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MINI Cooper Prices Paid and Buying Experience

1491 messages,  Last post on Apr 23, 2013 at 2:35 AM

You are in the Prices Paid - Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum.

What is this discussion about? MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper Clubman, MINI Cooper Countryman, Coupe, Hatchback, SUV

Messages Page 50 of 149

#491 of 1491 Re: Buying a new 2006 Mini cooper convertible with Automatic Transmission [nids] by cct1

Oct 04, 2006 (9:14 am)

Replying to: nids (Oct 03, 2006 10:49 am)
1. With the packages, the car will be easier to sell, but it's going to depreciate more. The car without all the accessories is going to depreciate less, but it's going to be harder to sell. If you're going to buy a convertible, I'd go with the one without the packages; I don't think the premium package is as important to the convertible as it is to the hardtop, and the first dealer is handcuffing you to a certain degree--I'd stay away.
 
2. Yes, but not in California. Another option is to look at a midwestern dealer or east coast dealer, and either pick up the car yourself, or have it transported (many dealers will do this for a fee, you might be able to get it thrown in for free), but it would be worth looking into--especially this time of the year, where convertibles are harder to move in the midwest.

#492 of 1491 Re: Choosing between two used Mini Copper S types - HELP!! [vzebro] by handel

Oct 04, 2006 (7:55 pm)

Replying to: vzebro (Sep 28, 2006 8:41 am)
Some interesting points, and here's my 2 cents. I have an 05 S with STC and ABS. I love my MINI, it is the best car I've ever had.. But I have to say that I've owned cheap small cars (ie Accent) and actually they were better in the snow. I never had trouble getting up hill or driveways before I had the MINI. The DSC did save me from a nasty spill into a guard rail one evening getting onto the highway, so it does have it's merrits.. But as far as the snow, I would not rate the MINI that great compared to other small cars I've had. I seem to even have a better time navigating in the snow with the DSC turned off, as long as I can keep control. That way I can accelerate the way I want, not the "balanced" way that the computer thinks you need. Just some thought.
Suzanne

#493 of 1491 Re: Buying out of State - Please Help [markjenn] by bfromhold

Oct 10, 2006 (2:37 pm)

Replying to: markjenn (Jul 04, 2006 9:00 pm)
Hi Mark ~
 
I was curious how long ago you bought your Mini from Moritz? Have you had any problems getting Northwest MINI in Fife to do the maintenance on it? Are you not much of a priority since you didn't buy the car from them?
 
I'm a little bit worried about the service that'll receive from NW MINI since I bought the car elsewhere. I also bought from Moritz just three weeks ago, and I just got home this past Wednesday. I already have just over 4,000 miles on it after driving it home (fun drive by the way. We took our time and saw some cool sights along the way). How long do you wait to get an appointment for an oil change? Have you had any warranty or maintenance issues with your car?
 
Thanks in advance for any feedback you may have...

#494 of 1491 Re: Buying out of State - Please Help [bfromhold] by markjenn

Oct 13, 2006 (7:28 pm)

Replying to: bfromhold (Oct 10, 2006 2:37 pm)
I've had no issues with having Fife work on the car. I'm not sure they've ever asked whether I bought the car there or not. Scheduling isn't very prompt (I'm waiting about three weeks now for a regular service visit), but the work has always been fine. Of course, I've had virtually no issues with mine (only warranty repair has been for a power steering leak), so I don't know how things would go if you have a lot of problems.
 
Enjoy your new car!
 
- Mark

#495 of 1491 Re: Buying out of State - Please Help [markjenn] by bfromhold

Oct 14, 2006 (8:48 am)

Replying to: markjenn (Oct 13, 2006 7:28 pm)
Thanks for the heads up on the delay for servicing (mainly delay in oil changes is what I was worried about). When you had your car in for warranty repairs, were you provided with a free loaner car? I've heard only the dealer you bought your MINI from will provide a loaner car. Is that true?

#496 of 1491 Re: Buying out of State - Please Help [bfromhold] by markjenn

Oct 14, 2006 (11:06 am)

Replying to: bfromhold (Oct 14, 2006 8:48 am)
For routine oil change services, I've waited on the car - it usually takes a couple hours all tolled, from the time I arrive until I'm back on the freeway going to work. There's a bfast cafe across the street.
 
You can easily anticipate when the oil change will come due by the countdown timer, so delays in routine servicing scheduling are a non-issue. But for a warranty problem that needs immediate fixing, it could be an annoyance. I never pressed them - nothing I've needed has been urgent.
 
For the power steering leak, they wanted the car all day and gave me a loaner. Again, whether I bought the car from them never came up.
 
