[appmacguy]

I have seen a 2nd hand Dooper (57 plate) it has everything I'd spec plus some more including a panoramic sunroof, tinted windows, visibility pack. I wondered how much the extra weight of the sunroof would effect the MPG.

I'd be saving over £2000 on speccing new but would have to sacrifice colour and live with the extras I wouldn't spec like the sunroof. I would also have to wait until mid December for the car to be available as it is a demonstrator being sold with 5000 miles on it.

What should I do as in the back of my mind the government may be lowering VAT or offering incentives fro the budget in March for new Doopers.

Thanks!

[appmacguy]

Anyone???

[supa-dupa-cooper]

I wouldnt think the sunroof would make much difference, if at all? I may be wrong.

As for buying a demonstrator, I personally wouldnt do it. Reason being unless the spec is exactly how you want it, are you going to be happy? You dont know how the car has been driven in those 5000 miles. The advantage would be that you would get the car quicker than if you ordered new (i dont get my Dooper till March 1st)

[Stiggy]

A big question is - has it got stop/start? Only the very recent ones have.

As I'm guessing the car costs nearly £20k, I'd get what you really want.

[Yoastie]

I know how the demonstrator will have been driven - and it's not good...

[appmacguy]

Thanks for the info guys. It turns out the price was wrong once I asked for confirmation on email. Instead of £15277 it is now £16990. It had stop/start, 17" alloys, sunroof, metallic paint, chili pack, M/F steering wheel and visibility pack.

Thought it was a great price!

[Stiggy]

You probably don't need me to tell you that the retail price would be about £18000. I'd join the long waiting list and get the car built to order.

[appmacguy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Stiggy (original)

You probably don't need me to tell you that the retail price would be about £18000. I'd join the long waiting list and get the car built to order.

Yeh I always when looking build one on the mini site and add £150 TLC on to find its original value. Thanks for the post tho Stiggy.

What kinda lead time are we looking at for a Dooper and would orders for say an April/May delivery be amended if the government drops VAT on low CO2 cars at the budget in March?

[Stiggy]

Quote: Originally Posted by appmacguy (original)

What kinda lead time are we looking at for a Dooper and would orders for say an April/May delivery be amended if the government drops VAT on low CO2 cars at the budget in March?

You'd have to talk to a dealer, but I'm guessing 3-5 months lead time as the diesels are so popular. As for the tax break - who knows! You could always order a car for a post April 5th delivery and cancel it if they won't sell it for the 'new' price. They'll be a few people doing that if the Chancellor announces a massive discount!

[Amo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Yoastie (original)

I know how the demonstrator will have been driven - and it's not good...

I agree - I drove the demonstrator much harder than I have ever driven my Dooper

[appmacguy]

Thanks for the advice Stiggy and Amo, appreciate it.

[Blanche]

hi all frist post .as for demo car i took a drooper out yesterday and must say did give it some stick .i would not do it to my car.loved the car it was a clubman but will go for a cooper d

[Stiggy]

Yeah, I thrashed the Cooper I had for an overnight demo too!

[sav112]

I hoping to find a Dooper next March- April second hand. Got my last car with only 11k on it from new a year old and saved around four thousand. If it was not that my Honda probably needs a wee bit of work next year I’d probably have waited more and got the usual 30+ % off after a few years.

Not hoping to offend anyone but I’m really hoping the fiat 500 cuts into the Mini sales and drops the price of them a bit. Then again I found out a 530D can do 40+ miles these days…..its Mini one week something else the next ……

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by sav112 (original)

Not hoping to offend anyone but I’m really hoping the fiat 500 cuts into the Mini sales and drops the price of them a bit.

Won't happen.

The motoring press got it so wrong with the Fiat 500. They were saying it would be >£10k starting price - now it looks like it will be available from £8k.

I don't think this will hit sales, or re-sale values of the MINI

[Stiggy]

It's a Fiat! Great design, nice engines, but rubbish build quality. I confess to owning a Punto Sporting a few years ago. I couldn't get rid of it quick enough.

MINIs will hold their price. In my opinion there is such a modest discount on an ex-demo car you are better off buying new and getting exactly what you want.