Just about ready to pull the trigger on a 2012 S Cab and was wondering about the MSRP pricing that MINI seems to be asking. I have checked a couple of dealers and they seem reluctant to come off of the MSRP very much. Is this common? This is my first MINI and the other cars I have purchased have been bought at invoice. When I suggested this at the nearest MINI dealer I thought that they were going to stroke. I don't want to offend anyone but was hoping to get a clear picture of the pricing on MINIS. The dealerships seem fairly willing to throw in a clear bra, stripes etc. but not the items that come from the manufacturer. Does MINI keep dealerships on a short leash or do the dealerships stick together to keep everyone's profits up OR am I just looking at unreasonable dealers....

 

I just got a $750 off voucher from a Motor-tober event that was in October, and since I was a return customer, my dealer gave me another $1000 off. So my MSRP was $30,250 and I'm paying $28,500. That doesn't include taxes, document fee (BS fee...oh well..), or registration.

There's a little wiggle room, but not much.

 

Thanks. That helps. The local dealer stated that when the car is delivered that if there are any promotions or rebates from MINI that they would apply but since they are a monthly thing, they had no way of knowing what they would be in December. The dealer is paying for a complete clear bra and shield to various parts and stripes worth around $700 locally so maybe I am not too bad off as a first time buyer.

 

My dealer treated me royally before, during and after my purchase. But I did pay MSRP for the first time in 30 years.

I would recommend Cincinnati MINI to anyone, but I wouldn't tell them to expect a discount. I would tell them to expect coffee, donuts and snacks any time they visit...and to expect great service. That is worth more to me than a small discount at purchase.

 

My dealer is Mini of Warwick in RI. This is my second car I've bought from them. I worked with a MA named Donna. She's fabulous. Everyone in that dealership seems genuinely nice and care about my car and me. There's actually a Mini dealer 30 minutes from my house, but I'm so impressed with MoW that I drive 2 hours to see them for anything I need.

 

You can definitely go below MSRP but depends on the dealership. I did when I ordered a JCW. I had like 8 dealerships nearby (<1.5hr drive) so I talked to all the Sales Managers and basically found two or three that were very interested. I weeded out several that used old fashioned BS sales tactics or the completely incompetent.

 

I purchased a 2011 MCS Cab from Crevier MINI in CA for $1800 under MSRP. I got the deal through American Express who in turn got the deal through the ZAGG car buying network. You can bypass Amex and just go to the ZAGG site directly. You configure the vehicle you want and then local dealers bid. The bid ends up being for -$X relative to MSRP for any vehicle. In my case I custom ordered a special build configuration and they still honored the deal. For what it's worth, they were an awesome dealership to work with and I would happily recommend them. They also ship vehicles to folks that are farther away. Iny case I drive 2 hours to the dealership (past 5 dealers that wouldn't go below MSRP) but found out that for $150, they would have delivered the car to my doorstep.

 

We used Costco Car Buying service. It was great. We got less than MSRP and the dealership treated us great - even staying late after the dealership closed. We got ours at Scottsdale MINI and our MA was Drew.

 

Hope not off topic much, but i like to share my experience.

I was looking at MCS in 2006, they wanted $35,000 for the lowest priced one on the lot. even wanted $25,000 for used ones. all for a car that factory priced under 20k.

But, the none sports could be had for less then 20k. so i told the sales guy, "sell me for MSRP or i will walk to VW across the street and buy a VW". he laughed at me. and i bought a 2007 jetta.

this was west palm beach.

 

Are you a member of a credit union or usaa? They have auto buying services, in short, they make deals with the dealers for you. I used usaa. I got $1992 off msrp.

 

Ditto to the Costco discount....I got $750 off in addition to the $750 off for the Motor-tober certificate....That pays for the Costco membership for as long as I've had it!!

 

The car that I have on order had an MSRP of $32,500 and I got $1,150 off plus the $750 Motor-tober discount. Negotiated price - $30,650.

 

We got $1250 off plus free all weather mats from the dealer and another $1000 package rebate from mini on our 2011 in aug. All done online through email, just went in signed the papers and were out in about 1 hour.

 

Not every dealer participates so that is a hit or miss idea, but when it hits, a good one.

 

There is room to move on the cars but you must be an informed buyer by knowing both the cost and MSRP of the car plus knowing what the options cost. Like all car makers they change the promotions every month.

We bought 2 mini's. A 2011 MCS cabrio for me and a 2011 S Countryman for the wife. With both cars we got decent discounts on them. I used USAA's buying service which was great BTW because it lets you build the car with the options you want or ordered and tells you a fair profit for the dealer and it showed all the dealers in my area that would honor and participate in USAA's car buying service. Its very nice because there is no haggling or going back and forth to get the deal worked out. Its this price or nothing. It also tells you of any programs going on like 0% financing or rebates etc. If you ordered a car then of course you will have to wait until it hits the ground to get the most accurate pricing. The dealer I bought our cars from even knew what the USAA pricing was when I told them I was going to use the service.
So in closing check the cost by looking it up on kelly blue book or any site that provides info or get a friend that can help you by using USAA's car buying service but remember MSRP or paying over MSRP is silly unless you just have cash to throw away. I would be glad to look up prices on USAA if you need. Just provide the exact car with options and part of the country you will be buying from.

Happy future motoring!

 

I just found out my dealership just went to some sort of fixed pricing that is lower than sticker. I think it is a percentage or maybe a fixed number over invoice to make overhead and clear a profit. Interesting concept, I would imagine most people won't like the lack of haggling or feeling like they can't get more off.

 

Thanks for the posts. I do appreciate the info. I am not new to paying below MSRP and on my 2012 Mustang GT(no flames please) I went in for everything at invoice and got it. Went to six dealers and 3 came back with invoice and one went with invoice minus their dealer admin cost. I, never buying a MINI, did not know if the dealers could or would negotiate on their own or if MINI stood by their MSRP. It is good to know that there is a bit of wiggle room. For a MINI, it looks like many of you got a good deal. Congrats.

 

Drew is the best! I've bought 3 MINIs from him now, the last two being in the last 2 months. He goes out of his way for you. I've known him for about 5 years now for all my MINI questions and he always comes through. He sent me a Birth Certificate and introduction photo to my new MINI Cabrio that just arrived last night. It hit at just the right time as I had just watched my beloved 2008 Clubman drive away with its new owner.

 

If your patient and wait till the end of the model year, maybe you'll get luckly and get $8200 off like I did.

 

Great job on the pricing. However, my wife could not wait and we pulled the trigger on a 2012 S Cab. We did not get as much off as I wanted but she really did not want to wait and what she wanted was not available when we searched the inventory. We did get some off MSRP and got an invisi shield (clear bra) on the front, rear, doors as well as stripes in a non standard color. It has been built and awaiting transport. Hopefully, we will get some more off if they offer any December incentives.

 

We negotiated from the Consumer Reports reported invoice price of our S convertible of $29,900. The dealer wanted $33k so I said: take $1,500 off to split the diff and we'll have a deal. It worked.

Also, I got 0% financing, which was a real bonus!