[PigLick]

Does anyone know how many (or what percentage) of the 20,000 cars headed to the US are going to be pre-specced? I just got a call from my dealer informing me of a few cars that were coming in. I wasn't interested in any of them, and asked if he had any time frame when I'd be able to pre-spec a car for order. He replied that the first 20,000 MINIs coming over would all be pre-specced, so I wouldn't be able to custom spec until next year.

So, does anyone know anything about this? I was under the belief that only a portion of the cars would be pre-specced, and that we should be able to start placing orders fairly soon, was I mistaken, or was this dealer misinformed (or misleading, though I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt)?

Another interesting note, I was told I was about #80 on the waiting list when I put down my deposit about 2 weeks ago, and yet already he's offering me cars. I wonder if the pre-specced standard Coopers are not selling as well as expected, with everyone holding out for custom spec or the S?

PigLick

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by PigLick
Does anyone know how many (or what percentage) of the 20,000 cars headed to the US are going to be pre-specced? I just got a call from my dealer informing me of a few cars that were coming in. I wasn't interested in any of them, and asked if he had any time frame when I'd be able to pre-spec a car for order. He replied that the first 20,000 MINIs coming over would all be pre-specced, so I wouldn't be able to custom spec until next year.....

My opinion? He's telling you 100% hogwash. The only way the rest of this year will be pre-spec'd is if your dealership forces it to be that way by making a concerted effort to totally ignore all it's customer's wishes and instead makes all the choices regarding the cars they are allocated. In effect, they would have to create and maintain an artificial pre-spec environment.

There are numerous US members of MINI2 who are being allowed to order exactly the MINI they want for production starting this summer or even sooner.

[PigLick]

Yah, that's what I thought BruceK, but I wanted to verify it. Like I said, for now I'll just assume that he was misinformed or uninformed on the situation and not purposely misleading me. Seems a bit far-fetched, but when I went to the dealer to put down my deposit they were just *barely* ready to be open. The building, while built, was unfurnished, and all the salespeople were climbing around the cars "exploring" them, so I get the feeling they aren't one of the more up-to-date dealers (could be a good or bad thing, at this point ) I'll give him a call back sometime soon and press a little harder, see what I can find out.

The situation you decribed above did cross my mind, I hope that's not the case. This is the one dealer in the area that seems to be doing the least amount of gouging and was handling themselves the best, I would hate to find out they're as bad as the rest.

PigLick

[kcmini]

Baron has told me that I will be able to order my cooper next month for June delivery. Hope your dealer isn't playing games with you.

Meant to say isn't.

[PigLick]

Me too kcmini, thanks

Ok, this brings up another question: If you order a car in April for June delivery, is that considered an April car, or a June car?

PigLick

[kshapiro]

I'm guessing 1,000 pre spec'ed cars....approx 50 dealers up and running and averaging 20 pre spec cars each.

[jbkone]

I was able to order my car the week after they opened. They opened Friday and I ordered Wed. Owner's Lounge estimates May 10 build.

At maximum there will be 19,999 pre-spec cars running around I'm sure many are holding for an S. If I could get one soon....

FYI - if you want one sooner and are willing to be gouged a little, Tom Bush in Jax, FL says they have extras (or did a week ago).

[rdcrdc3]

I was able to spec my car the second day my dealership was open.The order was placed for a May build and a late June early July delivery. They have since called to confirm my order and delivery. So all seems to be a go.

[Casey]

Well with the rate things are getting delayed, they might all be pre-spec'ed....it will consist of a 2 floor mats...thats it...but you will be forced to have a $500 dealer prep done on those floor mats before you can pick them up.

I couldn't resist...hehehe

Cheers

[PigLick]

Thanks for the input guys, I was pretty sure I was right, but figured it would be best make sure first. Like I said, the dealership seems to be just getting up to speed, so hopefully they just don't fully know the situation yet and he was either misinformed, or didn't know the answer and just kinda made one up.

