Debating between pulling the trigger at a dealer or ordering my own. Is it worth it to order from dealer and not get a few options I might order otherwise, i.e., sunroof, Mini connected, heated seats, etc?

 

I ended up ordering. The color combo that I wanted wasn't around. I would have been settling on what was out there instead of what I wanted, exactly, how I wanted it. The dealer was able to find one on SoCal, but the color and one too many options pushed it over what I wanted to buy it for. I'd say if you are alright and not "too" picky, then pul the trigger otherwise order it they way you wanted and you'll not regret it, I hope.
Waiting for it was excruiating!!! My wife said I had problems, checking on the status everyday. But I'm glad I ordered it they way I wanted.

Good luck!

 

If you want "specific" options, then definitely order what you want, you will regret it later if you don't. Just my .02!!

 

Order it. You'll be happier in the long run.

Think of it like this: You're sacrificing waiting a short time, to have a longer time of enjoyment. Or you're getting the enjoyment of having it now, but possibly sacrificing being happy in the long run.

 

Only you know the answer to the question. For me, spending that amount of money I want EXACTLY what I want.

 

IMHO..... Order what you want unless you'll be buying another MINI soon.

 

The price savings of purchasing off the lot vs ordering typically isn't that great. I ordered back in late January and took delivery in March. The other factor today is ordering gets you a 2012, vs purchasing a 2011 off the lot. By the time the ordered car arrives, it will be new, but the 2011 that you purchase off the lot will be a full calendar year old, even if you've only had it a few weeks. Now, if you really don't carre a lot about the options, you might be able to work a good deal on the 2011 on the lot. The other factor is the current "package" pricing vs 2012 "packages". They are somewhat different, especially if you are interested in the panoramic sunroof.

 

I bought a 2011 off the lot in dec. 2010. It had exactly what i needed. I just couldnt wait lol.

 

My wife and I just went through the same torturous question!

We searched high and low for the exact color and features, to no avail. Then we wondered if we should settle on a MINI in the wrong color, lacking features, etc.

We decided that we wanted this car to be perfect and not accept anything less, but every dealer said we'd have to place an order if we wouldn't go with something else. We were about to do just that when my wife decided to search even further from our home (5-7 hrs away).

By sheer luck we found one that was exactly what we were looking for, color and all (it had two added pkgs we didn't want, but decided that paying the extra money for them was better than waiting 6-8 weeks).

BTW: the MINI we found had just arrived the day before and my wife spotted it online less than an hour after they posted it!

Knowing how fast they sell, we bought it sight unseen. We rented a car to drive down and picked it up with no problems.

So if I have any advice, it is to first search dealers that are a reasonable distance away. Then after exhausting that idea, bite the bullet and get exactly what you want. You'll be happier in the long run.

 

Do you have a "dream" MINI in mind? A dealer will do whatever he can to sell you a 2011 model, even if the one you want is not sitting on his lot. They might be able to get it from somewhere else. See what they can get for you and how close it will be to your dream configuration. You can use the delta as leverage for a good deal. In addition, there are a few good incentives available on 2011s such as a $500 discount on manuals or $1000 off for any factory option.

If you order, your 2012 MINIs will be $100 more and technically the same as a 2011 (minus the changes in some of the packages and the 2 new MINI Yours colors).

If I was buying a MINI right now, I would probably go for a 2011 that matches my dream config closely. The savings would outweigh the benefit of having the one or two additional options I wanted. Just my two cents

 

I found a perfect combo on the lot, but the dealer would not budge from $1500 over MSRP...on a 2011!!!!

I would be better off ordering where I am located as there are not enough Mini dealers to drive competition in pricing.

 

Bought a new JCW with prem pak for true dealer cost then canceled the order I had for a Cooper S from a local dealer that would only discount 1400 off msrp and ended up paying the same otd.

 

Waiting for the voyage is half the fun. But it definitely makes you anxious...

 

While I'm very happy I got exactly what I wanted, the wait was tortuous. If you're a patient person then by all means order. If you're not and you can find something very close to what you want and can be happy with it then buy off the lot.

I was told 6-8 weeks when I ordered, didn't get my car for 14 weeks. The additional time over estimate is what really made the wait unbearable.

 

14 weeks! That must have been torture.

I had one dealer tell me 5 weeks for a special order (this was after they tried to find the car we wanted and couldn't).

I've done special orders before and I knew immediately that he was grossly underestimating the wait time to get a sale. Not a smart move on his part because it created a sense of mistrust right from the get-go.

 

Order it if you are highly specific like I am, but you can do well with a 2011 if you want the 2011 ZPP.

 

I live in South Florida and there are 5 stealerships within 50 miles of where I lived. By the time I was ready to pull the trigger I knew exactly what I wanted in the mini. I started with the stealership that was the furthest and worked my way in. What I found, as some of you have commented, is that they wanted to sell me what they had and not what I wanted. This was a month ago and inventory was very lean at all the dealerships.

At that point I realized that I was better off just ordering a 2012. I went back to the MA that had treated me with the most respect in ordered my 2012 on July 17 at $1,400 under msrp + some mini accessories. My mini is scheduled for production on 08/12.

Yes, the waiting is now killing me. When I placed the order I thought I wouldnt mind the 6-8 week wait. Now I'm like a kid at the prom just waiting
for the prom to end

I now spend my time on here, in the owners lounge and ordering stuff for when she gets here.

Get it just the way you want it... No regrets and you'll be happy you did.

 

I ordered my second 2005 MINI Cooper S ... Best thing I ever did. Every time I looked at it, I saw something different and thought "I'm so glad I got that option the way I wanted it."

But as everyone says.... it's PAINFUL waiting!

 

We ordered all 4 of ours, they came just the way we wanted.

 

I was just told by the dealer today in SoCal that they would not discount off of a '12 that was ordered. They would however give me $1200 off of an '11 that was on the lot. Too bad it didn't have the options we wanted.

 

Can you tell me what the true dealer cost is and how did you negotiate to buy it at this price?

 

I ordered mine. Nothing close enough on the lot and if you keep your cars a long time (like me) you don't won't to live with less than exactly what you want for 8-10 years (at least for me).

 

I think it depends on how long you plan on keeping the car. Is it going to a be couple of year vehicle and traded for something else or kept until the wheels fall off? If it's the latter, then i'd say order it. It won't be the same otherwise. Always wondering "what if", ya know?

 

If you're a Costco member, you can find out by entering their car buying program.

Costco shows you the invoice price as compared to the MSRP.

We just bought our 2012 (after searching several dealers) and we did manage to save $700 off of MSRP.

I was thrilled with that since it meant we got the car we wanted without waiting 8 weeks.

 

Thanks for the tip, we are Costco members. So where do you go to buy the via Costco? Is in store or online? Do they allow you to order and receive the discount?

I'm also puzzled bc the dealer told me there are no 2012 cars available yet. Only 2011 until October when the 2012s arrive. Are they lieing to me it seems?