i am going to my local mini dealer with the parents this weekend.

they are going in blind on the mini scene, as well as myself, aside from the brochure and the numerous posts i have read here on the forums.

now i can pretty much assure myself the dealer is going to want to rape us quickly with an offer that would seem cheap to us but prolly isn't.

i know what i want (2004 MCS, british racing green, etc. etc.)

what are some questions i can ask him/her to get a better insight on the whole mini ordeal? grantid, i am still saving and it'll be a bit of time before i even get it purchased.

this is more of like a "test-run" of sorts to the dealer for the first time..

my dad and mom have been around the block a few times with car dealer and my dad is a pretty smooth talker with dealers.

regardless, what kind of insight can yall input on this topic?


PS: I DID NOT DO A SEARCH

 

>>
>>PS: I DID NOT DO A SEARCH

Why not? (just joking...sort of )

Actually, I think that the best thing you can do is to read the MCO dealer rating system (don't have to do a search for that...it's linked under "Features" just to the left of this post). See what others have said about your dealer. See if there's a point in going to one dealer over another...even if another is a bit farther.

Point is that the majority of MINI dealers won't "rape" you over price (a particularly awful expression if I don't say). Sure, some will...but that should be rather duly noted in the rating system. Instead, it sounds like the biggest shock you may experience -- given your expectations -- is that there will be little negotiation on price. It will be what you saw on the MINIUSA site plus taxes, fees, etc. I paid only $50 in fees over MSRP (I paid tax in my own state, not to the dealer). Many others have done this too. If you end up at a dealer who wants to hold you up over $900 floor mats, then go elsewhere. Buy long distance and have it trucked to you, for example. There are options.

Hopefully your parents will have some solid experience buying cars (if I'm not mistaken, this is your first car-buying experience?) and will exercise good common sense about weeding through the fine points of a deal -- e.g., separating out the normal and reasonable fees from anything not-so-normal or reasonable. Buying a MINI is no different from buying any other car in that regard.

Last tip? Be patient, polite, and not hostile. I only add that last point as your anticipations ("rape", "ordeal", "smooth talker" as expressed by your post) seem to indicate that you're girding for battle with the dealer. If you want good service, then be good yourself. No one wants to deal with a jerk (not saying that you are...but you get my point) on either side of the desk.

Good luck!

ps -- where are you located? There's no geography on your member info. Some of this advice might be different if you were in SoCA or SoFL...two places with some notoriously poor MINI dealers (AND some good ones too...so once again, use the Rating System!)

 

i would say...build your mini online and know the costs of the options that you add on. that way, you'll know if you're getting the real deal or just getting reeled in. they should let you test drive to your hearts content, which you should do. and ask all the questions you need. finally, do be courteous, not a jerk. car salespeople are people too and will respond accordingly.

just to let you know...just looking at this website alone is a big advantage. i wished i had known about this before buying. there's a lot of info on deals on additional parts and features that i should have/shouldn't have gotten that i really would have benfitted from hearing about.

 

All most excellent advice--take heed, xzibbet!

And I'll add a little of my own, too:

I am a particular fan of building your MCS online and knowing exactly what it is going to cost--including the individual costs of your options. Write it down if you have to, no big deal. There's absolutely no reason to feel like you should be the Rico Suave of car purchases.

My MCS was my first car buying experience as well, not to mention I did it at a particularly difficult time, and it was the simplest thing I've ever done. Seriously, I think I've had more difficulty purchasing sunglasses, as far as dealer hounding and runaround.

Major Point: Under no circumstances should you expect to be successful at haggling. Particularly with an MCS. And if you have to order it, forget it. You're paying MSRP. I'm not saying this to keep you from trying--it's probably a good life lesson to go for it anyway--I'm just saying that you need to have realistic expectations. Buying a MINI isn't anything like buying any other car. MINI has what you want, noone else does, and chances are you aren't going to another dealer, so they pretty much have you over a barrel. My own dealer used his powers for good, not evil, and your dealer will likely do the same. They aren't going to "rape" you (rather icky, I agree w/ Jsun) they're just going to take what they can get and that, my firend, is MSRP. I think the most luck you'll have is trying to get them to throw in extras--I asked for floor mats, they gave me an extra keychain and a hat.

Finally, if (when?) they simply tell you that there's no haggling, don't get huffy (and tell your parents not to, either). You just have to decide if you want the MCS enough to pay what they're asking, and understand that they're businesspeople, not your friends OR your enemies.

Cheerio, then. And good luck (Have some fun while you're there!)

 

i got my mcs $625 under msrp.. not much but its something... it depends where you go. if you want to try to get a deal just pretend you're not having it.. be like "i dunno.. i can't decide" then they'll go into car salesman mode "what would make you walk out of here today with this car?" (or at least on order) then just say something like "oh give me the leather for free" and they'll say "i'll see what i can do..." if you can get to this you can negotiate your way under msrp a little. it depends on the dealer though..

 

We dont negotiate. Just say simply "they are selling at list price".

 

I built the car on miniusa.com, printed it, and brought it with me. I did discuss a couple of the options with my "client advisor", and he let my use his computer to retrieve and modify my car on minusa.com and reprint it. Very simple.

 

I agree with the above suggestions:

Build your car on-line, and know the costs.
Check out the dealer on MCO (If you have more than one option go to several dealers)
Be polite but assertive (especially on "dealer installed" options that you may not want).
Expect to pay fair market price (not a super mark-up, nor much if any below MSRP)
Expect to wait for your car (2-6 months)
Expect to be blown away when your car arrives!

