SF MINI and other Bay Area dealers

2427 Views 11 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Sejanus, Jun 4, 2002

pacbob

Discussion Starter · May 28, 2002

I shopped almost all the Bay Area dealers. (not Mountain View). Some have waiting lists over 1000 names long, especially Pleasanton, who claim to be selling at MSRP. Two - Niello (not really Bay Area but close enough) and Concord are doing first come, first served. So, if you live far away, good luck, unless you want to camp out.

SF MINI took my name and put me on their list for no deposit. I picked the exact car I wanted off their list. I got it in less than 2 weeks, which was 2 weeks faster than originally quoted. Yes, I did pay for a mandatory option package (6 disk, upgraded speakers, mats, Lojack, wax job (Yikes)) which I was told was required for all their MINIs and no it was not something that I wanted but I DID GET the car!

I was treated honestly and fairly and the car is great. Got good feedback and good communication from the sales lady. Over the years I have paid dealer mark-ups for in demand cars in CA. At least getting these options is better than paying for nothing. And despite the extra cost options, the dealer service was quite good (so far).

I would recommend SF MINI if you want one soon. Or you can wait. I am sure add ons will disappear as supply increases. But if you have the $ it is a free market economy and it all depends on your own set of values.

As for me, I am enjoying driving this car more than any other I have had, and that started with a Lotus Cortina in '67.

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Sejanus

· #2 · May 28, 2002

So how much over MSRP did that come to?

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MINIAC

· #3 · May 28, 2002

The end of March there was a $2,685 package ... $995 "Touch of Class" (paint and interior) protection, $995 CD changer and $695 LoJack.

My 'S' will be built next week and I'll pick it up {hopefully} 6-8 weeks later from East Bay MINI for MSRP

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pacbob

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 29, 2002

SF MINI package price

I don't have the exact figure here but on the order of $2.7K. So it was MSRP plus the $2.7K and all the gov't stuff.

Still smilin' although today I had to drive my 4 dr truck as I am carpooling to the Giants game tonight.

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Sejanus

· #5 · May 29, 2002

Re: SF MINI package price

pacbob said:
Still smilin' although today I had to drive my 4 dr truck as I am carpooling to the Giants game tonight.

I guess it is too early to take a broom with you, but we can hope!

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jaycbird

· #6 · May 31, 2002

pacbob said:
I shopped almost all the Bay Area dealers. (not Mountain View). Some have waiting lists over 1000 names long, especially Pleasanton, who claim to be selling at MSRP... I would recommend SF MINI if you want one soon. Or you can wait...

I too have shopped three out of the four SF Bay area MINI dealers, and was fairly put off by SF MINI. When I found someone (I'll keep her name anonymous) to speak to, I asked if she could give me more information than what was on the website. She replied "No, and you should use the 'Build your MINI' page, bring it in and then we can talk." Ah. Well. I had done that. I had it with me. However, I decided to just turn around and leave.

Concord was VERY pleasant. Their test drive policy ROCKS! I spent a good hour or so there and am FULLY prepared to slap down $s for an Indi Blue Cooper S (fully loaded for sure!)! I am on their email list. drooooool...

East Bay Mini in Pleasanton was perky, though claimed that there was a 13 month wait for Cooper S's and offered the $1,000 wait list to me.

Unfortunately, it sounds like SF MINI might be the best place for me to go back to, though if I'm going to pay over MSRP, I'd rather give it to the guys in Concord.

Just my two cents...
Jay
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
My MINI! MINI! MINI!

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Sejanus

· #7 · May 31, 2002

Re: Re: SF MINI and other Bay Area dealers

jaycbird said:
East Bay Mini in Pleasanton was perky, though claimed that there was a 13 month wait for Cooper S's and offered the $1,000 wait list to me.

You know at first I balked at putting down $1K, but then I thought what else am I going to do with it? I mean it is just going to sit in my savings account earning something slightly less than nothing as I save up the downpayment. Whatever microscopic interest I loose will be more than made up by not having to pay over MSRP. Of course, I'm going for a Cooper not an S so my waiting time is a bit more reasonable. If I were really after the S I'd probably just grit my teeth and pay the mark up.

Oh yeah, and welcome to MINI2.

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jaycbird

· #8 · Jun 3, 2002

Sejanus said:
You know at first I balked at putting down $1K, but then I thought what else am I going to do with it? ...Whatever microscopic interest I loose will be more than made up by not having to pay over MSRP. Of course, I'm going for a Cooper not an S so my waiting time is a bit more reasonable. If I were really after the S I'd probably just grit my teeth and pay the mark up.
Oh yeah, and welcome to MINI2.

Well. After browsing the boards Thursday and Friday, I thought I'd give SF MINI another try. (The shudder I just experienced makes typing difficult.) Same salesperson. Same attitude. A BIT more information: I could have my Cooper S by Mid-August, HOWEVER: $2,899 DMA, aka MARK-UP! PLUS mandatory extras, like Low-Jack, the 6 disc changer (which I want, but...) and the poly-coat or whatever that mega-wax job is! So, for an extra $3,500 or so, I MIGHT be able to get the car there, except... She told me to go home and bring back the "Build Your MINI" sheet "and then we can talk."

[Whining follows:] Of course, she never sat up from her recline position behind the desk as we 'discussed' this. I know that $25-30K is not that much to the typical BMW salesperson, but they can at least sit up at his/her desk when I'm asking questions!

There. I feel better now, though still MINI-less.
Jay

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Sejanus

· #9 · Jun 3, 2002

Lord knows I'm reluctant to write this, but since you seem really determined to get a Cooper S soon jaycbird (cringe) you could try Niello MINI in Sacramento if you are willing to pay over MSRP. They seem to be getting a steady dribble of S's in. They post them on their website and then it's whoever gets there first. Its kinda like going over to the dark side, but hey if it gets you in an S.

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jaycbird

· #10 · Jun 3, 2002

Thanks, yes, I am determined, however, I'm not willing to go 'to the dark side' as I am even avoiding SF MINI (and just 7 blocks away?!) and awaiting my 'email alert' from Concord!

I've read NASTY things about the Sacramento dealer, and though "I WANT WANT WANT!" I'm not that willing to shell over my precious, precious quarters to Darth the Dealer!
;-)

Jay
patience... patience...

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pacbob

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 4, 2002

SF for the last time

I think I know who you spoke to, as that was probably the person that I dealt with as well. I don't understand why your experience has been so bad, and why mine was reasonably good. I did take a Cooper and not an S but I did get the packages that were important to me (Sport and Performance) and a color that I wanted.

As for Niello, you'll never get there from SF. I tried once, checked the web site 5 minutes after it was updated, saw the car, and started driving. I called and said, hey, I'm on my way, but would you call me back if it is sold before I get there so I don't waste a trip. They said yes. I left from San Mateo. Before I got to the airport (SF) I got a call that the car was sold. That decided me on SF even at the extra cost.

Good luck with whatever course you take. There is always eBay too. The car is great so whatever pain you suffer will be worth it.

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Sejanus

· #12 · Jun 4, 2002

jaycbird said:
Thanks, yes, I am determined, however, I'm not willing to go 'to the dark side' as I am even avoiding SF MINI (and just 7 blocks away?!) and awaiting my 'email alert' from Concord!

Good for you and good luck. I've noticed that Concord tends to send out their e-mails in the evening after I presume they've closed so that should give you a shot at getting there first in the morning if you're willing to be a very early riser.

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