Greetings! Advice Needed - MINI2

snuffy · #1 (**permalink**) Jul 27th, 2003, 10:31 PM

Hello;

I've just found mini2 - glad I have - it's a nice site.

I'm off on Thursday to Lind in Maidstone, Kent for a test drive of a Cooper. I've always wanted one and due to salary changes I can afford one now (I'm 21)

I'm after purchasing a Black (Non Mettalic) Cooper with white bonnet stripes, white roof, Chili Pack, Climate Control, 6 CD Changer. Does this sound OK?

I'll need finance, but Mini's 9.9% is too much. Can this be negotiated? I can get it from 6.9% elsehwere - anyone seen anything else better for about £12000?

On the subject of haggling, has anyone managed to haggle over the price, or even, for example - the mats? I've heard it's impossible to get them to budge on anything

Can anyone advise me on current delivery estimates? Are we talking more than 6 months?

One last question, if I was to order now; would I get some of the new 2004 features such as the new steering wheel; etc etc?

I think that's all; thank you for your time!

ALD0 · #2 (**permalink**) Jul 27th, 2003, 10:42 PM

Hello,

Well might be able to answer some of your questions, whatever MINI spec you choose-it will always be good, but as you are getting the Chilli pack you wont have to worry about much as you will get nicer alloys. fogs etc, and Black with white stripes is excellent-I would also recomend getting factory tints (£100) as they go nice with the black.

Finance side I would shop around, and you will never get much (if anything) knocked off your new MINI and as for the mats you will get them with the Chilli pack!

Delivery times are usually 2 and a hal to 3 months, and if you order now you will get the 04 spec, but you will have to read the other posts about them.

Hope this helps....

RedUn · #3 (**permalink**) Jul 27th, 2003, 10:59 PM

Does the Chilipack include the alarm? if not helps bring the insurance down plus a piece of mind.

The finance can be negiotiated I got mine at about 7% because as they price matched basically.

Haggle as much as you can I got TLC and floor mats

try for as much as you can for stuff like this but I couldn't get them to budge on the price of the car itself.

Delivery time depends on your dealer mine was under a month

I don't know about the 2004 spec but it should be changed sometime soon I expect??

Z1GZAG N · #4 (**permalink**) Jul 28th, 2003, 12:57 AM

I dought Mini can match your 6.9%. They sure couldn't match my 5.0%. Don't let them talk you into their financing unless it's cheaper.

addman · #5 (**permalink**) Jul 28th, 2003, 06:50 AM

re: delivery times - I'm sure if you really wanted some of the '04 features, you could order now and ask for delivery say, November/December when you're sure to get them?

snuffy · #6 (**permalink**) Jul 28th, 2003, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rlvette
I dought Mini can match your 6.9%. They sure couldn't match my 5.0%. Don't let them talk you into their financing unless it's cheaper.

cough! splutter! 5%?! how? :|

addman · #7 (**permalink**) Jul 28th, 2003, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by snuffy
cough! splutter! 5%?! how? :|

US... doubt you'll find anywhere in the UK offering 5%, even with our low base interest rate right now.

dinger · #8 (**permalink**) Jul 28th, 2003, 11:18 AM

Hi snuffy, I wish you the best with Lind at Maidstone.!

dinger.

snuffy · #9 (**permalink**) Jul 28th, 2003, 12:39 PM

i know they are crap, but I'm from Maidstone - however I've never been to another Mini garage other than that one. I hear that the one near you in Tunbridge Wells is good, but it seems a bit too far to go just for a test drive. If Lind can't give me what I want, then I will be over your way

ALD0 · #10 (**permalink**) Jul 28th, 2003, 04:35 PM

Is that the Lind in Norwich or maybe same franchise? They were at the Norfolk show last month and though I had already ordered a MINI I enquired and see if they could give me more things free -which they couldn't-but it was worth the try!

oreokid · #11 (**permalink**) Jul 28th, 2003, 04:49 PM

Lind in maidstone are bloody terrible but as it was pointed out they are local! i would go with the other finance option, and make sure you get the older short salesman he knows what he is on about the younger one seems to have trouble with rudermentary things like speaking and tying up shoelaces let alone selling things.

jimskater · #12 (**permalink**) Jul 29th, 2003, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by snuffy
cough! splutter! 5%?! how? :|

Snuf,

Put your drink down: 3.99%, over 6 years, from my credit union.

Your Cooper spec sounds sweet, is there a rear spoiler in the Chili package? If not, add that--it adds to the look for a relatively reasonable price (@ approx $100 US, I think). I'm still trying to figure out how to swing the extra $200 in installation, after having passed on the spoiler the first time.

Jim