So I've revisited the idea of purchasing a MINI. Went to a dealer today and test drove a Cooper S and a regular Cooper.

To me it seemed like there was a significant difference. The salesman for some odd reason tried to downplay it. He said it was because I drove the S harder, and that I liked the S for cosmetic reasons?!? And if I would have gave the Cooper a little bit more gas, it would have been a more fair comparison. I do like the scoop, and the grill, and the dual exhaust. And I love the big 17" wheels. Then he explained to me I could save a couple of Gs by getting the base model and getting more bells and whistles.

What do you guys think about the S vs. base? I just don't want to regret anything. My mom's also telling me I need to get a bigger car because of safety and what not. So I'm really confused right now. Can someone give me some guidance?

And what about a VW GTI? That was the other car I was considering. Has anyone driven one of those, how is it?

 

I haven't driven the S, but isn't it something like 50 extra horse? It's a different car for sure. If you had fun in the Base and you like it, you'll save some gas money, but I'm sure everyone here with an S will tell you that it's a big difference.

 

Reading over your post again, it's pretty weird that the salesman tried to push a cheaper car on you. Maybe he really wants to unload a Base on the lot for some reason? Strange.

As for safety, not sure what year you looked at, but for mine (2006) here are some crash test numbers.

http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/safety.aspx?year=2006&make=MINI&model=Cooper&wa=ws ignin1.0

 

Since when is Six airbags not safe? look at some of the crash pictures on here these cars can take a hit.

 

can you dress a base cooper to look a little bit more like the S?
is the extra couple of G's worth upgrading to the S?
i've had my mind set on the S but now the salesman has me thinking.

what about other cars? I read in motortrend that the editors really like the GTI. I've always liked the cooper but have never driven the GTI

 

Get the S or you will be sorry.

 

Hey, ILOVE!
They really are two different cars. I too wonder if the MA had a ton of '10 Coopers in the back and they are tryin' to move them.
My wife JUST got her brand new 2010 MCS and it was not a hard decision after driving both models. The real difference, when we tried both, was on the highway.....there is also "pull" in EVERY gear (manual) of the "S". Truly awesome for a car of that size.
Now, to be clear, the regular Cooper was not bad at ALL! Also a great car but they really are very different.
As far as the GTI, that thing is pushing 27K now and that may be before options....for that same price, you would have a decently tricked out MCS.
We are at 244 miles and couldn't be happier.

 

Some salesman will sell manure to their mother....(to all the decent salesman out there forgive me for my comment). Is this salesperson trying to accommodate you or himself?

If you can afford the S...buy it. Do it right the first time. Sounds like you really want that. It is definitely worth the difference. Get the 17's and an option or 2 or 3. You will keep the MC for years. Have fun with it. Do some competitive shopping.
There is nothing wrong with a Base model but the S is different stroke.
What do have in mind. Color & options. Let's hear it. Good luck.

 

pepper white S, black top. sport stripes
premium - sport - cold weather packages
black wheels 17".
hopefully they'll apply the 1750 special.

it currently has bonnet stripes, he says that can be changed to the sport ones. hopefully they won't charge a lot for that.

i was shopping with my wife. maybe its a sales tactic, to sound conservative, esp in front of the wife. He also listed some things about the base model that made it more attractive. Apparently it has a spare tire whereas the S only has the runflats. As soon as I get my first flat, I may decide to go with regular tires. Is this what most of you guys do?

what about the buying experience? I do not want to drop extra money on paint protection, fabric protection, extra warranties, maintenance, tire protection, wheel protection etc...

 

My advice is wait a little for the 2011 MC or MCS or you'll be back here 3 months from now lamenting all the 2011 refresh features you didn't wait a few months for. Try poking around here and motoringfile.com for more info.

As for S vs. non-S, the main difference is the engine. Get into a non-S, make sure the Sport button is on and lit green, and take a test drive. If you're happy with the power then consider all the advantages of a non-S - better gas mileage, much cheaper overall. Everything else from brakes, and suspension to wheels can be also upgraded with less expensive aftermarket options.

The extra power in the S is very alluring though, common sense might be thrown out the window once you hit the gas pedal on an S.

 

I see you have been on this MINI gig since Nov.'08, I would think you would have made up your mind by now S or justa, you know the differences now just decide. If I were you I would go with the S, I don't think they will be trying to sell you a lot of unnecessary stuff, my dealer didn't even mention any thing extra to add on the car, like stripes, driving lights, etc.

 

Last week I was given a standard MC by my dealer as a loaner while my JCW was getting warranty work, and I drove it for a week. I test drove an MCS a year or two ago...

What I can say is the extra power in the S is WELL WORTH the extra money. If aesthetics and/or other add ons (suspension, etc...) dramatically effect the price disparity in one direction or the other, then that is a separate issue... but base MC to base MCS, the S improvement is value for money, IMO.

I thought the standard MC was a bit sluggish. Both in throttle response (in all modes) and in transmission response. I should mention that both the MC I had last week and the MCS i drove last year were automatics (my JCW is a manual, obviously). The transmission is an additional consideration... if you plan on going manual, you can probably mitigate some of this feeling of sluggishness since your brain will adapt to the characteristics of whichever car you choose and you'll naturally compensate as much as you can to achieve the kind of feel that you want... but with the automatic, its more noticeable I think.

Now don't get me wrong... when I call the MC sluggish, I mean only in comparison to other MINIs... NOT in comparison to other cars. Even the MC is a bit twitchy (in the best possible way) compared to other cars... but as far as I'm concerned, this is what you WANT in a MINI.