Unfortunately I have a bit of a bias against car dealers, so I can't help but feel there was at least a little bit of subterfuge going on. As I said, I'm about #80 on the list, so if they're already calling me offering me a MINI, that means at least 50 people ahead of me have already declined to buy them. I kinda think when I asked about custom ordering he just blew off the question by saying I wouldn't be able to until next year, hoping the answer would spur me into buying one of the cars they have on-hand. I hope I'm wrong, but I guess I'll just have to wait and find out.

PigLick

[Casey]

Okay,a serious post for me, it might be that they are telling the truth...for instance if they are offering you a MINI now that means atleast 50 have declined like you said...and figuring if he knows what they want and they all want the full CWP or HK stereo and that is what you want, as well, it could very well be next year till you get yours. As those won't be here till sept when the 2003 cars start(sorta next year) now factor in that that is the build date, and delivery is more like early november...now figure in the 50+ people ahead of you...that could move you till early january.....a bit of a stretch and way to many ifs...but just could be...hehehe

[PigLick]

I don't think that's the case Casey, he doesn't even really know what I want. When I put down my deposit they really didn't take down any info on what I wanted other than standard Cooper. He called and said they had 4 cars coming in, all standard Coopers with the premium package...one silver/black, one BRG/white, and two yellow/black. I told him I wasn't interested in any, and said that I'd actually like to be able to spec one out myself, and asked if he knew of a timeframe when they might start taking orders. That's when he told me it wouldn't be until next year, because all 20,000 of the "first run" of MINIs are coming over pre-specced.

PigLick

[sixfoot6]

Sounds like many of the So Cal dealers. Seems to me they got lost and wandered into the dealership, found a tie, and started selling MINIs. Either they don't know what's up, or they're *personally* pre-speccing their shipments and selling first come first serve. In either case, none, save Long Beach MINI, has responded to my request to special order my S with anything other than, "Um.... that's a ways off yet...".

So the deal is, some Dealerships are taking special orders for Cooper's right now, and placing them. Some are taking special orders for S's right now, and either matching them with their incoming pre-spec list, or holding onto them until they can be placed. And others still are simply worried about selling what's on the lot, and nothing more.

It seems silly, cause I'm a 'Given'. Let me place my order, put my deposit down, and leave. You won't hear from me again until the day my S is in. I'll bring in a check and leave. Easiest sale possible....

frustrated,
sixfoot6

[PigLick]

I'm with you six, I'm pretty much a given too. I've done my research, been following this site for awhile, and I've decided on buying one. If they just let me place the order for my custom-spec Cooper in about a month or two, they've got themselves a sell. If they don't let me order, and keep trying to feed me pre-specced, then they've lost a sale.

I'm not going to pay for a new car with a bunch of stuff I don't want, and missing things I do want. The MINI is at the upper range of what I can afford as it is, the last thing I'm going to do is get one that isn't exactly the way I want it. I'll either find another local dealer that will let me custom spec (and not gouge me), or I'll simply settle for another car. The MINI is definitely at the top of my "want list" for cars, but it is not the only thing on the list.

PigLick

[Mini1380 two]

I was about #150 on the dealerships list. I wanted a specific car. Cooper red/white with CVT. There was a pre-specced car with these options. I was able to change the other options from: premium package, leatherette, to: Sport package, white wheels, chrome trim, red cloth interior. So I am getting exactly what I want.

My current scheduled build date as stated in the owners lounge on MINIUSA is April 12th. (used to be April 26th for a estimated build date)

Do I win for earliest build time for an owner specced car?

[Clutch Cargo]

1380 - Do you mean that you had the dealer change the options on a pair of their pre-specs? Or did you simply order your own spec?

[Mini1380 two]

The dealership was able to change the pre-specs on a specific car to match exactly what I wanted. He knew exactly what I wante, and he also probably knew what things that he could change. I basically had to about 6 hours to tell him what exactly I wanted because he had to send his list of specs changes in that day. When I got the production# for the car the specs matched what he had, now they almost show me what I ordered. There appears to be some problems with the owner's lounge not showing things exactly the way they should including things like not listing the interior selection.

I would have to say that based on my experience with this dealership, the dealerships are able to exactly tailor their cars to match their clients. The previous dealership I talked with told me that only the first month or so of cars were pre-specced and then they could order whatever I wanted.