I live in Southern California and I won't say the name of the dealership but they will try to gouge you. Let me explain. All I have been hearing is that the 07 MC is in short supply and high demand and the best deal you can get is MSRP and some dealerships boast about being a MSRP dealership. I found out first hand. I emailed a dealership on a 07 cooper and while in Costco, the person called and wanted to know when I could come dowm to test drive. I ask if they sell at MSRP and they said the add $4,000 to the MC and $5,000 (rounded) for MCS. However, you do get matts and some sort of two upgrades. Kinda like when you get two sides with your chicken dinner. I was so put off I didn't ask about these upgrades and could it be possible that the two upgrades are actually the packages the could total $3,000. My feeling is that the upgrades are more in the form of the 4th year service or something similar. None the less, I was so turned off by the $4K-$5K over MSRP that I did not want to talk about it any more and said there were dealerships that charge only MSRP. She then said we can work with you. I hate buying cars. Any one know what those so called two upgrades would be and any dealerships in Southern California that would charge the exact amount the mini configurator charges and could possible through in matts. Sorry for the vent but this little car is getting expensive.

 

That is why you buy MINI's at MSRP with no quibbles from site sponsors! I'm getting my R56 from Classic MINI, they ROCK!

 

I can't believe they are still pulling that stuff!!!

 

Shipping a car from one of the sponsors will be far cheaper and you'll have plenty left over to have custom floor mats made with the dealerships name on it so you can wipe your muddy shoes on it every time you get in.
The only upgrades that would make that worth it for me is a full JCW upgrade (v1), and a live bulldog puppy.

It's supply and demand -- as long as MINI buyers put up with being ripped-off they will be ripped-off. Some people don't care about spending $4-5k needlessly so I guess they aren't being ripped off. They are just generous. I wish they would give the money to charity instead.
Maybe an appeal to MINI Corporate to pressure the dealerships that are doing this to donate at least half of the profit over MSRP to local charities or to a MINI sponsered charity.
I wouldn'y mind seeing that happen -- it won't but I wouldn't mind seeing it.

 

The dealership I'm doing business with tried to charge me for Lo-Jack and perma plate. I flatly refused, and that was the end of that. I wasn't hassled for anything else. I was quoted MSRP right off the bat.

I'm guessing the 4-5k they tried to charge you was for useless add-on crap and/or dealer markup. Luckily there isn't only one dealership in southern California anymore.

 

Go to South Bay MINI they are a MSRP DealerShip.

 

yea, go somewhere else. Don't put up with that. They are making enough at MSRP.

 

I'll take a 2:1 odds bet it was the dealer in Calabasas.

 

Not Calabasas but sounds like a dealership to stay away from too.

 

Something you need to remember is that, it is your money and they (the dealers ) need you more than you need them. Always remember that!!!! If you don't believe me just go to a dealer at the end of the month when "Bob" the sales man is is not making his numbers because he is charging $4000 dollars over MSRP; which is too much to pay(MSRP) but what can you do. I also think you should give out the dealers name. Why the loyalty? It is obvious they don't care about you or any of their customers, so why protect them. Share the info with your fellow Mini enthusiast so they know where not to spend their hard earned money. Just so you know, Irvine, Torrance, and Long Beach do not mark their cars up over MSRP. Good luck and keep your head up!!

 

You could always come to Portland and make your purchase...then fly up and drive your MINI home. By the time you got home she would be all broken in. Never pay more than MSRP on the MINI

 

I agree. Anything over MSRP is pure profit. Its not like their losing money selling MSRP. I doubt their selling more cars than any of the top four or five manufacturers but 4000 over MSRP is stealing.

 

The first dealership I went to (in Irvine) tried to pull that same thing. they wanted to charge me an addtl $3000 mark-up. When I showed them what another dealer quoted me, they wanted to match it and bring it back down to msrp.

I ended up at Crevier in Santa Ana. Still waiting for my delivery, but I was working with "Capt Kirk", internet sales manager. I recommend seeing him for a better deal.

If you're interested, send me a pm and I can go more into detail with what I ended up getting from him.

Good luck!

 

Doesn't Long Beach also sell at MSRP? They call the markup - "market added value" by the way. I think Nick also in Downtown, LA besides South Bay sell at MSRP.

 

What about Brecht Mini in San Diego?

 

I'm on the East Coast and this is my second MC (just traded in my 2005, waiting for my 2007). I've only paid MSRP. Can someone explain why California MINI dealers are marking up their cars? I understand supply and demand, but isn't there a big MINI demand on this coast as well? I feel bad for you MINI lovers out there.

 

BUY IT FROM RALPH SCHOMP IN DENVER COLORADO! MSRP ONLY!!! They rock.

 

Hey amazonracer,

Sorry to hear that you have been having problems at your dealership. For the four hour drive...you may want to consider going into Desert Mini in Las Vegas. My MA, John was incredible. They are a wonderful dealership to do business with, and we will never buy from another Mini dealership ever again!

And you'd have a fun drive home to CA!

If I can answer any questions for you about the Vegas dealership...just let me know!!!

dpmini
Proud owner of Lightning Charlie...PS/B..07

 

There are tons of dealers out there that sell at MSRP, just make a few calls, and if need be, willing to make a drive. When I bought my 03, I had to go about 700 miles for a MSRP dealer, very much worth it.

That said, do not go through Costco, or any other car broker. It's a waste of time. There is no way you are going to buy a new 07 for less than MSRP. Not gonna happen. Sure you may pay MSRP and get some free goodies to boot, but that would be about it. I know this is frustrating for the folks that think they are too good to pay MSRP. But hey, it is what it is. Do you want the car or not?

 

LA.... that’s the way it is there. I moved to Los Angeles for a summer so I needed a car because I didn't want to rent a car for 4 months, so I started looking into an R53. Anyways, I got a lot of goodies with my car because someone backed out on their order so I got the last MCS 05 Jet Black from the lot. I paid plus 3000 MSRP after some serious bargaining. I looked around for quite sometime since I didn't need to get a loan and it seemed that all dealership carried a huge MSRP in the west coast. I am currently back in NYC so I don't how it works on this side since I love my car and don’t plan to buy another MINI for at least another 3 years.

 

I bought mine from Brecht at MSRP without any problems. The folks at Brecht were helpful and realistic.

The only problem has been the car. I bought it on 2/24 and drove it until 3/6. It's been in the shop ever since.

 

I've purchased two MINIs from Long Beach MINI. They were the original MSRP-only dealership in SoCal. They always sell at MSRP. No gimmicks, no crap. I highly recommend them.

 

agree with MiniClo.. I bought mine as well at Long Beach Mini.. no markup and no pressure from the financing guy.. easiest buying experience I have had with any car.. ever.

 

I went to 2 dealers in LA area that did that and I almost got suckered in... Monrovia and University Studio gave me that crap about all MINI dealers charge above sticker price... Just shop around ...

 

Assael and Universal have marked up their MINIs since 2002...they are notorious. Both Long Beach MINI and South Bay MINI sell at MSRP. Go to Long Beach MINI's site and check out their inventory.