A dealer has just offered me a new 2010 Cooper for $2,200 below list price. Can anyone tell me if that is a good deal or not? Thanks.

 

If by list you mean MSRP, and you may not, $2200 off is pretty good. They are moving 2010s that are left to make room for the 11s. It might be worth looking at 11s just in case. Many dealers are willing to negotiate pricing on them as well in this market, depending on regional conditions... you might enjoy spec'ing and ordering a custom made car just for you from the factory. But if this one is to your liking as is, and the price is critical, I think it's a good deal. Some can really squeeze every dollar out of the dealer possible, and I understand the motivation, but hey, they have to make a living too. It's still over $2k off!

 

anything over $2k off of msrp is quite good of a deal because you are approaching their invoice. however, there are also incentives dealers get for moving '10 mini. i would take that into account and offer to pay just invoice. the '10 will move quite slowly now that '11 is out.

try for '11 order. some people have deals ranging from $1.5-$2k off msrp. this is good since the '11 has better std options and looks better generally.

 

I would mention also that the look of the two vehicle lines is something to consider as well: the 11 has an all black standard interior with matte black accents, vs the traditional gray with silver accents of the 10' you're looking at. The front and back end are a little different. The controls are moved around a bit on the console.

Price wise, the 11' is more expensive by some value, I think $700. What they did, however, was make the stock radio HD and Sirius, which was formerly an option. There are a number of improvements to the design of the vehicle internally.

Check out some of the pics and perhaps Motoring File's coverage to see the differences.

You're not going to go wrong with the 10' however. I'd have taken a 10' if one was available as I wanted it ie. manual transmission

 

Thank you both for your input. I went ahead and bought the 2010 today!

 

I think you got a great deal that could not be bettered by a 2011
Philip

 

Of course I am desperately second-guessing my decision at this point, so that makes me feel great. Thanks, Philip.

 

how much did you end up paying for it? and let's us see some pics!

Congrats!

 

Congrats! Give us the details on your new coop. Is it a base, s, jcw, etc? Options?

 

Welcome T,
When you say you are second guessing yourself, I assume you mean about the amount you paid. Never worry about your deal after the fact. I've been a salesman all my working life and sold harley's for a long time, so I've seen my share of sticker dickering. In the end, all that matters is that you are happy with the car and the deal. Could someone else have gotten it for even less? Maybe. But look at it this way....maybe the guy that went in a couple of weeks before you, only got $1,000 off (and that's quite possible)......think how good your deal looks then

You got $2,200 off and you got a very cool car.........it doesn't get any better than that Congrats on the new car.....lets see some pics.

 

Congrats on $2200 off, sounds like a great deal to me.

 

Congrats!

 

Seconding what kemo said: it's relative. Would have should haves after the fact are moot. Perhaps you'd never have gotten a dollar more off that deal, and while you negotiated some one else took the car! I think you did great!
Can't wait to see pics and hear about your early driving comments ( breaking it in cautiously of course)

 

Check out edmunds.com

It is seriously the best place to find all the information you will ever need on almost any type of car.

And it will let you know invoice.

Also, there is about $800 "holdover" in a new MINI. That is the price the dealership actually pays.

So, invoice minus $800-$1K = Actual Dealer Price

 

Except when there are unpublicized factory incentives.