[ccsubruce]

Greetings MINI owners.

I'm just starting to get into the new car market, and have really taken a shine to the MINI. I'm interested in the car based on its style and size as I like small cars, but I have some questions regarding the car that I'm hoping I can get answered here by the experts.

For starters, I'm interested in the MINI Cooper (probably a 2004 by the time I get around to purchasing), chili red with red top, AT (a must...I have MS and am prohibited from driving a standard shift in CT), and cold weather package. I'd like cloth seating, the no charge spoke wheels (not the steel wheels) and the darker colored trim.

1. Should I expect to pay MSRP for the car (obviously, I'm including destination price here)? I'm not against a dealer making a few bucks, but charging over sticker for an ordered car is sort of silly in my opinion. The dealer wouldn't have to play floorplan interest on it as it would be in and out in a matter of 3 days.

1a. In fact, I'd like to be able to negotiate the price, but from what I can gather that's pretty much out of the question. Is negotiation at all possible, or is it like Saturn (here's the price...that's what you pay)?

2. What is the turnaround time on average? If I order car on a certain day, how long would I wait for it?

3. I'm looking to finance the car, therefore what interest rate is being given in the area? I've seen rates at local banks as high as 10.75% and I find that to be exhorbitant.

4. What is the reliability of the 2003 MINI? Obviously, we cannot comment on the 2004 yet.

5. And speaking of the 2004, have any major model changes been announced? I understand the stereo system will have MP3 capability next year, which for me is a wonderful thing to have.

6. Has anyone here done business with New Country Motor Car? I'm in Hartford, so that would be my nearest dealer. Are there any comments regarding how that dealer (let alone any others) would treat me?

7. I have a 1996 Neon with 103K. Should I try to trade this car or sell it on my own?

8. Can anyone here give me any general advice regarding the MINI, buying experience, etc.?

I'm sure your answers will spark further questions, so I'll be looking at them with great interest. Thanks for your time.

BSM

[froggert]

just picked my mcs up last week, but i can try to answer some of your questions.

1) definitely do not pay above msrp for a cooper. i don't know if they're being discounted or not, but there always seem to be a dozen or more sitting on my dealer's lot.

3) i was approved for 3.9% financing through a credit union (www.penfed.org) but the dealer did even better with 3.79% through chase. i believe my local bank is somewhere in the 5.25% range.

7) try to sell it on your own - the dealer will probably give you what he thinks it'll sell for at auction or less. i don't know what it's worth or what tax bracket you're in, but giving it away as a charitable contribution may be an option.

8) i test drove the cooper with cvt and standard suspension a while back. more comfortable than my car, nice balance, has enough juice to get you around, but not at all quick. definitely test drive one to see how it feels to you and how you fit in it.

hope that helps,
roger

[ice]

I assume you've been to miniusa.com. They will have answers to most of your tech Q's.

I doubt you will get any discount. However, you will not pay over list if you go to MINI of Fairfield County in Stamford (see Scott). Buying my MCS from them was the the most pleasant major purchase I ever made. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

As you must have an automatic transmission, you are limited to the Cooper. I think you will hear from more than one owner here that the MINI Cooper has enough juice to get the job done. We have many friends with Coopers that love them. There are many mods you can easily make to get horsepower boost and the CVT tranny is tyhe subjet of much praise in the Mt. Washington thread.

[punkeyfunky]

Quote:

Originally posted by ccsubruce
Greetings MINI owners.

1. Should I expect to pay MSRP for the car (obviously, I'm including destination price here)? [snip]

I think that negotiation is *always* worth trying; but don't be too stubborn. After all, they've got what you want, and I'd wager that the MINI *is* worth it...

I tried to get my dealer to get a discount. His response was polite, but firm; they didn't have to discount them because people are queueing up to buy MINI's!

As it was, I'd managed to score a brand new MINI in four days; From ordering and deposit down on the Tuesday and got delivery the following Friday....[1] (6 month wait swiftly destroyed!)

