MINI Cooper - READ ONLY

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#61 of 2671 Silver Bullet by rickrover Jun 20, 2001 (8:18 am)
You have a point - Hey I might not like it and just ask for my money back - who knows? If I like it I'll be the first on my block to own one, we'll see.
#62 of 2671 Fit by Cooper Jun 20, 2001 (8:46 am)
I sat in one, too, a couple of weeks ago. I'm the same size as alf3, (6', 185 lbs.), and I fit fine. Interesting, the rep I spoke with stated that they're not supposed to take any money at this point. They may have one for a week or so in a couple of months, as the cars will start to make the rounds at the selected dealers.
#63 of 2671 anybody by qbrozen Jun 20, 2001 (9:30 am)
anybody at 6'5" get in one yet?? the cars are making the rounds, huh? Are they going to call you when that happens or is this just for the dealers and salespeople to see?
#64 of 2671 Just put down my money by tommyp13 Jun 20, 2001 (9:44 am)
I did a long writeup at mini2.com, so I won't bore you with that here. I still don't understand all of the comparisons between the old & new Minis. Do you honestly think that Americans would buy the original now? This is an entirely different car, and should be treated as such. The only real similiarities are basic shape, name, and some marketing gimmicks. Many dealers have been taking $$ for months now; at least my dealer waited until it was official. And, yes, my dealer said that they will not be charging over msrp. All brand-new models seem to be selling at msrp - guess it's the price of owning something new and different. I'd really like to see someone try to negotiate on Minis in the first year - that would be a funny sight (not that I'm thrilled with paying msrp, but I'll accept it, as the Mini has everything that I want).
#65 of 2671 ok by qbrozen Jun 20, 2001 (12:50 pm)
Tommy, went over there and read it. Well, good for you. That's the dealer I would be going through (I think - is prestige the one in Princeton? I would check the dealer locator, but for some reason, its like I'm running into the old one here at work and its telling me the dealers haven't been selected yet! What is the deal with that??!). Still, though, as tempted as I am, I'm not giving up $1000 for the next 9 or 10 months - especially if I don't even know if I FIT (it keeps coming back to this - but that is a problem I run into on ALOT of cars). Besides, there are too many interesting cars coming out in the near future and I haven't even completely decided on one over the other (I definitely think the mini is the best looking, though).
#66 of 2671 Cooper by rickrover Jun 20, 2001 (3:03 pm)
I didn't know Mini's would be making the rounds of the selected dealers in a couple of months - knowing my dealer they'll throw a big viewing party for everyone on the waiting list. Hopefully they'll have an S as one of the cars - getting excited - Has anyone thought about what color they're going to get - white roof or no? I'm kind of leaning toward the blue with a white roof, or maybe silver without a white roof - will probably get a black interior - don't think I want a sunroof. I'm planning on an S with minimal options and plan to upgrade the heck out of it in the aftermarket. I'm sure the usual BMW tuning companies - Dinan, Hamman, Schnitzer will have all sorts of go-fast stuff for this car. I'll bet it will be easy and relatively cheap to get over 200 HP out of the S motor in the aftermarket - not unlike the VW 1.8t engine. I think this Mini will be my weekend track car, can't wait to see how well it handles out of the box, then make it even better.
#67 of 2671 Prestige is in Ramsey by tommyp13 Jun 20, 2001 (6:17 pm)
I have heard of others having the same problem with the dealer locator. No idea why it doesn't work. Though, I think that Princeton BMW was given one of the dealerships. I'm not all that wild about being out $1k, especially since I'm going to be looking into moving to Hoboken in a couple of months (will have to pay broker fee when I do move - that's worse than paying the $1k Mini deposit), but what's done is done. I'll still be looking, but I really doubt that I'll find anything better. Rickrover, I think that Mini has said that the S will debut at the Tokyo Auto Show, and I think that's in October. Before then, I hope that they tone down the mouth on the hood - looks almost as silly as the one on the older Imprezas. I'm also not too sure that the usual suspects will cozy up to the Mini. Cooper Garages has been working on stuff from the beginning to get it closer to 200hp. I think that traditional BMW aftermarket companies may pass up the Mini for the new 1 series and ti's that are going to be coming out instead (total guess there).
#68 of 2671 MINI Tuners by alf3 Jun 21, 2001 (5:54 am)
The rep I spoke with in Clemmons NC a few weeks back when the new MINI was on display indicated that AC Schnitzer and Alpina are already at work on the new MINI upgrades, and as noted above, John Cooper Garages is also at work on higher-performance versions. Check out the Cooper Garages website for (IMHO) a really cool two-tone beige/blue leather interior in a new MINI, as well as some pictures of the new MINI assembly line. Silver Bullet - yup - my ZX3 will leave once the Cooper arrives - I love my ZX3 though - do you still have yours and your fiance's ??????
#69 of 2671 Geesh! by qbrozen Jun 21, 2001 (6:33 am)
You guys are killing me. I'm so tempted to reserve one (if i could do it for a couple hundred bucks). Performance upgrades already? That would certainly take care of any doubts I have about performance. So, that brings me down to only one question - the "do-I-fit" one. Any auto shows coming in the next 5 or 6 months where the mini will be present (in the Northeast U.S.)? All I need to do is sit in one to make a purchasing decision. My Mazda lease is up next summer, so the Mini would work out great for me (not to mention several other cars on the way). Tone down the mouth?? I wouldn't want to see them change a SINGLE THING from the current showcar. I love it. I think it is the most beautiful car I've seen in a LONG time. This is the biggest reason why I am so taken with this car!! (with the prospect of insane handling being a close second.) Color? Hmmm... well, if they are available on the S, I'm going to have a tough time choosing between B.R.G., Nacho, and Cloud 9. I think I'd want the white roof on it in any color (just to help keep the summer heat out).
#70 of 2671 alf3 by silver_bullet Jun 21, 2001 (8:47 am)
I don't blame you for ditching your ZX3. "My" ZX3 is now my fiancee's - we sold hers after it developed one more problem than I was willing to deal with in a new car. So far, the remaining car has been okay. Heaven help her if she decides to sell or trade it - the resale value must be about zero I won't try to talk anyone into or out of buying a new Mini - it will be a fun car to see out on the road, and I'm sure most buyers will be happy with their purchase (cross your fingers to ward off the British Car Demon... surely there are no Lucas parts in there!). Enjoy!