So, two weeks ago, out of the blue, I decided I wanted a MINI more than anything.

I spend the next 3-4 days researching(and playing on MINIUSA as well) during my free time. I set up a test drive, only with the intention test driving and getting info. I was not going to be sold anything that day, and I am very stubborn, so I wasn't going to be pressured into anything.

I am very clear on this with my MA. Well, this is all happening last week, so it is May 22nd. I'm told by the GM that to place an order I have to do that by the end of May since the company does not take orders in June because of doing inventory before the switch to 2011's. I had no intention of trying to get one quite this fast. I really really want to custom order mine. They checked around to see if anyone had a build like what I wanted on the lot somewhere. There wasn't so I would need to order mine. And since I want dark silver I would have to get a 2010 since they are discontinuing that color.

Since I had just in the past two weeks decided to get a new car. I had financially not planned for it so quickly. (which was ok with me till I was told about needing to order very very soon) So I needed to come up with my 1k in pretty much a weeks time. Which I could almost do. Well there was an unexpected death in the family. So that's where the extra money I was going to use to help order my MINI needed to go, since we would need to travel 6 hours away. So I thought right there went my chances of getting a 2010 MINI of my choice. Also, my husband is a Marine and just got orders so we will be moving from VA to North Carolina in August. So if I don't get one now, I will need to wait till much later in the year, and then my nearest MINI dealer is i think over 3 hours away.

So I explained this all in an email to my MA, telling him I would just have to forget about getting a mini right now since I needed at least a week more to get 1k to order. To help me out(and I expect to get the sale) They lowered my deposit to only $500. Which I would be able to do right then.

So that helped a ton. Since I wanted to use MINI select financing I needed to do all the credit applications and such. Well I'm more than positive I will need my husband to co-sign for me, since I have never had a loan of any kind before. Well I can't do all of that information because my husband is 6 hrs away. So all that won't be able to be done till monday, the last day they say I can order.

So I ask for some advice. Should I give up already on trying to get a 2010 mini? When should I take a hint and give up? Or should I keep on trying! Or should I sacrifice some of my needs(ok, so maybe they are just wants) and get something they have on the lot? (See I really want to order mine, I want it to be MINE, and intend on keeping it till it dies.)

I'm just getting frustrated and feel like maybe I'm not meant to get a mini soon.

also it wouldn't be such a big deal but the car I have now, it runs ok. But, it does have issues sometimes, and when it has issues it tends to cost at least 500-1000 to get fixed. And has a nice shopping list of things that need to be fixed already, and really is not worth putting all the money into. Which is why I haven't fixed it yet.(that's another story in itself)

I just don't know what to do. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks for listening to my rant. Sorry for it being so long.

 

I would say wait and get want you want. You sound overwhelmed and that makes decisions harder and less clear. Dealing with the passing of a family member is tough never mind adding a major purchase on top. Give it a week or two and when things calm down I bet you'll know what to do.

 

If I wait though, I won't get what I want. The dark silver would be gone. :(
Not to sound harsh or anything but the person who passed away was my husbands grandmother whom I've never met, Since we rarely went home since being together. I feel very bad for my husband, but I was never emotionally attached to her.

But, I definitely am feeling overwhelmed, because nothing seems to be easy or going very smoothly for me. I just worry with moving later this year and my husband possibly deploying a couple months after that, it's going to be much more difficult for me to get to where minis are sold.

I just wish I would have thought of getting a new car at least a month ago.

 

I call BS on not being able to order in June. They tried the same thing with me at Passport Mini of Alexandria 3 months ago when they were still offering 1.9% financing. I was told that I had to get the order in before the end of Feb. or I would lose out on the special rate. Furthermore, I was told that I would not be guaranteed a customized car because of some inventory problem. I waited til March and low and behold, I placed my order for my exact MCS with 1.9% apr. My feeling is they will do anything possible to pressure you into making the purchase sooner rather than later. Try telling them you'll order from a different dealer in June and see what they have to say.

 

very interesting!

I thought it sounded kind of strange, but also that it could be true. Honestly eventually they would need to stop ordering 2010s.

and thats exactly where I am ordering from.

 

I'd wait and order a 2011. There aren't any other colors you like? Is dark silver really the deal breaker?

 

Why are you in such a rush? The used market will never go away, and will likely be a good option for you, especially considering you want dark silver. I would go so far as to recommend considering a 2005-2006 R53 on top of everything else you need to decide on. Good luck

 

Perhaps things changed, but two years ago in 2008 I ordered a 2008 MINI in August and got it in mid-September. At that time they also told me that the model year was ending so I needed to order ASAP. Must be something in the MA playbook. And last week when I checked, nobody at MINi knew anything about what colors would and wouldn't be available for the 2011's. Even during the model year they keep changing them back and forth. I never ordered a 2010 because they took Oxygen Blue out of the lineup by the time I was ready to consider trading my old car in.

 

"See I really want to order mine, I want it to be MINE, and intend on keeping it till it dies."

Then do it your way, dark silver or not. There's always something worse and something better next year.

 

And I'm guessing there'll be some sort of dark silver next year. Seems to be a pretty standard color for this generation.

 

One more thing to add... there's nothing to say you can't buy a brand new Dark Silver left over when the 2011's come out.

They can use a locator to see who in the country has one. Go with your gut and get the one YOU want. No rush, there's always going to be minis around.

Good luck, let us know what you decide.


