edgein,
$1,000 off order for $22,600 msrp (see below.) No trade in.

 

I just went through the purchase process and I can share a few things with you that may be of value. Call it my 2 cents.

First, I ordered my car because I wanted it the way I wanted it, not what was available. Second, I did a straight purchase, no trade in. My car had a MSRP of $29,750 from this number I negotiated with the dealer and got $1000 off “the sticker”, that brought the number to $28,750. Then subtract the $1250 credit from MINI for the Sport Pak option and then you're down to $27,500. Now the next big gift came from MINI FS. When I ordered the car I got a rate lock (90 days) at the 1.9%. When the car arrived the Promotional Financing rate had dropped to .9%. They basically gave me the money to buy the car from them for free. Total finance costs over the life of the loan is like $800.

In addition I got a bunch of freebies like a set of wheel locks, floor mats, a couple of key chains, two hats, T shirts and a stuffed dog!
My 2 cents

 

I went in to the dealer and spec'd out a 2010 JCW to order. At first they wouldn't budge on the price so I told him I wasn't going to buy anything off the lot nor anything he had coming in so if he wanted to add another sale to his count we needed to work on the price. Got 1900.00 off MSRP which still was about 1200 over invoice, so I was happy with the deal.

 

I traded in my '98 VW GTI VR6, which was near-immaculate - and got next to nothing for it. The Kelly trade-in estimate was far above what I was offered. But alas, I don't haggle well, and having decided to purchase from dealer stock (not a problem, they had just what I wanted), I'd already seen my MINI and the hook was set.

On the bright side, the MINI has been spectacular. All I have to do to forget about the trade-in is to get in and go for a drive.

Spridget

 

Is it still possible to order from one dealer and take delivery from another? A buddy of mine years ago, when the Gen1 first came out, was able to order from a dealer in Atlanta and take delivery in Tacoma for $400 additional.

Is this still possible? It seems that it might be able to be used to help negotiate in areas where the dealer otherwise has a monopoly.

 

I went MINI shopping in 2004 when they were still going off alot of lots for over MSRP. I had a 96 Nissan hardbody 4x4 that was in pretty good shape. Dealer offered me $1500 for it and wouldn't budge. I walked. The Dodge dealer gave me $3500 for it a week later.

Here I am 6 years later and I finally got my MINI. Someone else paid the depreciation and the used-car dealer gave me $3000 for my 2001 Jetta with 203k miles. (and $800 off what he was asking for the MINI) We even got the color my wife wanted 6 years ago.

Bottom line: MINI is still selling a "boutique" product and they're not going to deal like some other brands. But, If you go in with a cool head and a reasonable offer, you're probably going to walk out with a MINI!

 

Of course you can "carpetbag" but I believe in giving my local dealer the business even if it means minimal discounting. Dont know if it still happens, but there were reports in the past of folks buying a car from another dealer, then taking that car to thier hometown dealer for service, and they would be treated like a 2nd class citizens--ie "you did not buy from us, so you'll have to pay for the loaner." Hopefully this nonsense has gone away with the over-msrp markups.

 

I got the deal on the Mini website 1.9APR + $1200 off. I didn't really push on the deal. Compared to the other dealers in the area getting the advertised deal with no run around was a joy.

 

Good deal and congrats!

 

Soooo true. I noticed that depending on how popular minis are in your area determines the dealer's ability to "negotiate". I think if you're in a area that has a ton of minis and will sell it regardless, they don't need your business and you're not going to get any help.


I remember when I had bought my mini, it was just before the price of gas went up. I stopped at the dealership and there were only 3 minis for sale. They usually have at least 100 on their lot for sale and there was only 3 to choose from.

Supply and demand....


Mark

 

well a 2nd MINI dealership has opened in N Colorado, and it's creating some competition for business with the original dealer in Denver. this is good.

also, what's good is that MINI'ers from Montana and Wyoming now have 50 miles less to drive (or get towed in) for service.

 

Sequence,

This practice is very much alive and is part of the reason I purchased my Clubman from my local dealer. My local shop less than 5 miles away and I have 2 Mini dealers within 25 miles of me. If I want to reach out to about 50 miles there are a total of 7 mini dealers in my area. My local shop is also my BMW dealer and they actually have a sign posted in the common service location (both BMW & MINI same service facility) stating their policy regarding appointments and loaner cars. If you didn't buy from them, no free loaner! I guess I really don't have a problem with this, but it did factor into my purchase decision.

Lucky for me all people were great to deal with, I kinda wish I could have bought 2 cars, 1 from each.

 

seven dealers within 50 miles? No wonder the discounts and freebies are so much better than here in the Great American Wilderness (4 dealers in a 450 mile radius)! Whoza!

 

Yeah, lots'a dealers but you don't have to deal with the 20 Million people I share those 7 dealers with. There's something to be said for open spaces my friend.