MINI2

eneemeenee · Aug 9th, 2005, 05:21 AM

Hello,

My friend wants a mini and the dealer has some 2004 models left. The one she is quite interested in is a 2004 Mini with automatic (I know, I know), they are willing to knock off $3500 from the price. The retail on it is about $31 K.

This is about 11% off the price, do you feel this is fair or can more be negioted. Or would you just order a new 2006 ? It is basically 2 years old now.

thanks for any input.

willymcd · Aug 9th, 2005, 06:01 AM

i wouldn't ever get a demo car, just imagine how people come by every day and drive the ever living hell out of it, and all during the engine break in period, i bet the thing eats through oil... have her go for an 06, or find a used one that has been well taken care of!!!

eneemeenee · Aug 9th, 2005, 06:07 AM

I know what you are saying but for some reason this one only has 15 KM on it.

willymcd · Aug 9th, 2005, 06:22 AM

oh, well then with such low miles i think it's probably pretty good. is it an S or cooper? 2004 is a good year i hear for reliability, only benefits i can see that the 2005-2006 S's has over the 04 is that they have different gear ratios and a tad more hp, i don't know about any changes with the automatics.

supercharged · Aug 9th, 2005, 08:49 AM

eneemeenee,

At some point there must be a mistake because the MCS didn't come out with an automatic transmission in 2004. That only came out in 2005, so it's impossible that the MCS you are talking about is a 2004 model.

beken · Aug 9th, 2005, 05:51 PM

I take it's a fairly well optioned up MC with CVT. A base 05 Cooper S with 6spd Auto will run you closer to $35K. Typically, dealers stock their lot with well appointed cars. The base price is $25K (plus freight/PDI and taxes). Do your homework. Find a 2004 brochure somewhere and make sure the dealer doesn't tell you there are options on the car when they are standard equipment. If you wait a couple of months, you would probably be able to get $3500 off a 2005 model.

I think the 2005 model has paddle shifts on the steering wheel while the 2004 does not. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong. If I were to get an automatic MINI, I would insist on the paddle shifts. It's a lot more intuitive and fun to drive. Of course, if it's a safe commuter car you're looking for and fun to drive is not an important factor, then by all means get the 2004 with CVT.

Okay....if any dealer is reading this, they're not going to like me saying this but if they try to sell me a demo, $3000 off would be the least I would ask. $3500, I would consider and toss in the rubber floor mats (definite requirement for winter) and a few other goodies and remove the freight/PDI charge as the dealer should have already paid that as a business expense. In all, you should save something more significant.

Good luck.

Lanfear · Aug 10th, 2005, 12:11 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by eneemeenee

I know what you are saying but for some reason this one only has 15 KM on it.

Only 15km? That sounds pretty good, as long as I wasn't the one who took it for a spin. Seriously though, they usually are delivered to the dealership with a few km on them, so it sounds like it hasn't been driven much. If your friend does decide to go for it, tell them to ask the dealership specifically if any damage was done to the car and subsequently repaired.

I'd also clarify the warranty terms, just to be on the safe side.

eclaire · Aug 10th, 2005, 09:19 PM

My current MINI was a demo. I didn't have to pay PDI or freight PLUS I got a discount. Good deal I think.

YQTYYZ · Aug 11th, 2005, 03:42 AM

Sounds good. My Mini had about 15km when I took delivery, but I suspect 6-9km was due to them shuttling it to BMW Toronto, where they wanted US to pick it up. I specifically wanted it at Mini Downtown.

I just pray that the jockey didn't wring the hell outta it.

Honestly, if I were about 18-20 years old, driving cars between dealerships, I'd be pretty liberal about that too.

beken · Aug 12th, 2005, 12:13 AM

To add fuel to the fire, I checked the used car section in the local paper today. A 2002 MINI Cooper S has an asking price of $28900. A 2003 MCS, $32900. No 2004 Cooper S models but 1 Cooper.

Overall, the most non-Japanese import make on the used market looks like Audi and Honda wins the Japanese used market.

I think our cars are holding value very well.

Doesn't look like you can lose a lot buying a demo MINI.

eneemeenee · Aug 14th, 2005, 07:30 PM

Thanks for everyones replies. The dealer is being a goof. My friend's uncle went in and was told they would take $3500 off. So my friend called to confirm and the 'main guy' said that was wrong and will only give $1000 off !! For a 2004 demo.

