MINI2

PigLick · Sep 9th, 2002, 04:25 PM

Ok, so I'm getting close to the point where I'll be ready to order a MINI, so I figured I'd come to you all and find out how this all works. First off, I'm in the US, and more specifically, Southern California. I'll be going through Long Beach MINI. So while all input is appreciated, the more local it is, the better.

What I would like to know is, how the process actually works. When do you make a deposit, when do you make a downpayment, when do you do the financing, etc?

My guess is that you make a deposit when you place the order, then when the car arrives you make an actual downpayment (with the deposit being applied to this amount) and work out the financing.

Also, as this is my first car purchase, what sort of "extra costs" should I look forward to? (I realize this is a very regional question, so again, the more local, the better). In other words, let's say the purchase price is $20,000, and the sales tax is 10%. That means I owe $22,000. However, I'm sure there are other things these prices don't account for, such as title, registration, etc that may be due at the time of purchase.

I'm also going to email the dealer with these questions, but I tend to trust and value the input of MINI2 members more than that of car salespeople for some strange reason

PigLick

duboy · Sep 9th, 2002, 04:38 PM

Lick,

I'll share my doings up until now. About 6 weeks ago...or so i put my name on the list (waiting period was at most 6 months i was told) and put a deposit (fully refundable). Now i just wait until i get a call from the dealer. Once i get the call, then they will tell me when i can pick up my Mini if i'm still interested. I believe then is the time we work out financing etc.

mini-is-4-me · Sep 9th, 2002, 04:59 PM

Piglick... (I hope that alias just means you like to eat ham...lol)

Remember your in California....where we pay gasoline prices that are $.20-.50 than the rest of the US...

Every dealer is different. What I found here is that many, nearly 75% of all MINI dealers in N. Ca. are NOT taking orders. In other words...tough...they are price gouging. Here up in N. Ca., the dealers are ordering the cars loaded with everything that will fit in the car...heated seats, heated mirrors, armour paint protection, everything you can get in there...raising the MSRP price of the Cooper to about $26K and the S to about $31K. In fact, you can't raise the price to that level even on the MINIUSA site if you order everything yourself...they are able to add additional things as well. Then they want anywhere from $2K to $3K additional dealer markup on top of that.

I only found one GOOD dealer, East Bay MINI "NOT" doing that and it was like night and day. So I'm guessing your going to have to find a good dealer and you may have to talk to 5 to get 1 good one. Good Luck...

MINIAC · Sep 9th, 2002, 05:28 PM

I believe that Long Beach MINI is just like East Bay MINI [where I bought] in that they sell at MSRP.

If you didn't put down a deposit to get on the waiting list at Long Beach, I'm sure one will be required when you place your order. To take delivery, you will be required to pay for your MINI in full. The following will be added to the sale price:

CA sales tax applicable to where you live [not to where the dealer is located]
CA (DMV) license fees of appoximately 1%
CA Tire Fee of $5

In addition, your dealer may charge a documentation preparation fee.

PigLick · Sep 9th, 2002, 05:32 PM

"Remember your in California....where we pay gasoline prices that are $.20-.50 than the rest of the US..."

Heh, I just got back from Hawaii, so I don't feel so bad about our gas prices anymore

. Close to $2.00/gal for the lowest grade. I was in a rental, so I didn't even bother looking at the prices for the higher grades, hehe.

Thanks for the input guys, though I was asking more about the actual buying process. What you guys say about the lists is true enough, but I'm already past that stage. I got on the list for Long Beach just about a year ago (mid-Sept '01), so I have a quote "excellent" spot on their list, such that the salesman told me that basically, anytime I'm ready to order to let them know, and they'd take my order in the next batch (they send all their orders at the end of each month, apparently). I'm thinking by the end of September, I may have my very own MINI on order =) We'll see though...

PigLick

PigLick · Sep 9th, 2002, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MINIAC
I believe that Long Beach MINI is just like East Bay MINI [where I bought] in that they sell at MSRP.

If you didn't put down a deposit to get on the waiting list at Long Beach, I'm sure one will be required when you place your order. To take delivery, you will be required to pay for your MINI in full. The following will be added to the sale price:
CA sales tax applicable to where you live [not to where the dealer is located]

CA (DMV) license fees of appoximately 1%

CA Tire Fee of $5

In addition, your dealer may charge a documentation preparation fee.

