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Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences MINI Cooper Prices Paid and Buying Experience
1096 messages, Last post on Sep 05, 2008 at 8:12 PM
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Replying to: tica (Apr 16, 2007 6:28 am) On the options you listed: I think the multifunction steering wheel is worth it because you have cruise and stereo controls right at your fingertips but some might not. The heated seats are probably a must for you but we live in FL... Dynamic Stability control doesn't seem that important if you get the base mini but you might want it on the S. It just tightens up the suspension for taking turns at higher speeds and keeps you from drifting off the road... The parking distance thing might be good if you have to parallel park a lot in NYC but its not really that useful here. The armrest sucks. We didn't get it because it looks like it will break. But if you don't have it you won't have a place to rest your arm. Also, if you want bluetooth for your phone you have to get it. The sports seats are much nicer than the normal ones. Its foggy here alot so fog lights are nice to have. Also, they look good on the car. I would never have cloth seats again but thats personal preference. They get dusty and dirty fast. Leather or leatherette you can just wipe off and are resistant to spills. Go with leatherette IMO. We didn't get a sunroof. It is really cool in the Mini because it encompasses the front and passenger areas. It makes your whole roof have a black area on in if you get the white roof though. We have a sunroof now and don't use it all that much so we decided we didn't need it. Shade for window- It's sunny here so I would get anything that blocks out the sun. They would probably throw this in for free... Mudflaps- Everyone says that they don't do much and the dealers charge quite a bit to install them. Automatic-I agree manual isn't good in NYC. Its too bad because I think the Mini is better in standard IMO. Base or S- We got the base because my girlfriend could care less about speed. Also, she wanted the oxygen blue (kinda Aqua like T-birds come in) and it isn't available in the S. I would test drive the S and Base in automatic and make sure the base has enough power for you though.... The grocery bag hooks and glove compartment divider are up to you but be aware that every one of the dealer accessories will be charged installation which adds up fast. We got the bigger tires because we though they looked nicer on the car. Just pay attention to the tire sizes and different rims at the dealer and get the ones you like best. The bigger the tires, the more sporty (or stiff) the ride though. We got 16" rims with all season tires (they last longer) because it seemed to be a happy medium between style and comfort. If you think the base wheels are fine get them though. Color for us was easy, my girlfriend has wanted an Aqua blue car for a long time. Don't go by the paint samples on the Mini website. They aren't right. Go look at cars on the lot or look at pictures at the North American Motoring Forum...I don't think the bonnet stripes will hurt sales values on the Mini. They are very common. You can get magnetic aftermarket ones if you really want though. Make sure and get free mats for front and back from your dealer. |
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thanks cct1 and silent mac!
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Replying to: tica (Apr 16, 2007 9:18 am)  Basically, though, it comes down to: Buy the S. Buy the suspension and handling upgrades. Get everything else a piece at a time to save money. You'll end up with a low cost yet high resale value(and fun to drive) car. New York is about the only city I would possibly consider an automatic, though manual is still recommended. The "pleather" in it is vinyl. I'd pass on it and get the cloth or splurge for the real leather. Nothing's worse than Vinyl in the winter and summer.
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I wish BMW's leatherette was as nice as the two tone stuff in my 07 Cooper S. I would not own a car with cloth and after several cars with leather, I must say I like the ette the most so far. My next car - 09/10 - will definitely get the ette. 335i or M3, doesn't matter, I'll avoid the leather in the future. I agree about the Cooper S with suspension bits, etc. No need to go overboard on options.
