[TheFU]

I am currently in the dilemma of whether or not to order a 2003 now and get it in September or wait to see when ordering opens up for 2004 models.

Does anyone know when this will be in the US? What was it for the 2003 Models? When was the delivery to the US of the first 2003 models?

Thanks for the feedback.

[bobntx]

My personal suggestion would be to find someone else to order it from! Many dealers out there now have only 2 to 3 months wait time when ordering a 2003... so you'd have a new car in March instead of September. That's what I did. Check out the dealer forum here at MINI2... you'll find a lot of info there about who has what right now.

~B

[Paul]

Currently there are just as much if not more changes in spec between years than there have been at model year change over. Model years seem to be September to September.

Personally, I would bite the bullet now rather than wait, but that's just me.

[MiniMan7]

I agree with Paul, I would just buy one now, and enjoy it!

[TheFU]

But, does anyone know any West Coast dealers (UT,CO,AZ,CA,OR) that sell at MSRP with a 2-3 month wait?

The dealer here in SLC is great, but they are saying 6-8 months wait. They sell at MSRP and they are local. I am in no hurry for a vehicle and I am not an impulse buyer so unless it is within 800 miles from here and at MSRP and delivery within 3 months, I would rather order a 2004.

Just the extra months with no depreciation is worth it.

TBF

[Cvtfan]

I believe Rasmussen Mini, Portland, OR has only about a three month wait for a Cooper. Not sure if that also applies to an S. They sell at MSRP. 1-866-747-MINI. They are nice to deal with. Bought ours there and will be taking delivery mid Feb or so.

[TheFU]

I am interested in a Cooper S.

I will call them and see.

TBF

[vespa]

Cooper S's were entirely unavailable in the west when I called each and every western dealer a few weeks ago. Moritz in Dallas was the closest dealer I could find that didn't have some sort of mandatory fine, penalty, or torture. I called Moritz on 1/6/03, put $1000 on my Visa, and my MCS was built and on the boat by 1/22/03. How's that for a short wait? Their pricing is MSRP + $50 doc + $50 Texas tax + your tax. They don't add anything else, they'll pick you up at DFW, or they'll ship the car right to your doorstep for a very reasonable fee.

Make sure you compare the exact price of other dealers. Many charge hundreds of dollars in doc fees and some states impose an additional tax like the $50 TX tax above. Then there's the lojack, kick to the balls, and other crap they force you into. One dealer I went to actually wrote right on the window sticker that they will poke one of your eyes out, kick you in the shin and fine you $2500 for buying a Cooper S. And they get to choose which eye!

[D.D.]

To call and order on 1/6 and have the car shipped on 1/22, just 16 days later is un-freakin-believable. I ordered my MCS on 1/20 and told I have a 6-7 month wait! What gives????

[lightbody]

This weird model year obsession seems to be a mostly American thing but it seems to me from reading on here that the car doesn't really do Model Years, its just evolving as and when they're ready to introduce/remove things!

[chiph]

Quote:

Originally posted by lightbody
This weird model year obsession seems to be a mostly American thing but it seems to me from reading on here that the car doesn't really do Model Years, its just evolving as and when they're ready to introduce/remove things!

It's not so different from the UK's obsession with Reg numbers!

[TheFU]

Call it obsession if you like, but the fact is that here in the US, model year is one of three major points that drive depreciation (year, mileage, wear).

The fact is that if you average the model year release, anything after Feb you are losing and anything before, you are gaining. If you are able to take delivery of a 2004 in 2003, well then you are no doubt gaining at least 2-3 months of depreciation time. May not sound like much, but it actually can amount to a couple hundred dollars per month.

I know, I know, most of you are saying "but just get the car as soon as possible and enjoy it!". Well, its your kind that I love because thats what makes the economy stay rolling while a turn every purchase I make into a deliberate process at lowering the pain in my wallet.

Thanks for the tip on the Dealerships so far.

Once you have ordered, and it is "on the boat" what kind of time are we talking about, on average, until it is ready for pickup at the dealer?

Thanks for all the fine points so far.

[TheFU]

I took the plunge!

I ordered my Mini on Wed. of this week. I was able to find a dealer to slip me into production and get me a build date of 2/28 so I decided to go for it! I bought a MCS in Dark Silver with every option except Navigation. Black Leather, Black Panels, and a Patina dash. I am so excited. I can't wait to have my second British car in my garage. (first was/is 1980 MGB).

Anyway, thanks for the insigt. I figured that with a march delivery, at least I would be splitting the model year.

[wrenny]

The wait here in the uk is 5-6 months for a cooper s, with no boat trip either.

Cant see how yours is working unless you have a cancelled order match ??

[TheFU]

I ordered from Moritz! These guys are great! They had an unspoken for MCS in already slated for the production line and I took it. They then just changed the order to fit my needs. And, for any of you out there that aren't that picky, they have something like 8-10 MCS right on their lot!

It will be a 1000 mile trip back, but at least by then my Mini will almost be broken in...the trip will take longer than the normal Texas -> SLC journey due to this, but I don't mind. (I don't trust vehicle freighters with my baby!)

Well, I feel kinda bad that I will be motoring in my new MCS months ahead of some who ordered in Dec...NOT!

TBF

[stryder]

Quote:

Originally posted by TheFU


It will be a 1000 mile trip back, but at least by then my Mini will almost be broken in...the trip will take longer than the normal Texas -> SLC journey due to this, but I don't mind. (I don't trust vehicle freighters with my baby!)

Well, I feel kinda bad that I will be motoring in my new MCS months ahead of some who ordered in Dec...NOT!

TBF

Congrats, the breaking in just says don't go above 4500 RPM and vary speed + engine speed (ie no cruise). There's nothing to say you can't vary speed highly, you can get going pretty fast at 4500 rpm in 6th gear. You should be home in a reasonable time anyway.

All of the tracking info: how long it takes to get from the factory etc would be in the FAQ above, as well as the tracking + delivery forum if anyone is interested.

[vespa]

Congrats theFU! Glad my Moritz of Dallas tip landed you a seat.

I first called Moritz Jan 6
Had a production number Jan 7
VIN number Jan 9
Production date was then moved from 1/31 to 1/24
Car was loaded onto the boat 1/22
Boat docked in Nova Scotia 1/31
Boat's currently heading down the coast with my MINI to be dropped off next week.

Oh, and theFU too!

[EBMCS03]

Is Moritz MINI new? I'm pretty sure I called all the dealers in TX back in Dec and they all had wait or mark up or wont sell out of state thats why I wasnt able to get one from TX. Humm....


Anyways... CONGRATS TheFU!!!!

[vespa]

Yes, Moritz is new. They didn't begin taking orders until sometime around late December / early January. They just opened sometime within the last week or two. They're in Arlington.