Hi, this is ski again. Thanks to those of you who told me how to post a new thread. I have wanted a mini since I first saw one but was already leasing an Acura RSX so went with it. My lease is up at the end of March, 2005 and I am hooked on the mini eventhough I have yet to sit in one and drive it. I plan to do that soon. But my question here is how soon should I place an order? I read on Web sites that the changes on the 2005 will not be made until January of 2005 so I would want to wait for that to happen. But will that be enough time to get one by the end of March.

This would be my first mini and I have been reading a lot of the posts which I find quite helpful, particularly the enthusiasm in your posts. I also live in the Dallas area but work in Arlington and I will use the Moriz dealer in Arlington. It will be quite convenient because it is close to the freeway I take to go home. I read about Moriz here so that was also helpful. Thanks, ski

 

2005 are in production, I ordered mine from ST Lois Mini , I live in california, about 3 weeks ago and it is being built right now for delivery in early October. So you definitely do not have to wait for January, unless the timing suits ya! Hope this helps, good luck!!

 

It all depends on the dealer you order from and what you want. If your dealer has a short waitlist and you're looking for a Hyper Blue Cooper or a Cooper S with the LSD, than wait until late to mid January for a March delivery.

Most of the changes for the '05 are in production now, but there are a few things that won't be phased in until January.

 

I am in CA but ordered my MINI thru moritz in Arlington. They have been good and the wait is not too long. I would go talk to them soon and see if you can't place an order now and have it added to whichever allocation will be delivered when your lease is up.

Definately stop by there soon and go for a spin. Tell them all I said Hi!:smile:

 

Ski, I'm in somewhat the same boat you are, wanting a Mini without having driven one. Actually, drove one for about 3 blocks, found my left foot seemed to big to work the clutch. I'll have to borrow one and see if I can work around that.

I'm kind of concerned about buying one, since I'm in western Montana far from service, but the local owners claim that's not a dealbreaker. Plus someday Mini might expand their dealer network.

So all that's left is to finish convincing the wifey that traveling in a Mini is the way to go!

 

Ski, you should just stop in at Moritz and take one for a drive. I know they have their demos available. Don't know if they are '05 or not. My '05 is at Moritz right now being prepped for delivery this Saturday. I've never driven an '05 - just the '04 demo. Others say Moritz has a good reputation, but, the sales service I've received has been dreadful! YMMV, check it out for yourself.

 

This is perfect. Ski, you could probably test drive John's new MINI. He just about gave you permission. Just kidding.

 

Thanks for the responses to my ordering question. I went to the Dallas dealer lot today just to get a look at some minis. I liked what I saw. Soon I will drive one. If I do not plan to speed much over the speed limits (well, maybe) do I need the S? A man at the lot today who has a mini said the S was the only way to go.

 

John, what sales person did you see at Moriz? And what happened that made it a bad experience?

 

I suppose that really depends on your driving habits. Test drive both, and I'm sure it will all come clear for you. For me, we decided to go with the S because of my husband, not me. I drive rather slow and while I enjoy the accelleration of the S, I rarely open it up. Even after driving the car for about a month, I still think I would have been perfectly happy with the unsupercharged cooper. My husband, on the other hand, would be less than thrilled. However, we both love the car. Don't regret a thing about it.

 

Only you can answer that question - you really need to drive both. I'm a bit of a motorhead, so $3K for a supercharger, heavier duty motor, etc. is well worth it to me. That said, I just took a friend's Cooper to the track, and while the S was faster, it wasn't THAT much faster.
The S isn't so much about going FAST (i.e. over the speed limit) as it is getting there more QUICKLY. The S WILL accelerate faster.
It really depends on your situation and your desires. If it's a tradeoff between the S and packages (i.e. premium package) I'd go for the Cooper and the package(s). If you have any debt, go for the Cooper - you'll get all the enjoyment with less financial stress. Either way, it's a great car.

 

Thanks for the suggestion to drive both. I have to accelerate fast to get on freeways but also want to add some things to my car so could used the saved money by not getting an S. But I will drive both and decide then.