...until I discovered what they'll actually sell for. Heck, I even had the Mini screen saver and wallpaper on my computer! It's a nice ride, people...but it's not worth what you're gonna have to pay. Once again, the motoring public has been mislead. Hey...if you're gonna charge $25,000 for a bare bones "S", why don't you just put $25,000 on the steenkin' sticker and drop the games? Equipped the way I wanted it to be, I was looking at $30,000 for an "S" model!!! Same marketing scam as with the Plymouth Prowler. Has anybody seen a Prowler for the advertised $37,000 price tag? I didn't think so.

Instead, I opted for a 2002 WRX Wagon. Style, performance and dependability for under $23,000. Do yourself a favor...check one out...before you drop a wad on an overpriced Mini!

 

Just out of curiosity which dealership did you go to? I'd like to add an area to the site that lists dealers known to be selling at MSRP (and we've had a few already mentioned) and a list of this tacking on every nickel they can.

Thanks!

 

WRXer:
I'm sorry you had a bad experience... It sounds like the dealer you were working with was gouging.
There are several dealers out there that are quite good. I've heard of several people getting there S at msrp. 19850. Not that there aren't some......
The WRX is a very fun car. I've driven one. I was looking at the wagon before I decided to look into the mini. For me it's just the overall look and feel that made me tend toward the mini. If it were shear power I'd be driving a WRX right now.... WOW!!! That thing will move. Also I live in the south where we get maybe an inch of snow each year. The AWD wouldn't really be a key decision for my purchase.

As to the gouging..... I think it's just something that comes with a highly anticipated car. If you remember correctly the WRX was prone to this also when it came out. As will the EVO and STI which I think will be out within the next two years.
Thank you for the input.
SW

 

I didn't actually go to a dealership, per se. I'm in Houston, and the nearest dealer is in Memphis, Tennessee! What happened is...I chatted with a Mini salesman online, and he's the one who told me to expect a $5,000 markup...especially on the "S" version. He went on and on about limited supply...blah, blah, blah. I think the guy was somewhere on the East coast. Wish I had better info for you...

Don't get me wrong...I really like the Mini, but I'm not gonna bend over for one. You know what I mean?

See you on the track...

 

SW...the AWD feature is very rain-friendly, also. You do get rain over there in Birmingham, don't ya? *grin* And the cornering..oh, man!

I look forward to riding in/driving my first Mini. I had a buddy in high school who drove a 60-something Mini, and I remember what a fun car it was. I assume the "new" Mini is an even better ride.

Keep the shiny side up...

 

Well again sorry you had such a bad experience with the dealer.
You still ended up with a sweet car.

"See you on the Track"
Give me some time behind the wheel and I'll at least give it a go.
I'm sure this little thing will hold it's own in Autocross....
Have a good one.
SW

 

Yes we get rain. And yes FWD is just about as good as AWD in the rain.
And then there's the DSC.....
G'day
SW

_________________
Motor On!!..... Mini Me!!

 

The dealer in Sterling, VA will sell you a Mini for MSRP> The wait for an 'S' is 110 people. I spoke with a guy from Maryland who said he put a deposit down on an 'S' in Norfolk, VA, however, when the dealer learned the guy was from MD he told the guy he could only sell the car to local folks. What's up with that??????

 

I'm in Birmingham here. We have yet to get a dealer and don't have any in the works...... :evil:
I've been dealing with Global Imports in Atlanta. They don't seem to have a prob. with me being out here.
Seems kinda odd that they would pass up a sale just because it's an out of state buyer.
Oh well....
SW

 

WRXer,

The Sterling VA dealer has no mark-up on theirs. I won't pay through the nose either and I don't plan too. I test drove the S yesterday and all I have to say is don't let me see your WRX (nice car BTW) on a twisty road, I'll eat it for lunch. :smile: I took the S at 70 mph on a steep curve and no body roll whatsoever. I am sold.

I won't pay extra. I will never do that.

Dave

 

Fired up.... Awesome.... I picked up my Mini last Friday from the dealer in Buffalo. They were a real treat to work with. I feel like the Mickey D ad on tv... any excuse to go out and drive the car. Last Sunday I went to pick up the morning paper.. it's only 1 mile to the store.. it took me 12 miles to get there....!

