I am interested in purchasing a new (my first) MINI Cooper S. My nearest dealership in Indianapolis says they only sell their MINI's at full MSRP. Is this standard practice for MINI's around the U.S? I've never paid full sticker price for a car ever before. I'm not saying the MINI's aren't worth it. I just don't want to be taken advantage of because the dealerships are few and far between and the import numbers are limited.

Any feedback (or reality checks) are welcomed. Thanks. I look forward to becoming a MINI owner and enthusiast soon.

 

I guess you still have to pay if you want to play-beats the $5000 over sticker some have paid . Buy the MINI and then drive it like you stole it

WELCOME aboard enjoy

 

>>I am interested in purchasing a new (my first) MINI Cooper S. My nearest dealership in Indianapolis says they only sell their MINI's at full MSRP. Is this standard practice for MINI's around the U.S? I've never paid full sticker price for a car ever before. I'm not saying the MINI's aren't worth it. I just don't want to be taken advantage of because the dealerships are few and far between and the import numbers are limited.
>>
>>Any feedback (or reality checks) are welcomed. Thanks. I look forward to becoming a MINI owner and enthusiast soon.

MSRP is good. Some dealerships are marking them up. I have seen some used MCS's in my area going for more than MSRP for a new one.

 

Welcome to MINI! A good dealership will sell them at MSRP. Bad dealerships will add dealer markup. Very few actually sell for below MSRP, especially on the Cooper S. Enjoy your MINI

 

Depends on your definition of "taken advantage of." Yes, dealers are taking advantage of the fact that the car is in demand and there are few dealers from which to buy. One of several reasons for keeping import numbers low is to keep prices (and demand) high. Unless you want to build one yourself (and then BMW will sue you), you will buy it at the price determined by those who are selling it. Welcome to capitalism.

 

>>I am interested in purchasing a new (my first) MINI Cooper S. My nearest dealership in Indianapolis says they only sell their MINI's at full MSRP. Is this standard practice for MINI's around the U.S? I've never paid full sticker price for a car ever before. I'm not saying the MINI's aren't worth it. I just don't want to be taken advantage of because the dealerships are few and far between and the import numbers are limited.
>>
>>Any feedback (or reality checks) are welcomed. Thanks. I look forward to becoming a MINI owner and enthusiast soon. :smile:

Peace,
D

 

:smile: :smile: Welcome aboard my friend!! :smile:

Start calling around to different dealers - you may find the one you want on their lot - then you don't have to wait so long.... :smile:

Chow!

Donna
donna@dcmetrominis.org

 

>>I've never paid full sticker price for a car ever before. I'm not saying the MINI's aren't worth it. I just don't want to be taken advantage of because the dealerships are few and far between and the import numbers are limited.>>
>>

It's a simple reality of basic economics "supply vs. demand"

Like the Harley phenomenon that has been going on for more than a DECADE, production lags behind demand, there is a waiting list for new models, used models sell for prices equal to and sometimes greater than new.

In this situation a dealership doesn't have a lot of motivation to "make you a deal"

And, to make matters worse, if you've got a trade-in, you're really in trouble, since they REALLY don't need to take it, so they pay rock bottom.

With all this said, if you want it, that's what it takes.

However, even so, the MSRP is VERY reasonable and the car looks/feels to be a tremendous value for the $$$. It's not just basic transportation, it's a unique, very fun to own/fun to drive car.

Buy one, you won't regret it and paying MSRP is the admission price right now (and probably for at least a little longer. I mean, you could wait a year or so in hopes that you can save a grand, but is it worth the time to you, I've been waiting for Harley prices to drop since the early 90s! )

 

As long as the dealer network remains small (currently at 70 MINI dealerships in the USA) and BMW keeps the number of imported units into the 25K to 30K range per year, you will not see anytime soon new MINIs going for less than window sticker price. If you still feel uncomfortable about buying a new car on a "No haggle, take it or leave it basis", consider the following:

The MINI has the HIGHEST resale values in the industry and equals or beats cars costing several thousands more than the MINI. The MINI has the same resale value percentages of the Porsche Boxster. Mercedes S55, Volkswagen Passat, Mercedes CLK, Acura MDX among others.

After 24 months of service, you will still get back 64% off original sticker price at time of private sale.

After 60 months of service, you will still get back 49% off original sticker price at time of private sale!!!.

These residuals have been calculated and published by ALG.com (Automotive Leasing Guide) and are based on vehicles driven no mre than 15K miles per year in excellent condition.

The Cooper S and the Cooper S with the JCW upgrade kit could fetch even higher resale values.

If you are still skiptical, I would suggest for you to check out going prices for used MINIs in dealer's only used car auctions. Auctions are the real GAUGE of used car values and how these vehicles move in the used car market.


The MINI is the bargain of the century when all these factors are given consideration at time of purchase.

The only buyers that are getting ripped off are those who buy new cars with $4K rebates and 0% financing deals (GM, Ford, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Chrysler, etc) At time of resale that's when they'll realize the TRUE "Cost" of the "Fire sale" purchase = POOR RESALE VALUE!

 

I got almost $1000 off my brand new cr/m at the end of June after complaining to Miniusa and the dealership about the way I was treated. Came to an agreement and couldn't be happier with my MINI.
Haggling can be done.

 

Welcom Jim and congrats on being smart enuff to choose a wonderful Mini!! So, even though it hurts yer wallet, pay the price. In the long run, you will be most definitely glad ya did.

 

Chrysler and Volkswagen both made the biggest mistake they could ever made with the New Beetle and PT Cruiser: FLOODING THE MARKET.

