i wan one oif thoese

 

I've got the next allocation at Mini of Mt. View, due in next week, and it's probably gonna run me about $44K out the door (got about every option you can throw at it). Sure it's a lot of money, but if I compare it to the Porsche Cayman S (the other car I was seriously considering), it seems pretty inexpensive. Incidentally I found the Mini a lot more fun to drive, or should I say, I had to drive the Porsche 50% faster to have as much fun... that kind of speed would get me a lot more speeding tickets, hence the Mini.

I love that Minis can be had for such a range of prices... $22-45K, and that the JCW can be had for low 30's if lightly outfitted.

$3.5K dealer markup is stupid though, and won't last long in this economy. We'll see.

 

Surfblue says:
Unintended humor? Or are you pulling our collective legs? Go drive an original EARLY Mini Cooper. A modern Mini wouldn't BE a MINI without front wheel drive. To my thinking, you might as well say you'd like it mid engined to boot.
As to the $39k price for JCW, I can't see it unless you have money to burn and/or are going to the track a LOT. A regular R56 MCS is tough enough to use on public streets/roads without risking your license and insurance rates, not to mention your life. I spent $10k+ LESS than that $39k (see my gallery, click on the car pic to see the specs...gotta get off those stock wheels and tires!) and have to work at staying out of trouble when I'm feeling the least bit frisky with the throttle/wheel/brakes. That said, I'm sure the JCW setup is a BIG TIME fun package!

 

Other dealers have lower or no markup, and Mini of the Hamptons (I think) would sell any Mini at MSRP with $500 shipping anywhere in the US.

I sure hope that you aren't willing to pay the markup.... It's just feeding the animals...

FWIW, in 02 I ended up at Mini of Murray (Salt Lake City) for my S. It was a $79 Southwest ticket to get there, and break-in was done by the time I was home...

the next one, a base Clubman, we're getting at Mini of the Hamptons, but because we're going visiting friends on Long Island, and then driving to VT for a family wedding, then taking a slow drive home with the kids. While it will cost a bit for the trip, the $1500 markup and rental car fees (along with airfare home) subsidize a lot of the travel.

Out of principle, I'll just never pay over MSRP. Hope other won't either, but around here, MoMV can be a crappy as they want to be and they'll sell all thier cars.

Matt

 

This thread makes me glad I only spent $33k on mine, and got MSRP to boot!

 

Me too. I'm the same way. My MC was 21,900 out the door, and even then, I kind of over did the option thing. The configurator is not necessarily your friend. I was thinking, if I were to opt for a performance car, I might be tempted to go JCW over MCS, but when I did the configurator it came in just a hair over 30K, the only option a MFSW. Anything more than that and I'd really have to consider something else, like a 1 series.

I won't do it though, I'm too cheap and like my near 40 mpg I'm getting in my 07 MC. A clubman MC may be in my future sometime when the old CR-V is to be replaced.

 

That's really about right. My 08 JCW priced around $41m with no mark-ups.

 

Well just to chime in my JCW came out to 39k and some change at MSRP. The reason for me getting a Mini was to get it the way I wanted it. If i wanted the fastest car for the money I should of bought a Neon SRT. But who wants to be seen in a Neon. If you buy a Mini I thinks its all about being a individual whether you pay 20k or 40k.

 

I was chatting with a current R56 owner who was considering getting the JCW....he said no '08+ R56's can be had with the mechanical LSD? It's been replaced by more BMW e-trickery? I'd think with the power levels of the full JCW car and torque steer, it'd be mandatory like it was on the last car.

I'll get a drive in the JCW soon enough to see for myself.

 

I learned to drive in a front wheel drive car. I prefer it to the rear wheel drive. It always made feel more in touch with the road. There are cars for every taste and preference.

Mine is coming in September, including taxes it will exceed 45k.

It's not just power. It's performance, handling, gas mileage and a whole lot of fun. I prefer the syle of the MINI, the car has character. No offense, but I would not pay the same for some of those other cars. They simple are not the same. Everyone has their own taste and that's good.

No Matt, you just have your own values and expectations. I've lived to be almost 50 and have only owned three cars in over 30 years, sold one - wish I had not, and have the other two. The last one I have been driving for the last 13 years, probably won't sell it, but it definitely need as rest. The MINI is my fourth and probably last car and that is one reason I loaded mine up.