I have configured a MINI, and am getting ready to hit the "go" button on building it... but I need to find a dealership that will give me a good deal and will be pleasant to do business with.

I live in Tucson, AZ, and will be using the dealership in Phoenix for service and the like... but if I were to buy from them, I'd have to pay 8.3% sales tax. If I buy out of state, I pay the AZ state vehicle sales tax rate of 5.6% -- a savings of nearly $1000 for my configuration. So, I figure this is a good opportunity to do a road trip. And as a bonus, I get some luxury of choice in shopping around.

I plan on dealing mostly over the phone or by email, and only traveling the one time to pick it up. My most likely candidate so far is MINI in Albuquerque, but I am open to anything from LA to Denver to Dallas (and anything else in between).

Please, tell me if you know of any exceptional MINI dealerships in this region, or if there are any I should try to avoid.

 

As an Az resident I too did business in Phx. But I did shop in Orange county to compare contrast, I decided to go with the Phx dealer for ease of transaction, advisors, and repair shop. Check the Orange county area, they were really cool. ( also to waste some important time on your life view the las vegas video posted elsewhere in the forum!!!!)

 

check out the dealer section South Bay Mini. Chris Yuseco rocks. I just got mine- read my first post about how many people agreed with me. EXcellent MA.

South Bay Mini is an MSRP dealer too!

 

Great experience here in Charlotte NC with Hendrick.

Ask for Dana, tell her I sent you.

 

Moritz MINI in Arlington Texas (between Dallas and Fort Worth off I-30) is very good.

 

I too did business in Phx. It really didn't occur to me to check out of state dealers, nor did I have the time or resources when I purchased to pursue that angle.

Check wearlaz's post on his East Coast purchase and epic road trip back to AZ though.

 

Ralph Schomp in Denver (Littleton, more accurately) is an MSRP dealer and I had a pleasant experience with them. I hear mostly good things from Colorado folk who have used them, so you might give some consideration to them. Best of luck!

 

+1 on Chris Yuseco from South Bay Mini. I am actually picking up my 2nd mini from him this week. Just straight msrp, no up sells what so ever. Very easy to deal with him over the phone. The only time we step in his dealership is when we take delivery of the car!! Call him you won't regret it 310-939-7152

 

Juan Coles at Mini of Murray, in Murray Utah was great to deal with. We did all of the deal either over the phone or through email. He's prompt to respond and also very knowledgable.

His R53 is highly modded and he organizes the local monthly rally. He's one of us!

801-892-6957

If you call him, tell him JeremyJCW sent you.

 

I also went to Ralph Schomp in Littleton, Colorado. I have known my MA - Vince Quick, for years. They are a no-markup dealer and have supported both the MINI Clubs as well as The Colorado Conclave, the all British Car event here in Denver. Vince is a long time Mini and MG owner and another of the employees races a classic Mini with Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing. Dealing with them has been very easy and enjoyable. I do not know about the other dealers but Vince spent 2 hours going over all of the features of my car on delivery.

bob g
1966 OEW MGB
1966 OEW MGB-GT
1973 Green Mallard MGB
1976 Inca Yellow TR-6
2009 Laser Blue MINI Cooper S

 

I think your idea of saving $$ if you purchase your MINI out of State is a bit escue. Like WA where I currently live (I purchased in OR-No Tax), they will have you pay your Local State Tax depending on where you will be registering the car. If they don't, then the State will have a HayDay with you when you go to register it.

AZ as it has always been is a "killer" when it comes to registering vehicles and every year there after...sorry that's just the way the $$ Bounces!!

 

I second South Bay Mini! Philippe helped me out!

 

Checkered Flag MINI was amazing in Virginia Beach. I could not have asked for better service. They have it down.

 

personally, sounds like an amazing adventure. a great start to Mini love!

order a car, have it delivered, fly out to California, pick up the car, drive home and have a blast for 10 + hours.

 

Oh yes, AZ bends you over the table on cars, but I'm not trying to be tricky about anything.

I don't live in city limits, so I want to pay the (still high) 5.6% state sales tax rate for my address rather than the 8.3% rate for the MINI dealership's Scottsdale address. That's $1,850 in taxes versus $2,750 in taxes. I'm already spending waaaaay too much on the MINI (damn you, online "build your own" tool!!!!) and I don't want to give the city of Scottsdale another $900.

Trust me, I've gone so far as to write the AZ Department of Revenue on the issue to make sure I knew what I was doing. And I will be working with each dealership I contact to understand any additional wrinkles for their locality before making a purchase.

And thank you everyone who has replied! Keep 'em coming!

 

Recently visited both MINI dealerships in DFW. Was very pleased with Moritz and placed order this week. Good communication via email, phone, etc.

 

So, I've heard back from a number of dealerships that I had contacted in the region, but the one that I've heard very little from is the one I figured would be my most likely place of purchase, Sandia MINI in Albuquerque.

Is this a bad sign? Is anyone familiar with them at all?

 

Classic MINI is the best, hands down.

 

I had configured my MINI and had a great offer from Sandia. Then I changed my mind about the configuration and the MA said he would contact me with another offer. I emailed him 3 times and never heard back. If the offer was as good good as the first one I would have gone with them. The documentation fee was only $75, MSRP price, free checkered mats, free roof stripes and free union jack side mirrors. Too bad I never heard back again. I would have gone with them.

 

Blair from Eastbay Mini sold me a great one! 20,xxx miles no problems.

 

Crevier MINI in Santa Ana California, ask for Christian Banks. He went out of his way to find the exact MINI that I wanted when BMW stopped making the Cabrio just as I was ready to place my order. He found me a dealer demo that was better than new and was even more perfect than what I had designed online. He spent an hour with me showing me all of the features of the car when I picked it up. My sister bought one from him too and he was equally helpful with her Coupe. We both live five hours north of Santa Ana but it was well worth the trip. The lojack system was part of dealer package.

 

Not to rain on your parade, but Crevier ups their cost over MSRP. Thats why I didnt use them. South Bay Mini was the only MSRP dealer I could find within reasonable driving distance.

Up to you to pay more, but why.

 

No rain. I negotiated a good price and got some extras thrown in too. I'm still happy. Good hunting.

 

Double +1 here. MSRP + no prep or doc fees, except for the title fee required by the lender. Mine was $17.50. Waits can be a little on the long side tho.

 

Are you sure about the sales tax rate difference? Texas State sales tax is 6.25% and that's what you pay at any dealership in the state regardless of any local taxes. Houston metro area rate is 8.25 but that is not charged on vehicle purchases.