Probably going to order a 2010 Clubman S next week to get delivery by end of December to take advantage of the 2009 federal tax break for new vehicle purchase registration/taxes. However I hate to pay list price. I want a discount!

Emailing several dealers in Maryland and Virginia with the car I built at miniusa and it appears they do not want to discount and will only sell at MSRP for ordered cars. However according to www.truecar.com discounts are available from MSRP. I don't get it. The dealer has no money invested in an ordered car. No financing to pay. I pay them to order it! I got a huge discount custom ordering my Ford Explorer. I do not mind traveling to get a deal although a dealer just opened 10 minutes from my house. I want some leverage when negotiating. I tried the AAA, cars direct etc and all gave MSRP as suggested price.

Anyone had luck getting a discount ordering a car?

 

Most dealers are used to taking ordered cars as list or list plus (but I guess that is pretty much over now except for on the west coast). Most discounts if any would be on 2009 stock on ground. There may be some higher volume dealers willing to deal, but you would have to travel to get the car and in the long run may not be worth the bother.

 

Ok, so I am in the dark here. I purchased a 2009 Mini Clubman S on Sept. 4th 2009. Did I miss out on the credit? How do I apply for it if it is still available? If possible please shed some light for a man in the dark. Thanks

 

it's a line item credit on your 2009 1040 tax rerturn.

 

I got this response from one dealer:

"For the most part MINI has always stuck by the one price philosophy and as you become a MINI owner, you do realize the value in this. Not only does the exceptional performance and styling as a BMW product help it hold value, but the fact that there are no discounts offered on new vehicles also allows the used vehicles to maintain a good value. I understand that it's a tough pill to swallow, paying MSRP for a vehicle, however, as you become a MINI owner you will definitely realize the value in the vehicle and also in the free maintenance program."

No where on Miniusa do they talk about pricing the cars like Saturn. Especially given the many options, the ordering and much higher cost. Even BMW discounts!

 

You'll just have to negotiate with them and see what they'll give you. In general, discounts on new MINIs are hard to get, as it is a niche auto generally in high demand. Ordering a 2010 puts you at an extra disadvantage, as it is the brand-new model year and you're not taking a vehicle off the dealer's lot. There is quite a bit of haggling going on with 2009's on the lots, plus MINI is offering 1.9% financing on 2009s. Good luck.

 

i was able to get 1400 off my 09 Clubman. but it was a repeat business as my parents ordered a MC last year.

 

I'd spec your order out and fax it to all the dealerships in your area and give them 1 chance to give you an out-the-door price and see what you get. I'd be surprised if you don't get some sort of discount.

 

I am also planning on ordering the new 2010 Clubman JCW. I sent quote requests to multiple dealership in California. So far, the best price that I got, is from MINI of Sacramento. They are willing to take $2.2k off from $40.4k MSRP (Option includes: 3 packages, sport suspension, aero kit, leather-Lounge Carbon blk, rear fog lamp, Xenon, Horizon Blue, & comfort bluetooth).

I'm not sure if I should go for it or wait for better offers from other dealers.

 

what is the invoice Rocky? It's unusual for Niello to discount anything!

 

Hey RF,

This is my very time to deal with them. The first internet sales rep quoted me $1,995 above MSRP, and I recieved another email from other rep offering $38.2k + tax & lic plus $1k deposit to place the order.

I emailed them last night asking for an invoice. I hope to hear back from them.

 

The deposit comes off the total price of the car. So if you order a $30,000 MINI, and put the $1,000 deposit down. You will have to pay them $29,000 + tag/title/tax at time of delivery. Your $1,000 isn't lost in never land.

 

Jeremy - Yes, I already know on how the deposit works. But I really appreciate the explanation for the folks who do not know what deposit means. thx

 

Clutchless, I would consider a 2009 off the lot if I were you. I did that back in April. I REALLY wanted a Hot Chocolate S with a Hot Chocolate roof, but the dealer was only able to locate two in the country with what I wanted. They were $2000-$3000 more because they had extras I didn't need/want. I like you really wanted a deal as I get just about everything discounted simply by looking. I recently found a Swiss Amry Watch for half off. Before ordering it I looked around and found it for 60% off somewhere else with cheaper shipping. Anyway, so I figured that if they had to do a dealer trade for the Hot Chocolate Clubman S that I wouldn't get a good deal or much of a deal. While Hot Chocolate was my favorite color I was open to other colors. So I had the dealer check their stock in a few colors for a Clubman S with the options I wanted. It came down to a Sparkling Silver minus the arm rest (which was a must) or a Dark Silver minus the Xenons. Color won out as I went with the Dark Silver and I don't miss the Xenons because A) I've never had them and B) I live in Milwaukee and never really need them. In taking that car off the lot I got 6% off and I plan on getting the tax back as well which all told will be 10% off. In reading other stories here I haven't heard of better deals really, though I'm sure there are a few out there.

Now, I am going to do it differently next time. Here is a post about what one guy did and I have printed this out so that I hopefully get a better deal next time and I'll be using it on an ordered car:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...454-post8.html

That looks great to me because you have competing dealers who don't necessarily know everyone they're competing with and you go through less hassle. Here is the link for the full thread:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...im-in-hot.html

Note the post after the one I specifically linked. Talks about ordering at the end of the month too.

My guess is if you talk an 09 off the lot you'd get a deal of some sort right now and save $$$ as opposed to ordering a 10. Also, you should look to see what the differences between the 09 and 10 models are. They 10 changes could be very subtle. Oh, and it doesn't hurt to ask (after the price has been agreed) for them to throw in some floor mats. I totally forgot to do that. Either way, good luck and show us your car when you get it.

