[mgMINI]

I think there are kind of two list at dealers. There the first few cars that they will get that come as they are (color, nav or not, etc...) but then there is the build to order alloocation which will follow shortly after. Thats the list I asked to be on and there I am number 4 or 5. Perhaps earlier it the 3 to 4 before me decide to grab the first few.

MG

[Washy]

Quote: Originally Posted by mgMINI

I think there are kind of two list at dealers. There the first few cars that they will get that come as they are (color, nav or not, etc...) but then there is the build to order alloocation which will follow shortly after. Thats the list I asked to be on and there I am number 4 or 5. Perhaps earlier it the 3 to 4 before me decide to grab the first few.

MG

The first few are usually pre spec....mine is definately build to order

[mgMINI]

Ok heres the scoop on dealer stock in respect to the Cabrio/Open.

I just spoke with my dealer moments ago and YES!!!!!!!!!! I am number ONE on the list in Montreal-at least for my dealer MINI LAVAL.

Here's the next bit of info. They heard that the fiirst allocation they get will be will be spec'd the way they want. So if I want my Pepper White/Cordoba Beige with etc... they can simply request it that way in thier first units.

On my way to my first MINI.

MG

[Paul]

Thanks for the information, congratulations.

[spur]

I have also spoken to my dealer today at harold wood romford. I was also told that the first cars will be to the customers spec. They still had no info on specs colours prices and no idea how many.They did say i should get the car sometime in june.

[Paul]

I take it you're high on their list then?

[mgMINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

Thanks for the information, congratulations.

Paul Mullet - Thanks. Hope its soon but even though I am first on the list I am told that it looks like a Sept delivery date.

Again specs and colors are still up in the air but Pepper White in Cooper S form with Cordoba Beige should be available. Hope so.

What do you think of that new orange? I hear its metalic and looks to by the pics.

I will keep you guys posted as I get info from my friend at the dealer. I do know that he will be seeing one and driving it in Spain next month. I dont know why Spain. I can try and get the info on where and when if your interested - more spy pics if we have nothing concret by then.


MG

[Washy]

Quote: Originally Posted by mgMINI

Paul Mullet - Thanks. Hope its soon but even though I am first on the list I am told that it looks like a Sept delivery date.

Again specs and colors are still up in the air but Pepper White in Cooper S form with Cordoba Beige should be available. Hope so.

What do you think of that new orange? I hear its metalic and looks to by the pics.

I will keep you guys posted as I get info from my friend at the dealer. I do know that he will be seeing one and driving it in Spain next month. I dont know why Spain. I can try and get the info on where and when if your interested - more spy pics if we have nothing concret by then.


MG

My understanding is that there is a launch in Spain. Not sure exactly when though.

[mgMINI]

I guess the launch in Spain is in Feb. Thats when my Dealer is going to Spain for. I can try and find out when and where. Does that mean its the first official launch of a car tha does not officially exist.

MG

[Paul]

Looks like the dealers get to drive these before the media this time. No fair.

[mgMINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

Looks like the dealers get to drive these before the media this time. No fair.

No No No, these Cabrio's dont't exist yet - remember. The dealers must be going to Spain to drive MINI's with really really large sunroofs.

I too want to sell my clients items that don't exist yet-think of the profit.

MG

[Paul]

The convertibles do, just not the "S". I never saw it parked up and driving around London, how could I?!

[mgMINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

The convertibles do, just not the "S". I never saw it parked up and driving around London, how could I?!

My dealer tells me that the convertibles will be available in any form - at least thats how it will work here in Canada. We don't have the ONE or the D though. I was informed that ordering the Cabrio will be just like checking off any other option/spec such as the sunroof and paying the respective price attached.

MG

[Paul]

I know. One, Cooper & S versions over here. And we get them before you. So there.

[mgMINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

I know. One, Cooper & S versions over here. And we get them before you. So there.

Paul- I was not understanding your previous post, I had understood from what you wrote that the "s" was not confirmed or coming in cabrio form, and of all people you should know more than me- I am a newbie and us Canadians are the usual overlooked little market. I'm surprised that we are even getting the Cabrio at all.

