New to Mini, visited my local dealer in So. Calif. (claim to be the biggest in USA). They have 4 or 5 2009 JCW's in stock and are pushing me to order one. I found that strange as I would think they would like to unload their unsold inventory. All JCW's in stock have a $4900.00 mark up over MSRP and on top of that a $995.00 Lojack and $225.00 paint protection program!!!

So they said if I order one I can get it at MSRP plus the Lojack and paint protection. I said I don't need either and they said I have to buy the options!

Given the economy right now, and the fact they have so many JCW's in stock, I am confused. I have never purchased a car at or above MSRP. Is this unique to Mini?

 

Go somewhere else. Never buy a car over MSRP. The mark-up is money instantly thrown away for nothing, i.e. instant depreciation over whatever normal depreciation occurs. A $5K markup is insane. You can go out of state if necessary and drive the car back, or have it shipped back for much less.

 

This does not sound like a good dealer....DONT pay over MSRP go elsewhere. If you want a JCW just order one and wait. I waited 5 weeks for my JCW and paid MSRP and built it just like I wanted it..

 

Thanks, I agree too. So being new to Mini, I am assuming that MSRP is the benchmark and the consumer is not to expect a discount, and that if you get an MSRP deal that you did well? It amazes me that they have a relatively large inventory of JCW (5), one of which I would take, but they want almost $5K over MSRP and want me to order one instead! Then I want the Aero kit, but they say installation at the port is $1100.00! Is this a market rate? I find it amazing that with all the negative news about auto makers soft sales (GM down 45%, etc) that there would be some relief from MSRP here, and that a serious buyer like me would be given a reasonable deal!

 

I bought my JCW in September for MSRP. That was about as good as anyone was doing then. Now might be different. If a dealer is still up-charging over MSRP, I would say we might see their arrogance backfire on them in this economy (and good riddance to them in that case).

Installation at port for the JCW Aero kit is more like $2500. Just the parts are $1600 or so. The factory aero kit is closer to $1100.

 

Do the online configuration and send it to several dealers! Don't expect a discount, but paying above MSRP is not necessary!!

 

I am confused as to why any dealer wouldn't want you to buy a car from their lot as a first choice. Standard operating procedure in any retail business is to sell immediately if you can...if customer has to order they may walk before the deal is finished....They may be telling you that it's either pay their $5K upcharge for immediate delivery, or order for MSRP. I personally wouldn't pay a markup, but don't really expect a discount on a MINI at this point either. There's another thread going here on NAM currently that shows MINI sales up a huge amount nationwide last month and double-digit gains for the year. There may be some areas harder hit than others because of current conditions, but country-wide sales are still strong. In the Houston area, both dealers are still on basically an order-only basis, with the only lot cars being the odd one or two that customers didn't buy, etc. There are options on how to get the Aero Kit, many threads here already, so you can save some there by doing a little research.

 

Yes, I have no idea why they would not want to move existing inventory, especially when they have so many. Maybe people had cancelled their orders, and if that is the reason, which would justify increased inventory, but you think that this would drive deals because of this!

So I will order from a dealer that sells me at MSRP and enjoy!

 

Wise decision!

 

wow lots of mark up.

go to a dealer who sell MSRP and has a ASAP production slot..

 

2009 JCW lots of options and I purchased the JCW Aero Kit and painted and installed myself...saves you about 1K. We paid exact sticker no more no less and they threw in a set a floor mats...!

 

Thanks, went back to the dealer at got it for MSRP, ordered the Aero kit and having them install it when it arrives. Can't wait! Due here late Dec.

 

I was told this week that order banks for JCW is done for the model year. Interesting!

 

Is that just for dealers in your area?

 

Must be your dealer or your region because the dealer I spoke with today hasn't heard anything about an end of JCW orders and is still taking orders them.

 

not to deflate anything, i was told orders where done. I tried to order one for a customer, that is how this came about!

 

Isn't the factory closing for 4 weeks in December, 2 weeks to build the 1000 Electric MINI's and 2 weeks for Holiday? I think they are trying to insure demand outpaces supply; even in these slower economic times. This may be good for keeping resale value up for all of us - I hope. My dealer indicated they had their best month ever in Oct.