If I go to mini.ca and build a new model I get :

Build on Mini.ca :
If I go to mini.ca and build a Mini Cooper here is what I get (2005 model) :
$25,800 MSRP
$1,950 Premium Package
$1290 Automatic

Price : $29,040

If I go to crowfoot.mini.ca (dealer is in Calgary) and choose the red 2004 auto in their crapola inventory search system (give blank page half the time, only work in IE) the price is

$31,000 !!

Questions :
1] Does frieght and delivery really add $2K to the price ?
2] Do they really expect to sell the 2004 demo for $1k less than a new one (incorporating their already inflated delivery charge).

beken · Aug 15th, 2005, 03:20 AM

I take it, if the car has only 15km on it, it's new. Either the dealer ordered it, hoping it would sell quickly or somebody ordered it and decided they didn't want it. Mine was new and it had 17km on it. Since it was not a factory order (it's part of dealer inventory) , my dealer took $1500 off list as they wouldn't have to move it to their demo pool. Sounds to me like they're trying to sell you their leftover inventory.....a car they ordered but weren't able to sell.

Freight and PDI are standard. Yes, it's around $2K. A bargain for those of us on the west end of the country but rather pricey if we bought Asian cars.

If it's a 2004 you want, I'd tell the dealer to give you $1500 off, remove Freight & PDI, AND toss isn a set of rubber floor mats and a few goodies. Otherwise it makes no sense. You could get an '05 or '06 for the same price.

Good luck.

Aug 9th, 2005, 05:21 AM	#1
eneemeenee MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Red Deer Local Time: 10:20 AM Posts: 12 Offline	demo 2004 for $3500 off price - would you buy it? Hello, My friend wants a mini and the dealer has some 2004 models left. The one she is quite interested in is a 2004 Mini with automatic (I know, I know), they are willing to knock off $3500 from the price. The retail on it is about $31 K. This is about 11% off the price, do you feel this is fair or can more be negioted. Or would you just order a new 2006 ? It is basically 2 years old now. thanks for any input.

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Aug 9th, 2005, 06:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
willymcd metal lord Join Date: May 2005 Location: portland, SLC, Aspen Local Time: 08:20 AM Posts: 111 Offline	i wouldn't ever get a demo car, just imagine how people come by every day and drive the ever living hell out of it, and all during the engine break in period, i bet the thing eats through oil... have her go for an 06, or find a used one that has been well taken care of!!!

Aug 9th, 2005, 06:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
eneemeenee MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Red Deer Local Time: 10:20 AM Posts: 12 Offline	I know what you are saying but for some reason this one only has 15 KM on it.

Aug 9th, 2005, 06:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
willymcd metal lord Join Date: May 2005 Location: portland, SLC, Aspen Local Time: 08:20 AM Posts: 111 Offline	oh, well then with such low miles i think it's probably pretty good. is it an S or cooper? 2004 is a good year i hear for reliability, only benefits i can see that the 2005-2006 S's has over the 04 is that they have different gear ratios and a tad more hp, i don't know about any changes with the automatics.

Aug 9th, 2005, 08:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
supercharged MINI2 Regular Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: JHB - South Africa Local Time: 06:20 PM Posts: 246 Offline	eneemeenee, At some point there must be a mistake because the MCS didn't come out with an automatic transmission in 2004. That only came out in 2005, so it's impossible that the MCS you are talking about is a 2004 model.

Aug 9th, 2005, 05:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
beken 05 MCS BEP Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Delta, BC, Canada Local Time: 09:20 AM Posts: 1,195 Offline	I take it's a fairly well optioned up MC with CVT. A base 05 Cooper S with 6spd Auto will run you closer to $35K. Typically, dealers stock their lot with well appointed cars. The base price is $25K (plus freight/PDI and taxes). Do your homework. Find a 2004 brochure somewhere and make sure the dealer doesn't tell you there are options on the car when they are standard equipment. If you wait a couple of months, you would probably be able to get $3500 off a 2005 model. I think the 2005 model has paddle shifts on the steering wheel while the 2004 does not. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong. If I were to get an automatic MINI, I would insist on the paddle shifts. It's a lot more intuitive and fun to drive. Of course, if it's a safe commuter car you're looking for and fun to drive is not an important factor, then by all means get the 2004 with CVT. Okay....if any dealer is reading this, they're not going to like me saying this but if they try to sell me a demo, $3000 off would be the least I would ask. $3500, I would consider and toss in the rubber floor mats (definite requirement for winter) and a few other goodies and remove the freight/PDI charge as the dealer should have already paid that as a business expense. In all, you should save something more significant. Good luck.

