MINI Cooper - READ ONLY

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#51 of 2671 I agree - by rickrover Jun 19, 2001 (10:16 am)
I'm hoping BMW will have a Mini Cooper at the auto show later this year in Orlando for test sitting. Then I hoping the selected dealers will have one for a test drive before I'm expected to order one when my name comes up on the waiting list. I'm number 17 on the Mini waiting list at my dealer. I doubt the new Mini Cooper will have the popularity that the New Beetle did in 98. I'd imagine there may be somewhat of a backlog of orders initially, but not on the magnitude that the New Beetle had when it was introduced. My dealer will not let anyone sell their spot on the waiting list, I don't know if all Mini dealers have that rule.
#52 of 2671 Rick by qbrozen Jun 19, 2001 (10:37 am)
So, how is that waiting list working? Did you leave any money? I assume its refundable. Did you specify S or standard? Are you just on a list to actually SEE the car? You say that when your name comes up you will then order one? So, is that all it is, a list to get on another list? But, seriously, I'm thinking about paying a visit to my nearest dealer but I want to know how its going to work.
#53 of 2671 It depends... by silver_bullet Jun 19, 2001 (1:13 pm)
Out of curiosity, I called several of the dealers listed on the Mini web site. The responses I got varied widely - one dealer wanted a "possibly refundable" $500 deposit, and said the for the first couple of shipments "you'd have to take what you could get". Huh? No color or option choices? Goodbye. Another dealer wasn't accepting deposits - they were taking "letters of commitment" from which they would later contact folks to see if they were still interested in placing a real order with a deposit. Since these are all independent businesses (and BMW dealers at that), I think most dealers are going to make up the rules as they go along - the car is still many months away, after all. BTW - no dealers in my state (TX) yet due to the pending lawsuit regarding the franchise requirements...
#54 of 2671 Sitting in a new MINI by alf3 Jun 19, 2001 (4:07 pm)
I sat in a new MINI Cooper last Sunday afternoon at a British car show in Clemmons NC. It was a metallic blue, with a white roof, 17" rims, and black leather interior. I'm 6'0", 176 lbs, and head PLENTY of room to spare - I couldn't reach the pedals fully with the seat all the way back. Compared to my ZX3 (Hello Silver Bullet !!), the MINI is much smaller and more intimate, the back seat a bit tighter, and the cargo area miniscule in size......headroom is no problem, sightlines are super....I'm no.15 on my dealer's list....still haven't decided on the Cooper or the 'S'.....
#55 of 2671 MINI Konfigurator by alf3 Jun 19, 2001 (4:10 pm)
If you haven't checked it out - you can configure a new MINI at the MINI Germany site - www.MINI.de. I'm certain that colors / options will differ (e.g. no MINI One in the US), but at the least you can get a great idea of the colors currently on offer. btw - this info courtesy of www.MINI2.com.
#56 of 2671 New MINI articles by alf3 Jun 19, 2001 (6:00 pm)
I just came back from Borders, and picked up a couple British car magazines with articles on the new MINI: Autocar (I think it's the May 23 (?) issue - just hit the US newstands) and CAR magazine. I also read today that Topgear also has an article coming out (probably already out in the UK). Great pictures, and from the little bit I've read, great reviews.
#57 of 2671 hello, alf3! by silver_bullet Jun 20, 2001 (5:26 am)
Are you going to keep your ZX3, or sell it when your Mini arrives? I'm still holding out for a well-made, fun to drive hatchback that's AFFORDABLE. After my mixed experiences with the ZX3, I decided to pass on the upcoming SVT Focus - too bad the Focus is built, sold and serviced by Ford
#58 of 2671 How the Mini Waiting List works at my dealer by rickrover Jun 20, 2001 (7:17 am)
I've been on the Mini waiting list at my local BMW dealer since January - I'd been bugging my BMW sales person about getting on the Mini waiting list for months before that. He was off the day they started the list and called me as soon as he found out about it the next day - I was 17 on the list on the second day of the lists existance. They stopped the list at 20 on the second day - don't know why. I had to put down a $1,000 fully refundable deposit, they will not let me sell my place in line (not that I'd want to). When my name comes up on the list I order my car - anyway I want it - regular or S with whatever options I choose, whatever color and they will charge me straight MSRP - no add ons no matter how hot the car is at the time. If they happen to have a car in stock that I want then I can buy that and not have to order one - the choice is up to me. This is how my dealer (Fields BMW, Orlando) operates - whether I'm ordering a Z8, M3, M5 - it doesn't matter, they are a great dealer. They have a two year waiting list for the new M3 and M5 - they order your car when your name comes up on the waiting list and their allocation allows them to order the car, you come in and order it and wait 6 to 8 weeks for it to arrive - simple. It's nice to see this Mini forum getting more active....
#59 of 2671 Such a deal by silver_bullet Jun 20, 2001 (7:38 am)
So, the dealer gets to earn interest on your $1K for 9 months, and all you get in return is a chance to buy a car at full pop? Sure glad you're happy with that "deal". Personally, I'm getting pretty tired of the hype and feeding frenzy that seems to accompany almost every new model introduction. I went through this recently on a WRX, then passed on the car when it finally arrived because it didn't impress me all that much - and the treatment I got from the dealer impressed me even less. Looking at the Mini for a minute, I'm more than a little concerned that the hype is going to be greater than the product... "all hat, and no cattle" as we say here in Texas. Yes, I've read all the press, and I'm less than thrilled to read about the Pentastar engine and all the electronic doodads. Excuse me, but the original Mini was a simple car that offered lots of space and performance in a very tidy and space efficient package - the new car is starting to look like a four-wheeled fashion accessory and/or "lifestyle" statement. Guess I'll keep my hands in my pockets until the initial feeding frenzy subsides, and reality sets in.