The dealer did show good will though; I'd ordered a Union Jack for the roof and tinted windows - I got them half price.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the MINI - read the threads on this site! Don't be put of by early build problems; later models (my '03 included) appear to be *much* better. My MC has covered 9000 miles in 3 and a bit months without a hitch.

Lee

[1] Fortunately, the dealer had ordered a car for their own use (courtesy car etc), and it was *exactly* what I wanted. I persuaded them to let me have 'their' car. A cash sale tipped the balance in my favour (month end was approaching).

[NiqDanger]

My answers to your questions -

1 + 1a) Try negotiating. Not like in the early days when demand far outstipped the supply, so who knows? Might get a deal. I do not believe there is a rule like Saturn. So worth a shot. I paid MSRP for mine, plus some dealer destination charge. All in all nothing horrible or unexpected, just not a bargain price.

2) Depends on if you go for a custom order or off the floor (or some other dealer stock) If you order specific then there is a wait. My time from factory build start date to dealer floor was about 8 weeks. If you get something from stock, or maybe from another dealer stock (never sure how those trades work between dealers) then the wait would be less. I dont think red/red AT is too impossible but depending on the rest of the options you might be limited to ordering a specific new build. In 2004 there might be some traded in 2002 or 3 models from people who got a Cooper and 'traded up' to an S. Again, you might find a deal.

3) Impossible to say now :-) Interest rates are dropping daily. Next year they could be up or down. Someone can guess Im sure but it would be a guess.

4) I have a 2002. And other then factory recalls (shift cable, and I think car seat levers?), the ONLY problem I had was the windshield. And it was a known problem/free fix but I still think it should be considered a 'problem' since it wasn't replaced until it broke, not like a recall thats fixed first.

5) I don't know about any other upgrades. MP3 would be nice. Easy enough to add after the fact. I know Crutchfield now has the MINI listed on their site and gives those 'EZ Install' instructions for it. So I've been looking at changing to a CD/CDMP3 player myself. I don't think I'd consider it a do/die selling point of the car :-)

6) Yes! I cannot praise them enough. I got my car from Bob Craig at New Country. I've dealt with Ethan Gombassy (im sure I spelled it wrong) in service and he knows his MINI stuff for sure. Peter Brass is another sales guy and you may run into him at Autocross and events like that. All great people for sure.
I am a little confused about the birthday card they sent me. Was it for me or my car?

7) I hate selling things. Personally I'd trade it but I think the other posts are right. You'll get more cash selling it on your own.

8) Experience was a fine; its hard to rate anything as 'great' when you are giving your hard earned money to someone else. Not that it wasn't worth it. I love my car, its a blast! If you want a MINI, then just get it. You won't regret it.

-Nick

[kerryd]

I also had a great experience at New Country (with Bob Craig). They are a good dealership.
My 03 has been fairly problem free; I have no complaints. Also, I paid MSRP for my MCS.
Good luck with yours!
Kerry

[GMINI]

I have heard rumblings about New Country's service department. Don't go there myself, but thought I'd relay the vibe. Hanging with a fellow MINI owner, for instance, I gave a few complaints about my dealer's service and was machinegunned with his New Country service expereiences. Mercy. Great salespeople though . I think it will be a matter of time before mechanics get the MINI down. heck, it'll be a matter of time before MINI gets the MINI down.

I do hear they provide loaners, though. Something Fairfield Co. does NOT.

What number was that, anyway?

Good luck negotiating. May the timing be right.

[jcsinnh]

Good questions, good answers.

Respectfully, I must comment that seat adjustments on MINIs are not the most sophisticated I have ever known nor are they power driven. Thus, if you have some seat adjusting fine tuning to do for your style of driving, take a lot of time just sitting in the car.

It took me a long time to get my seat back to recline but don't repeat that to anyone. My point is that you want to get the seat to where you want it and, like good boots, you should take your time with it and the steering wheel adjustments.
Except for a dealer in the Hub of the Universe (Beantown), all
MINI dealers in NE and our side of NY seem to be quite good.