I am thinking of ordering another Mini. Being as here in Cali you either pay through the nose, or wait a long time, I am thinking of going out of state. The goal is to get as late an '06 model as possible. I know there are 4 or 5 NAM sponsonrs that sell MSRP. Can some of you post your experiences purchasing from them. And did you pick up the car or have it shipped? Any other advice on a long distance purchase would be appreciated.

 

I ordered from Debbie at Mini of Murray in Salt Lake City. You will see plenty of posts for them, but I can vouch the process has been great. Straight forward at MSRP, I ordered the end of Aug, the car was shipped on 9/20 and is due to be at the VDC in two weeks around 10/17. Can't get much easier then that!

 

Hi Goaljnky,

Congratulations on your interest in buying a MINI!!

My name is Jim Barth and I am a Motoring Advisor with Dreyer & Reinbold MINI in Indianapolis.

I am happy to answere any questions you have regarding buying a MINI and shipping it to California.

Please tell how I can be of service to you.

 

Aside from the whole MSRP pricing thing, be sure the misc fees (like documentation fees, etc) are reasonable. We paid something like $45 for the doc fee from South Bay and no other weird fees, just tax and reg.

I'm sure you'll check everything out and all, I'd just be careful about what your recourse is if you have a car delivered and its damaged, has wrong equipment, or not programmed as you want, etc. The potential issues of not being able to inspect a car before taking delivery would be of concern to me.

Just my .02 FWIW

 

SB Mini in Torrance is MSRP, and when I ordered in August had no wait. Jennifer the sales manager has been awesome! From Sherman Oaks it's only about 15 miles.
Tim

 

Eval & TimR,

Going to South Bay this weekend to test drive an S and probably place a deposit. Funny that I've yet to drive an S. The weird part of this purchase is that I don't want the car delivered untill May/June '06 (long story), but South Bay said they can accomodate that.

P.S. For those concerned I am keeping the #33 Egguinn. Just wanted something a little more "trackable" to add to the stable.

 

I bought MIB from D&R but went with Richard as my MA. Jim is a good guy to work with also.

Paid MSRP + local taxes etc. 100% satisfied with the process. Despite much fear. I had always bought off the lot. Richard, Ken (finances) and the others at D&R made the process almost too easy!

Just found out I may be bumped up to week 44 production. Can't wait for MIB to get here.

 

I bought mine from Patrick MINI in Schaumberg, Il. It's a subburb of Chicago. I picked the car up and drove it back to Colorado.

Good service. Real nice folks. Ask for John Giuliano. He's the MA that sold me mine. He'll pick you up from the airport too if you tell him you need a ride and it's during their business hours.

Good luck.

 

Albuquerque, SLC, Denver (NO doc fees of ANY kind), OK City: all are good dealers who sell at MSRP. The waits are longer tho, esp. denver. Jimbo

 

Julie Saxa at Classic Mini in Mentor, Ohio!!!

A great MA and a great and easy process. MSRP and deals on accessories....give her a call...she ships loads of MINIs to CA.

I didn't ship...actually ordered, went there to pick-up and drove back. A great thing to do especially in the spring.

 

If you want to come to NY, you can get 500+ off msrp.
But i'm about as far away as can get from where you are.

 

I only know of one dealer currently offering MSRP and free shipping and that is MINI of pittsburgh....I have not heard much about them (I bought mine from Mini of the hamptons) or dont know their doc prep fees but you can get it shipped right to your door then

 

Same palce but different person. I went through Juan...a very cool guy. I wanted to hear the HK stereo, but they never have any MINI's in stock. He was nice enough to let me sit in his MINI that has it and play with the stereo...I was glad I got to hear it because I almost missed out on that option. Also, they have no document fees or any of that other crap. Just straight MSRP, tax, and title.

And just for FYI, they consitently have 20 MINI's in the back and they are all out of state orders. I had no idea it was such a popular dealership. I would guess most are from Cali and stop in Vegas on thier way back...at least that's what I would do. Good luck!!!

 

Jerry, after you test-drive on Saturday, I rather doubt you'll be wanting to wait until May/June to get one, tee hee!

Julie at Classic has sold MINIs at MSRP, and really quickly, to many of my friends here on NAM. Some have flown to Mentor, Ohio to take delivery and roadtrip it home, others have been very satisfied with the shipping. I've heard good things about the others mentioned above, too. Bottom line, though, I really think you may be changing your order/delivery date!


Clover

 

Hey Jerry,

SB MINI is a c3 Sponsor. c3ers have special privileges with them! You can't go wrong--if it does, just give me a ring, and I will straighten things out!

The best test drive is asking for an MCS loaner on your next service or warranty issue--so you can really stretch its legs. I loved my PW MCS loaner! Loads of fun for 2 days!

I've got 2K left on my warranty, and 1,400 miles left before my next servicing--so I'll be scheduling my final servicing before warranty runs out soon--just in case something needs fixing--I want it done now rather than later--and you can be sure I will ask for that MCS loaner again. Maybe even go detail it a 2nd time. LOL.

 

Richard: Are you being facetious, or does C3 really get benefits at SB? What are they?

Clo: the delivery date has been changed to ASAP. The car is spec-ed. Just need to pick the color for exterior and interior.

 

I'm absolutely serious. South Bay MINI was our largest and most generous sponsor for AMVIV 2004, and they continue to provide excellent service for our members. Plus several members have or are buying their cars from them, and we continue to maintain a good relationship. I've had my warranty work done there, and if any problems arose, they were quickly solved by my contacts high up the chain.

Just make sure you are proudly wearing the c3 badge on your MINI and I can make sure you are treated right. :smile:

Also, I'm planning on getting my next MINI, due sometimes next year from who else?

Richard

 

I've been working with Jim at Dreyer & Reinbold in Indianapolis. They are so friendly and so helpful there. All of my questions and concerns were addressed very thoroughly. I would most definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a a first class dealership.

 

Go to Oregon, no sales tax!!! I think you'll have to wait, but to save the taxes, who cares.

B

P.S. Taxes in British Columbia are 7.5% (provincial) + 7% (federal) = 14.5% Yes, you read that right. I paid over $3500 in tax on my Mini.

 

Not sure how it works in Canada, but in USA you pay taxes in the state your register the car, not where you bought it. So if you are buying out of state to save taxes, you will get nowhere.

 

That's true. I bought my MC at Roadshow MINI in TN. I didn't pay any local taxes, but paid the full taxable amount when I registered in at our DMV. This is true because it's a new car with less than 10,000 miles. I think if you buy it--then store it for 6 months, you can bring it back and avoid sales tax because it's not considered a new car anymore---or something like that.

 

My wife and I are leaving birmingham to go to Classic MINI in Ohio to pick up our second MINI. Julie Saxa there is fantastic! She has kept us up to date on all of the ordering details and developments. She has sent photos and has gone out of her way many times to make our buying experience the best.

I'll report back after the weekend but I am sold on Classic MINI!

 

It is currently a year. Out of State Registration

 

Thanks! That's too long to wait to bring my MINI back.

Richard

 

nice car BTW, i was just looking at it a while ago, good choice!!

when are you getting into town? it would be nice to meet another MINIac and put a face to a name!!!