Hi all:

Just want to introduce myself. You can call me KJ. I have been actively looking for a Mini S in the Bay Area. So far it's been frustrating. It's either $1500 markup above msrp for 3 months or msrp for 11 months. My wife really likes this car and needs a car. I am also addicted to the handling, but feel stupid to pay any kind of markup. There are posted I read that people from my area going to SolCal or even out of state dealer with just msrp. Is it really worth the hassle? Any input from anyone is welcome.

 

KJ,


I live in Vegas, dealer wants $1500 markup, so I
ordered from Ralph Schomp MINI in Denver. MSRP
and I'll have my MCS in January.

 

Really not that much hassle...or none depending on how you look at it. We live in Ojai, CA and bought our MCS at Classic Mini from Julie Saxa in Mentor, Ohio. Ordering process was the same ... actually better because of Julie...and when the car came in, I flew out, test drove it, bought it and drove it back over a varied and long drive as a mini vacation. Or not so mini...it took a couple of weeks. Perfect way to break-in and enjoy your new car.

 

Just think of a road trip as a quicker way to get your MINI out of its breakin period. I had my MINI broken-in in about 30hrs after delivery
It is more than worth it NOT to pay dealer mark-up.
I too went though Ralph Schomp Mini In Denver.

By the way welcome to the board.
Cheers
Shawn

 

That is the first commandment of intelegent MINI ownership!


Then there is the 90/10 clause if it is a drop top.

 

So if you live in say, Florida, and buy your Mini outside of Florida, you don't have to pay any sales tax?

 

The dealer will not charge taxes on out of state sales. But depending on state laws, you may have to pay taxes upon registration.

That is how Indiana works. Buy it out of state, pay taxes when you pick up plate/registration.

 

Any clue how to look that information up about Florida? Thinking about maybe purchasing in the Charlotte, NC area, then driving back to FL, if this would save me $1k+

 

If you don't want to pay more than MSRP and don't want to wait... get it used. I picked up my '05 MCc from Carmax. Already past the break-in period but well within the original warranty periods. Check them out online, they always have MC in stock in FL.

I hope my next Mini will be fresh off the boat

 

Check out here......
http://www.diamondlot.com/bmwnorthwest/mini/

 

Thanks for all the input, perhaps I should look into buying else where. The only thing is if I am ordering now, and picking in Nov or Dec, it would be snowing up North. That wouldn't be good for a brand new car

 

The MINI can take the snow, no problem. Anything's better than paying a markup!