Great news! I think I'll send them an email now! Thanks for the info.

 

Please let me know how that work out for you, I will be looking to buy a new mini in the next few months. I hope you are able to get what you are looking for.

 

Don't forget to think about the cost of shipping. You'll need a BIG discount to make up for that over being able to just drive the car home. I drove 400 miles home from picking up my 06 S. Could have got it for a cheaper price, but after shipping it would have cost more. So I found the best deal within 500miles.

 

Good call. Thanks. Unfortunately, I'm having trouble finding any dealer anywhere that will offer other than to waive their "dealer fee". I'll be calling the dealer you recommended in South Atlanta next. Wish me luck!

 

The MINI delears near DC seem to have an average of about 50 unsold new units each ... and that number seems to be climbing weekly... as a buyer, I wouldn't be offering to pay full MSRP in that climate.

 

I have bought cars outside the state I live in and have never had to pay the state sales tax in the state where the car was bought. They give you a temp registration and then when you get to Florida to register it you pay the sales tax at that time.

 

+1

I bought mine through Mini of the Hamptons back in 03....at the time when these cars were in top demand their "doc fee" was $100 and they split the cost of shipping. I have since seen them run deals where they covered full ship costs back when they were clearing 07's

Yes the car is licensed by you in the state of ownership and taxes paid at time of registration where you live

 

You two are correct. Since my initial post, I have been in contact with MINI of the Hamptons and I'm strongly considering buying from them based upon the initial price they gave. Since they gave their quote, I think I've decided against leather and nav, which will knock about $4000 off the price. Hopefully, they will give as much of a discount as on the original quote with the new configuration.

I'm actually waiting to hear back from them about shipping costs and weighing whether or not I want to go through the hassle of driving it back or having it shipped for a little extra. I have family in Va Beach, so it might be a fun little road trip with a convenient place to stop about half way home.

Planeguy, how was your experience with MINI of the Hamptons? I'm a bit concerned about a few things. 1) If I have it shipped and something happens, how will it be taken care of since I won't know if it's the shipping company's fault or MINI of the Hamptons. 2) If I bring it in for warranty service, will my local dealer treat me the same as if I bought it there? For example, I'm not sure if I'll be provided a loaner. I know my local dealer will provide one if you bought the car from them, but is this standard BMW/MINI policy? 3) Will I encounter any "surprises" (read extra $$$) when it comes time to register my car down here that I wouldn't have had if I bought from a local dealer?

The reason I ask all this stuff is because the deal that MINI of the Hamptons offered me seems too good to be true. $1000 of MSRP, with no dealer fee from what I can tell (waiting on a response to be sure). They took the price from the configurator, subtracted $1000, said that's the amount of the check I would need write them, and told me that all taxes, etc. would be handled in FL. That price also included a NY 30-day plate. All of the other dealers I've contacted before said that they couldn't discount something that's not even out yet, or that they would only waive the dealer fee. How is it possible that one dealer can offer so much of a discount when others act like I'm an idiot for even asking?

 

I know this is a post for '08s...but

I was able to negotiate my '07 MCS sticker price of $23,750 down to an even $23,000 from the Habberstad LI, NY dealer. That was in mid November. I looked over every other out-the-door charge and it was all reasonable. My MCS is pretty barebones (especially looking around this site... you guys are NUTS!!!):

- cold weather package
- sunroof
- multifunction steering wheel
- piano black interior

I got my deal because I paid in cash (AMEX + Certified check).

The funny thing Is I had tried desperately to get a deal from 5 other dealers and finally was about to throw in the towel and pay sticker from the Manhattan dealer. As I reached for the phone, it rang and the Habberstad dealer said "what's it going to take to make a deal with you, sir?" I told him 23 even and gave him my amex digits. It was awesome.

 

It also comes down to how the dealer is doing with sales that month. If they are slow, they may get aggressive to move units. Then, you start hearing the line "what do I have to do to get you in this car today"?

 

Sorry, but this is totally wrong.

Paying cash means nothing to the dealer these days. Maybe 10 years ago, but now it means nothing. If you finance with the dealer, they make money from the bank for giving them the loan and can potentially make a portion of the finance charge. The dealer gets paid by the bank for the car very quickly (with some banks like BMWFS/MINIFS they can submit your contract for payment the same day you take delivery and have the money wired into their bank account right away, before your "certified check" would even get deposited in the bank).

With the AMEX, it costs them money in fees that they have to pay AMEX.

Bottom line: they'll always take cash deals, but it's not their preference and you don't get a better deal because you paid cash. The dealer has the opportunity to make more money if you finance, it is not a burden to them-- it is actually preferred! I'll bet 100% that you would have gotten the same deal if you financed the car, you just got that deal because you gave them a commitment to buy the car (which is what they want!) if they could do that number, it meant nothing to them how you were going to pay.

 

Hmmm. I seemed to have touched a nerve here.
Anyway, I was only going by what the bill of sale said: "cash discount $750."
I guess they just meant to write something else down.

 

This is very true.............They get their money either way, and banks kick back a fee for using them.

 

It is possible to get it below MSRP in certain areas. I live in Orlando, but had all the dealers in S. Florida pricing against each other for my business. I got my '07 MC for a little over 1k under MSRP (no extra fees as all) and lots of free extras ( floor mats, etc). It took time and research but that was also on a custom build. One of the other S. Florida dealers was willing to give me 1,500 off any of their already on the lot convertibles, but only move $500 on a custom.

Orlando - even when given a buyers order showing the 1k discount would not move. Oh well!

 

Just (1/6/08) put deposit on my new '07 MCS. Pick up in a few days. Very excited! I think I got a decent deal as I knew they were trying to clear the '07s off the lot. Thoughts?

- Dark silver top and bottom
- Premium package (sunroof, leatherette, etc.)
- 17" crown spoke
- manual tranny
- mats, pinstripes, chrome mirrors...

Price = $2,000 under sticker MSRP

 

Sounds like an awesome deal. Want to share the dealer/area?

 

Very nice! DS is definitely amongst my top colors. I'm assuming you're buying off the lot???

 

Yes, buying off the lot. It's from Vista BMW/Mini in Coconut Creek, FL.

They initially offered $1,500 off. I left the lot for a few hours telling them I needed to keep looking around. They called me an hour later and told me they'd bring it down another $500.

Cool...I was hoping that was a decent deal.

Thanks!

 

Awesome, that's actually an amazing deal, congrats.

Be sure to post pics after you pick her (or him) up!!!

 

I got 1k off from Morristown Mini.

 

I got 1k off as well, from Otto's MINI. Always thought that was about the best you can get! Granted this is when '07 models were still in production (early October). Makes sense now that '07s will be discounted even further since the first '08s have began arriving.