[mojomini]

I have been researching these posts for a few days and noticed all of the dealers charging extra (1500 - 2000 dollars)for dealer mark-ups. I have also read about certain dealers (Tom Bush is one of a few that I have noticed) charging for undercoating and other trivial "dealer extras".

Well I called a few dealers to see about ordering times and other related info regarding my purchasing a MINI. Lauderdale MINI called first, and as you all have said, they are a top notch group. They immediately informed me that they do not charge any extra nor require the purchase of extras. They said that what you see on the MINI website is what it would cost. THEN Tom Bush called yesterday evening and left me a voicemail. I drove over there today and talked to Todd Thompson. While we were on the test drive (I'll post those details in the general forum), I ascertained about the so-called extras that were required by other dealers. He informed me that he was aware of other dealers using this tactic and that Tom Bush does not require anything of the sort. He basically told me the same thing that Lauderdale said. I then asked him about the "Value guard/floor guard" mandatory requirement and he said that it was an option. I was not obligated to purchase anything that I did not want.

Whew! I type so slow.

Well if this turns out to be true, and I truly believed him. I will be purchasing from Tom Bush. It is a lot closer than Ft Lauderdale. But the trip back from there would have been fun. Probably expensive (tickets) but fun.

Hope this helps all of you looking around Florida.

Cheers

[jackie]

Sorry for my ignorance, I just joined.

What can you tell me about the lauderdale dealership.

[mojomini]

I talked to a guy over there by the name of Andrew Hegley. He has a British accent and is very polite. I talked to him a gret deal yesterday and he was very informative. They do not require the mandatory dealer extras that some of the other dealerships in Florida require. He said that what I see on the MINIUSA site is what I would pay. That was good enough for me.

He said they have a BRG (British Racing Green) with white roof and mirrors, leather, Harmon Karden, Alarm, and options 1 & 2, for a little over 25,000 dollars. Too expensive for me, but just thought I'd let you know. Oh yeah, it's an MCS.

Don't worry about being new. I am also

[jgpmini]

I am in Jacksonville and have ordered my Cooper from Tom Bush. My motoring advisor is Nicolas Sancey.

Same here. No dealer add-ons or anything!
Straight MSRP.

Would recommend them to anyone looking for a MINI dealership in FL.

[mojomini]

I ordered from Tom Bush yesterday. Hopefully everything will go well. I have been ripped off my many a car salesman before. Hopefully this will be different. I will be sure to post the results.

The main thing I am scared of is; what happens when the car arrives? Will they automatically (without me knowing) put the dealer package on and then tell me that it was a mistake, but I still have to pay for it (or order a new one). Knowing that I just spent an impatient 2 months waiting for this one to arrive. Maybe they up the interest rate. Oh yeah, that's happened before .

Whatever the case may be- I will definitely post all interaction with Tom Bush on this site. If they treat me like I think they will, it will be a beautiful thing. If not, well......I don't even want to think about that right now.

[dav]

I highly recommend Tom Bush Mini for those wanting to pay MSRP for a Cooper S. You need to deal with Motoring Advisor AMY JORDAN at the dealership. Tell her Dave Spreitzer sent you. She was totally professional and played no games. I live in California and the purchase was painless. Here are the details;

-Placed $1,000 deposit over the phone using credit card beginning of August. Gave me a production number same day.
-Verbally gave her my color and option choice (only one)
-Was told it would be a 2004 model, expect delivery middle or late October
-Amy phoned me at home during a few important Mini phases (in production, at VPC, at dealership!)
-Mini arrived at dealership EXACTLY as ordered, EXACTLY when she said it would arrive
-Amy overnighted all the paperwork to me, I signed and mailed back. No pressure from finance dept. at all. You know the crap; extended warranty, maintenance, etc.. I have excellent credit by the way. Plus they beat my 3.99% interest rate to boot!
-Had 50% window tint installed as requested from tint installer in area, professionally applied. Nice job!
-Price was exactly as promised. MSRP + doc fee of $299 (I knew about this when deposit was placed) + floormats + window tint + sales tax
-NO hidden fees, mandatory accessories, paint sealant, etc.. She did recommend a clear bra named Roadblock for $595, but I declined. It was the only thing she pushed with me
-My brother who lives locally picked up the car (in showroom, spotless) for me and threw in his garage. I could not fly out for a couple of weeks because of work. She spent an hour with him explaining all the features to him
-Hopped on a plane to Jacksonville and took 5 days to drive home. Not a rattle, buzz, or other problem encountered. Great weather, and car was perfect mechanically.

The transaction could not of been simpler. As a matter of fact, I never met Amy in person! It was her day off from work the day I was driving the car home. Here is a picture of Amy at the dealership the day my brother took delivery of my MCS

[dav]

I forgot to post Amy's direct phone number at Tom Bush Mini !!!Here it is: 904-371-4315

[Rehund]

I ordered a MC from Tom Bush on April 24. I put down a deposit of 500. So far so good.

[RadYOacTVe]

Ferman in Tampa used to add a mandatory $1500 option package, do the still require that? Is their customer service any better, they always seem so arrogant when I go over there. I just dont want to have to drive to Jax or Ft. Lauderdale.

[mojomini]

TB is arrogant as well......in the service dept. The service at TB is horrendous. They will try to rip you off at every chance. I had the rear fog option installed last year and they wanted 260.00. I finally talked the down to 200.00 but as you know, that is still 100.00 too much. The reps over there are always too busy to take care of the MINI owners and give great preference to the BMW crowd. I would rather take my MINI to Downtown in Orlando.

[carpe_mcs85]

Well I just purchased my mini from mini of st.louis. Really good service. the only problem is I live in florida so I've only had over the phone experience. But it was well worth the 650$ fee ill be paying to have it shipped home :-D...ahhh even though i wish i didn't have to go to St Louis to "get" my car agh!

[gigabit@ufl.edu]

Hi, all,

What sort of experience have you had with Tom Bush Mini's service department? Specifically, when you went in for warranty service how have they reacted to any modifications you may have done to your Mini?

I can understand a dealership being weird about pulleys, headers and such, but I've heard some dealerships are anal about little things like intakes.

--dave

[arch-mini]

I bought my 2002 MCS used and have only taken it once to Tom Bush in Jacksonville, Florida. I have to say the experince so far was good. The service department manager for Mini is Deanna, who is extremely knowledgeable. I had a leak in the coolant overflow tank. They fixed that, and a couple of other rattles I had in the sunroof, and dashboard. They gave me a loaner for the day (a nissan sentra ) but atleast I didnt have to sit and wait.

I was hesitant to use Tom Bush because I have had bad experience there before with the Volkswagon Sales and Service. After overpaying for a used VW Jetta I ended up putting in over $2,500 in repairs.

I definately hear what you are saying about being the ignored stepchild to the BMW service and parts department.

[coopersbob]

I purchased my 05 MCS from Tom Bush. MA was Bob Loadholtz.

Did the whole thing over the phone. He found me one that was about to leave South Hampton configured just the way I wanted one. Took a deposit and 3 weeks later, picked up my new MCS at MSRP. No up sell at all. Great overall experience and would recommend without hesitation.

It was definitely worth driving up from Orlando for.