Im going to order my MC on the first of october. My concern is that i dont want to order too many extras and the msrp be way too high. Right now the way i configured it it's at $21000 (standard MINI). Walking out i cant really afford over that and I want to know if its possible to be able to walk out with tax and title at or bellow 21000 total. Im getting a loan from my own bank so my dealer will see me as a cash paying customer. I just have to see if im safe or if i need to drop some of my extras before I order it.

most of my upgrades are dealer ones like the checkered mirrors. Also im getting white trim interior and the checkered sport seats and checkered dash.

Thank you

 

Most people seem to be currently paying MSRP, however if you read around the forums some people have been able to negotiate better deals. From what I've read certain things seem to help finding a deal:

1) Shop around. Send your specs to a number of different dealers that are close (or not close) to you, and see who's willing to negotiate. Then take the ones that are and pit them against eachother in a vicious fight for the rights to your monies. The farther you're willing to travel the better chance of getting a deal.
2) Don't live in California. Apparently Minis are in especially high demand there, and thus expensiveier? I'm just reporting hearsay; I live in the midwest.
3) The '08s are coming. Since you want such a lightly specced car (What are your specs, btw?) you might have better luck getting the dealer to negotiate on a '07 that's been sitting on the lot for awhile than ordering a custom one from the factory.

Again, I've just picked up these things from reading the forum. I haven't even figured what options I want (read: can afford) so I'm still a ways off from ordering a car myself.

 

I agree with shopping around. Just tell them what you want and what you have to spend and see what they come up with. Also you might do really good with negotiating on one on the lot. Or you might just hold off a little but until you can save up for the additional costs.

 

And beware the dealer installation costs of what you see on the configurator. When you factor in installation they can be double. However, the good news is that they (or you) can install them at a later date. Most of what you see in the configurator are available from folks like outmotoring, moss, and the couple of dealerships that are NAM vendors (see the vendor page).

 

Go here:
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...egoryID=102596

Order your accessories from there if they offer it and install them yourself to save money. They offer a big discount off MSRP.

 

Thank you.

I have it pretty basic, no packages. Mainly standard with simple add ons: checkered floor matts, mirror covers, door handles, and dash; cream white interior, anthracite headliner, xeon lights, white turn signals, alarm system, (im going to buy my own strips from mighty strips)...i may be missing a few things but thats almost all of it.

 

Also one more question. Are the strips that you can order stock from mini just vinyls or are they actually paint?

And is DSC nessesary for street driving or is the traction control the car comes with good enough?

 

Vinyl...most all MINI graphics are vinyl.

This is hotly debated. I'd say no...especially on a Cooper (that has rational amounts of power). I've been using MINIs as daily drivers since 1/03...my first MINI had no DSC and it wasn't a factor. My '07 does have DSC and the only real benefit I can see on a daily basis is hill assist. If you choose to go w/o DSC I would not loose sleep over it. Others may disagree considering is a safety feature. I just don't see it, especially for relatively sane urban driving.

BTW, both of my MINIs were lightly spec'ced w/o packages...it is a very good way to configure a MINI. My current MINI was around $21K and it has everything I want...and a few extras, too!!

 

The bonnet stripes from Mini are vinyl, not paint.

Is DSC neccessary? Well, that's a personal question. And one that's liable to engender a lot of strong and varying opinions on here. Some people think it's an almost mandatory safety feature and anyone who drives w/o it is taking their life into their hands, and others turn it off as soon as they get into their car and say that they can drive a lot better without some computer randomly cutting their power when they don't want it to.

DSC and the standard traction control (ASC+T) are two different animals. ASC+T will limit the power going to the wheels if one starts to lose traction (spinning the tires from a start, hitting a puddle and one starts hydroplaning). DSC will selectively brake wheels if it detects the car start to go in a direction you're not intending it to do. So ASC takes care of you forward and back, and DSC takes car of you laterally.