Excellent MINIAC, that's exactly the type of info I was looking for =) Yes, Long Beach is charging MSRP and no more, which is great for me, since it is one of the two dealers' lists I got on last September, so I have a very good spot (as noted above).

Now, if I can just find some time to get down there this month, take a few test drives (not that they will change any of my decisions, but why pass up a chance at driving a MINI?), and place my order...

PigLick

EBMCS03 · Sep 9th, 2002, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PigLick
Yes, Long Beach is charging MSRP and no more, which is great for me, since it is one of the two dealers' lists I got on last September, so I have a very good spot (as noted above).

WOW u been on the list for one whole year before u can order? is that normal?

is that the price u pay for getting it at MSRP? Or were u able to order earlier but wasnt ready to so u waited till now till u are ready to order.

MINIAC · Sep 9th, 2002, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by UCSDxB0i

WOW u been on the list for one whole year before u can order? is that normal? is that the price u pay for getting it at MSRP?

If you want a custom built 'S' at MSRP from a CA dealer, be prepared to wait.

I got on the East Bay MINI waiting list on April 30, 2001, was offered a pre-spec 'S' but chose to order one for the first week of custom builds (ending 06/07). My 'S' was actually built early (05/28) and I took delivery on July 2nd.

EBMCS03 · Sep 9th, 2002, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MINIAC
but chose to order one for the first week of custom builds (ending 06/07). My 'S' was actually built early (05/28) and I took delivery on July 2nd.

WOW so u really didnt wait that long... how lucky is that? I wish i dont have to wait so long.

Sep 9th, 2002, 04:25 PM	#1
PigLick MINI2 Senior Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: us Local Time: 11:36 AM Posts: 512 Offline	Questions on MINI ordering/buying process Ok, so I'm getting close to the point where I'll be ready to order a MINI, so I figured I'd come to you all and find out how this all works. First off, I'm in the US, and more specifically, Southern California. I'll be going through Long Beach MINI. So while all input is appreciated, the more local it is, the better. What I would like to know is, how the process actually works. When do you make a deposit, when do you make a downpayment, when do you do the financing, etc? My guess is that you make a deposit when you place the order, then when the car arrives you make an actual downpayment (with the deposit being applied to this amount) and work out the financing. Also, as this is my first car purchase, what sort of "extra costs" should I look forward to? (I realize this is a very regional question, so again, the more local, the better). In other words, let's say the purchase price is $20,000, and the sales tax is 10%. That means I owe $22,000. However, I'm sure there are other things these prices don't account for, such as title, registration, etc that may be due at the time of purchase. I'm also going to email the dealer with these questions, but I tend to trust and value the input of MINI2 members more than that of car salespeople for some strange reason PigLick

Sep 9th, 2002, 04:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
mini-is-4-me MINI2 Senior Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: CA Local Time: 07:36 PM Posts: 518 Offline	Piglick... (I hope that alias just means you like to eat ham...lol) Remember your in California....where we pay gasoline prices that are $.20-.50 than the rest of the US... Every dealer is different. What I found here is that many, nearly 75% of all MINI dealers in N. Ca. are NOT taking orders. In other words...tough...they are price gouging. Here up in N. Ca., the dealers are ordering the cars loaded with everything that will fit in the car...heated seats, heated mirrors, armour paint protection, everything you can get in there...raising the MSRP price of the Cooper to about $26K and the S to about $31K. In fact, you can't raise the price to that level even on the MINIUSA site if you order everything yourself...they are able to add additional things as well. Then they want anywhere from $2K to $3K additional dealer markup on top of that. I only found one GOOD dealer, East Bay MINI "NOT" doing that and it was like night and day. So I'm guessing your going to have to find a good dealer and you may have to talk to 5 to get 1 good one. Good Luck... Ok, I've decided: My Car Aimee: Mini "S", Pure Silver/B, Premium (A/C and sun roof), DSC, Fog, and Heated seats. (Why? 'cause I can't wait a year)

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Sep 9th, 2002, 04:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
duboy MINI2 Regular Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Local Time: 07:36 PM Posts: 102 Offline	Lick, I'll share my doings up until now. About 6 weeks ago...or so i put my name on the list (waiting period was at most 6 months i was told) and put a deposit (fully refundable). Now i just wait until i get a call from the dealer. Once i get the call, then they will tell me when i can pick up my Mini if i'm still interested. I believe then is the time we work out financing etc.

