I agree there are many options. MINI marketing does a great job on selling "youification".

 

Unlike the other companies that basically say "here are the features you get - the cost is already figured into the MSRP. If you want anything else, we've already divided the other options up into three convenient packages, any of which may also contain additional options you could care less about."

I know which one I prefer.

 

I still say you can't argue what's "worth it" and what's not when it's entirely personal. And you can compare price points with other cars, but it doesn't really matter what equivalent BMW you can purchase, if what you *want* is a MINI with X options.

So if I *want* $50K worth of options on my MCS, you can't really say, "but you could get a stripped down 5 series" because that isn't what I want.

It's... irrational.

 

If you go back to the basics, the concept which presides over the creation of the Mini was to produce an affordable, average priced, and small car (European cities are old cities with narrow streets and at the time few highways) for use mainly in the cities.
Due to its incredible success backed by several victories in the Monte Carlo rally during the Sixties this little car became an iconic Spanish Inn

This car is still a little, small, and funny to drive car, keeping alive its original concept.

It's an exceptional car, as a second or third vehicle, for driving in a city and the surroundings (streched surroundings like 2 hours ).

As such it is still a lot of money or if you prefer an expensive (overpriced?) little toy.

 

Bamatt, you are correct. I do so apologize. It was said by "ASK" on page 2. I used his quote from your response. Won't do that one again.

Where'd you get the shaking head smiley effect? I love those things.

 

you have obviosly never considered a Porsche.

You can DOUBLE the price of your Porsche in options FROM THE FACTORY. Thats without aftermarket parts.

you can take a 90k c4s... and double it with options.... its nutty...

also, air con is an option on the gt3 rs last time i checked.


let me ask you this... if you spent 90 k on a porsche and it had manual seats would you be pissed? (i would!) I prefer manual seats... but damn... 90k i expect them... a c4s is not an all out performance car... so i expect it.. i don't expect it on a gt3...

 

I thought I wanted a G35 as well - test drove back to back and ordered a mini.

If she complains about the little car - let her ride in the back of the G during a test drive then go right to mini dealer and let her ride in the back. She will gladly agree to spend 10k less for a bigger back seat (in the MINI)

 

Sigh ... No I guess not I chose not to bring up Porsche in this discussion but since you have.

Yes, the Porsche Ordering Guide is about 60 pages long. They have options in there that makes MINI look pale in comparison. I specifically chose to leave them out of the discussion since your talking two different levels here. In fact, you can paint the car or get any color leather to sample.

Further, you can have them do ANYTHING you want to customize it. By that I mean anything. Think of it and they will do it for you. Double the price of the car ... actually, you can make it as expensive as you got money. Porsche is the "ultimate" in "youification" since you can have anything you want.

But whats the point of bringing that up in a MINI discussion?

Auto AC is standard on both the GT3 and GT3RS. On the other hand, the GT3RS only comes in 5 colors (without paint to sample)

Not at all. No Porsche has power seats standard. They add weight. You think that's bad? ... it wasn't until just a couple of years ago cupholders came standard. Porsche could care less about cupholders. There is a stink now about the lack of satellite radio and adapters for Ipod. The MOST fiber optics makes it about impossible to change the stereo. Again, its not consistent with the Porsche view. The car was meant to be driven, not listen to some music. (This has been related to me many times from owners to dealer). Adding a simple thing like XM radio ... can't be done without a kludge. Yet ... they sell the module for the Cayennes ... sports cars do not get it.

But, you do get standard brakes that have been tested to ensure the car can run up to top speed and down to 62 mph, 25 times in a row without any fading whatsoever. A car that can be driven at 160 all day long, everyday, etc. I'll take those over power seats

BTW, when I was at the dealer I specifically asked about all those other options. My salesman orders all the cars for his dealership and has been there 20 years or so. He said "nobody", in his experience. Of course, thats only one dealer.

The discussion was on adding 50% to the base price. 10K in options is easy. But 50% ... only if you got money to burn and I think you would be hard pressed to find one ... after all, for that price you can get a TT.

 

Thanks. Anything specific that you could point to which made you choose the MINI?....... besides the 4 quarts of oil you had to add to the G after the test drive.

 

I had the same reaction... except my MINI was more than $30k. It just shy of $40k. My wife's reaction was anything but positive... she pushed and pushed for me to get the 335 sedan which I loved except for the interior. Once I got the MINI and she rode in it her mind changed quick! Here's my baby:

 

that is a GREAT looking car!!!

Great job!!!!

 

I love those wheels!

 

tc4653 and isellem thanks

 

Yes, VERY nice, Royal.

 

Thanks... So have you decided?

 

I'm 80% set on a MINI, but won't be ready to buy until Feb/ March next year (tax return) so I'll start test driving then. For now, I just keep leaving pictures of cool MINI's on the computer so my wife gets used them.

 

Wow! Love the car! The graphics in moderation make a hugh impact!One of the coolest Minis I've seen pictured yet.

 

Thanks! dix!

 

Maybe I'm not reading correctly, but has anyone suggested taking the $10k you'll save on buying the Mini and investing it... like maybe to take your wife somewhere nice? Drive the Mini to the airport, it'll hold all the luggage you need, and that'll stop the "small car" comments!

 

No one has mentioned that yet, Dixon. Good idea. While I will most likely pay cash (another reason to choose the MINI- I can pay cash v.s. having to finance a portion of the G), most people won't have the extra 10 g's to invest- they will just have more to finance.

 

Its not a $30k car. You may pay $30k for it...then you get the modding bug. That 30k quickly turns into 40k hahaha

 

I bought my Wife an 06 330i. (Which she loves). I got the MINI.
Now she's trying to muscle me out of the MCS. She (and I) absolutely
love the MINI, (and our Bimmer too).

The MINI is worth every penny...