Mark

 

You've gotten some great advice. Actually what orangecrush said was exactly what I was thinking before I saw that he already had. If you really want a color that you can only get on a 2010 and are committed to a 2010...wait until the dealership is at YOUR mercy to get rid of their '10s (or some other dealership across the country that they can have shipped to you)...you stand to save a bunch of money.

Beyond that...buying a new MINI should be fun...forgive me for saying but you sound wound really tight at the moment...this sounds like ANYTHING but fun by reading your post. I wouldn't do it in your current frame of mind.

Just my $0.02

 

At the very least you could call a couple other dealers (don't even HAVE to be near you) and ask about ordering a 2010. See if they say "oh, you HAVE to order a 2010 before June!"

That sounds pretty sketchy to me.

 

Jeez, there are at least 4 Mini dealers in this area. (Baltimore/DC metro area) Get on the phone...When I ordered mine (sept 09) there were none in the counrty like I wanted... So I ordered I mean hell, all they are doing is changing a preproduction allocation. No big deal. I got to watch on the web site as it changed from some random car to what I ordered.

 

Yeah, he's a pretty smart guy, ain't he?



Seriously, Scott's right, take some time to figure out what you want to do. It almost sounds like you feel like you're being forced/coerced into buying something you're not ready to.

Almost like if you don't buy today, there will never be another mini for sale.

I promise you that you'll not only find the mini you want, you'll probably get a better deal. (money-wise, interest-wise)


Mark

 

DS is their most popular color.....doubt they would remove that color all together from the product line. Probably just come out with a different version of dark silver - yes ?

 

fwiw, if you are moving to a Marine base in NC, your closest MINI dealer will likely be Flow MINI in Raleigh, about 2 - 2.5 hours from the Marine bases.

 

Just wait, your husband may need the extra money for the death in the family and then you're moving soon, that always puts a financial burden on anyone. What's the rush, it's just a car, deal with your life issues first.

 

Thanks a lot for the advice.

I will indeed be at camp lejeune. I thought Raleigh was further away, but I've never been there so I didn't know for sure.

It is stressing me out some, I know I want this as soon as possible, but it's mainly how soon they are wanting me to do this that is getting to me.

I'm worried though, they have a lot of my information. So I'm paranoid that they will screw me over somehow if I don't buy from them.

I will think it over tomorrow.

I do really appreciate the feed back, definitely a lot of good points.

 

Good luck on your decision. I would not worry about the dealer screwing you over. I agree with several others that posted here - comparison shop - even if it is over the phone. Print out what you want from MINIUSA, and call 2-3 dealers and tell them you want their best "drive out" price including taxes, fees etc. for the 2010 optioned as you want. I'd let them know that you are talking to 3 dealers and that price and delivery date will be your primary points on which to base your decision.

The fact that you are moving actually works to your advantage as the local dealer can't pull the old "you need to buy from me to get good service" pressure tactic. The service department is generally a separate profit center from sales and any dealer would love to have your service business.

You are the customer - don't let them push you. Comparative shopping puts more of the power back in your hands. MINI's are a blast to drive and it will be worth the hassel. Tell your husband thanks for his service!!

 

I don't believe the "no ordering in June", I'll bet that if you are ready to place an order June 21st they will be happy to take it and you will have the car by the middle of August. If they don't you have plenty of suggestions here about alternatives.

 

First of all, as a retired veteran, thanks to your husband for his service and to you for your support of his service.

Besides the drive, another beauty of the MINI is the ability to personalize it. Buying new always puts you upside down. Next year after the move to NC (Jax I suppose), and after settling in, there will be a dealer that has your pre-owned MINI less an option or two.

You'll fall in love, buy it, and start the modifications that will make it yours and only yours. Nobody on this planet will have a MINI exactly like it.

Motor on!

Enjoy the Memorial Day Weekend

 

I have to agree, you're in one of the best areas for buying a MINI. The DC/Baltimore area is great, since there are 4 dealers up there. You're spending a good chunk of change, I'd certainly not listen to just one dealer. In fact we were just up at the grand opening of MINI of Baltimore County a couple of weeks ago. Really nice place.

I'd visit all of them, and log into www.dcmetrominis.org and sign up. Their members have a ton of experience with the MINI dealers in that area. They can surely give you a contact that will work with you. But I wouldn't rush either. I understand wanting your MINI your way, but if it comes down to ordering and not getting your color versus your color with an option or two less, you gotta figure out what's more important. Remember, you'll have this car a long time. But dealers are notorious for rushing a sale. Last thing they wanna do is let you change your mind! Or think rationally! Don't fall for the rush treatment.

When you get to Lajune, make sure you hit up some of Tar Heel MINI's events. They're a great club to hang out with, not to mention they have some awesome events! Jcausey should know, he's their VP! You can find them at www.tarheelminis.org

 

DC Metro Mini RULZ..

Ok, I really didn't mean that...lol But I am a member and a US Navy vet...

Rich MM1(SS) Somehow it's sad to say I was lower than a Marine.. I was a Submarine sailor...lol

 

Thanks a lot again for all the great advice!

I think I will still try to get a MINI as soon as I can.

But, I definitely think I'm going to stop letting my MA pressure me and put a time limit on when I can order. As in, I am not going to place my order today buddy, because I do not feel comfortable doing it.

I'm going to shop around and then decide, and if by chance they are still able to order MINIs in June(), maybe I will consider them as an option.

Also, I am going to take maacodale's advice and I'm going to post this question on dcmetrominis.org. Well, not this question, but you know.