 

If I order a Clubman now (October 25, 2009) but it does not arrive to the states (since it is custom built) until January 2010, will I still be able to take the deduction on my taxes? I will have signed an agreement with downpayment paid upfront in Oct. 2009.
Thanks for your help!

 

We were able to get them to throw in the rubber floor/boot mats and knock off $250 at Passport in Alexandria, VA. But of course, we only asked out of principle and not because we were expecting much.

 

I am almost positive you have to accept delivery before the end of 2009.

The car tax is deducted from fed income taxes. Here are the details:

Summary:

Vehicle purchase tax incentives. If you’re in the market for a new
car, Uncle Sam is going to help by allowing you to deduct sales or
excise taxes if you purchase the vehicle before the end of 2009. This
deduction is above the line, meaning you can claim it even if you
don’t itemize. The deduction is good for sales tax on purchases of up
to $49,500 and phases out for individuals with incomes of more than
$125,000 and couples with incomes of more than $250,000.

More details:

The new car tax credit was included on the 2009 stimulus package, and
it’s causing a lot of confusion for a lot of people. I’ve studied the
brief IRS explanation and several other sources to figure out how the
credit works.

New Car Credit Eligibility Dates
The credit applies to new cars purchased between February 17, 2009 and
December 31, 2009. That means the purchase must be completed, not that
you’re working on a deal on December 31. If you completed the deal on
February 16, you’re out of luck.

Qualifying Vehicles
New cars, light trucks, motor homes, and motorcycles qualify. Used or
pre-owned cars do not, even if it’s “new to you.”

Qualifying Purchase Price
Here’s the tricky part. The credit is limited to the taxes on vehicles
with a purchase price up to $49,500. You can buy a more expensive car
than that, but you can only deduct the taxes on $49,500 of it. That’s
still a pretty penny if you live in a high sales tax state.

Qualifying Income
The income limit is high enough that nearly everyone will qualify. The
credit starts to phase out at $125,000 for individuals and $250,000
for couples. Once you reach $135,000 and $260,000, respectively, you
no longer qualify.

Eligible Taxes
Although there was initial talk of including loan interest, the credit
is limited to the sales, local, and excise taxes associated with the
purchase. The IRS estimates that will be about $1500 on a $25000 car,
but it does depend on the prevailing tax rate in your state and city.
See the first comment for a better explanation of the actual value of
the credit.

As of June, 2009, the IRS has clarified that fees collected by states
that don’t collect sales taxes will qualify for the credit. These
states include Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Montana, New Hampshire and
Oregon. Please consult the IRS to find out precisely which fees are

And more:

WASHINGTON — With 2010 models arriving in dealer showrooms, the
Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that purchasing a new car,
light truck, motor home or motorcycle could qualify them for a special
deduction for the state and local sales and excise taxes on their 2009
tax returns.
Purchases made before Jan. 1, 2010, will qualify for this deduction
under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

The deduction is limited to the sales and excise taxes and similar
fees paid on up to $49,500 of the purchase price of a new vehicle. The
deduction is reduced for joint filers with modified adjusted gross
incomes (MAGI) between $250,000 and $260,000 and other taxpayers with
MAGI between $125,000 and $135,000. Taxpayers with higher incomes do
not qualify.

Taxpayers who make qualifying new vehicle purchases this year can
estimate the deduction with the help of Worksheet 10 in IRS
Publication 919, How Do I Adjust My Withholding? Lines 10a to 10k of
the worksheet show how to take into account purchases above the
$49,500 limit, as well as the reduced deductions for taxpayers at
higher income levels.

The special deduction is available regardless of whether taxpayers
itemize deductions on their returns. Taxpayers who do not itemize will
add this additional amount to the standard deduction on their 2009 tax
return.

For those that have questions about the deduction for sales tax and
other fees, these questions and answers might help. A videovideo on
the IRS Youtube.com channel and audio podcasts in English and Spanish
are also available to help taxpayers take full advantage of the
deduction.

http://www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=214016,00.html link to same
article with working links

 

Thanks Clutchless - I appreciate the time you took to post details about the 2009 IRS deduction.

 

I was under the impression that new MINIs are not discounted either, however I found a 2010 Clubman S that was on a dealer's lot that was close to what I wanted, although it had a couple of options I would not have ordered if I built my own. In negotiating with the dealer, I told him that, so he discounted those two options ($750). Then I told him I wanted snow tires and rims (approx. $900), and he agreed to that. On top of that, I negotiated an extra $500 on my trade.

So if they actually follow through with all this, I am expecting to pick up my car either on Monday or Tuesday. Wish me luck!

 

Wait, wait: so if I were to buy a left-over new 2009 off the dealers lot before the cut off date, that purchase would qualify? I don't have to buy a 2010, now that they are available?

 

if it is titled first to YOU, and taken delivery by 12/31/09, you qualify (from what I have just read above). Whether its an 09 or 10, same tax qualification.

 

...or if your dealer will sign the paperwork accordingly...

 

I got $900 off of my 2010 Clubman S (not custom ordered, but they did a dealer trade from across the country on my car which was just delivered that week) and "free" rubber floor mats (which probably cost about $10 to make -- but I ended up buying the carpeted ones a week afterwards 'cause I don't like the rubber) -- I probably could have gotten more if I really tried. No one is buying cars right now so the ball is in your court.

This is way too late, but just thought I'd put my 2 cents in.