As good as the car is, it certainly is not worth the $30,000 it will cost to get an S with all the unwanted/uneeded crap and the markup. This marketing hype about motoring is silly. I will wait to buy an S at the typical discount you can get on a $20,000 car. For $30,000 the Audi TT is a better and more attractive car, IMO

 

I definitely wouldn't pay 30k for the Mini S either. But you don't have too, I'm only paying 24k for my loaded S. At MSRP there is no comparison to this car.... really!

 

It definately sucks that you guys are getting screwed by the dealerships down there. Have you tried contacting BMW about the problem dealerships? I know in a free market soiciety there is suply and demand, but $29000 for a mini s is crazy, when BMW is pricing it much less.

 

I have contacted Mini USA reagarding The inflated prices and loading the cars up with stuff no one wants, but they say they can't really do anything about it, MSRP is only a suggested price. I also asked about the weight of the car, and they said the higher weights are correct. As such, the S weighs almost 2700 pounds, making it far from a lightweight.

Almost 50 years ago, the 1956 Alfa Giulietta sprint veloce lightweight version had 90 hp out of 1300 ccs on carbs, and weighed only 1850 pounds. Sure the new Mini is a sronger, safer car and handles much better, but in terms of overall improvement, it isn't really that much improvement over what was available 50 years ago.

 

dretceterini,

First off, No one in their right mind will pay inflated prices. Mine will cost $22,300. Second, there is not car on the road that handles better than this car. I would love to know of a better handling car. I have not driven it yet if there is.

The TT, could not hold a candle to the S in handling. The convertable TT is UGLY! You must admit that and the hard-top is not much better. Its a nice car but come-on... How much does the TT run? The cheapest you'll find it is 32K with no options. Its apples and oranges. A fully equipped S is 24,900 and will take the base TT off the line and in the corners? Please, not even a contest.

If you want a TT that will take an S off the line, be prepared to pay 35k plus for the 225 hp model with no options.

Dave

 

No offense, but I think it's a little melodramatic to say one has to spend $30,000 if they want to get an S. The vast majority of people who have been waiting to order their S will not be paying nearly this much. All it takes is a little research and some patience (if you're not on a list already). The fairer dealers are definitely out there. I'd suggest roaming the various MINI forums (including this one, of course).

(By the way, I rather like the MINI 'motoring' marketing slant. I think it properly represents the (desired) state-of-mind of MINI's targeted demographic.)

 

Just call a dealership like MINI of Nashville, that sells at MSRP with no mandatory addons, fly in, and drive home. Make a vacation out of it, and by the time you are home the car is broken in....