I know a lot of the Midwest dealers (Chicago/Milwaukee) get plenty of business from CA and other left-coast residents who order via email, pay MSRP, fly out to pick it up, and then drive it home and still save literally thousands over what some of the CAs dealers do. The only other extra thing you have to do is pay the tax when you register it, apparently.

Sounds like a fun excuse for a road trip to me!

 

i thought that has been the case since 2002 out west
i have heard about dealer mark ups from the beginning ??
i know the dealership i use (CLASSIC MINI IN MENTOR OHIO)
is always dealing with out of state buyers.

are there still wait list for ordering as well ??

 

Why the "too good to pay MSRP" remark? It's not about that. It's about getting a deal if you can. Having said that, the reality is, the car is in demand, so if you want it, you gotta pay. BUT no reason to pay more than MSRP.

 

I have been lurking here for the last couple weeks. I finally went by the local dealership, Bob Smith in Calabasas (CA). $2000 over on Minis and $3000 over on S's. No dealing at all. I would say it's worth a trip to Long Beach.

 

the only problem with MSRP dealers, esp. in the West, is that they tend to have longer wait times and some actually have waiting lists to get into a build slot. So U either wait, or pay over MSRP if you MUST have that new MINI now. Most CA dealers do this because they know MINI d'ships, beyond their state, are pretty sparse in the Pac and Mtn time zones, so they try to cash in.

SLC, Denver, Phoenix, Arlington, Albuquerque, and OKC are some of the western d'ships that sell at MSRP. Dunno if they have any waits or wait lists tho; I know OKC does not. I also know that in NO CA East Bay (Pleasanton) and Niello (Sac) sell at MSRP, altho Niello tends to add on mandatory accessory "paks" with HUGE (400-500%) markups....

The nature of the beast: supply (low) and demand (high). but chin's up, folks: one reason these cars hold their value so well is the fact that some markets still do MSRP+ mark ups. Live with it, and shop around.

 

I purchased My 07 S 1 week ago and now my Wife's Cooper this weekend at Irvine. Neither one had any markup on the sticker. We were treated very nicely by the sales person and actually had some fun with the finance manager while signing the papers. Best big dealer experience we have had. Both my Wife and I are first-time Mini owners. Realy enjoy them.

 

Good to hear that some of you are getting a fair deal there in the West. Just remember, peoples memories are long. Their next auto will be from a dealer that treated them fair. Glad that you are happy with your deal, good look on your car.

 

amazonracer, why would you not post the name of the dealership? Obviously it could save people some wasted time.

 

I agree. This is not the forum for the timid, esp. re markups.

bet it was one of the LA dealers, after seeing that markup.

 

Never, ever, ever pay above MSRP -- like someone said, MSRP is plenty high enough and they're making out quite well-- that being siad, I just picked up an '06 Mini S last week (quite loaded off the lot), at Universal City Mini, got $1,100.00 off msrp -- OH YEAH BABY!!! (although this did take a hell of a haggling session)

All I kept reading on these forums was that mini dealerships never go below MSRP, but I guess I got lucky (and perhaps the fact I got an '06 vs. an '07 and it was off the lot instead of cutom ordered)

If the dealer has added accessories (like an extended mantaince plan or paint protec., or a lojack etc,) and you don't want them, tell them to remove them and deduct them from the price -- if they value the sale, they should remove any of these which you don't want. (they had about $3000.00 of misc. items on the one I bought -- I got them to remove all of them with the exception of the Ipod adapter which I got for free)

I don't think anyones dropping the '07's below MSRP, but again, plenty of dealers in SoCal sell only at MSRP (Long Beach, Irvine, and a few others) -- Do not go / buy from Calabasas Mini -- everything there is marked up!'

B

 

MINI North Scottsdale in AZ sells MINIs for MSRP. If you get on the list todya you could have your custom built car by the end of june... maybe the begning of july. (this would be a May prodcution slot) April is all sold out.

if you are interested or have any questions please feel free to contact me at 480-538-6475 and ask for Justin

 

Sounds like a demo, you didnt specify if it was that or a back-out. Dime discounts on demos are common, and megaloaded cars have more wriggle room for haggling. It's not unusual for a dealer to back off a couple grand on MINIs going for excess of $30k--esp. "old" inventory.

And avoid Las Vegas, they really mark the cars up.

 

The dealer could be Nick Alexander near downtown LA. They wanted $3000 above sticker for an MC and $6000 for an MCS back in 2003. They wittled it down to practically nothing in their words--from $3,000 to $1,800 when I said I was ready to buy now.

I said no thanks, and bought out of state.

 

Try Mini of Murray in Salt Lake City.

I bought mine a year ago, at MSRP, no hassles.
Plus, there are some great driving roads back to LA.

The sales manager's name is Debbie Ling

 

I had a very bad time when I went looking at Bob Smith... they're sales men are just that... Sales men... I'm suprised they didn't try to sell me a BMW instead. Long Beach MINI was alot nicer and more laid back. I told them what I wanted and what I could afford and they showed me everything that came close and even offered to custom order one for me. Bob Smith acted as if they didn't want to deal with me if I was gonna try to get MSRP.

I will say one thing though, Bob Smith has a very nice service Dpt. never had an issue.

 

Crevier Mini. they have been fantastic!

 

Ok, it was Crevier Santa Ana but I see some people like this dealership and treated well. Maybe their just fishing but non the less will take advantage if someone doesn't know better and not informed through NAM. Thanks.

 

I bought my 2006 JCW from Crevier - at MSRP.
PM me and I will give you my contact there who is always helpful. I bought 2 MINIs at Irvine MINI with dealer markup and the extra cost didn't transfer to getting quality service. My experience with Crevier has significantly been better.

 

that was gonan be my guess..

its not Bob Smith then? Dont get me wrong, I love it there. Their good to me (well, I just found out, Jamie left there. She was both super helpful to me and took care of me and beautiful! but she is gone now but back to school so good for her)

but yea, their good there. Replaced my Windshield for free, gave me a free oil change and fixed things on my car on time but yes, they charge $3k markup and I would offer them my deal but if they dont give me MSRP, i will be headed to South Bay mini

 

Sandi Mini in Albuquerque, NM, seems to be a good dealer. Michael Berranca, the MA that I am working with is a car person (autocrosses, etc.) and has been very low key and easy to work with. No markups, no BS, no waiting list to order. I just walked in, sat down with MIchael, and in a few minutes the deal was done. I put the $2000 depost on my credit car. That was it. It took about 10 minutes.

Order from them, fly to Albequerque when the car is ready, and take a relaxed back road trip home through some of the most beautiful country in the southwest, and arrive homewith a well broken in car.

Remember, if the dealer will jack you around and gouge you for excess profit, do you think that dealer will be different when servicing your car? And, if a problem arises, will they be who you want to help solve it? Not likely. Reward the better dealers with your business.

Cheers,

Joe S.