CAN'T WAIT TO GET MINE.

MG

PS Whats your favorite color and take on the new orange?

[Paul]

Basically MINI/BMW have not 100% confirmed at HQ level that they are making a Cooper S Convertible, even though it's well known they are.

[milliethemini]

Quote: Originally Posted by mgMINI

Paul- I was not understanding your previous post, I had understood from what you wrote that the "s" was not confirmed or coming in cabrio form, and of all people you should know more than me- I am a newbie and us Canadians are the usual overlooked little market. I'm surprised that we are even getting the Cabrio at all.

Ummm, some of us Canadians don't think we are the 'usual overlooked little market', mate!!!

No need to be belittling our great nation in front of the Yanks and Brits, we do pretty well on our own

Truth be told, Canada has turned out to be a great market for the MINI too. We are a different and smaller market, but no less important than the other markets worldwide. We are at a far better advantage than our American cousins in the sense that we pretty much have a MINI dealership in almost all of our major cities, which the Yanks don't. We have far better coverage for their population then theirs. We also have not had to deal with the 3-6 month delivery waiting times that our friends down south have to face, plus having to pay over MSRP. (Most Canadians would never stand for that crap!!)

I'm not surprised that we are getting the Cabrio - in fact, our country allocation in proportion to our population is probably better than the US!!!

We get the same MINI models as the US, so we are not lacking. Plus I believe that the Cooper Classic is specifically for Canada, to meet a lower price point to make the MINI more accessible to the market. And - we can get the Cooper in Electric Blue - which for the weirdest reason is denied to our British cousins!!

So all in all, our MINI market in Canada is doing great and growing nicely, if the increasing number of MINIs I see around my neighbourhood is any indication. Have faith!!

[mgMINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by milliethemini

Ummm, some of us Canadians don't think we are the 'usual overlooked little market', mate!!!

No need to be belittling our great nation in front of the Yanks and Brits, we do pretty well on our own

Truth be told, Canada has turned out to be a great market for the MINI too. We are a different and smaller market, but no less important than the other markets worldwide. We are at a far better advantage than our American cousins in the sense that we pretty much have a MINI dealership in almost all of our major cities, which the Yanks don't. We have far better coverage for their population then theirs. We also have not had to deal with the 3-6 month delivery waiting times that our friends down south have to face, plus having to pay over MSRP. (Most Canadians would never stand for that crap!!)

I'm not surprised that we are getting the Cabrio - in fact, our country allocation in proportion to our population is probably better than the US!!!

We get the same MINI models as the US, so we are not lacking. Plus I believe that the Cooper Classic is specifically for Canada, to meet a lower price point to make the MINI more accessible to the market. And - we can get the Cooper in Electric Blue - which for the weirdest reason is denied to our British cousins!!

So all in all, our MINI market in Canada is doing great and growing nicely, if the increasing number of MINIs I see around my neighbourhood is any indication. Have faith!!

milliethemini - Please there was no dissrespect to you or other fellow Canadians. I am dam proud to be a Canadian and wouldn't trade (move) for anything.

I do agree with you that we are better off in many ways especially in respect to the MINI stock and colors. If I was in any other country I would not be FIRST on the list for the Cabrio. Plus my dealer even feels very bad that they are charging me MSRP and not less, because they is not allowed to. They are willing to make up for it for on the BMW I will get my wife or on accessories I may need later. This too would not happen anywhere else. They also have stock if you walked in to buy today-no waiting if you like what they have. I hear New York has a one year waiting list and my aunt in Houston was just told 6 months.

But, you have to agree with me that many times we are regarded as the small insignificant market that is just there and we rarely get anything first. And, I don't know why. We are still repectable in terms of sales numbers especially when you look at the per population baisis (like you mentioned).

The way I look at it we are that BIG Country, with the little population (vs size of land), and a little bark. But when needed our bite is hard felt and strong.


