[Pepper-Cooper]

It's been on my mind lately, are some of us (in different countries) paying too much... So I made a quick comparison chart between the U.K. and South African cars. I took my new car as an example, and below are my findings. To my surprize, the South African buyers don't really pay that much more than their U.K. counterparts. Okay there is price different, but rememeber the car still needs to be imported from the U.K. If I take other cars on the local market, it really get's scary. Like the C55 AMG and the Mazda RX-8 - totally over priced. Hope some of you find this interesting.

[MrV]

I would imagine the price difference gets smaller (and even perhaps goes the other way) the more options you add on. Many things that are standard in other countries are cost items in UK.

US prices are pretty darn good. The exchange rate makes it so.

[Paul]

I think the price is more like £15,600 ukp at the current rates.

Compare these prices to the USA though, you might not be so happy.

However, I would also say that the MINI seemed VERY expensive to me when we came to South Africa and borrowed a Cooper S from BMW. The cost of everything seemed very cheap, apart from cars (and some electrics stuff), driving around in the Cape area we did sometimes feel like were driving a really expensive car, especially after my cousin's reaction to it when we went to visit!

[DeadCanDanceR]

Check the price of new MINIs in Mexico and you'll see that they are quite expensive (but worth every cent) here in Mexico too! Besides, we have to pay so much in taxes and insurance!

http://www.mini.com.mx

[Pepper-Cooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

I think the price is more like £15,600 ukp at the current rates.

Compare these prices to the USA though, you might not be so happy.

However, I would also say that the MINI seemed VERY expensive to me when we came to South Africa and borrowed a Cooper S from BMW. The cost of everything seemed very cheap, apart from cars (and some electrics stuff), driving around in the Cape area we did sometimes feel like were driving a really expensive car, especially after my cousin's reaction to it when we went to visit!

For this excersise I didn't include 'on the road' price, as these seem do differ greatly from country to country - and even in South Africa, from dealer to dealer. I wanted to include a USA comparison aswell, but the USA spec's are just so different to the U.K./S.A. spec's. The South African buyer is unfortunately very conservative - they want the most for their money - and the MINI does not fall in to that group. It's impractical for most, not suitable for families (if you really think of it). If they fork out this kinda money for a car, they'd rather go buy big Toyota or a Renault - which is really sad.

In S.A. it's seen something of an exotic vehicle. Most buyers are men who buy the car for his wife as a run-around in town. The most MINI drivers in my area, are woman over the age of 45. Including myself, we are 3 young ppl under the age of 30 who drives MINI's in town. Being a young single person, the MINI suites my every need and more.

Talking about USA prices of cars, I agree - they are much cheaper. Take a Mazda RX-8 for instance - in the USA it cost half the prize of what it costs in S.A. Now I really would like to know WHY? I also noticed the pricing on the U.S.A. spec cars are much lower than either the U.K./S.A. cars - but I suppose that's the world for you. For the price of a basic Cooper in the U.S.A., you can buy the cheapest Renault Clio/Vauxhall Corsa/VW Polo/Fiat Palio in S.A.