 

very nice suggestions so far =)

i did build my first mini cooper online (non S). had the green interior....boy howdee was that a bad *** looking car. but alas, i want a S not a MC.

so i made a MCS with what i wanted, roughly 24k or to the sort MSRP.

i did check out the dealer rating system for mini of st. louis, heard some good and some bad. am i able to talk to a dealer i want? or am i stuck with the first leech to come by?

 

Don't be afraid to shop around at other dealers. If you go out-of-state, don't be afraid to ask if they'll consider limiting your shipping costs. I know of at least one person who shipped from NY to AZ who limited his shipping to $500. The dealer reduced the price of the MSC by $330 and that person paid the shipper $880 which nets out the same as limiting shipping to $500.

 

am i able to talk to a dealer i want? or am i stuck with the first leech to come by?

It your money (or Ben Stein's). You can talk/deal with the Motoring Advisor of your choice. A suggestion: If there is someone in particular who you want to talk to, phone them ahead of time. Then when you show up, you can legitimately say, " I have an appointment with..." Good-bye leaches.

 

xzib... Think about the karma thing for a moment. If you are already badmouthing the salespeople and haven't even met them yet, what's the likelihood of getting someone to treat you right? Not to mention the fact that you've now identified your possible dealer, and when you intend to come by (with your parents). What if someone there were reading this thread?

(unless "leech" is a positive term in your book)

I dare say that I've bought a few more cars than you and have had all sorts of experiences in that context. I've met some real bad apple salespeople, but more often than not they're just working stiffs like the rest of us trying to make a living doing something they enjoy. For what it's worth, my MINI experience was stellar. I hope yours is too.

 

well, read the reviews for yourself


https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mp;dealerID=44

i mean, i have tried on numerous occasions to call and e-mail them, all to no avail for anything.

so i feel i can have that kind of disgust so far.

 

Looks like they don't even charge the right price. One review in there mentioned a $500 fine. Then they'l tack on some crazy "doc fee" or other bullsh*t. Drive the ***** out of one of their cars and then tell 'em to get bent.

My advice: Call the dealers in your area and ask about price and availability. Then ask them again about the price and again and... If you keep coming back to the price and are very specific in your questions they might tell you what they charge. Just be sure to ask what the *total* price will be with *all* fines and penalties. *All* of them.

Expect to pay the price they quote you on the phone and expect that to be a couple hundred over sticker. Tell your dad to stay quiet. There's no reasoning with these people. Monstermash got a deal 'cause, well, look at her sig. Unless you look like that, you ain't gettin' squat.

Don't bother buying mats or anything else from the dealer, just get it all from Classic Auto and save a bunch of money.

 

well, i talked to tony in st.louis, he came highly recommended for his patience, niceness, etc.

i plan to have my miniusa.com mcs print sheet printed and will go over it with him. if he complains o well, not like i am planning to buy it then anyway *no cash* hehe.

 

I too built my 02MCS on the Mini site and brought the print out with me to the dealership. The salesperson thanked me for bringing in the printout, it made her work a whole easier and faster.
As others have said, you will not be able to talk the dealer down in price, but try it anyway. What you can do at delivery time is ask for a free set of carpets, perhaps a coffee mug and a few other incidentals. The dealer should respond positively to that.
The other good thing about the Mini Online printout is you will know right away if the dealer is trying to gouge you on pricing. Do not pay anymore than MSRP, not one dime and if he tells you that you have to, walk out...............this is not a dealer you want to do business with.
Good luck and have fun

 

good to know, thanks hank =)

my parents are really HELLA skeptical about their only son driving a foreign car. i was like, who cares...

my dad and mom live by chevroliets.....basturrrds

 

>>i got my mcs $625 under msrp.. not much but its something... <<

Nice!!! That's the first time I've heard of any MC or MCS being sold for under MSRP! Way to go.

 

Exactly the same situation as me, except my dad turned me into a MINI fan and knows some things but not alot. Since then we have decided to get one.

Anyways just talk about the car with the guy, ask about the safety features and ratings (that sold my mom), stay away from things like speed and such (unless your parents are into that), talk about delivery time etc, talk about how much stuff you get for the price, and take a drive.

Good luck.

 

one problem is with the drive.

i was neglected to learn how to drive stick, so for the test drive, i am stuck watching someone do stick or i drive the CVT

 

<<< one problem is with the drive.

i was neglected to learn how to drive stick, so for the test drive, i am stuck watching someone do stick or i drive the CVT >>>

No problemo, that's what I did! I will make an observation, however: So long as you can at least move the car (a stick) you may as well go for it. 1. It's the easiest stick I've driven--I was just chicken$hit and didn't want to embarass myself (stupid, dumb, awful attitude, particularly considering the MA threw the keys at me and told me to have a good time, be back in 1/2 hour or so). I sooo could have done it. 2. ahem... it's not your car. It's a demo. So if you reek of clutch when you get back from the drive, who cares? Demos are regularly abused. They expect it. I daresay they like it.

Like I said, not a problem.

 

I always liked to bring in a binder or folder with items such as the dealer cost for the car, online build sheet with costs and options, maybe a few state laws on buying cars etc....they HATE to see this and will immediately make you look like you did your homework and they won't try to yank you around as much. Also be very upfront...tell them what you want and what you will pay for it(expect MSRP on an S). If they are yanking you around walk out - they will either stop you before you get out and start to work with you or go find a better dealership.

 

There's no reasoning with these people. Monstermash got a deal 'cause, well, look at her sig. Unless you look like that, you ain't gettin' squat.
>>

Actually Vespa, I have it under good authority that she went in looking like this:

 

:smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:

Best of luck to you!

Cheers!
Clover

 

A) that picture made me damn near ruin my monitor by spitting cola all over it.

B) nice MINIclo =)

C) just a matter of time at the moment....sucks how i can't buy anything tho =(