Perhaps one should keep in mind that the GP3 has to meet government mileage standards in many countries and a narrower stock tire helps with the stats. One could assume that the wider wheel well attachments, in the design, will accommodate that without body modification. How many serious MINI owners are running stock sizes let alone runflats?

 

Official pricing....

http://www.motoringfile.com/2019/11/...ed-by-miniusa/

 

About where we expected...

Now it will be interesting to see what the dealer markups are around the country.

 

That may be dependent upon demand. It is an unique, but expensive mini already. It they, the dealerships, gouge customers it will create ill will with what is probably their most loyal base and there are other wheeled toys available that may replace minis in a lot of garages if they become too greedy.

 

Agreed!
Your points are really good and I expect will be the case.

I know when we bought our first, the 2004, we were told “list price, but note we are not adding on the premium other dealers are”....

I was just wondering if that might occur with the GP. That is, some market areas will “ding” the consumer and others let it go for list or less. Time will tell...

 

Now if we could just find out when shipments to the States will occur. I would love to see one in person.

 

Should be at the LA Autoshow according to the announcement, probably hit the other big autoshows around the country as well after that.

 

I sent a message to my current dealer about options if any, that may be offered and when we can place our orders, but I have not received any response so far. He may not know anything more than we do.

 

And, shipments to dealers would happen shortly after that, maybe? I think the only chance I will get to see one will be at my dealer.

 

I just received a message from my dealer and he really doesn't know anything more than we do. Mini seems to be playing this close to the vest for whatever reasons.

 

I was told at the dealer I ordered one from in Minneapolis that I would see it in June 2020. And now I know the price (which he said would not charge over msrp for), its a lot but I might be able to swing it. And I dont see it loosing much in value over a few years.

 

I am not worried about retained value at this stage of my driving days. I fully intend to drive it in the same manner that I drive the JCW. Like I stole and I am running from the law! m These little beasties are just too much fun. I hope it has as much personality as my JCW!

 

oh dont worry, im beating my friends at the auto cross event now lol

 

MINI is definitely going through a "phase." Electric, higher performance in the JCW line, transition away from manual transmissions, higher price points.... big MINIs.

Our excellent dealer flat out told us the deal on our 2020 Clubman would not be quite as aggressive as the one we snagged on the 2017. We still felt very well treated. We did get a one-off custom paint combo which was delivered fast and flawlessly. And the deal was very good plus MINI Financial reduced lease-end charges for us.

Despite the good deals and the various perks, still gotta pay to play.... gladly.

 

Anyone own a Focus RS, Golf R, Impreza STI? to know how different worse or better vs a JCW. I have a 02 r53 and an ST. of course the ST is faster and better handling its almost new! but Mini is just more fun.

Wondering how a normal newer JCW stacks up to these others. wondering if its just worth getting one of them instead of the GP3 at probably half the price.

And i could use it in winter and not feel sorry.

 

My 2016 F56 JCW is putting 270 hp on the road with the JCW performance exhaust and an NM module. It will hang or beat most of the guys that we run with except the Subaru WRX STI. One of my best driving buddies sold his mini and bought one. He can smoke me on the Tail of the Dragon. It is all I can do to keep him in sight! Of course it is tweaked as well and he is a cracker jack mechanic, and a good bit younger than me. The new GP that I hope to get will be lighter with more HP, DCT, better suspension, etc. I want to see how I can do with my bud with the Subaru! I think he will still take me, but hopefully at a reduced margin! The trump card is that the mini is more fun than the Subaru!

 

Yeah I see what you mean. I have wanted this mini sense it was teased in 2017 but I just dont know if its worth it. I want it to drive, but also dont want to get a car that will loose half its value in a year because a lot of people hate the look and performance for price. And a used Golf R, Focus RS go for around $25-30k with the millage im looking for so not sure if spending a lot of my money on the GP is actually worth it. And those have already lost a good chunk of value.

Yes I dont want to look at it at just a money standpoint, but ill be 22 when Id pick up a GP and its a lot of money ive saved and will pay to own this thing. Want to see the money come back one day for me.

I do really like it butttt.......

 

Generally, cars are not a good investment and almost all of them lose value quickly. You are fortunate that you can afford a good car at your age! When I was 22 I had finished college and was facing the draft (Lottery number for me was 16 and a one way ticket to southeast Asia, so I joined the Air Force and flew reconnaissance for couple of years, then to real work after that. I had a young family and cars were ones that were practical. When I was in college I worked and bought a ragged out Austin Healey 100-6 and spent a couple of years restoring it before I wrecked it. I have been a motor head since I was a kid racing go karts that my uncle built for me and the mini is the closest thing to them that I have driven. The camaraderie with minis is extraordinary, we have friends that we drive with in multiple states and different driving styles, but really a lot of fun. The MOTD generally draws around 1,000 or so minis and is incredible fun. This mini is my favorite car of all times, not nearly the fastest, or best handling although the handling is superb. It is well, a mini and they for the most part are special. They are fun!

 

Yes I am will not say that I have not had it relatively easy. Went to school for mechanical design and do that as of now. I mean it is probably more than I should do right now and actually invest in something, but this was something I really have been looking forward to. After the Mini being my first car, the fun i have and still have with it, and the groups I can join in on once in a while make it a lot of fun.
We will see how time goes but I know I’m going to at least keep in mind there are many good hot hatch options out there.



Thanks for what you have done as well!

 

When the ‘69 Z28 Camero came out, who would have thought it would have the value it has today. In ‘73 I could have bought one for about $1600. For 20 years after they were produced a lot went to the trash heap. If anyone could predict what is going to happen with cars like that, the GP, etc, we wouldn’t be here. My guess is the GP will be a loss for 10 - 20 years. My guess is, also, that the GP will be much less of a DD than a JCW or those other cars you noted.

As for these other cars... IMHO none are as much fun as the MINI.

 

I have no one to bring around or ride with me. so anything can be a daily lol. But the GP would not be used in a Wisconsin winter!!!

 

Then there was the first production run 1967 327 Camaro we bought new and, with about 40,000 original miles, and, with everything just as it was when it came from the factory, including the black vinyl roof, I proudly sold that beast for $1,400 cash so I could buy a 1971 Toyota Corolla 1600 wagon to take to college. Woulda, shoulda, coulda.

 

I feel your pain, and hindsight is always 20/20! Therefore, that is a good excuse to get the GP! And, really how many of us by cars for an investment? We, for the most part are drivers that enjoy driving. Being an old fart, I will drive gasoline powered toys for the rest of my life as long as I am able! Somehow engine whir does nothing for me, now the sound of a good turbocharged/supercharged engine is another matter! Bring on the sound and fury of a good gasoline engine!

 

For the price of a GP there is the Clubman ALL4 JCW - 300+ hp and you can drive it all year in Wisconsin. Just to add a little more “Ugh” to your decision. Can anyone say - ICE RACING?

 

UGH! I tried ice racing once on a dirt bike when I lived in Fairbanks, AK. Screwed sheet metal screws through the tire and put in a liner. The key word here was once!