Another dealer offered us pretty close to what we figured we could get for it selling privately, plus $2k off the car my SO fell in love with (Mazdaspeed 3) so we took it. MINI would only give us $1400 off a car in stock (none were very close to what I wanted) or $500 off an order.

I was sad b/c I wanted a MINI, but we ended up buying my '06 cabrio with 20k miles on it, used, for a great price. I'm happy, he's happy...but I still dream of a Laser Blue convertible S...maybe someday.

 

My MCS Laser Blue/white was ordered 8 weeks ago and I am stiiiiiilllll waiting. The Mazdaspeed 3 is gorgeous-- I really like the interior setup. More logical then the MINI imo.

(sorry--we are horribly off topic now!)

btw-- I LOVE the interior of your cabrio! WOW! That's all I can say. WOW!

 

Actual yes, it is the same dealership. Same story as yours, they raved about the resale value and my car has dropped 35% in 8 months. I don't know what is going on over there but this has been immensely disappointing. Anyone can sell a product. It's when the **** hits the fan that agencies can be heros or zeros. I just want my car back, with the brakes fixed at least!

 

It wouldn't be on there, the dealership or Mini doesn't declare it. Carfax only works if a claim was made on the damage.

 

I pulled a Carfax report and nothing on there. But to your point, the dealership would have to declare it.

 

in february 2006, I bought a 2005 Porsche Boxster from the dealer they called it "left over stock and wanted to "move it off the lot to make room for the 2006 models". it had 76 miles on it and aside from a few fine scratches on the right fender, it seemed perfect. what made the deal so much more sweet - $11,000 off sticker - that's how bad they wanted to move that puppy.

well, it was a perfect car (insert some idealism as a guy who finally bought his 1st porsche and brand new nonetheless, after wanting one -albeit still holding out for a 911 - since i was a kid!) until about 3000miles/2.5 months into ownership.

on a road trip between LA and Phoenix I started to notice a very fine, but obvious shimmy through the car that cycled about every 5 seconds. then i noticed that the car didn't feel as stable through the corners (it didn't feel stable at all anymore). over the next 6 weeks i had it in 2 different porsche dealerships, 3 times. 3 of the $450 michelins were replaced the first time because they were "Defective" but i shouldn't worry - it probably was just a "bad batch of tires" result- no change in how the car drove.

next time, i was told it was probably just the subtle nuiance of a hand built car - i was called a smart *** when i asked for a refund then for the 3000 miles of subtle nuiance i didn't have before i noticed this. 3rd time i was told i just didn't understand a porsche b/c it was the first one i owned. 2 weeks later i traded the car in (got KBB trade in - therefore didn't loose a penny on the car after buying it with $11k off sticker). but, to this day, i'm now convinced that the dealer offered such a huge amount off (i didn't have to negotiate the price at all - they offered it up front!!) because the car had some sort of damage that they never revealed to me.

it was bittersweet - beautiful car, a dream to buy a new one as my first, but the bmw that followed and now the mcs have all been superbly enjoyed. everything happens for a reason i guess.