I know your an advocate of the stripped car theory but I also thinkg your way off base here. Perhaps you should start a poll?

I would bet the average MCS today, on the road, sells for $28 - $30K. Why? I was just at the dealer while waiting strolled the lot. Many, Many cars there (so much for the MINI is rare theory). Lots of MC Converts selling for $30K. The dealer adds $3K of "stuff" to every car (e.g., clearbra, alarm, etc. call dealer installed make some money options).

I think you should start a Poll of the 06 Owners and see how much they paid!

 

MCS base price $20,900 and $550 destination charges.... $21,450 with NO OPTIONS AT ALL! If you get the racers version, with just LDS, you're up at $22k, plus tax, title and the rest..... Xenons and fogs will set up back about $1k more... So now you're at $23k......

Matt

 

MINI ought to be worrying about the highend buyers as well. A well equiped JCW is $45K. Thats right at the MSRP for an 06 Elise. Since 05 Elises have falled to $35K+ range, the serious track types would do well to totally forget about MINI and jump on an 05 Elise.

 

I think you're right. My $21,800 04 MCS is in the minority. I think many MCS owners are people who can afford more expensive cars (witness the number of 15%-over-MSRP Brecht license plate frames in San Diego), but chose the MCS for its style and/or performance.

The threat to MINI is the fickleness of these consumers. Whether they bought the style or the substance, there will always be something newer or faster coming out - and I don't think pricepoint is the number one point of comparison.

 

When I look around Atlanta..... most of what I see is Coopers not "S" models..... I wrote a post a long time ago that there should be an "M" version of the Mini and someone suggessted that.... that was the JCW. What I am talking about is BBR type car from the factory,... with waranty,... that kicks. The MX-5 is a very nice car and I would consider one as it is not my only car, but, for much of the market it is an only car so the MX-5 is ruled out.... I would not go with some of the cars sugested because there is no "charisma" whatsoever.... none of the "I want that in my garage forever" kind of vibe. As far as handling..... the Mini set a standard for price point but you all know that is being challenged..... VW makes a nice product..... Euro styling and lots of power...... I just read the review of the R32..... nice car!

I don't think the BMW people are serious about the Mini as a performance car...... no "M" version and that says it all.

I do like the "Traveler" and may sell the Xterra when they come out.

 

That is an excellent observation. I see many MINIs during a day, mostly in parking lots. By far, most are MCs, very plain, obviously daily commuter cars.

When I go to Club events, its all modded MCSs, which I suspect, are in the minority (there is always one or to MCs but rarer at MINI meets).

 

They are bringing out the John Cooper series of which only 415 will be sold in the US for '07.... Mick

 

weird, here in LA, all I see is MCS. I hardly ever see a MINI so I feel part of the minority not having an S.

As to the price point, the avg. MINI costing $21k? .....Easily the avg. MINI I say costs $26K.

 

You guys are all rich in LA

 

I see both the MC and the MCS in nearly equal numbers (West L.A. / Santa Monica / South Bay areas).

 

toss out LA.... they bust up Enzos in Malibu for fun...... evrything is fast and expensive in LA.....cars, women etc (jk) wonder what the %s are in NYC

 

Maybe there aren't many like me, but I'd much rather have a new MC that got significantly better mileage than one that goes faster.

 

Its too bad we cant do polls here, maybe the Moderators would set one up like for the picture contests. It would be interested to see the ranges of 06 off the showroom floor prices to dispell any myths or urban legends (one way or the other).

 

heretic.......burn him..... burn him......he is way too practical ..... probably sold Cisco at $75

 

OK, yes I think that "strippo" MCS as well as ultra loaded MCS are not the rule of thumb.

Here is a price breakdown of my MCS:

'05 MCS 6MT (Base Price as of 2/2005 USD 20,400)

Options----> Convenience Pkg USD 400.00
MFSW 250.00
Chrome Line Ext 250.00
Front Fog Lights 150.00
OBC (Trip Computer) 200.00
Rear Fog lamp 100.00
H/K Stereo 550.00

Total: USD 22,850

If I had added LSD and Xenons, the price would have shoot up to at least $23,900. "Premium Pack" easily into the high 24's and "Sport Pack" mid to high 25's.

I would say an average for a new MCS is around $25K-$27K before taxes and fees.

 

Agreed

The only other MINI site where you can setup polls is MINI2.com

 

Agreed. I would bet many people get ALL 3 packages, just look at ppls sigs. They love to advertise that fact but they may be higher priced

 

I'm with you, res.

 

Considering I just paid $3.00 for gas today Why are these prices rising and nobody talking about it???

 

Paid $2.99/Gal to fill up today as well. Oil companies continue to post record profits and no one is talking about it either..

 

The dollar has sunk, and the gas is still the cheapest in the world! Here in CA, I fully expect $3.50 a gal for crappy 91 sometime this summer! We in the US are pussies when it comes to gas. Everyone should know that we have the lowest prices, and the worst fuel efficiency, and the highest thirst. With the rest of the world just revving up it's appitite, it's gonna get much, much worse, and probably never get better!

Matt

 

Anyone that bought their 'S' with a thought of fuel efficiency in mind, is just crazy. Anyone that bought their 'S' because they thought it blew the competition away is a fool. When I wanted the Mini and eventually bought mine, there were no other cars in the running. I just knew I wanted it for what it is. And I think that is the appeal of the Mini. It is what it is - It won't ever be the fastest, won't get best gas mileage, won't sell the most... But who cares...I know I don't.

 

From a car designer's point of view...no one will ever build another "Mini" or even anything close to it (with the exception of maybe the Japanese). There are plenty of "Mini Fighters" in the plans/works from GM/Ford/Chrysler coming (ug...if they think the Caliber is even in the same ball park). And therein lies the barrier...most auto companies come into the game late and "think" they understand the market then attempt to out smart themselves with, "why not give the customer more than they're asking for? Afterall, the Mini is just a 'cute' four passenger platform" logic. "Hey, the Mini is Hot and SUV's are hot. So why don't we make a Mini SUV?" which inevitably ends up like you know what...the Caliber:impatient Oh trust me...that's only the first POS comming at you here in our home marketimpatient:impatient They're in it for the profit and the last equation in "profit" is "passion". Trust me, after BMW gives up the Mini, there won't be anymore magic...

 

and the addicts can't really complain. Market economies in action! At least higher fuel costs will make other technologies more attractive, and also offset the costs of other features going into gasoline engines....

The silver lining of the gas-cost cloud.

Matt

 

Yep, the USA has 5% of the world's population and uses 45% of all the gas produced in the world.

High prices are the only way to reduce the demand and to encourage alternate fuels.