Personally I think that while it's something you're not going to need/notice 99.999% of the time, but when you do you'll either be really glad you had it or wish you did. It's another acronym in your safety feature toolbelt to go with the ABS, ASC, etc (and really not something you'd be using when you're going to a track).

 

If you're really trying to save money, remember all of the dealer add-ons can be installed at any time, not just at delivery (and you'll save some money by installing them yourself). The alarm system can go either way too (factory installed, or installed later), but even if you physically install the alarm yourself you still have to take it in to the dealer to get programmed.

 

I'm just curious, but are you sure you don't want the MFSW (for the cruise control)?

 

With tax tag and title, I came out right at 21k (including tax and tag paid later in my home state).

I paid a little under MSRP by contacting many dealers and being willing to travel.

I also got free floor mats and had no dealer installed accessories.

My experience was, some dealers will not go below MSRP and some will. Most will try and charge you MSRP plus a fee if they can.

From the dealer's standpoint paying cash is neutral to negative.

If they pass financing through with no mark-up it's neutral.

If they mark up the financing, then having cash is a negative.

In no case will it be in your favor.

I got better financing through the dealer than through other sources.

 

DSC is not a performance feature.

It is a safety feature.

The basic safety features are good - DSC is another layer.

Checker board mirrors and dash can be added later.

The only way to add DSC is during the build.

You won't use it everyday - except the hill assist and ASC.

But should you use it, it will probably save you more than $500.

 

If you are wanting to save $$, better pull the trigger soon before the 08 price increase - Here in CA you can add 10% to any price (that is for tax and lic) so if the base Cooper is $18,700 - add $1870 = $20,570 + there may be a few other little charges - anyway you are right at your $21,000 out the door.... does not leave room for any upgrades???
I bought my Mini on 8/31 and it added up to $20,450 BEFORE tax/lic = I can live with that... I too, really did NOT want to go overboard

As far as DSC - I just want to have fun and drive my car, Not race it.... for me its a waste.... but thats just my .02 here

 

Again, DSC is a safety feature useful should you ever find yourself in a skid, slipping on wet pavement, etc. In fact, you'd probably turn it off if you were tracking, autocrossing, or racing the car.

 

yeah im not really planning on racing or anything. My MINI will only be drivin in flat florida and in urban conditions. Though i may want to take a few quick turns to enjoy the go kart feel

I need to still think about DSC...i want the safety just in case and these florida rains can definatly add some slipage...yet im not in an area where i have windy roads or hills so i couldnt see it engadging much....but what makes me want it is thinking about driving on a highway with these crazy people and needing to avoid someone quickly

No i really dont need cruise control. I have it on my '96 T-bird now and i never use it haha...i dont do much long-term highway driving mainly city.

And yes im kindof an extremist...i go from my huge and heavy ford t-bird to my nice little mini ...but im sick of having american muscle...the mind set is make the car bigger and flashier...oh yeah now we need to put a bigger enginee in so it goes faster and can actually put the 50 tons we just added.
Dont get me wrong I love my car now and It looks awesome and I have never seen one like mine because i have ground effacts and re-drilled rims from a mustang and a '72 mustang spoiler....but I just much more prefer a small car that looks AMAZING and can fit anywhere and can drive a really long time on 1 gallon of gas.
I have fallen in love with the MINI and I cant wait till I get it

 

where do you live? One of the first required options for me was the Cold weather package.

 

I live in Florida and heated seats were even important for me. Never would have considered it until we bought a car last year with them. They are a nice feature on those crisp January mornings on the way to work. Put some cocoa in your travel mug, crank up the heated seats, and enjoy.

 

It sounds like you're in good shape then. My MCSC doesn't have DSC and I've never had a problem. I understand people wanting it for peace of mind, but I've never driven a car with it and I've never been in a situation where it was needed.

 

BTW, the checkered bits are fantastic...I'm jealous!!!