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Replying to: blueguydotcom (Apr 16, 2007 11:22 am) |
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Hi I'm just honing down the bare minimum of features I need to keep my costs down and would love everyone's input: 1. Fog lamps: front, back, both? A friend here in NY with a Porsche SUV says he's never turned his on. I'm still not sure what the point of them is...are they brighter than normal car lights? Can you not be seen in fog if your normal lights are on? I understand that many people think the car LOOKS prettier with them on it, but I"m talking pure function...are they worth it for 250? I don't think there is much fog around here, I can't remember ever seeing any. 2. Steering wheel with all the controls Again my Porsche freind told me that the only thing he uses is the mute and volume, but he doesn't actually manipulate his cds or radio thru it. So he was nonplussed about how necessary it is. If I have an AUX IN only ipod connection--I can't use the steering wheel, correct? So I might NOT get the fancy steering wheel in that case? (I rarely use cruise control, I would rather control things myself.) It's only if I have the actual 'iPod connector' that I can control the ipod on my steering wheel, right? So having this ipod ease is actually about $1000--you must have the wheel at 350, the ipod connector at ?250? and installation of the connection by dealer at ?250? (I was quoted 495 by one in NJ) I know this has been discussed in past posts, but not quite sure what the conclusion was--is it possible to put in the iPOd connector yourself? and buy it yourself? how do you get into the back of the stereo..difficult? also does that ipod connector charge your ipod at the same time? 3. Park Distance Control Everyone seems to say that I don't need it to park since the mini is easy to park. However, my Porsche friend had it on his suv and it actually bleeped when a car was driving too close to him--so I"m wondering, is this thing also useful if you're being tailgated or some other car is too close while driving (does happen in NYC). This appeals to me, but then again, is it worth 350? And for parking--would it tell me before I start trying whether I could get intoa teeny space I see? (I'm not a great parallel parker and can't always judge whether I can fit or not, until I try and can't do it! (dumb I know!) 4. Dynamic stab control One dealer told me I didn't need it (trying to sell a car off the lot) becaues the car already has front wheel tractioin control and this is for the rear wheels. My biggest concern about the mini is it's size and I'd rather be safer than not. Is this then a must? Or is it really not that much more safety? 5. 15 inch tires I will be bringing my 16.5 year old cat who is diabetic and not used to travelling back and forth to Connecticut all summer. Having a more quite, smooth ride is a good thing so he's less freaked out. This NJ dealer told me that the larger 16 tires actually are bumpier, and the road is smoother with the 15. Is that true? Thats good news if so. What is the point of bigger tires? 6. what does bluetooth do? does it let you talk on speakerphone? do you answer the phone thru the steering wheel? why exactly is it 600 bucks? that's a lot... thanks for all input! tica
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**this is an older post of mine(with some editing), but it answers your questions** Here goes - my list: First off, get the S. Worth every penny. And let's face it - everyone wants a used S and not he standard model as well.(true with most cars - always get the upper-end engine if you buy new). - No packages. Add items separately. - No sunroof. It kills the clean looks of the car and makes it into an oven inside, plus it's so far back that you can't see up and out of it while driving unless your seat is so far back that you have no rear seat. - Get a cat carrier for the cat and let him deal. The ride isn't the problem with my cats so much as the stopping and starting suddenly. That said, you want to replace the stock runflats with non-runflats right off. They handle better and have a softer ride as well. Less expensive to top it off. - Sport suspension, DSC, limited slip. Always buy anything that improves handling or major safety. When it comes time to resell, you can ask top dollar for it if it has these as well(plus it drives better) - Bridge Spoke wheels(look better, no extra money) - Rear fog light(amazed this isn't standard in the U.S. yet) (fog light are std - and the xenon aren't any better than the regular lights(as opposed to HID) - and they look less attractive - not worth $550 in any case) - The S comes with foglights. They make some difference in fog and rain, but mostly they look cool and are a major must-have item on the resale list for most people. Note - the idea of foglights is not that you can see so much as other cars can see you easier(though good ones do help somewhat as well). Think of it as DRL for bad visibility conditions. - Arm rest. No adaptor. Not required if you get automatic, though. Very nice if you have manual. - Cloth seats. Leatherette is Vinyl and hot as hell in the summer. Real leather is nice, but pricey, IMO. Either opt for the Beige/Orangeish real leather(beautiful in person) or cloth. - Interior trim is your choice - I'd opt for chrome lined interior(keep it simple) ($200) and that's it. - A/C - $300 - much better deal than getting a package - I don't think ANY of the instrument options are good for the money. Pass entirely.(the remote access is nice, but $500 is way too much) Pass on homelink and the other easy to break stuff. Get a Garmann GPS unit instead for $250. - Multi-function wheel - changed my mind - pass. You are right - IPod requires this and that and suddenly it's $1000+ as opposed to a $50 jack in the glovebox. I set my MP3 player to random anyways. Little Rio thing - 0Gig with a SD slot. $30. Drop in a SD card and enjoy - instant Ipod Nano for 1/3 the cost. - Stock audio. Upgrade later yourself with a few good Alpine speakers instead.(cabin is so small 4 speakers is more than enough) Accessories I like: Mud flaps are always good, though the stock ones look weak - see if there are aftermarket ones available. Glovebox organizer. Map Light Rubber Floor Mats - front, rear, and boot. ($134) - Well worth it, IMO, to protect the carpet. Bumper Protector. Accessories I don't like: Driving lights are nice, but pass - $550 is more than you'll ever need to install some Hela driving lights if you want - and they'll look and work better as well) Invisishield and so on - just do it yourself. Look online for Novus. They make plastic polishes that keep your plastic looking good as new - and lots cheaper too. **** Extras/JCW - this is where the miserly approach pays off. JCW Strut Brace - nice - stiffens it up a bit. *note* the audio jack(glovebox) is available but isn't listed - it's not too pricey, though. I get ~24K like this in a basic color like white. Outfitted this way, it's a superb performer AND it has maximum resale value, being that it has all of the performance options and little or none of the bling.(appeals to the performance minded enthusiast) |