 

I'm keeping the RF's. I have a plug kit and small compressor on board. I might keep a spare in my garage. If I can get home I'll change the tire and drive it to the dealer. A RF cost about $280. The wheel is close to $250 plus the valve $80.
I took "0" warranties. The package was close to $6000. They will be offered by the person doing the paperwork. There was no pressure...just an offer.
BTW...nice pick on your options. Get the Premium with the HK. I think there are 2 different Premiums.
I bought mine 3 weeks ago. I started shopping mid May. The offerings were about $1600-$1800 off depending on the options.
Sounds like you a close to the finish line and ready to buy. I did not want to wait and they had one I liked so I bought it. Otherwise I would have custom built one. Your salesman is being a "Salesman"...not a MA. When I shopped at 2 different agencies they asked me what I wanted. They tried to locate a Mini and strongly suggested I order one to get exactly what I wanted. At no time was I directed toward a different model.

 

0 to 60 times:

JCW manual 6.2
MCS manual 6.7
MCS auto 6.9
MCS conv auto 7.2
MC manual 8.5
MC auto 9.2
MC conv auto 10.2

source: MINIUSA.COM

 

I too am trying to decide between a min and another gti. I've been driving one for about 15 years and it's been just fine, however, my concern about getting a mini is how it might do in winter..I live in Minnesota.

 

I've had a justa and two S's. I prefer the S because I'm on the freeway to & from work everyday and though I don't always drive it like I stole it...it's nice to know I have the power to get in, get on, and get out of the way. As far as safety - my first MINI was an '08 S that got rearended by a woman on her cellphone on the freeway. Traffic was stopped, she didn't see it, and nailed me. Her Infiniti was totaled - my MINI was repaired and traded. That's when I ordered a justa and after five months of trying to adjust to it I ordered my current S. IMHO if you're on a budget I'd get an S with fewer options than a loaded justa. Don't get me wrong the justa is fine but it wasn't for me. You need to get what YOU want. Not what the salesman suggests and please tell your mom these things are TANKS! Good luck & keep us posted...

 

i'm in the negotiation phase about the price.
i want to take advantage of the 1750 + 1.9% over 60 month deal.
price on the car on the lot was 29000.
It has all the options I want, premium + cold + sport.
But it also has an armrest, black headliner, piano black interior, 500$ bluetooth/ipod connection all adds about an extra 1250 to the car.

With it configured on the mini website + 1750 it brings the cost down to 26000.

The problem is the MA and manager tell me that there are no order slots left, because the 2011's are coming in. And that if I want I won't be able to receive the special offer, which they only state as (1500 + 1.9%). Even though I said their website states the 1750+ 1.9. But then they said well if we sit down to the deal then we should be able to work it out. Oh and he also mentioned that the extras that were added on (armrest, piano black) we may be able to work out also. They obviously want to sell the car on the lot.

What price should I settle on? I'm thinking of slipping in tomorrow to close the deal.

 

Tell them what you are comfortable with. Let them talk first. If they offer less than $1750....wait a second or two.... state you have a deal at X amount.
Only so much is coming off the top. When they won't budge it's time to buy or leave. The $1750 off has nothing to do with the finance %.
LOOK the Mini over real good. Look for any scratches, swirls, paint mismatch (my front & rear bumpers are slightly lighter). Drive it again...make sure everything is functioning and no obvious noise or rattles. Look at the glass carefully...chips, cracks. Check the wheels for any rash or marks. Look the interior over.
You forgot to mention...3 pedals or 2?

 

it's an automatic.
leatherette

right now they are at 29000. Do you think they'll drop to 26000 for me?
- 1250 extra accessories, that I didn't have on my build.
- 1750 website deal.

They'll basically have to give the accessories for free to make it match (armrest, bluetooth, interior black). I could tell them I'll just wait till next year, order the same car in a 2011 model... But I probably won't get the same deal.

How badly do you think they want this car off their lot?

 

I say get the S.
Dealer just wants to make sure the numbers work, thats why he's pushing the justacooper.

 

I'd say about $1600-$1800 badly. Doubt that the selling price will be too good to true. Make them an unrealistic offer and see what happens. Get the best price you can...tell them you will think about it...and leave.....or ask how can we make this more interesting. Ask what other incentives can be introduced. If you really want the MCS...get clo$e and buy it. If not...keep haggling until they say....that's it. This is the price.

 

is that 1600-1800 + the 1750 incentive?
I'm new to this haggling game. I do not want to burn bridges, and really just want a pleasant experience buying the car. Because I would still have to bring it back for service...

 

Buy the Cooper S. Nobody has ever complained about having too much power. The complaints are usually not enough power. Hopefully you are considering a manual transmission, as the dealer told me, the automatic in a base will seem like a dog. I tried it and he was right. The 55 hp will make a huge difference. Buy the S and negotiate for the car that has the better packages, (Cold Weather, Performance, Sport) better options if there is one you like that is on the lot. Otherwise wait for the 2011s.

 

I'd say about 16-18 total...those where the prices I was getting last month. Maybe it's better now. You will find out how motivated the dealership is.
Listen carefully...haggle...haggle & haggle. The price will go so far and that's it. You are not burning bridges. The salesman will disappear and become invisible after you buy. He has nothing to do with service. Service will be great or suck...you'll find out as you go along. He may not be working there in 6 months. Salesman will not be emotionally involved. Their only interest is you recommend them to a friend, neighbor or relative. They want a 5 star review after the sale. They do not lose any sleep after the deal. The salesman is your best friend until you drive the Mini home. LOOK out for yourself.

 

you would think he would try to get me a good deal so I would recommend him to a friend, neighbor or relative... I just want to feel good when I leave. My wife is very adamant about getting it at 26 and not a dime more. We'll see what happens tomorrow.