I was interested in buying a 2914 John Cooper Works Paceman, but after adding a few options the price shot up to close to $43,000!!!


How the heck can they sell many cars at that price when, from what I've learned, there are numerous cars out there, at many thousands less, that will perform as good or better? Is just adding the JCW badge worth that much more?


I'm thinking of buying the Mercedes Benz CLA 250 instead (they have an all wheel drive 250 coming out soon). The base price is around $30.000 before any options. What do you think?

 

While the CLA may be a $30k car, I have never bought a base care off a lot and didn't want/need more options. Base prices for me are almost useless as they never stock them and it is usually lacking a must-have feature.

Yes the R61 gets pricey quick for what it is, but it is a car that fits a niche that didn't really exist.

 

By the time you get that CLA optioned out the way you want it, it will be pretty spendy too.


But I agree with your consensus, as much as I have loved my MINIs (currently have a 2009 Clubman S) in the past, they have priced themselves out of my ability to buy.


It's the same with BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Audi and all of them, they charge so much for options and bundle them together, it's hard not to wind up with a fairly expensive car....


If this keeps up all I'll be able to afford is a kei car!

 

Doesn't really surprise me, my (Oct. '04 order) '05 JCW Cabrio ended up stickering at over $38k

 

+8236872364

Have you actually gotten on the website to "build" a CLA and see what the base-model comes with, and what you don't get?

Sweet mother of pearl, with the new CLA, even just adding 1-3 modest options (not including any multimedia features!) brings your price all the way to just under $40,000! Plus, let's be honest .. 208hp (which is not to the wheels) for a 4dr sedan of that price, is not exactly appealing nor enticing.

Although, they do look decent, and I like the illuminated star for $480!

 

I took delivery of a 2014 JCW Countryman at the end of September. It was pricey but I got it with exactly the options I wanted and love it. FYI, price up a CLA with options and watch the price rise rapidly. Also, when you see/drive it you'll understand why it's starting price is 30K

 

They aren't trying to sell that many...the JCW Paceman and Countryman are very niche vehicles and only appeal to a specific buyer. There are not many out there. People that want them pay the price to get the vehicle they want.

 

I opted for the JCW CM because I wanted a fun car with all wheel drive that still is less expensive than a fully loaded bottom of the line BMW X1. BTW I sold my 2011 BMW X5 Diesel and 2008 M Coupe for the JCW CM which combines the features of both--all wheel drive and some better performance. The M sat in the garage at the slightest hint of snowy weather but the JCW can tackle the snow. Yes, I considered a Rav4 or CRV but with only 155 HP on test drives it was so sluggish with no real passing pickup and dropped into overdrive with the slightest incline.

 

Sounds like a great price for 900 year of inflation.

 

Go test drive a Paceman at a dealer. Then go drive the rest of what's out there in that class.

JCW FTW

 

HaHaHaHa you beat me to it!

In 2914 dollars that's a pretty competitive price IMHO

 

High price or not, I'll probably buy the damn thing anyway. Once you fall in love with a car (or a woman) it's hard to get it, or her, out of your system. Here in Michigan, we only have three Mini dealers, so I'll try and get the best deal I can. Thanks for the opinions guys.


Terrence "VP Pappy" Murphy


PS: At that price, they should probably call it the "JCW Maxi Cooper Paceman."

 

$43,000.00
Is that before taxes and extended plan?
I ordered my 2014 JCW Clubman and out the door was $49,846.16
I kinda liked the Paceman, but stuck with the Clubman.
Maybe I should have compared the prices instead of size, you get more space per dollar than I did.....:-(
But like others said, and clearly stated too....if you fall in love with it, it matters not.
We men are just wired that way!

 

I have to agree with the above statement. The only time you can get close to base price is to order out a car with no equipment. Not long ago, I ordered a BMW 3 Series coupe with zero options other than heated seats and the car was literally $10k less than anything I could find on the local dealership lots. The sales guys thought I was nuts, but I refused to pay for stuff I didn't need. I probably bought the cheapest 3 series produced in the world that year...since absolutely everything I looked at included at least $5k in options.

I think the reason dealerships do not stock base cars is due to a couple different factors. Many of these pricey "premium" brand cars are leased and lease rates are actually a bit more favorable on the loaded cars since they can have a higher residual due to being more desirable than a base model "stripper" after the lease is up. Everyone likes the toys...

Also, there are huge margins in options and manufacturers make large profits on that extra optional equipment. Margins on options are most likely much higher than the margin on the base level car. Porsche is notorious for charging large premiums for stuff that should really be standard equipment (or charging $770 for a painted center console - which I think is just plain robbery). But, their financials show healthy profit margins... I'm sure MINI is no different.