Sep 9th, 2002, 05:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
MINIAC MINI Profiler Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: City By The Bay Local Time: 11:36 AM Posts: 8,615 Online	I believe that Long Beach MINI is just like East Bay MINI [where I bought] in that they sell at MSRP. If you didn't put down a deposit to get on the waiting list at Long Beach, I'm sure one will be required when you place your order. To take delivery, you will be required to pay for your MINI in full. The following will be added to the sale price: CA sales tax applicable to where you live [not to where the dealer is located] CA (DMV) license fees of appoximately 1% CA Tire Fee of $5 In addition, your dealer may charge a documentation preparation fee.

Sep 9th, 2002, 05:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
PigLick MINI2 Senior Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: us Local Time: 11:36 AM Posts: 512 Offline	"Remember your in California....where we pay gasoline prices that are $.20-.50 than the rest of the US..." Heh, I just got back from Hawaii, so I don't feel so bad about our gas prices anymore . Close to $2.00/gal for the lowest grade. I was in a rental, so I didn't even bother looking at the prices for the higher grades, hehe. Thanks for the input guys, though I was asking more about the actual buying process. What you guys say about the lists is true enough, but I'm already past that stage. I got on the list for Long Beach just about a year ago (mid-Sept '01), so I have a quote "excellent" spot on their list, such that the salesman told me that basically, anytime I'm ready to order to let them know, and they'd take my order in the next batch (they send all their orders at the end of each month, apparently). I'm thinking by the end of September, I may have my very own MINI on order =) We'll see though... PigLick

Sep 9th, 2002, 05:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
PigLick MINI2 Senior Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: us Local Time: 11:36 AM Posts: 512 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by MINIAC I believe that Long Beach MINI is just like East Bay MINI [where I bought] in that they sell at MSRP. If you didn't put down a deposit to get on the waiting list at Long Beach, I'm sure one will be required when you place your order. To take delivery, you will be required to pay for your MINI in full. The following will be added to the sale price: CA sales tax applicable to where you live [not to where the dealer is located] CA (DMV) license fees of appoximately 1% CA Tire Fee of $5 In addition, your dealer may charge a documentation preparation fee. Excellent MINIAC, that's exactly the type of info I was looking for =) Yes, Long Beach is charging MSRP and no more, which is great for me, since it is one of the two dealers' lists I got on last September, so I have a very good spot (as noted above). Now, if I can just find some time to get down there this month, take a few test drives (not that they will change any of my decisions, but why pass up a chance at driving a MINI?), and place my order... PigLick

Sep 9th, 2002, 07:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
EBMCS03 M5 Extraordinare! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: So Cal Local Time: 12:36 PM Posts: 6,768 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by PigLick Yes, Long Beach is charging MSRP and no more, which is great for me, since it is one of the two dealers' lists I got on last September, so I have a very good spot (as noted above). WOW u been on the list for one whole year before u can order? is that normal? is that the price u pay for getting it at MSRP? Or were u able to order earlier but wasnt ready to so u waited till now till u are ready to order.

Sep 9th, 2002, 08:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
MINIAC MINI Profiler Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: City By The Bay Local Time: 11:36 AM Posts: 8,615 Online	Quote: Originally posted by UCSDxB0i WOW u been on the list for one whole year before u can order? is that normal? is that the price u pay for getting it at MSRP? If you want a custom built 'S' at MSRP from a CA dealer, be prepared to wait. I got on the East Bay MINI waiting list on April 30, 2001, was offered a pre-spec 'S' but chose to order one for the first week of custom builds (ending 06/07). My 'S' was actually built early (05/28) and I took delivery on July 2nd.

Sep 9th, 2002, 10:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
EBMCS03 M5 Extraordinare! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: So Cal Local Time: 12:36 PM Posts: 6,768 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by MINIAC but chose to order one for the first week of custom builds (ending 06/07). My 'S' was actually built early (05/28) and I took delivery on July 2nd. WOW so u really didnt wait that long... how lucky is that? I wish i dont have to wait so long.

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