 

WRXer

I picked up my MINI Cooper S last week. Payed $25024.38 out the door.
Options: Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, DSC III, Rain Sensor/Auto Mirror, Foglights, Xenon Lights, Harman-Kardon, Leather Seats.

By the way, my other car is a 1997 M3 that I haven’t driven in a week!
Why don’t your trade that thing in for a new MINI Cooper S?
): MOTOR ON ):

 

I walk away from any dealer that marks up from MSRP. I tell them I will only pay MSRP and no more. If they want my business that is the deal, flat out.

I have always taken dealers that mark up as a shady dealers and not worth dealing with.

Cheers

Charles


_________________
Red/White launch edtion cooper 399/500, Bonnet stripes, white wheels

 

>>Fired up.... Awesome.... I picked up my Mini last Friday from the dealer in Buffalo. They were a real treat to work with. I feel like the Mickey D ad on tv... any excuse to go out and drive the car. Last Sunday I went to pick up the morning paper.. it's only 1 mile to the store.. it took me 12 miles to get there....!:smile: I know that it took them awhile to get up, but the website says that they're up and going!!

 

Hey WRXer...good alt choice.....I have got the MINI, my brother got the WRX...I tested it and boy, does it move.

 

My Mini S came to a total of $24,420.00 and it is loaded with all the packages. and laether seats. It is true that certain dealers are marking up the butt, just like they did with the PT Cruiser. I am lucky my dealer here in Salt Lake City do not mark up.
I also think that a car is only worth paying what you are willing to pay.

 

I don't know if this will help anyone out there following this discussion, but Moritz MINI just opened this week in Arlington, TX (between Dallas and Ft. Worth) and "sells strictly at MSRP." They have lots of Ss at present...I've never seen so many in one place. I think some of the new dealers are hitting the "at MSRP" line pretty hard in order to work their way into the marketplace. Met some folks who flew in from CA to get buy a car. I was just there to gawk as I wait for my Cooper.

 

I'm sorry that you didn't research the MINI more before taking the word of someone telling you about a $5,000 mark up!

I went to MINIUSA and built my own MINI Cooper S. So I have a real idea of what I am going to spend.

Also on MINIUSA you can find all the dealers in your area. You said Texas so I found for you that other than the dealer previously mentioned, you have a local Houston dealer, a San Antonio dealer and a Dallas dealer. so No one is stuck with buying a MINI over MSRP.

 

I bought mini in Memphis (you know - where Elvis once lived) and bought a loaded S all 3 packages for 24,000. I think the WRX guy or chick never had any intention on buying a MINI in the first place.

 

I didn't even realize that this was from April

 

NOT!!

 

Hey There,
I'm glad you found the car you believe you will be happy with. Although the MINI costs a bit more, there's nothing like it, anywhere on the road. I've bought 22 cars in my life, the first 21 were very forgettable. Best-O-Luck.
Jim

 

Ouch!

I bought my MCS at MSRP (P&W Mini of Pittsburgh)--23,8something for fog lamps, H/K, Premium and chilly packs. $30 sounds considerably painful and I believe I agree with you: it's a fabulous car but um... $30k...? I'd likely have second thoughts, too--painful second thoughts, at that. I'm in love

Cheers,
~Kelley

 

I was actually shocked when I learned how INEXPENSIVE the MINI was. The first time I saw one, as it passed me in the opposite direction, my head whipped around, I hit the median, went through a blushing light, did an illegal u-turn and followed the car until it stopped in a parking lot. I interrogated the owner about it. It was the cutest, coolest car I had ever seen. When I heard that it was made by BMW I winced. I thought it'd be 30K plus.

My MC is loaded, except for leather and NAV and was $20,500. Less than a Honda Civic, and WAY less than the Volvo S40 I was considering. And I will definitly be able to find my car in the parking lot (just look for the small, gathering crowd of onlookers).

I guess you fall in love with whoever you fall in love with. There may be other, more practical and sensical options out there, but they just aren't MINIs. You know?

Enjoy your new car. Thanks for the comments.

:smile:

 

I'm with you, Needler. I was shocked when I learned that the MINI was cheaper than an adequately loaded Jetta. I paid $21k for my Cooper, and it has LOTS of option.

After owning the car for almost 5000 miles, I can honestly say that it's a steal at its current price.