinions differ on this subject, but in the long run, I have saved money developing a loyal relationship with a dealer. There are incidentals like nice loaner cars, discount on your next purchase. The dealer in Sacramento actually charges less for an oil change than many of the independents. And bringing my car to the dealer for service ( obviously prepaid for the first 36,000 miles ), gives me the free updates.
Just a thought

 

Well So far the best deal I have got is 1500.00 off MSRP with the local dealer It was 1250.00 then I haggled them up to 1500.00 trying to get 1750.00 but my goal is and or was 2k off... Looks like 1500.00 is it. Just got numbers from Miami dealer they only wanted to give me 500.00 off LOL and this dealer boast to be the largest dealer in the USA... They do have a huge lot of Mini's but off the lot locations and all the Mini;s they do have are basic striped coopers with hardly nothing on them.... I don't get it but hey I guess I'm not supposed to..... I guess Im going to go pull the trigger and oder it today and put a end of the Debbie Downer thread and start a more upbeat thread on what Modifications Im going to do when I do get it! LOL

 

So you have money for modifications but not a little bit extra to support a dealership's staff. I usually settle for a bit of a discount then bite the bullet on the purchase. As far as I know most car salespeople at BMW/Mini make less than I and most of their customers do.
Alternatively you can get big bucks off a slightly used car (locally there is a 2015 S with 9000k that is $4000 less than my Cooper).
I would recommend the misers in the house steer well clear of the Mini as this wonderful little car will cost you from signing all the way through ownership!

 

Back in the day my Dad did this in Phoenix (hates car salesmen/haggling). Sent letter to all Chevy dealers: I am going to buy a new Chevy Blazer with these options : XXXXX.
Mail me your best offer (no phone number, this was before email). On March 23 I will bring a check for the best offer to the low price dealership and either drive it home or order it. He mailed it to like 5 dealers. A couple didn't even respond, a couple were a joke, and one was pretty excellent. He picked up the car on March 23. True story. The funny part is every time he tells it some people don't believe it.

 

******* UPDATE******

Well Guy's Im proud to report I did it! Yes I got my deal I was looking to get
and the hard work paid off ! Actually I should have just have gone to
this other dealership first and wouldn't of had to wast anyones valuable time.

Thanks VISTA MINI !

Walked in with my build on paper told them my story got my 2K off the MSRP and
put a $500.00 Deposit down and now I have a Mini cooper S on order !

They had an almost build like mine as dealer car without a few items no sunroof and straight shift. They let me take it for a spin by myself MAN was it Sweet! I attached a few pics of the build and the car I test drove today!


My Build includes:

Color
Electric Blue Body Color Black Roof/Mirrors Blank Line
Packages
Premium Package Wired Package
Wired Upgrade
JCW Exterior Package JCW Interior Package
JCW Entry Door Sills
JCW Stainless Steel Pedals + Footrest JCW Leather Shift ****

Exterior
LED Fog Lights
LED Headlights with Cornering Lights Heated Mirrors & Washer Jets
Rain Sensor and Auto Headlamps Panoramic Sunroof
Rear Spoiler
Roof Rails
White Turn Signals
John Cooper Works Aero Kit

Wheels
17" Black JCW Track Spoke Wheels

Interior
Sport Seats
Center Armrest
Standard Floor Mats
Leather: Lounge Satellite Gray
JCW Leather Steering Wheel w/Multifunction Chrome Line Interior
Anthracite Headliner
MINI Yours Interior Style in Fiber Alloy Carbon Black Color Line
Automatic Climate Control
Storage Package
MINI Excitement Package

Performance
MINI Driving Modes
6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters 2.0L
TwinPower Turbocharged Engine
Toggle Ignition
Dual Stage, 8 Airbag System Performance Control Dynamic Damper Control

Audio & Tech
Harman/Kardon Sound System SiriusXM Satellite Radio Connected + Visual Boost XL Navigation System XL
Real Time Traffic Information
MINI Head-Up Display
Rear-view Camera + PDC
Rear Park Distance Control
On-Board Computer
Comfort Access System
Enhanced Bluetooth and USB/iPod Adapter Blank Line

Accessories
Carbon Fiber Hood Scoop
JCW Pro Side Stripes in Black Blank Line

Total build of the car: MSRP $39,820.00

 

You are going to really enjoy your new car.

 

Thanks! I hope SO Im looking forward to a few mods like ,making all the chrome on the exterior black..

 

Squeaky wheels gets the oil, enjoy the car!

 

Thats just it I didn't have to hardly say anything today no haggling at all just set down showed them what I wanted and ask for a deal that I wanted and walked out a happy camper no wheel here thats needing any oil... maybe my (BLANK) needs a little oil ..LOL

 

CONGRATS on the order, I see you went with Vista, they're really an amazing (MINI) dealer, although the people over at the BMW side are a**holes. Who is your MA? Electric Blue is an awesome colour, I never liked it on the R50/2/3, but think it looks AMAZING on the F56. The JCW kit looks killer as well.

Funny thing you posted pics of that exact Electric Blue S, while I was signing the final papers for my Blazing Red S that car had just been delivered and was going in to get it's PDI, I walked out and it was parked right next to my new car and to make a long story short, I was a little upset because I had asked how long it would take before I could order a car with the JCW exterior pack and in Electric Blue (both were new packages in October) and my MA told me it would be quite a while (a couple times) and I decided to just get the Blazing Red because I only had one car (at the time) and I have always had red cars. A month later I found an 08 Clubman S in Chili Red for $8k and ended up getting that one too, so now I have two Red MINI's sitting in my driveway when I could've ordered an EB, but nonetheless I'm happy with my both my MINI's, even if the 08 S spends more time in the shop than in my driveway! I've been back to the dealer like 10 times since then, always see that car and get a little upset when I see it.

 

Wow how funny! Yes I had almost got the same build and added the total cooper works but was told that it would not be delivered till June or July and could not get any real numbers as they would have been way higher do to the newness of the build... I was going to go all BLACK but had a BMW X6 all black and hated it as it was always dirty. The electric Blue to me is in the same category as the BMW Valencia orange as thats the color of my X135I now. We will need to meet up one Saturday and wash our min's together ...LOL

The sales guy I first talked to at Vista was the manager Ryan and my MA was Amanda that I had been talking to and emailing back forth but she couldn't give me any numbers till I came in. She was with a customer so I went straight to the manager and did the deal with him then she helped after the deal closed.