 

"It's a niche no other car was filling" is what I've seen referenced to twice in this thread at least. From someone who has had a Paceman and Countryman loaner, I can say it's a niche market that I can't imagine really demands much. It's too tall and big to really call a MINI anymore, but still has total **** for storage space without folding down the rear seats(where'd the size/practicality go at that point???), then the Paceman hacks off the 2 rear doors. So you have a "sporty" shaped crossover that's not as big as a crossover, and not as convenient and practical as the 4 door. Who wants THAT and then with an inflated sport model price? Sorry to the 1 guy in here who owns one as I'm sure you love it and you stated you wanted a fun/sporty AWD(at which point I'd buy a Subaru or 3 series), so it fits your needs. But I just don't see where the market is for such a frankenstein "jack of all trades and far from a master of any" vehicle. $40-50K?? Not with the cheap, plastic, throw away car interior quality these things have.....

 

I don't see why you guys buy MINI's for anything more than 25k. It's just not that much value after 25k, let alone 43k!!!!

If i was ever going to be crazy enough to buy a new car, i would buy a fully optioned EVO GSR for just under 42k.



That car is one of the most fun for the price in my opinion, and with a few thousand in upgrades, it will smoke lots of high end cars..

 

Base cars are almost always the best values and return the highest percentage of their value on resale. There are exceptions, of course, but the mfg makes most of its money on options which have much higher markup. The base car is often a "loss leader", not unlike a basic sandwich at McDonalds which sells at a loss so they can make 100% profit on the soft drink you get with it.

Just my opinion, but I think in general the Mini is an Okay value as a quirky and unique high-end economy car and a lousy value as a luxury car or high performance car. $43K will buy some awfully nice cars. $43K Paceman rather than a $36K fully-optioned VW Golf R? You've got to be kidding.

- Mark

 

+1

...and probably one of the reasons the MINI Goodwood model sat on dealer lots with a large days to turn number or came with deep discounts later on. (yes, yes, I'll admit I'd love a Goodwood in my living room to look at and put my feet in those wool carpets...)

For $43k, I think you could score a pretty loaded 1 Series or a modest 3 Series that will hold a bit more of that $43k initial investment, drive a bit better, have higher refinement, etc. $43k also buys a pretty late model, ultra low mileage Boxster, etc...

I bought this for a touch under $40k new with 5 miles on it:



However, if someone wants to put $43k into a new Mini, I'm all for it. What ever floats your boat. Just be ready for heavy depreciation factors...

 

I had to sell my 2012 s jcw because clutch was a bear after back surgery, after a billion test drives ..I couldn't make up my mind between jcw paceman, countryman or M3.. The paceman was a 2013 full optioned offered at $36500 it was awesome to drive and pretty quick but still couldn't decide. So I went the easy route until I made up my mind.. I picked up a 2004 Beemer on Craigslist for 6 grand. I'm happy for now, but can't wait to get another mini... Good luck

 

That is a gorgeous 330Ci. How did you score it for so cheap? I'm still seeing them for $9-13 depending on trim and mileage. Let me know when you decide to sell it lol.

 

I did a new pacemam because I wanted a coupe with hatch convenience and the ability to go places you can't in BMW and other brand coupes due to ground clearance.

 

The depreciation of a "lower priced" vehicle loaded with tons of options is a reality. But even though you can get a Bmw for the same price, it wont be the same car as the MINI. I too am amazed with the price of some of the JCW cars, but then you can also buy a Bmw and load it with a gazillion options and face the same depreciation event upon selling, it will be at a higher price point, but major depreciation just the same.
But the real point here is that those of us who want a MINI, and we want it configured just right, dont really care about depreciation. My car has an expensive stereo, more leather than normal, LED daytime running lights etc. I will never get that money back upon selling it. BUT, in the meantime, I get to drive a fun car, sit in a luxurious cockpit, and listen to a stereo that puts many Bmw stereos to shame. I am happy with my choices.

 

Guys,


Remember that Mercedes Benz CLA 250 I was interested in because it was a "little" cheaper than a "slightly" loaded JCW Paceman at $43.000+?


Yesterday I went to my local MB dealer and really checked it out. Beautiful car, very low to the ground (4-5 inch clearance?) and just gorgeous, inside and out. One problem...I practically had to be helped in and out of the damn thing! Granted, I'm in my 70's and 6'1" and a little out of shape, but still, if I had to get in and out of that thing a dozen times a day I'd be completely exhausted and be in need of a good chiropractor.
On getting in, my head banged into the doorsill, I had to slide my legs back under the steering column while holding myself up, the cabin roof knocked off my sunglasses that were on sitting my head, and when I finally did get in, my hair was brushing the roof. Once in it, I felt like I sitting in the cockpit of a Formula One racer. Getting out was the same problems, only in reverse.


Years ago when I drove Porsche's and Fiats and was a runner and in great shape, I would have loved it, but now I'm reluctantly passing on that particular car and sticking with the JCW Paceman.


Terrence Murphy

 

my 2011 JCW hardtop was 35K. Had every option but nav and auto. Added entire front end and whole hood 3M. Blacked out all the chrome- tinted windows, windscreen protection film and race tires and wheels= 40K MINI

 

Yea, and since 2011 the Fed has been printing money, and the value of the $ is less. Yet they keep saying inflation is almost 0... Yea, right.

Last time I used the configurator, it was pretty easy to build a $50k JCW hardtop, let alone a PM, or CM...lol