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Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences MINI Cooper Prices Paid and Buying Experience
1077 messages, Last post on Jul 22, 2008 at 7:03 PM
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My nearest MINI dealer is in Princeton, NJ. I went there today and test drove a cooper (love it). Before I went there I did my homework and priced out the cooper I like on the miniusa web site. The experience in the dealership so far was very pleasant. The guy told me that they sell at MSRP (if I order) and after reading this web site this seems to be the way it is - or has anyone gotten the '05 MINI in NJ or eastern PA under MSRP? They are kicking in the door mats for free which are listed on the web site as $95. Having an iPod I want the iPod adapter for which they charge $120 installation on top of the $150 retail price. Can you buy the original BMW adapter (incl. installation) somewhere else for less? Also, they are charging $115.50 for plates and a $125.40 title/doc fee which I think is too much. BTW I live in PA. Has anybody had any luck in negotiating that down or being charged lower fees at any of the two Philadelphia MINI dealers? Thanks, McW |
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Does anybody have any idea the difference in insurance, between leasing or loaning a Mini Cooper? It'll help me decide on how to finance, and calcuate total monthly payments better.
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Replying to: milesfides (Mar 24, 2005 4:02 am) |
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Replying to: berger2626 (Dec 14, 2004 8:21 pm) My father is in the car business in a small town and I can get better deals in Atlanta, which includes the Doc prep fee, than he can in North Carolina. It is all about volume. I try to pay as close to invoice, get all of the rebates or financing deals for myself, and looko at the bottom line out the door price. It doesn't really matter what you call it other than money and to total walkout cost. Now if they are springing it on you at the last minute, then %$#%#$$ them. Walk away! |
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follow my adventure in buying a MINI from the start. Edmund's is a GREAT tool to use when you are car shopping and I want to pay back now. Bought a 2005 MCS with automatic from Momentum in Houston yesterday. Pick it up tomorrow. This one was on the lot, arrived the day I happened by chance to go to the dealer to test drive MCS with automatic. Ordering was out for me. Too "iffy" if they will not guarantee the value of your trade in for the wait period. Dealer had added some things I didn't want beyond the factory configuration to squeeze some more margin out of it. Got them to delete half. Then paid sticker for it. Had everything== $28,000+ The deciding factors for me were: (1) amazingly comfortable car for a guy 6'4". ONLY car I have ever been in where I can stretch out my legs and arms full length; (2) gas mileage..gas may drop a little, but is basically going to a new permanent plateau-- $2.00 a gallon-- as the inflationary cycle begins again in this country; (3) easy to park in tight downtown parking structures/spaces; (4) puts the fun back in driving; (5) great second car as we have a Lexus for trips etc.(6) appears from owners I have asked that the quality HAS improved on the 2005s. Hope, hope... Buying experience was good-- the dealership is very laid back and non-pressure. Did a little negotiating on the value of my trade in, but much less hassle than in past deals. Appears MINI is requiring dealers to hold firm at MSRP. At least for the MCS automatics which are few and far between. They did not mark up over MSRP. They had a document fee and $497 "pool benefits cost" which covers loaner car, other service benefits etc. Did not try to negotiate this down. I want their service department to get big and rich and get the best techs-- I can't take it anywhere else to get fixed. They tried to sell me a 3rd party extended warranty. That would have been a deal buster. There evidently is an extended warranty through BMS and MINI-- I will be doing research. Typically, I don't buy that until I determine if I am going to keep the car. Same day earlier, checked out the inventory at MINI of the Woodlands in North Houston. They had little inventory and appear to be just getting going. stay tuned for our next episode...
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Replying to: beancounterbob (Mar 27, 2005 11:53 am) First of all, congrats! Regarding prices, dealers are holding firm at or near MSRP probably due to supply and demand. Any "suggestion" by Mini to hold prices may run afoul of anti-trust laws. Just ask Toyota and their Access Toyota policy! |
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now that my deal is complete and I have taken possesion of my MCS--auto, I can VERY HIGHLY recommend MOMENTUM MINI of Houston. If you are anywhere in Texas you need to check them out. They had a much larger inventory on the lot than any other dealer I have seen/talked to. Had professional, but low key staff. No pressure. No hassles. Very helpful and realistic. Did what they said they would do. They say they are the 4th largest MINI dealer. And I believe it. No, I do not work for them or have a financial interest in the dealership. And it is very hard to get a strong recommendation from me-- I was pretty tough on them. The MCS puts fun back in driving. Fast, manuverable== great fun. Have to get used to a couple of things now that I am in a lower, smaller vehicle. I was expecting to be hard to see by other drivers. In certain situations, big SUVs cannot see you. And cut right in front of you. The most dangerous situation I see for the car is being parked between two large vehicles. You cannot see who is in the lane when you are backing out. Have to go more slowly. So far the feature I really like is being able to lower the power windows and roll back the sunroof by using the key before you get in. What it needs now: armrest definitely, organizer for the limited storage space in dash. Good wax job and TLC.... |
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I actually got to order a MINI, since the West Palm Beach MINI dealer did not have what I wanted in stock. Overall the experience was going great, until they added a dealer prep fee of $489.00. Since I agreed to pay MSRP, (which was 12 % over invoice on average), I refused to pay the dealer prep fee. Needless to say I walked and am MINIless.
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Replying to: dave44 (Apr 03, 2005 4:37 pm) Don't ya love those little "ad on fees" ? Your right $489 for dealer prep & document fee is ridiculous. This will be a determining factor when I look to upgrade to a 2005 or 2006 "S" . I presently own a 2003 Cooper. MSRP is bad enough since dealer is making at least $2k on the sale if not more over their cost. If enough people balk at the add on fees the dealers might fall in line but the Mini histeria is driving the buying and the dealers are running to the bank on it. Greed is a terrible thing  I'm sure there will be someone out there that disagrees with me but I call it as I see it. Ray T.
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Here we go again. Are you "greedy" because you command the highest salary the market will bear for your job? Couldn't you get by on a lot less? Further, is a customer "greedy" if they walk in and offer less than MSRP? Why does MSRP establish a high-water mark for the dealer, but the buyer is free to grind the dealer down to the last dollar below MSRP? As markups go for desirable in-stock Minis, $500 is about average and what the current market will bear. If the dealer is upfront about the extra fees and doesn't try and sneak them in under the table in the finance mgr's office, then I don't see the problem. It's called supply and demand in a free market. They don't have to sell you a car and you don't have to buy it. - Mark
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