Aug 10th, 2005, 12:11 AM	#7 (permalink)
Lanfear Beep! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Toronto Local Time: 12:20 PM Posts: 197 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by eneemeenee I know what you are saying but for some reason this one only has 15 KM on it. Only 15km? That sounds pretty good, as long as I wasn't the one who took it for a spin. Seriously though, they usually are delivered to the dealership with a few km on them, so it sounds like it hasn't been driven much. If your friend does decide to go for it, tell them to ask the dealership specifically if any damage was done to the car and subsequently repaired. I'd also clarify the warranty terms, just to be on the safe side.

Aug 10th, 2005, 09:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
eclaire Waiting..... Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Local Time: 12:20 PM Posts: 21 Offline	My current MINI was a demo. I didn't have to pay PDI or freight PLUS I got a discount. Good deal I think.

Aug 11th, 2005, 03:42 AM	#9 (permalink)
YQTYYZ MINI2 Regular Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Local Time: 12:20 PM Posts: 195 Offline	Sounds good. My Mini had about 15km when I took delivery, but I suspect 6-9km was due to them shuttling it to BMW Toronto, where they wanted US to pick it up. I specifically wanted it at Mini Downtown. I just pray that the jockey didn't wring the hell outta it. Honestly, if I were about 18-20 years old, driving cars between dealerships, I'd be pretty liberal about that too.

Aug 12th, 2005, 12:13 AM	#10 (permalink)
beken 05 MCS BEP Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Delta, BC, Canada Local Time: 09:20 AM Posts: 1,195 Offline	To add fuel to the fire, I checked the used car section in the local paper today. A 2002 MINI Cooper S has an asking price of $28900. A 2003 MCS, $32900. No 2004 Cooper S models but 1 Cooper. Overall, the most non-Japanese import make on the used market looks like Audi and Honda wins the Japanese used market. I think our cars are holding value very well. Doesn't look like you can lose a lot buying a demo MINI.

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Aug 14th, 2005, 07:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
eneemeenee MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Red Deer Local Time: 10:20 AM Posts: 12 Offline	Thanks for everyones replies. The dealer is being a goof. My friend's uncle went in and was told they would take $3500 off. So my friend called to confirm and the 'main guy' said that was wrong and will only give $1000 off !! For a 2004 demo. If I go to mini.ca and build a new model I get : Build on Mini.ca : If I go to mini.ca and build a Mini Cooper here is what I get (2005 model) : $25,800 MSRP $1,950 Premium Package $1290 Automatic Price : $29,040 If I go to crowfoot.mini.ca (dealer is in Calgary) and choose the red 2004 auto in their crapola inventory search system (give blank page half the time, only work in IE) the price is $31,000 !! Questions : 1] Does frieght and delivery really add $2K to the price ? 2] Do they really expect to sell the 2004 demo for $1k less than a new one (incorporating their already inflated delivery charge).

Aug 15th, 2005, 03:20 AM	#12 (permalink)
beken 05 MCS BEP Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Delta, BC, Canada Local Time: 09:20 AM Posts: 1,195 Offline	I take it, if the car has only 15km on it, it's new. Either the dealer ordered it, hoping it would sell quickly or somebody ordered it and decided they didn't want it. Mine was new and it had 17km on it. Since it was not a factory order (it's part of dealer inventory) , my dealer took $1500 off list as they wouldn't have to move it to their demo pool. Sounds to me like they're trying to sell you their leftover inventory.....a car they ordered but weren't able to sell. Freight and PDI are standard. Yes, it's around $2K. A bargain for those of us on the west end of the country but rather pricey if we bought Asian cars. If it's a 2004 you want, I'd tell the dealer to give you $1500 off, remove Freight & PDI, AND toss isn a set of rubber floor mats and a few goodies. Otherwise it makes no sense. You could get an '05 or '06 for the same price. Good luck.