Is this a good price?

[NewToMini]

Greetings.

I have been shopping used and new MINIs in Boston, US area and have located a good combination of features on an automatic MINI Cooper S that the dealer has on the lot. It's a 2011, with Premium Pkg, Cold Weather Pkg, and Bluetooth. Lots of other standard features, and the MSRP is $27,950 (incl $700 destination charge).

Edmunds "TMV" said I should expect to pay MSRP for these cars in the Boston area. Internet research on the invoice price (I know, suspect) listed it as $25,200. As a starting point, I offered $25,500. To my huge surprise, they took it. No haggling or fuss, and they only talked amongst themselves three minutes to think about it.

My question: Is this a good price? Should I have started lower? I was thinking I would have to negotiate up to $26,000. This is a 2011, NOT a 2010 with no miles on it (sitting way back in untouched inventory).

Thanks!

[cccplus]

you can probably get them to go a couple 100s lower. although not advertise, there is $1k incentive from MINI/BMW on 2011. hence, the dealer is more willing to deal. remember to ask for free floor mats package. good luck

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by NewToMini (original)

Is this a good price? Should I have started lower? I was thinking I would have to negotiate up to $26,000. This is a 2011, NOT a 2010 with no miles on it (sitting way back in untouched inventory).

Definitely a good price as you paid just a few hundred over invoice. Had you started lower you might have ended up paying more.

You did better than another member who got $2K off a $33K MSRP 2011 MCS:

Price paid for special order MINI

Discounts such as these have been rare in the past.

[Kev50027]

As MINIAC said, you got a better deal than I did. Also, cccplus is correct, as the saleswoman I was working with at Louisville MINI told me there is a $1,000 discount currently available on 2011 models. They are usually a bit more eager to deal when selling a car off the lot, since it is taking up space and losing money the longer it stays there.

Congratulations on your new MINI! Be sure to take pictures and share them with your new friends at MINI2!

[Mini_Mad]

that is really cheap! works out around 14.5k here in UK!

[NewToMini]

Hi folks.

Thanks for all your quick responses! I thought I was missing something in the process, because I was expecting a big negotiation phase (especially since it was a 2011). I am also paying for over half the car in cash, and financing the rest through a credit union, so I didn't have to go through the financing dance.

So far, I have been very impressed with the staff at the dealer. At one point, the salesman was actually trying to down-sell us (my wife and I) to a non-S Cooper. I think he was thinking about my wife (this will be a second car for us, primarily for her to drive). Anyway, she got to pick Pepper White with a Black top and automatic, I got to pick the "S" and paddles so I could have some fun.

I will have to take some pics and post them. We should be able to pick it up this week.

Thanks again,
Andrew

p.s. Just wanted to thank those that responded for your advice. It helped push me into the "buy" column. Just signed all the paperwork for $25,500 and even talked them into adding the rubber mats for free. They did!

This forum is great! I'll post pictures when I get a decent day to take them.

[minigirl4life]

cccplus - I just ordered a new 2011 Cooper Convertible S and would like to call them about the free floor mat package. I've been searching all over looking for that and don't see anything that I can call and say "Hey, can you add this promotion on?" Any help would be appreciated.

Checking status my new baby is in the paint shop with an estimated completion date of 10/28. Getting really excited!!

[cccplus]

minigirl - sorry for not clarifying. dealer normally throw in free floor mats to close the deal. there's no promotion. i had my ma give me free floor mats b4 i commit to order my mcs.