[Msnowdon]

I have been through this board, and many of the messages are old.

Can you get a Mini S for MSRP? Can you buy it from the lot, or do you have to order it.

If you order it how long does it take to come in?

Can you drive a Mini S as a test car?

I want a fully loaded one, if that helps. That will include the Navi system.


Thanks

Michael

[MINIAC]

Welcome to MINI2

Unless things have changed, the only dealer in SoCal selling at MSRP is Long Beach MINI. You'll have to call them to see how long the wait is for a Cooper S ... it's about 12 months at the only NorCal dealer selling at MSRP.

To avoid the long MSRP wait, CA residents are buying out of state and shipping or driving their MINIs home.

All dealers should have demos you can test drive.

[Minimum]

I'm in Oregon and found a dealer in Texas, of all places, that was taking orders and selling at MSRP. I flew there and drove it back. I made a vacation out of it and had a lot of fun on the way home.

Most MCS' are sold on an order basis. That process took about a month and a half for me, but you might be able to find an S on a lot if you made some phone calls and got lucky.

[Jimbo_Mini]

I did. Princeton MINI (New Jersey).

-Jim

[dav]

You may also want to try the Salt Lake (murray) dealer in Utah. I have heard MSRP. I am going to try them tommorrow. I refuse to pay over MSRP for ANY automobile! Good luck!

[tavis1]

Roadshow Min in Tn is at MSRP and great pepole Talk to Troy Moss. It cost a $1000 to ship to CA. I heard the AZ deler ship is at MSRP and costs about $250 to ship to So Cal I will be checking with them soon
Tavis1

[dav]

Placed an "S" order today with AMY at Tom Bush Mini in Jacksonville FL for MSRP. Also got a production number today for a 2004 with delivery at the end of October! Pepper White will now be available on the S for 2004, and that is the color I wanted. I have a brother who will pick up the car for me and store it until I can fly out to drive it back. A REAL road trip!

It pays to call around. Do your homework and don't pay over MSRP for that S!

[Minimum]

dav,

Congratulations. A pepper white S would be sweet. I wish that were available when I ordered mine.

How far is the drive home from Jacksonville?

[SugarBelly]

I hopped on-line & talked to most dealers within 1100 miles of us.

The benefit,- you can get them to fax you specs on MCSs (MINI S) they have allocated to arrive which are not spoken for (yet!). You may just get lucky & find one to your liking, thus saving yourself a timely wait.

You don't want to wait for an '03MY anyways, - much better to wait longer & nab an early 04MY MCS.

Good luck & welcome to the MINI-fun-fury!
-s.b.

[tavis1]

Hi everyone. Called Scottsdale MINI in AZ today. I Talked to Debbie, she seemed nice on the phone. Total time 7-9 months. They want a $1000 to be put on the list wich is 3-5 month wait. When its your turn next on the list they want another $1,000 and when the car arrives the $2000 is applyed to the car. It freaks me out a little bit about the second thousand with out a car present but, they have to be legit rite? there is a $28.00 process fee and $249 doc fee. Other than Long Beach MINI I wish the other So Cal dealer ships would get a clue on how much business there losing because of there premimums. I'm sure there still selling cars but, they could sell more.
Tavis1

[SugarBelly]

2004MY MINIs are said to begin arriving in October...

I ask, concerned, - as there can't be a 3-5 month wait to place an order for an 04MY MCS; unless, - Scottsdale MINI is already over-ordered for their allowable number of early 04MY MCS models, - which means you should inquire as to such & then decide accordingly.

Q: When will my order be placed with MINI? ===> When will I receive a production number for my order? ===> Will my order be in the first wave of MCSs arriving?

You're looking for how they answer these questions, as much as how much you believe them. For $2k are they willing to give you a specific date? Somebody else may be able to.

Other dealerships within easy driving distance of you may be taking orders & placing them with MINI for delivery as soon as the first wave of 04s arrive stateside.

I'm sure Scottsdale MINI is "legit," but 7-9 total months would be too long for me! Research around you will reveal those answers. Perhaps it's best to get on the list with a refundable deposit, *but look to seize an un-ordered 04MY MCS as it arrives at the dealership. Each dealership knows several weeks out what MINI is sending them as stock, - this to me, is the hidden golden-bed to sift through. Finding a build you can live with & one that makes you happy is the task, - without feeling as though you spent MSRP-money & didn't get what you wanted.

Good luck, tavis1! Keep a plugging, - and you'll get what you want, close to a time acceptable to you.

-s.b.

PS. All these cars are selling for MSRP, - tell them to take their smack-money "process & doc fees" out of that. Period! End of discussion. With everyone giving them such large deposits they're making good interest while they've got your money deposited, - processing & documenting business transactions is their cost of doing business! Laugh-off any attempt they make to comeback at you for those "fees." Instead, change the subject with, "So, I've heard new MINI owners get gifts upon taking delivery,- What do you have to offer us today? Do we choose or is it more of a surprise thing?!" ...watch their face change into the more humble expression it should be, for selling something that sells itself.

