long wait from Mini of Murray!

[teich]

Two weeks ago, I placed a deposit for a nice MCS with Debbie Linge. She told me the wait would be 5 months based on the allocations they have been recieving; 14 this month, 20 in the months before. Long, but bearable for MSRP and from all accounts a great dealership.

Today, I called just to check in, and see if there had been any cancellations. To my dismay, Debbie informed me that their January allocation has been lowered to 7, and they expect that it will continue to be this way now that so many new dealerships have opened up! Now my wait is 10-12 months, which is longer than I can wait (literaly: I don't have a car, and will be moving in 6 months and thus need a car).

Anyone know of any dealerships around that have do MSRP either with a shorter wait or have some sitting around on the lot? I'm reluctant to order from the east coast and drive 3000 miles just to get home, and the $1000 or more it takes to ship isn't the nicest, so anything closer to CA is better.

thanks for the help guys, this forum is awesome.

Oren

[kcminiS]

Try Salt Lake City.

[teich]

Murray is the Salt Lake City dealer.
thanks though.

Oren

[dukesantos]

I know, I know, they don't sell at MSRP and some people don't like their attitude but they may be helpful in your situation.They don't take orders or keep a list, its first come-first serve. It would be cheaper to buy back East and drive/ship it back, but this is your closest alternative to get a car quickly.

[gjenkins]

for MSRP, and then ship it (Mini of the Hamptons to Boise for me). It was cheeper than dealer markups, and you can get them fairly quickly ... 2~4 weeks off the lot, 7~9 weeks custom spec'd.

[lotatoys]

AVOID NIELLO!! Unless you really enjoy getting $crewed. They just love customers who don't want to wait, they're their bread and butter!
As for Mini of Murray, did you place a deposit yet? If not, then that may be one reason they're giving you such a late delivery date. I'm sure they're overwhelmed with people who want to be on their wait list without putting a deposit down. I'm just guessing, but with a deposit you become a "serious" buyer and as such should get better news regarding a delivery date. Have you asked if they have any cars on the lot that aren't spoken for?
All I know is Debbie and Mini of Murray got me the car I wanted very quickly (compared to many other dealers). I'd stick with them and call regularly to let them know you're serious. Too bad they don't have a toll free number yet!
One other option is to check the dealer in Denver. I don't remember the name but I was there two weeks ago and they had several MCS's on the lot, most did not have SOLD signs on them. The stickers didn't have any dealer mark-up so I assume that's how they sell.
Good Luck

[EBMCS03]

7 per delaership?? You have got to be kidding!!!

[teich]

Quote:

I'm just guessing, but with a deposit you become a "serious" buyer and as such should get better news regarding a delivery date. Have you asked if they have any cars on the lot that aren't spoken for?

That wait is with the deposit in place.
When I last called, there weren't any on the lot. They did have a DS/DS when I first placed my deposit, but it was over-optioned to my tastes. Now I'm thinking I should have taken it...

Time to start calling every dealer in the nation I guess.

Oren

[dukesantos]

If you are willing to travel and SLC is out, then try Denver, then the three dealers in Chicago and the one in Milwaukee, I believe all are at or near MSRP. The availability seems to get better the further east you go. Las Vegas is more than $2400 over with markup and add ons, Phoenix has a good rep but high demand.

[JMINI]

I stopped by my dealer this weekend to see how things were going and heard the same BAD NEWS...they are only getting 7 MCS per month for the forseable future. I have already waited 3.5 months...I thought I was halfway there... I will be lucky if I get one by May now. WHAT IS UP WITH THE CUT IN ALLOCATIONS TO DEALERS - THIS STINKS!!! Truthfully, I don't ned the car until next summer, but MINI2 is driving me nuts - I want my car now! You are all making me jealous!

[spoon]

Quote:

Originally posted by dukesantos
I know, I know, they don't sell at MSRP and some people don't like their attitude but they may be helpful in your situation.They don't take orders or keep a list, its first come-first serve. It would be cheaper to buy back East and drive/ship it back, but this is your closest alternative to get a car quickly.

niello mini usually has a few in stock. all the inventory, specs, and prices are listed on their website at http://mini.niello.com/. i've also heard good things about east bay mini. good luck!

[lotatoys]

Yes, Niello has everything listed on their website but I think Teich wants to avoid Niello's price gouging. They are the worst dealer I've encountered. Ever. Try asking them about their "Mini USA ranked" customer satisfaction rating and where they get the information. Or ask them if you can place an order for a customer spec'd car. You'll either laugh or be outraged at their response.
Either way, a little patience and good use of these forums will get Teich the car he wants at a decent price.

[EBMCS03]

any new words on the allocation? I asked my dealer and they said they expect it to to back up especailly since US is going to get 30,000 cars instead of 20,000 from 2002. This might just be a slow month cuz with the holidays they expect people to take time off. This is just what I was told. Can anyone confirm it with their dealer to see if this info is legit?

[TimR]

The US is supposed to get 30000 total MINI's for 03, only 30% of those will be S models, so 9000+/-.
9000 S's divided by 77 dealers equals about 7-9 per month per dealer. They don't plan it to be a mass-production car, so we either have to be patient or take what we can get. The car is worth the wait, but it is up to you if it is worth the extra money to avoid the wait. For 02 they bumped to 40% S models to try and meet demand, but could not keep that up for another year.

[EBMCS03]

Thanks for the Info... So the US is going to GAIN 1000 S's for 2003? Since 02 was 20,000*(40%) = 8000 S's and 03 is 30,000*(30%) = 9000 S's Why would that cause a back up and a longer wait? We are actually getting MORE S's... OR is it because of when the S's started arriving here in the States? in July... so from July till Aug we got 8,000 S's and now from Sept 02 till Aug 03 we get 9000 S's??