Dealer wait times?
#1
Dealer wait times?
I'm new to the board here and am hoping to order an MCS soon, hopefully later this summer if possible. I called Northwest Mini yesterday only to find there is a 16 month (yes, month) wait for a new Mini! That's the longest wait time I've heard of so far.
I'm in Seattle and was wondering if any of you guys from around here have had better luck perhaps with a different dealership (Rasmussen Mini in Portland) in getting a Mini in faster time? Has anyone ordered from a dealer outside of the northwest and had their Mini shipped here?
I'm also actively looking around here for a used MCS but haven't found one that fits what I'm looking for. Any thoughts?
Kyle
I'm in Seattle and was wondering if any of you guys from around here have had better luck perhaps with a different dealership (Rasmussen Mini in Portland) in getting a Mini in faster time? Has anyone ordered from a dealer outside of the northwest and had their Mini shipped here?
I'm also actively looking around here for a used MCS but haven't found one that fits what I'm looking for. Any thoughts?
Kyle
#2
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#4
Rasmussen MINI has been running about a 9 month wait to get a MINI Cooper S. There are many dealers on the east coast and the south that can get you into a "built to your specifications" MCS in 6-8 weeks. I was going to go this option, but I did not want to pick up my brand new MCS and put on 3,000 miles of winter driving and arrive home with trashed paint. If you buy now then winter driving will not be a problem.
I suggest that you build your car on MINIUSA.com and send it to all dealers that have good ratings on this site. You will be surprised at how fast some of them can get you a car.
Be sure to ask for the total out the door price with all fees included with all dealer options installed. I found a big difference on what dealers charged to install some options. In some cases you would do well to buy and get certain options installed from a different dealer. Rasmussen was pretty reasonable on most dealer options. Do some homework, it is worth it.
Forget about CA if you want to pick up a car as you will have to pay sales tax. Most CA dealers are charging a substantial mark-up over MSRP and the few that are not have a long waiting list.
The following dealers ended up on the top of my list "Out the Door Cost" and were all within a 150 dollars of each other AFTER I included appropriate air fair from Portland.
MINI of the Hamptons, Southampton,NY
Roadshow MINI, Cordova, TN
Rasmussen MINI, Portland,OR (~9 months)
John Roberts MINI, Dallas, TX
Brian Harris MINI, Baton Rouge, LA
Good luck:smile:
I suggest that you build your car on MINIUSA.com and send it to all dealers that have good ratings on this site. You will be surprised at how fast some of them can get you a car.
Be sure to ask for the total out the door price with all fees included with all dealer options installed. I found a big difference on what dealers charged to install some options. In some cases you would do well to buy and get certain options installed from a different dealer. Rasmussen was pretty reasonable on most dealer options. Do some homework, it is worth it.
Forget about CA if you want to pick up a car as you will have to pay sales tax. Most CA dealers are charging a substantial mark-up over MSRP and the few that are not have a long waiting list.
The following dealers ended up on the top of my list "Out the Door Cost" and were all within a 150 dollars of each other AFTER I included appropriate air fair from Portland.
MINI of the Hamptons, Southampton,NY
Roadshow MINI, Cordova, TN
Rasmussen MINI, Portland,OR (~9 months)
John Roberts MINI, Dallas, TX
Brian Harris MINI, Baton Rouge, LA
Good luck:smile:
Last edited by motormad; 06-09-2004 at 12:50 PM.
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#8
Hello,
If you are thinking Portland or Seattle dealers, I know of nothing to cut the wait time. I was in the same place as you, 8-12 months. I ordered mine from Julie at Classic mini in Cleavland. It took about 7 weeks. I wanted a Cooper not the S so not sure of the wait time. I would sure try them. You can drive it home or they will ship it to you for a small cost. Mine is an "03" and have enjoyed the drive and the people at Classic very much.
Exposed and the Car.
If you are thinking Portland or Seattle dealers, I know of nothing to cut the wait time. I was in the same place as you, 8-12 months. I ordered mine from Julie at Classic mini in Cleavland. It took about 7 weeks. I wanted a Cooper not the S so not sure of the wait time. I would sure try them. You can drive it home or they will ship it to you for a small cost. Mine is an "03" and have enjoyed the drive and the people at Classic very much.
Exposed and the Car.
#9
#10
Originally Posted by JeffS
Just curious... what's the problem with the NW dealers?
Are they a low priority because they don't sell many cars? and can't sell many cars because they're a low priority...
I can't imagine why Mini would create such disparity between dealers.
Are they a low priority because they don't sell many cars? and can't sell many cars because they're a low priority...
I can't imagine why Mini would create such disparity between dealers.
#11
I switched to Julie at Classic thanks to NAM recommendations. Shortened the delivery from 10 months to 3. It is being transported from Ohio with other NAM MINIs. I understand dealers have similar quotas, but the NW has 2 dealers, a huge area, many buyers and the decency to not charge a big markup. If they charged a big markup delivery lead times might be a lot shorter (similar to CA cars), but people would complain about paying extra.
#12
I just returned from Classic myself on Saturday after doing the same. HB/W, I highly recommend the roadtrip if you have the time. I had a blast but had to condense the return trip to 36hrs straight. Talking with Julie she commented that they have the same allotment as NW does but their demographics back there don't have the demand we have here on the West Coast.
If you are looking to shorten the wait I highly recommend Julie, communication is awesome. I had pics when the car arrived plus status and immediate responses on questions, what the weather was like etc....
On another note the NW forum here seems quiet, even on the PS Mini site not much chatter either.
If you are looking to shorten the wait I highly recommend Julie, communication is awesome. I had pics when the car arrived plus status and immediate responses on questions, what the weather was like etc....
On another note the NW forum here seems quiet, even on the PS Mini site not much chatter either.
#13
I too, ordered from Julie at Classic. She made it real easy and a pleasant experience. Unfortuantely I won't get to meet her in person, as I'm haveing the car shipped out to me. I'm in for a June build, delivery in late July/early August. So when you see a CR/B "S" running around Redmond, it'll be me.:smile:
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