[BrantV]

787 MINIs sold (716 Coopers, 71 Cooper S)

So apparently, more than a couple of Cooper S models were sold.

(Note from Paul --> for full story, read down)...

[rwhite]

Thanks for the info Brantv. I'm still looking to see my first "retailed" MINI on the roads here in Chicago...(I wish it could have been me)......

[UCSDxBoi]

Cool info... thats quite a bit of cars... so where are they? I still havent seen on the road.. ARGH... I want one I want one... Freaken dealers... stop jackin up the prices...

[Yurinaut]

I haven't seen one either (on the road) other than when I was at the dealership having a test drive. I spoke to my brother in Tampa last night and he said that he saw one the day they were released. I'd really like to see a few but, let's face it, it's nice not to see yourself coming and going fifteen times a day.

-Mike
5/3 Build date for my S!

[Paul]

MINI USA reported its first retail sales this month, with the return of the MINI brand to the U.S. after a 35-year absence.
On sale from March 22, and with cars arriving daily from England, the division reported 787 retail sales in only nine days trading. MINI USA accounted 716 MINI Coopers and 71 MINI Cooper S' being delivered to customers. Availability of the MINI Cooper S will increase as production ramps up in the coming weeks.

MINI dealers were inundated with visitors in their opening week and reported test drive bookings for weeks ahead. Almost every car purchased was personalized with parts from MINI's Motoring Accessory range. Most in demand were wheel and tire combinations and the most popular roof graphic was the British 'Union Jack' Flag.

The first MINI retailed in the U.S. was a MINI Cooper, sold by MINI of Peabody to a car collector in the Boston area. The buyer had been taken by MINI since his first viewing at the car's Detroit auto show debut in 2000 and ordered his car in MINI's classic red body, white roof combination in honor of the famous 1964 Monte Carlo winner.

Jack Pitney, general manager of MINI USA said: "We are delighted that MINI is now officially 'motoring' in the USA and the public response has been nothing short of terrific. To have retailed so many cars over such a short period with so many celebratory events taking place is testament to the enthusiasm and hard work of our dealers' sales staff."

MINI USA is expected to sell 20,000 cars in its first full year through a network of approximately 70 MINI dealers, when fully established. The 115hp MINI Cooper has an MSRP of $16,850 and the supercharged 163hp MINI Cooper S is $19,850. Both prices include delivery charges.

Information from MINI USA.

[mr.bill]

You'll notice most of the cars were "personalized." That's another way of saying "Most of the customers were sucked into buying overpriced accessories they didn't want or need in order to get their cars." I actually got a call from the local MINI dealer on April 1st after many months of being totally ignored. But I politely told him I intend to wait until the build quality and reliability improves. I'm sure he had no idea what I was referring to. The early US build cars have the old front suspension and there are still ongoing problems with the seat quality and the electrical system. Given my luck in buying things that are defective, I would rather wait until all the niggles have been sorted.

[lhasa]

Quote:

Originally posted by mr.bill
The early US build cars have the old front suspension and there are still ongoing problems with the seat quality and the electrical system.

Do you know if they have solved the suspension problem yet? I thought the left pull issue was over. As my car is slated to start production on the 12th, I'm a little concerned.

Thanks.