Hi,
My dealer called me yesterday and is trying to get me to go with a lot 2009 regular Mini on the lot.
The only Mini I have driven was a test drive in a used 2005 non S.

I told the salesperson that I liked the cooper but felt it was not quite powerful enough for me. Last night he informed me the newer MC is much more powerful than the 2005 I drove even without the turbo.

If he is not just giving a sales pitch this may be a nice option. I am not a racer just commuting but the power in the 2005 was a little too low on the interstate, it was a little iffy I thought.

He made it sound like the newer engine design is almost as powerful as the older turbo?

I was looking forward to building an 2010 but he told me I might not be able to order one till they rid themselves of the 2009 models. I asked him does that mean I cannot even special order a 2010 because of their alloted quota?


Sort of feel like a snow job though...

 

End of the day, the Cooper is still a Cooper. Its still putting ~100HP to the wheels, sadly even with the new engine its still not going to be a powerhouse on the road. I however felt that my 03' Cooper had plenty of kick, even at highway speeds (and beyond.)

 

The salesman appears to be poorly informed. The base Cooper has around 118 hp with the new engine. The S version has 172 hp. In the twisties the base cooper has plenty of power. On the hwy it definitely won't have the same oomph as the S. I found the base cooper to have enough power but you can hear the engine working harder.

If the dealer doesn't have a 2007+ base cooper to test drive you should pass given your concerns. If you do like the base cooper the dealer should give you a good deal on the in-stock car. Good luck.

 

It's your money if you want an "S" them buy one dont let the salesman talk you into anything else. It's his job to show you what they have and sell you what YOU want. They probably have a lot full of cars right now they need to sell.

I first drove a Non S model about a year ago, I came back from the test drive and thought this thing runs pretty I could live with this. I then took a drive in an S.....after that, there was no getting anything but an S that was 20k miles ago and I dont regret spending the extra bucks.

Really.... buy what will suit your needs, you have to live with your decision and make the payments.

 

I was given the same line (the new standard cooper is as powerful as the old supercharged cooper) by the MA when I went from an 08 Cabrio Cooper to an 09 S Cabrio. My concern in the 08 was the CVT transmission. I drove both the 09 Cooper and the 09 S Cooper and went with the S. I might have gotten a better deal on the non-S but the few dollars I might have missed in a "better deal" is worth it for the satisfaction of the S.

 

I however felt that my 03' Cooper had plenty of kick, even at highway speeds (and beyond.)


I felt the same way...I was cruising with traffic at posted 70mph speed limit and felt it was pretty wound tight at that..

Around here we deal with alot of semi and coal truck traffic, its nice to have the ability to sccot when you need to.

I understand the need they have to sell all the 2009 but I think it really affects their integrity when they pull the "Used Cars" movie routine..

(No offense Kurt Russell)

I think the 2010 S is the ticket....

I have not test drove one since I have to go to Nashville...

 

I bought my base Cooper to keep the miles off my Z 06 Vette. I drove both cars. The S is head and shoulders above the base car in performance but as fun transportation the base car cant be beat. I have no issues in traffic and the car can easily cruise all day at 80. If you want performance get the S if you are looking for fun transportation with good handling the base car would do fine.

 

I would first go in and try it out. You only can decide if the base engine is "enough" for you.

 

I only made it 2 blocks from the dealer in a non-S and I knew it didn't have enough power. I don't have any regrests getting a S and I can still get up to 40mpg if I drive it mildly.

 

I have an 08 "justacooper" Clubman and frankly it has all the power that would needed day to day even on the highway. Agreed that it is not an "S" in terms of ready on demand power in any gear but it has plenty of go if you are willing to be sure you are in the right gear.

 

The newer non-S's are quicker than the older ones if only because of the better transmission options now. However, a new non-S does not compare to an older supercharged S. That's a load of crap.

You should still be able to get a 2010 when they come out, you may just face a longer order time. I'd also get an S if you have any reservations about power whatsoever. It's not that much more money and it's not much worse gas wise.

 

I was convinced I only needed a cooper. Then I test drove an S... And for me there was no going back after that. But thats just me. I didnt want to end up with a mini, drive it home, but still end up say "Yeah I like it but... I think I would of been happier with an S."

So I went for it. And that sales person seems like hes just trying to push cars off the lot. Dont they have any S's? I would test drive an S if i were in your shoes. Then try and make a decision.

 

i have o8 jac, i have received ( with a smile on my face ) 3 tickets so far .

he has 6spd man. seems to like 3'000 to 5'000 rpm , hp falls off after that .

 

It seemed like my JAC (just a cooper) picked up in mileage and a little power at about 7000-8000 miles. May have been just me but it seemed to settle in and be just fine. I bought the New S after driving both. Like previously posed I didn't want regrets or what if I . . . So I bought the S.

 

sorry, not to hip on the nomenclature just yet ...

what is a "i have o8 jac" ?

Slippy



Never mind....Just A Cooper...D'Uoh

 

jac is justacooper....its on the same page....look up

as for my take on the topic....

i have only driven 2 coopers...one was a JAC with auto and it was a VERY fun car to drive...more than enough fun to kee anyone happy....

that being said i bought an 09 MCS 6 speed...so go figure

 

Is the 2005 Non S the only cooper they have to test drive? I never saw any non-'09s at our dealership (at least that weren't owned by the employees.) They have at least 1 manual and auto of each model so people know they are testing the car they desire.
What the quota thing may refer to is that if your dealership is having problems moving coopers off the lot then Mini isn't as likely to ship them new ones. So you ordering one online may get held up....however, I can't image that Mini would say Your money is worthless to us if that dealer can't move the product we have already allotted them. Please go away!.

Go find a new MA, or inform your current one that you are aware that Mini will send you a survey about your buying experience (because they do) and anything below a 5 is worthless for their feedback.

 

You really need to drive an MCS to make an informed decision. They should have a demo avail.
For me, by the time i added the options I wanted on JAC it was vary close in price to the MCS. If you need extraordinary MPG and don't really care about the extra HP then the JAC may be perfect for you.
But again, drive both before making your decision.

 

Hi,

I should have mentioned....

I am in Evansville Indiana and the nearest dealer is in Nashville, TN about 2.5 hours away. The used 2005 "justacooper" is a local Ford dealership who had the car on their pre-owned lot.

I have to say I love reading the great folfs who reply here. It is comforting to see others going through the same purchasing dilema and those who have gone before. Great site, and Mini seems to have a great community!

I was 110% sure I knew exactly what I wanted up to last week now it seems I flip flop every day.

I have decided that perhaps it not only is best (deffinately cheaper) but wiser to lessen the ammount of electronic "goodies" that seem to quickly raise the price of the car. i.e. auto headlights,self dimming mirrors, auto AC, ect...Less to go wrong with a dealer 2 + hours away IMHO.

I think they would be a nice luxury, but I have survived 43 years sans these options and will most likely be just fine thank you! heck my current truck is a F150 without even power windows or locks!! How bohemian!!!

The fact that there is .09 % intrest plus what I am seeing 1,500.00 to 2,000.00 off on lot Coopers (some places have 4,000-5,000 off on JCW) really presses one to consider purchasing an 2009.

I am wondering if Mini will go back to the 1.9% intrest at the first of Septemeber.

BTW, anyone who has been involved with Mini awhile know when they "switch" the configuer to reflect the 2010 models?

Also, how do some of you who say you pay like 500.00 over invoice actually know ehat invoice is?

Slippy

 

nvm