Hey,
I am going test driving this saturday for the first time. I have completed my dream mcs: hb/w, sport pack, crono pack, auto= $24,717. Are any of these items unessecary? How should i go about my test drive b/c i hear mini dealers are alot different from the regular dealers? Can i work the price? How can i get the best deal possible?
Thanks alot for reading this:smile:

 

I don't think there's much "working" of the price w/ the Mini folks.
There's a pretty high demand and they didn't seem inclined to bend on price or markup when I went in back in August for mine. Since all the pricing is right on their website it's pretty much set in stone. I know that some dealers are still charging a large markup (Concord Mini in Ca.) and some aren't (East Bay Mini w/ no markup in Pleasanton, Ca.) The only difference is a two month wait and an 11 month wait, guess some dealers figure you'll pay more if you want it quicker. As for your options, get the ones you think you'll use and don't opt for the high end wheels and tires if you have even the slightest inkling (sp?) that you might change them as your O.E. ones will fetch a pittance if you try to sell them on the internet.
Have fun.

 

Test drive tips: bring your check book.

Seriously - one 20 minute test drive, and I had to have this car!

About prices: Dealers get an "allotment" each month - x number of cars, and that's it. If you're in a high-demand area, there will probably be a markup. In my case (Northern California), it was totally non-negotiable. (The owner of the dealership is an aquaintance, and I still couldn't get a deal!)

As the MA (Motoring Advisor - MINI-speak for "sales person") explained to me, if I didn't want to pay the markup, there was a guy right behind me who would.

There are dealers who sell cars without a markup, but they are either in low-demand areas or they have long waiting lists. I bought my car from Classic MINI and have nothing but praise for them. Especially Julie! Wow - what a great experience! Another dealer that takes orders from all over the country is MOTH - MINI of the Hamptons. Both Classic and MOTH are supporters of NAM and you can find their ads in the Vendors section here. They regularly run specials, too, things like reduce shipping rates or free accessories, that sort of thing.

Note that some people have reported that their local dealers gave reduced services to them when they bought their car out of state - lower priority for booking service appointments, no free wash or drop-off/pick-up service, that sort of thing. Fortunately, my local dealer seems cool about my car, but you might ask around locally (or here on the board) if you're thinking of going that route.

 

Unless you are a very timid driver, when you go for the test drive, drive the car HARD! Don't just putz around on the sidestreets in some neighborhood. Get out on the road and DRIVE!!!

Really, a test drive is worthless if you don't drive the car your testing like you drive your current car...

You might be able to negotiate on dealer add-on prices and on the value of your trade-in, but there's no movement on the actual price of the car...

 

very true, if you arent going to see why the MINI is different(and it is SO differrent) you might as well NOT test drive it and take all of our words for it