MG

[milliethemini]

No worries, mate

Psst - I don't know what your dealer is trying to pull over your eyes, by telling you that they are can sell only at MSRP. Because apart from Saturn, and Scion (in the US), the MSRP is not fixed in stone, especially for car sales. How then are some MINI dealers in the US able to sell ABOVE MSRP?

In British Columbia, all the MINI dealers (MINI Yaletown, MINI Richmond and MINI Victoria) will do deals on cars either in the lot, or special ordered. The usual way to give a discount is;

1] add-on freebies like free rubber car mats, mugs, etc. Anywhere from $80 - $120 value. Note that the free MINI key ring which you will inevitably get is considered standard practice, so don't think they are doing you a favour by giving you one

2] discounts on the options that you add on to your MINI. Some dealers will not lower the base price, but instead give discounts on the options you add on. For example, if you add on $4000 worth of options onto the base price of your MINI, they may let you have them for $3000. So in effect you have gotten your MINI for $1000 'less'. Sometimes they may even throw in an option free!!! So in effect you are not really getting cash back, but paying less cash. There's a difference

By now you have probably figured out that Canadian MINI dealers really HATE selling the Mini Cooper Classic - for starters, they make less margin with the car, and with almost no options to add on to it, it's hard for them to make the car 'cheaper' by discounting options. The Classic has also been attracting a new kind of customer to MINI - the economy car shopper. When you have people comparing the Classic to a fully loaded Toyota Echo, you know you are in trouble

[mgMINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by milliethemini

No worries, mate

Psst - I don't know what your dealer is trying to pull over your eyes, by telling you that they are can sell only at MSRP. Because apart from Saturn, and Scion (in the US), the MSRP is not fixed in stone, especially for car sales. How then are some MINI dealers in the US able to sell ABOVE MSRP?

In British Columbia, all the MINI dealers (MINI Yaletown, MINI Richmond and MINI Victoria) will do deals on cars either in the lot, or special ordered. The usual way to give a discount is;

1] add-on freebies like free rubber car mats, mugs, etc. Anywhere from $80 - $120 value. Note that the free MINI key ring which you will inevitably get is considered standard practice, so don't think they are doing you a favour by giving you one

2] discounts on the options that you add on to your MINI. Some dealers will not lower the base price, but instead give discounts on the options you add on. For example, if you add on $4000 worth of options onto the base price of your MINI, they may let you have them for $3000. So in effect you have gotten your MINI for $1000 'less'. Sometimes they may even throw in an option free!!! So in effect you are not really getting cash back, but paying less cash. There's a difference

By now you have probably figured out that Canadian MINI dealers really HATE selling the Mini Cooper Classic - for starters, they make less margin with the car, and with almost no options to add on to it, it's hard for them to make the car 'cheaper' by discounting options. The Classic has also been attracting a new kind of customer to MINI - the economy car shopper. When you have people comparing the Classic to a fully loaded Toyota Echo, you know you are in trouble

There I go agian miss explaining myself. The dealer is a friend through a friend who has now become a friend. Understand that yet, cause I don't. Anyways, I ordered the Carbrio and left a refundable depo on it. I am first on thier list and they don't know much about the car except that its coming. He (the owner) feels bad because he is getting only a few Cabrio's. Selling the first one at MSRP is a must. He'd rather I take an hardtop "S" where he can play on price or that I wait till the hype on the Cabrio dies down or stock becomes more available. All three of which I don't think will happen anytime soon and I don't care to wait for. I understand his position on not wanting to lose potential profit on a very limited model. So he does feel bad and prefers I wait or get a harddtop but the choice is mine. He will play on $ with extras later on or see as we get closer to the date what the true numbers will be. All I know is that I want it yesterday evenn though its been -40 lately.

I almost wish they didn't offer the classic model-hope it doesn't cheapen the brand. Then again, I think if the options that aren't on the classic aren't wanted or needed why should someone have to pay for them. Especially if they are on a tight budget. BUT comparing an Echo and a MINI thats just wrong.


MG