CT MINI owners...I'm lookin' to you for answers!
 

So, I've just started my exploration as I'm going to be purchasing a MINI Clubman when I get out of my teaching program. However, I have a few questions to ask...

I'm in Vernon, CT (exit 67 off I-84) and the closest MINI dealer to me is New Country. Are they any good? Is this a place a novice MINI owner can get some honest answers, etc.?

I stopped in there a few days ago and met with a nice fellow who gave me a walkaround and test drive of a '10 Clubman 6-spd. He was knowledgeable and friendly, and nowhere near pushy. Be that as it may, I notice on all the cars an ADMU sticker (a practice I thought went out of vogue years ago). Those ADMU stickers always raise a red flag for me.

Further, what can I expect in terms of being able to negotiate the price of the car? Is there any movement at all, or should I set myself up for "here's the price, take it or leave it"?

Would it be worth it for me to explore a purchase in MA with another dealer? Then again, who else is around, selling MINIs? I know of MINI of Fairfield Cty., but that's a helluva haul.

Advice? Experiences? Can anyone offer me anything here?

I am surprised about the ADMU sticker as well. MINIs typically go for at or close to MSRP...but the days of marking them up due to lack of availability are gone.

Your best bet, if you want to buy from the nearest dealer for the sake of convenience, would be to call around to other regional dealers and see what they have that's comparable, and what the cost would be. Then go back to New Country and play ball.

Short answer, I am not a fan of New Country Mini. In fact, having bought multiple cars from them, I am not a fan of New Country Franchise. Really bad after sales service.

You can negiotiate the price of the car. I have heard $2000 plus on a S.

Could you elaborate on your first point and clarify your second? Are you saying you've seen discounts of $2000 plus on the S model (and which S...the Cooper or the Clubman)?

TYIA

They do not care to fix any issues with the car and have a tendency to claim it is your fault. My car (not Mini but still New Country) was with them for over 50 days when I owned it for less than six months; it was bought new. They would not call when it was "fixed". I had to call them constantly to ask. When I went to pick it up, I would find they did not do anything to it because they did not bother to look for the problem. Sales told me that they did not care about service and the service department was not them and I need to go over there and not bother with them anymore. They damaged my car when it was with them for service and refused to do anything about it, saying it came it that way.

Want more? I have lots more...

My friend just bought a 2010 Clubman S a couple of months ago and they received a discount of over $2000.

I'm cringing already. But what would a CT MINI enthusiast do to have one serviced? I'm nowhere near Fairfield Cty.

Really? $2000 of sticker? From New Country? Whoa...

The discount is not with New Country but with a MA dealer.

Is that right? Peabody? I'm sure it's not Herb Chambers...

Herb

Want to consider Albany, NY Keeler.

So you're saying that Herb Chambers is giving $2,000 off sticker on 2010 Clubmans? Seriously? I'm flabbergasted. I thought they were the sleaziest dealer around (for any make of car).

My friend bought the car from them. I was not there.