Hello, I'm Tiffany and I'm new to your little community...
I am currently looking at buying a new car and after adoring the Mini Cooper since it's first arrival in the US I think I'm finally going to fulfill my own little dream and buy one...

I have not had a chance as of yet to do any test driving or visiting of lots due to work scheduale and the fact there's only one registered Mini dealer in my state (Indiana). Are there any other Hoosiers on this site that would know of any other dealers that have any Minis in stock other than Dreyer&Reinbolt ??

Basicly I'm not looking for anything in particular about my Mini other than I would like it to be an automatic, which as far as I have read is an option on this vehicle and not the standard, correct? As far as pricing I am expecting between 16k-20k is that correct as well?

If you cannot tell this is a bit new to me, this will be my first new car purchase (I'm 19.. just finishing up my training at the PD) and I'm just looking for any helpful information or opinions that I could get from current Mini owners. I'm ready for a bit of speed and flash in my world :cool:

Hello! Sorry, but I've got no idea about dealers in Indiana, lucklly there are four within reasonable driving distance from me! What I can tell you is that the price you are hoping to spend is right. I am also about the buy a CVT Cooper (automatic), and for 20k you can get quick a few extra options as well. Unfortunately what I don't think you realize is that there is a 4-5 month wait for them, at least me anyway. I don't know about Indiana, maybe it's better there, but here in the Bay Area in Caliornia, it's quite a wait. Hope I helped!

Oh geesh......... four to five months..... not good. My old car is about to die lol.... For years I put off buying a new car in exchange for funding my Equestrian Activities and now that I can afford both I'm foaming at the bit (no pun intended) to get a Mini. Are there hopes of maybe finding one on a dealership or are they strictly built to order?

Well, I know some places on the East Coast, for example, MINI of the Hamptons has some in stock. So look around, maybe you'll find a diamond in the rough. The wait is a bit longer for me as I ordered mine from the only dealer that sells them at MSRP in California, so the wait is a little longer. Every new MINI with the rare exception of a few dealers is made to order. However, if you don't mind, finding a used one isn't too difficult.

I'm hoping I can find one sooner than that, honestly as long as it's in good condition I wouldn't mind one being used either. I'm quite excited about it all, but I'll admit I'm used to being tight with my budget and this is a bit of a purchase for me...lol.

I just cannot wait to get into a Mini community in my area though, I am hoping to find one since there seems to be quite a few Minis driving around these days. I just adore these cars, I have always been a garage junkie since I had a neighbor who rebuilds muscle cars for buisness... It's a bit smaller in stature but I think a Mini can still be a good strong ride.

Hello Tiffany. Firstly welcome to the community :D

I have recently picked up my MINI Cooper S - not my first car, but it is my first new car (at 21). You will not be disappointed by your purchase ;) :D :D

<------ Still grinning after 4 weeks. Still tucks MINI into bed at night. Have washed it 6 times since I bought it. etc etc. :p :p

The wait sounds about right. Depending on your build date, its a week or so at factory and dock, then 5 or 6 weeks to you. I wouldnt expect you to get an August build date now, and seeing as your dealer is the only one around, the list is probably long. You are probably looking at an August/September build.

I was also in the same boat - my Pulsar was dying and I needed a replacement. It cost me a few dollars while I waited for the MCS, but it was worth it :)

Good luck with your aquisition Tiff :)

Best regards,
Scotty

I would highly suggest looking out of state. As stated above, since there is only one dealer, back log, BIG TIME. Hampton will work for a new one. I see a lot on Ebay too.
Was at the dealer yesterday, Sept build for Nov delivery! OUCH! I just can not wait that long, thats why I ordered an '04 back in May.

Motor on

Tiffany
The good news is that the standard Cooper, in the states at least, is more readily available than the S. I believe the wait at Classic Mini in nearby Ohio for a standard Cooper is only 4-5 weeks. Tell Mike over there that Joey sent you and maybe he'll throw some free floor mats my way. My S arrives in late Sept.

Welcome to MINI2. The wait should only be 6-8 weeks from ordering to production. Its only on the west coast that there's longer waits.

At the moment, if you're positive you don't want a manual (you can always learn to drive a stick, even on a new car) you're limited to a Cooper with the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). However around January, so Feb or so delivery MINI will start production an Automatic S (with a normal automatic). Sounds like you don't want to wait that long, so its probably not for you.

Don't buy a used 'good condition' car, because the savings just aren't there. You'll save a few thousand to give up the free maintence, better build of newer models and the warranty. Besides, if you order yourself, you can choose all the options and colors that you really want.

Just look on miniusa.com and start calling the dealers that are closest to you to schedule a test drive (check that they have a CVT Cooper available to test though) and you should be on your way to getting the car you want.

Yeah, I can drive a stick (I learned while working the farms...I trained horses and it's learn to drive a manual or get to walking..) But I prefer a manual just b.c it's one less thing to bother with when driving. I know some say it increases the pelasure of the drive itself but I'm all about the loud rock and speeding down the road :cool:

Yeah, I figure if I'm going into this I'm gonna dive head first and jusy buy new. I can afford it with this job so I might as well spoil myself this one time right ? I'm hoping to get a chance to scheduale a test drive but it will have to work around the scheduale here at the PD. I am also going to look at some dealers in surrounding states and see what they have for me.

I have to say the past few days I've been thinking about this non-stop... I'm really looking forward to this.