BMW is well aware of the mistakes made by these manufacturers and will keep production low/demand high to avoid any drops from MSRP pricing and eventual erosion of resale values.

 

try this vendor, a MCO advertiser, they say they have cars in stock and
more on the way.

Good Luck

http://www.miniofthehamptons.com/

 

Welcome to MCO. MSRP is, as you can see by the other posts, a pretty fair price. It is true there are dealers still charging over MSRP because of the demand. The dealer in Indy sells them at MSRP. That is where we got our 03 EB/W MCS. When I was there a week ago for the free carwash and donuts, I noticed they only had 2 on the lot. So if you want to drive away with one, you may not be in luck, unless they are getting a shipment in. We ordered ours, and got delivery (and exactly everything we wanted) 11 weeks later. Not to bad when you consider we would have had to get probably $2500 worth of options we didn't want if we drove one off the lot that day.

By the way, my opinion of this dealership is that they are GREAT! Our motoring advisor was Amanda Paladeni. Very knowledgable, and willing to work with us for several hours. She still takes the time to talk to us every week when we show up for the carwashes. I'd ask for her if I were you. You can also check the dealer rating system for more reviews of Dreyer and Reinbold.

Good luck on your purchase, and once again, welcome!! Maybe we'll see you motoring in Indy.

 

Jim-- Welcome to the fold! I agree with Archy about D&R. You are lucky to have them to buy from. (Two MCS's sitting in the lot? Unbelieveable!) I also bought from Amanda, and it was a quality experience. I've prided myself on never paying sticker before, but for my MCS, (DS/DS), I was happy to get it for that. It is a great value Jim. If you love really driving, if you love great design, and if you love having a head-turner, it is worth sticker.

 

In Los Angeles, the car capitol of the world, the standard Cooper goes for $3000 over MSRP and the Cooper S goes for $6000 over MSRP. Only the Long Beach MINI dealer charges MSRP and they have a 12 month waiting list for new orders.

If you can buy what you want at MSRP, be thankful and enjoy your new MINI. It is well worth paying full MSRP, but not over.

Motor on!

 

I bought my MCS in June this year. Actually, still waiting for it to be delivered. In Southern CA there is a markup above MSRP. In fact, I paid 2,000 more which was a talk down from 3,500. I just had to special order it and wait. Now, I feel I am getting ripped since dealers are starting to come around and offer them at MSRP.

 

Jim-MINI_S
Welcome
Have a 2003 MCS. Payed MSRP for mine and like someone said earlier, I have never heard of anyone paying less than MSRP.
Charles

 

Wow! Thanks everybody for making me feel welcome and also putting my mind at ease regarding the pricing of these machines. Until today I couldn't imagine paying MSRP for any vehicle. Now I realize what I'll be getting for the money and am comforted to know that nearly everyone out there is paying at least MSRP for their MINI's. (It really puts things in perspective learning that some people are paying 5 & 6K over sticker and waiting a year for their MINI's.)

I really want to thank MCO for this opportunity for all this helpful information direct from the owners' mouths. Without everyone's help and info here, I would have resisted paying sticker for the MINI and would have made a serious mistake by buying something else. Everyone is so enthusiastic about their MINI's I'm now excited about joining this contagious Fun. What a difference a day makes! :smile:

 

just to add in...i did just finish reading "consumer guide's 2003 car guide" which lists the dealer invoice/cost? next to the msrp. can't remember the exact numbers, but i think it's less than $2000 difference. don't know if that's good or bad, but either way i'm still gonna get my mcs at msrp in october cause i already know what a blast it is to drive.

in my mind, although there is no haggling over price, this is actually good cause all you gotta do is draw up your car on miniusa.com and make your order at the local dealer. no hassles, no headaches. you know exactly what you're getting cause it's coming custom-made from the factory and you know exacty how much you're gonna be disshing out.

 

>>Jim-MINI_S
>>Welcome
>>Have a 2003 MCS. Payed MSRP for mine and like someone said earlier, I have never heard of anyone paying less than MSRP.

Jim-MINI_S
Aloha and welcome to MCO too!
Well I have heard of people that have paid less than MSRP for their MINIs so it is possible. Several have posted it on MCO. See this:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mp;topic=14358
Antsmini posted on Aug 10:
It is true, all of our 2003 MC, and MCS are going for $500 below list. Only two MC and four MCS left, will be here in a few weeks. Make way for 2004!

So good luck. Stock of MINIs is rather low so selection is not the greatest. Hurry while supplies last.

 

I've looked long and hard for a non-MSRP mini. Right, your pretty much planning on sticker for the price, unfourtunately. A few dealers I haggled with said the could throw in floor-mats or maybe an AUX input, but thats about it. But, since the resale is very solid- the deal isn't too bad. Sure you can get 0% APR, thousands off something like a Chevy Impala- but wait two years, and your car is worth close to 1/2 MSRP!

Or take my Olds Intrigue (which I want to sell), was $29,800 MSRP in June 2001 (got a GM discount, huge, tho). Now, with 17,000mi (So exciting, see how much I drive it? At least I have a vette at the moment). Now it's worth around $11,000 MAYBE $12,000 market value. So it's worth around 38% of the original MSRP... So, as many well verbosed here, you get what you pay for!

-Matt

 

I think the key is resale value and percieved value. If you have to pay a couple thousand over list to get the car you want, you will be happy once you drive it. 2K or 3K over list, spread out over 48 or 60 months does not make a huge difference in the monthly payment. I was considering a PT Cruiser when they first appeared but with the under-power issue and a 5K mark-up I stayed away. I am gla I did too, cause there are a lot of people who are upside-down on their PTs now...I don't think the saame thing will happen with the Mini, especially if you decide on the MCS.