- Mark

#497 of 1491 Re: Buying 2006 Mini Cooper S [jaydeepb] by bgates222

Oct 21, 2006 (10:51 pm)

Replying to: jaydeepb (Sep 17, 2006 9:42 am)
hi i was wondering did you lease or finance ? if so did they bargin msrp or straight msrp deal? i went there this morning to manhattan and they said that they are straight msrp

#498 of 1491 Re: No real deal but wasn't scalped either [rayt2] by kid911911

Nov 13, 2006 (2:11 pm)

Replying to: rayt2 (Aug 01, 2003 2:19 pm)
I see that you bought your MINI from a dealer 50 miles from your home. What if the dealer wasn't 12 miles from your work? Would you still have bought it and, does anyone else have the problem I have which is moving to an area where the closest dealer is 60 miles one way! Only place to go for warranty work and I'm totally frustrated because I love this car. MINI people were sorry but there is nothing else to do but drive 120mi round trip for warranty work! I think this is something people should know about when purchasing a Mini. You may buy a used one under warranty but if you don't have a dealer near to you, you are sunk!
 
kid

#499 of 1491 need advice on options for Mini by tica

Nov 17, 2006 (10:04 am)

Hi
I've got my eye on a base, automatic MINI and am wondering which options are really worth it. I'm going to buy a 2006 off the lot from one of the dealers. I'm trying to keep my costs to a minimum, since I want, not need, this car. Also, I have NEVER owned a car (even though I'm 41!) I've lived in London and New York city and have never needed one. (But I"ve been driving since I was 15). Anyway comments on the following would be much appreciated.
 
1. How good/bad is a sunroof?
I read some of these posts that say they rattle or something? And that they are hot and the shade doesn't block the sun...true? Is the benefit of being able to open them that much better--or rather $850 better? Does it help their resale value? I think if I sold in a few years, I'd be selling to someone in New York City, where, because of it's small size, is a very practical car and perhaps easier to sell than in other cities.
 
2. Is there anyway to add your own ipod connector? Assuming you get the CD option, is there anyway to buy the $15 cable yourself and attach it to the car stereo? Seems like 170-270 that Ive seen quoted for this feature aren't really worth it. I read on the net that you can usually pull a car stereo out and attach these yourself. Anyone done it?
 
(I know you can use a cassette plug but probably won't have that option. Also, I don't think those FM transmitters work well at all, very sketchy reception I've found.)
 
3. Do they feel scary on the highway next to those gigantic trucks? I'd only occasionally do long drives like this, mostly keep it to NYC, but still, I have some concern about being in truck's blind spot or being trampled and crushed by these monsters....I know about the air bags etc. Anyway, have any thoughts?
 
4. I'm a little confused on the snow ice situation. These posts have said contradictory things. Is the car OK as is, basic model? What if it doesn't ahve that Dynamic stability control? I might drive to Vermont ONCE during the winter. I guess common sense dictates that if there were a snowstorm, I'd just delay my trip and not drive till it's all over (although I have driven through a blizzard in an SUV--while witnessing many car wrecks along the highway the whole way)
 
5. Fog lamps
I thought I should get these for safety reasons but then one of the dealers said that realistically you don't drive in fog much and these are more decorative options than really that funcitonal. If you ahve lights at all they should be good in the few foggy times you may drive...true?
 
6. The arm rest seems ridicously small and impractical--not a good enough arm rest to be worth $200 bucks...any thoughts?
 
7. what is the difference between regular seats and sports seats?
 
8. If you get the basic stereo can you upgrade on your own with something cheaper than the Harmon Karmon or whatever it's called? Or are the holes/spaces for speakers, stereo only to fit their particular models?
 
9. finally, I've noticed that a few dealers have a few cars listed that are slightly below the cost if I add up all the options (on their websites). Is this a fluke? I'm looking to buy a 2006 and it's now 17 Nov....any chance that waiting 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, etc. would allow me to get a cheaper car with more options? I was told by a dealer that the 2007s come in February.
 
thanks in advance for any advice
tica

#500 of 1491 Well... by plekto

Nov 17, 2006 (10:49 am)

First off, consider the manual transmission - takes a few weeks to learn, but the reality is that the base Mini is hopelessly underpowered.
 
Secondly, wait 1-2 months. Get the 2007 model. The Base 2007 will have a bigger engine and hopefully a better dash layout as well.(plus various small glitches fixed, being a second generation Mini)
 
1:Sunroof is too far back to be useable, really. And they all tend to eventually leak or wear out(all cars, really).
 
2&8:Aftermarket is the way to go. Get something with a nice front-panel input jack or one that can be routed to the glovebox. OR, just get the glovebox connector.
 
3:Welcome to the world all of us face. Semis scare most drivers at first - and well, still do most of the time. Just give them a wide berth.
 
4:traction control is a godsend in bad weather if you aren't experienced at it. OTOH, it will also make you tend to feel more confident and go faster than you should, so just keep that in mind.
 
5:Fog lamps are good. Always. And they look cool.
 
6:I like it, but I can see how it might get in the way. Then again, I highly suspect that this will be addressed with the 2007 models.
 
7:some fancy trim and a bit of side padding. ie - not much, really. 2007 models are rumored to have slightly better seats as well.(ie - the basic seat isn't quite as basic)
 
9:The old style/design is going to depreciate fast and MSRP isn't even possible now with the 2007s coming out. Being that this s a very faddish car, you really want the 2007, IMO, as it will hold its value better.

Messages Page 50 of 149

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