[Zeede]

It doesn't matter what car you're buying, always use a credit card for the deposit. That way, if the deal goes south on you, you can get the money back.

[tavis1]

Hey SUGERBELLY nice to hear from you again. As allways great advice. From what I understand it is a waiting list to place your order. Long Beach MINI has a year wait before you can order but, you don't need the $1,000 to be put on the list. Scottsdale MINI is booked up due to fact they are the only AZ dealer and they have Californians flocking to them because they are at MSRP and have a shorter wait than Long Beach. I do need to ask them If there "smack money" (lol!) comes out of the $2000. I talked to my wife about it it looks like I will have the green light in September. I could order from Roadshow MINI and have the car in three months but to deliver it to CA would be $1000 vs $300 and a 7-9 month wait. Ah the madness of my obsesion. I guess the reasoning behind Scotsdale is they want serious buyers. Every dealership requires a $1000 deposit to order wich is refundable up to signing the paper work. I guess they figure when you go to order and plop down another $1000 you won't bail out on them and they won't be stuck with the car. Thats my theory any way. Good hearing from you.
Tavis1

[Mini_TD]

I just ordered mine today from Tate MINI in Annapolis MD for MSRP. They entered it into the computer and gave me a production number. Expect it in 12 weeks. They said the $1000 down would be returned if I decided to cancel (whenever). I would get the deposit back from the next person in the queue who orders and puts their deposit down.
I didn't really like the navigation system though - it looked kinda funny with a rectangle screen in a circle.
Mini_TD

[John Adams]

Tavisl;I may be a little bit late with this reply but feel its better than never:I bought a MC and from Debbie at Scottsdale Mini and didnt like it soI re-ordered a MCS.I Paid the suggested retail price and nothing more.I received both cars in the quoted time of three months and I have found Debbie a fine little lady to work with and very honest.This was all done by telephone except the money part,which is exactly as you quoted.This all happned after the Sales manager in Denver told me he would rather not sell to people from Texas.

[tavis1]

Quote:

Originally posted by John Adams
Tavisl;I may be a little bit late with this reply but feel its better than never:I bought a MC and from Debbie at Scottsdale Mini and didnt like it soI re-ordered a MCS.I Paid the suggested retail price and nothing more.I received both cars in the quoted time of three months and I have found Debbie a fine little lady to work with and very honest.This was all done by telephone except the money part,which is exactly as you quoted.This all happned after the Sales manager in Denver told me he would rather not sell to people from Texas.

Thanks John Adams, I have not ordered yet and it looks like it got pushed back a couple of months now. But, thankyou you for your input. It looks like I will probaly go trough them
Tavis1

[Zeede]

I bought a 5-spd Cooper from Irvine Mini today. MSRP on the CVT and 5-spd Coopers, +$2,500 for the S's. I did not try and haggle the markup down as I was looking for a 5-spd, but I'm sure it doesn't hurt to try

[KDOG]

Look out of state!
There are only 2 CA dealers selling Mini's for MSRP, ie. Long Beach and one outside of SF..(Pleasenton ..sp?) they both have a 10-12 month wait.
I think it is unacceptable to buy a car for more than sticker..you are just feeding the beast if you do.
I took the advice from another member and inquired out of state. It is a pretty simple process to bring one back to Cali and ultimately I think it will help to bring CA. dealers back to earth. I found Chris Lord @ Moritz Mini in Arlington, TX to be exceptionaly helpful and professional. The only added a $50 document fee to the sticker price for my new 2004 MCS. My delivey should be in late Oct or early Nov. (6-8 week wait..no list) Hope this helps.

Ken

[olarte]

As someone mentioned check the "overstock" cancellations etc...

Reading these threads always makes me fell "almost" guilty as I got mine overnight literally.

I was looking for a vw and they REALLY acted like they could care less if I wanted a specific vw or not... so looking high and low I did more research and expected the same with the mini.

Luckily somebody returned a brand new chili red with 100 miles on it had the stripes the 3 packages EVERYTHING I wanted I called put a $500 hold on it for 48 hours to go see it, and when I walked in the NEXT day I knew I was taking that baby home. Kind of like seeing the puppy you want at the shelter.

Not only that but I got another $2000 off the price because it was a return. Funny thing is I've had it for a month an 1/2 and not ONE problem (other than a mixup with the previous "owner's" title etc...)

So I feel lucky, and maybe you'll find another deal like that so look around, call etc.

Good Luck!

ivan

[dav]

Quote: Originally Posted by Minimum

dav,

Congratulations. A pepper white S would be sweet. I wish that were available when I ordered mine.

How far is the drive home from Jacksonville?

About 2400 miles. My brother lives in town and will pick up. My retired father is going along for the road trip. He will drive up from Orlando. I figure 500 miles a day and four nights at Motel 6.