Hi Everyone!
I am going to check out a Mini at MAG tomorrow. I am wondering what kinds of things I need to look for or things to check on out on the test drive. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks!

Becky [Jetta Owner, friend of Carol]

 

If buying used!
I forgot to check the radio, it was bad, so I had to replace it.

The piece that lifts with the boot when you open the hatch was missing on mine and I did not notice until I had it a few weeks.

Look at the bottom of the exhaust, for Rust holes.

Make sure they have 2 keys, they only had one for mine. I insisted that they give me two keys since they are so expensive.

Have them see if they have the service records for the car. All my service had been done at the dealership so I knew if it had any problems.

Hope it helps and good luck

 

Well, you could take me with you for one thing. Maybe some others would want to come too. If you bring a few donuts, you could get quite a crowd to "help" you!

I've already warned Becky that they are a bit short-handed out there. Other than that, I'll let the silverbacks and weedhoppers (and any other critters) say their piece.

 

Look around there is a really nice dealer options checklist floating around. They should set everything up the way you want when you take delivery, but will charge you if you ask them to do it later. MAG looked at me funny when I brought it in, but the tech who set everything up thanked me for bringing it as it helped him.

 

Here's the thread
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...dealer+options

First list is OCD, the second is not!

A couple things I thought of were finding out what service is due next and the cost. Not sure what MAG does to get a used one ready to roll, so I'd ask to see what they have done to it and the previous owners records if they have them. Maybe someone can mention the programming options as I just go with what the previous owner had. It's the key remote right? I like when I hold my wings down, the windows and sunroof all open, the doors lock when I hit 15 mph, etc. Becky, you can have it set so that the roof comes down when you twitch your nose, etc.

 

I'm currently working with my third salesman in regards to my new MINI deal... I'm trading in a Porsche that I bought from MAG in '03... in the beginning of September I can drive this car to the bank or MAG or wherever you turn in lease cars and walk away owing nothing. The car is in excellent shape, 27,000 miles on it and it has just been serviced [a big deal in Porsche world]. I've been lead to believe until yesterday that when my MINI came in I would basically turn the Porsche in a bit early, put money down on the MINI and drive off happily in my new car.

I've sold cars in two different new car dealerships... one was a wholesale lot the other retail... at the first we would give you the trade-in value of your car and it was good on any car on the lot... and our cars were typically deeply discounted from the MSRP... you paid the difference. At the second lot it was basically retail to retail... we would appraise your trade considerably higher then the first lot would, depending on the car you were buying... however you paid sticker for our cars... again you paid the difference... In the end the difference in both scenarios was about the same.

I didn't feel good about what went down at MAG yesterday... Particularly since initially I didn't try to deal with them on their MINI... I can be ruthless in that arena... I'm willing to pay MSRP... however I'm not willing for them to kill me on my trade-in too... That's dealing Retail to Wholesale and that won't fly in my world and shouldn't in your world either. I don't consider myself up side down in my car, neither did those who came up with my lease residual nor does the Blue Book... If MAG thinks I am... I'll drive my Porsche till September, order another MINI in about 90 days from a MINI Dealer that will deal... turn my Porsche in to the bank... pick up my MINI2 from my new dealer and go on my marry way.

In 6 weeks not only has MAG about burnt to the ground but their sales staff has turned over three times... I felt good about my initial dealings there... now I'm not too sure... To add insult to injury their new sales-manager was to call me today... to clarify where we stand... he didn't!

 

During my ordering process I went through two salespeople at NAM. Maybe that is normal? Did they give a reason for the turnover?

 

The first guy fell and hurt himself, he's out for a long time, the second guy was a new sells manager who went to pursue other interests, the third is the newest sells manager and x-BMW sales guy. Where's NAM?

 

I'm wondering if Kris took the fall for the smoking MINI's at MAG?? Hmmm makes ya wonder.

I ordered my first MINI & a day later the saleman was gone. My car came in with the wrong spec dash & I got to meet another saleman (Chad) & order all over again.

 

I really have no idea... but I'm thinking he was trying to do too much with too little of a staff... he was a good man... I bet some smart dealer heard about the fire, fall and hours he was doing and made him an offer he couldn't refuse?!?!?

 

Ordered my mini at Classic in Mentor. Son of the finance guy had the easist sale ever. I researched the options online before entering dealership at 8:45PM (closed at 9:00pm). I didn't take a test drive, just wanted to make sure seat went back far enough for my legs Also room for steering wheel and shifting.

The only things that took long were figuring out what interior color to go with, kinda material for seats, and then signing the paperwork/deposit. They said 49 days for delivery and then tried to sell me a Hyper Blue S which they had on the lot b/c someone else ordered and walked away, I almost grabbed it but really had to have a Chili Red --- cause they are the FASTEST!!!!

The mini was 2 days early on delivery!! Very happy with Classic experience, but I've heard others that were not. I'm too laid back and easy going compared to others. GET WHAT YOU WANT & NO REGRETS!!!

www.miniusa.com

 

Hello,
I was just in Cincy and stopped by the dealership there. I also like the Mentor Dealer. Mag would be the last choice for me.

 

You know I think I'm very easy to get along with... but things get lost in translation when you have to meet and explain or re-explain yourself three times to three different sells staffs. Things may be even further complicated too by that fact that the sells commission for my car is going to a sells guy who is out of commission... I kind of lost my advocate. Not to worry though I'll get what I want, the way I want it, it just may take a little longer... I'll learn from this just like with everything else I encounter... it's all good!!

 

We bought Jiggy from Classic MINI we visited numerous times before we ordered our MINI, each time we went we meet with the same salesman. While we were waiting for our MINI to arrive we often stopped and took MINI's for test drives to ease the pain of the wait, each time we were greeted with a smile and a warm welcome. Mike Snyder was our salesman and he is still with Classic MINI. When he heard that we were in a accident he was concerned about us and the car. He even got excited when he found out I bought a used MINI. I would recommend that anyone who wants a MINI go to Classic and meet with Mike. The entire staff at Classic is knowledgable about MINI's and extremely friendly. I can not say enough good things about Classic MINI and Mike Snyder.

 

Sorry to hear about your issues Terry. It sounded like everything was going so smoothly hearing you talk on Saturday.

 

I only posted my experience with Classic. Sorry if you thought I was posting a reply to your post Mini was the first NEW car I've ever bought. I also did not trade in my 90 Amigo w/190,000 miles it is still wasting away in driveway --- any takers ??

Things might be different in 08, I ordered my mini October of 2003 there were not as many out there as now. Classic Mini is still probably the smallest dealership in the Classic Auto Family. My salesman was gone a short time after I got my car. I think we get lost in the BMW world. My $0.02.

 

Well the car's not here yet... so here's hoping this deal can be salvaged!!

 

I was well treated at Classic , Brandon was my sales advisor , we drove both regular and S found an 07 I really liked , they even came off of msrp $750 ,Then they looked at my trade in , mint 03 Land rover Discovery very low miles , 43k with full maintenance/warranty till 100K KBB at the time was over $20 k , their offer was $9500... Needless to say I walked out


If you don't mind a drive the Dave Walters mini was very very clean and they are a VW dealer they might treat you better on the trade in especially if they can certify it