Sure people will ask,most people like that others are interested in the details of their Mini and are happy to talk about anything having to do with them.

 

My MINI hasn't even been built yet, but I take every opportunity to talk about my car. Any faint shred of interest taken by my friends is enough for me to give them an earfull. BTW, most people I talk to think they cost about 40k also.

 

>>I don't mind really, but what I hate is when people make a face when I say the car was 25k, and they look at me like I got robbed.


Yeah, I hate this facial response as well. Normally when I'm asked, I tell them that the MC starts at $16K and the MCS starts at $19K. Then I explain to people that my MINI is fully loaded and thus reflects the $25k+ price tag. But they still look at me in disbelief.

 

I remember showing my MINI to a friend who owns a BMW 325 coupe and after the initial surprise that it was made by BMW, she asked "Does it happen to cost more than my car?" I think it would have almost offended her if it did :smile:

 

my Fiance's family thought it was just over $50k!

And of course... we didn't let them think differantly

Oh also, My dad had NO idea what it was when he saw it!

 

It really is funny that so many people think they are really expensive. My husband and I did before I found the MINI USA site. We weren't even considering a MINI - way too expensive - then we saw the start price and... well, you know the rest. Anyway, I'm happy to tell people that I got everything I wanted (except the leather seats, didn't want them at the time but am now kicking myself) for just over $20K plus tax. I don't mind telling because I'm proud to be getting such an outstanding car at a reasonable price.

Laurie

 

Agreeing with what's been said....come up with a response you're comfortable with and just use that everytime someone asks. It's helped me also with other questions, too, like, "Does it drive good?" and "What kinda gas mileage does it get?" The $$$s one is a fun myth to dispell. I don't blame people too much really, I think their curiousity just gets the best of them. My favorite folks to talk to about MINIs are those who have had a classic MINI in their families years ago. Now there's some great stories!!!

 

I always say: "It starts at $16k" and if they know more I'll also say:"The MCS starts at just under $20k".

If they really get interested I will also let them know that with options they can get up to $30k though. I have had a lot of people who though they are way more, including a poor girl at the DMV when I was registering it. She had just bought a brand new Bug and said she had really wanted a cooper, but they were too much. I had overheard her talking when she came in "Did you see that MINI in the parking lot" and stuff like that. She ended up sitting behind me and saw me reading the manual. We got to talking about it, and how we liked it, and at the end she finally asked/said, I really like it and wanted one, but they are too much $$ for me, how much was it? She had already said she just got the bug, and I knew it would break her heart, but I said: "about as much as a bug." Her eyes got huge and she said: "how much?" and I said the start at $16k bit and she almost started to cry. She said she though they were $40k and didn't even look into them because of it....

I have had a few people who thing that $16k is too much though.... do these people really understand though... how can they think anything could be less than that if it's built this well... I think they just don't know cars or something....

For me though, I don't mind when they are asking in terms of how much are MINIs in general because they are just curious about the cars and want to know. I don't like it when people are like "How much was YOUR MINI" not just any old MINI. I have told my parents and the in-laws how much ours was, but everyone else, including family members get the base prices as I too think how much we spent on this car is personal.

Good Luck with the splitting your wrists thing though. Can I have your car when you're done? (if it's not too messy) People will ask, but don't think og it as how much was yours, but how much are they because I like them and might get one....

Ben

 

I've had people ask too and yes, it's bold and annoying. I tell them about what I paid, but then I only have 3 options (leather, alarm, and metallic paint), so I'm sure if they get down to the dealer and happen to see one with 2 or 3 packages + leather, alarm, etc, they get sticker shock.

 

>> I said the start at $16k bit and she almost started to cry. >>

How sad for her!!!!!

 

I get asked that all the time, too, and I think it's a lot less 'personal' when they phrase it, "how much do they go for?" instead of, "how much did you pay?". I think that the former is really what most people want to know, not the actualy amount any of us personally paid for our cars.

Like a lot of other folks, I've started answering, "this model, which is the top of the line model, starts at just under $20K." If they want more info, I tell them that mine is almost fully loaded and went out-the-door at $25K and A YEAR'S WAIT.

 

People ask me that a lot too. I think it is a bit tacky, but they are curious so I tell them they start just under $17000 and go up from there. The ones that make me mad are the ones that ask if it is a KIA!!!!!! Yuck!! I have had that twice!?!? Aren't kias the cheapest junkiest cars you can buy? How offensive!

 

I think the lack of TV Advertising, lack of dealers and the quirky outdoor ads ... not to mention the car is still not very common on the streets ... makes people believe it is an expensive, exclusive car.

For the month or so I have owned mine I was asked numerous times about the price of it and I always tell them I paid $19K for it.

Once a guy with a new Jetta asked me and he almost fell on the floor when I told him the price ... he said "That's less then my Jetta" .. this with a dissapointed face.

Always wondered if Mini did agressive TV Advertising how many more cars would they sell.

Hope they don't though, I like it better this way