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Replying to: tica (Apr 19, 2007 12:51 pm) 2. I love having steering wheel controls. Mainly I use it to change the volume of a song, change tracks, and control cruise control. Personally, I think it is unsafe to be messing with your head unit if you are going fast on the freeway but some others might not. You are right about the aux-in. It only allows you to control your iPod or other Mp3 player from the player interface. I have this setup now basically but I have my iPod mounted to my dash so it is a little less dangerous trying to change tracks going 70 Mph. The iPod adaptor and steering wheel aren't for everyone but they were worth it for us. Again, this option is up to you. Our dealer is installing the iPod adaptor for $385 including the price of the part. My dealer said the actual price of the part is like $175 to them. It is worth it IMO at this price but not at the higher prices some dealers are asking. 3. Personally, I would never use this. As I said before, if you think you need it get it. In Florida, there is little need to parallel park but in NYC you might want it. 4. Its up to you. Some say its a necessary safety feature. Personally, I wouldn't pay $550 for this over other options unless I was getting a type S with only racing options. How often do you make sharp turns at high speeds? 5. The 15" tires will have a better ride. People get bigger tires for 2 reasons: because they are setting up the car for speed ie larger tires offer better performance, or they like the look of larger tires and rims. If you don't care about the look of your tires and aren't getting the car to go fast don't worry about the tires. 6. The bluetooth allows you to talk handsfree with your cell phone. You make a call by pushing a button on the steering wheel and voice dialing. The car connects to your phone via bluetooth and connects the call through your cars speakers...The bluetooth feature requires the mutifunction steering wheel and armrest I think... |
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| Hello everyone!! This is a first for me. I ordered a 2007 Mini Cooper S Convertible late Feb 2007. Apparently, "My Baby" is in route to the distribution center and due to arrive 1st week of May even though I was told I would get it 6 weeks from the order date (NOT). I've had the same car for 11 yrs, 1996 Ford Mustang GT/stick and I HAVE YET TO CHANGE OR FIX THE CLUTCH. After reading everyone's comments I'm freaking out. You have all given me doubts about the Mini. I would have never imagined myself in a mini but after test driving the little sucker I was hooked- wow!! I haven't had a car payment in 8 yrs and I'm about to get into one so I ask does anyone have an 07 Mini S Convt stick and have you had problems with it? | |
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Hi thank you all for your wonderful input. It's been so incredibly helpful I can't tell you. I 'm a girl who's never known anything about cars (and never owned/bought or leased my own). Now I can speak (sort of) intelligently, at elast about the Mini! It's very exciting and I'm sure I'm being less screwed by the dealers for it! Thank you!!! Just a few quick questions. Although only the one dealer, Hassel in Long Island, was offering the 1-year lease on their website, I contacted 3 other local Mini dealers who first said they didn't ahve one but then when I told them Hassel did, offered me one too. Basically my Hassel deal is 1800 down plus the varius fees--tax, regis, etc. There is NO security deposit and NO 'Acq fee (Upfront)' whatever that is--it's on the print out of figures he gave me, but both of these say 0. My total upfront with 1800 down and taxes and fees is 2450 then 155/mth for a year. This is for a 1 year basic Mini/automatic worth 21,700. 2 other dealers quoted me more down--like 3400ish and a 340-385/mth offer. And one quoted 3250 down with 206/mth. However none of these other 3 broke down my costs specifically like I repeatedly asked, so I'm not sure why there is such disparity, esp. in the mthly payment. So it seems like my choice is that I MUST go with the Hassel, since it does, indeed seem to good to be true. (Everyone agree?) So at this point I was ready to order one tomorrow based on these figures and the options I"ve boiled it down to. But my friend, a car guy, said tonite at dinner that they probably want to sell the ones off the lot and maybe I could get a deal off one of those if I get it right then and there instead of ordering. (True?) I know that in general everyone seems to go/get MSRP. But these are my 2 issues with doing this. 1. My options have boied down to these and I'm pretty set on these: Mini basic, don't care about color--except don't want Mellow Yellow! Automatics with Cold Weather, sports seats. I had also wanted: armrest, dynamic stability and fog lamps/autodim mirror. I've now talked myself out of fog lamps and autodim mirror. So only really want armrest and dynamic stabi. BUT on the lot are 3 cars that fit--auto/cold weather/sports seats...BUT they DON'T have arm rest or dynamic stab control AND they do have the Premium--sunroof, etc. They work out to be about 600 more than I was going to pay, by sacrificing those 2 options--and giving me some I don't want. 1. How likely is it that they'd give me a car with Premium package for extra 1400--even though I don't want that at all--but not charge me for it to get it off the lot? Any chance of that? Like I would take the thing tomorrow, as opposed dto order. do they have quotas? Would they make me pay for a sunroof I don't care about? 2. does Dynamic STab Control have to be added at manufacturer? Or can it be added to these cars on the lot? I could possibly forgo it, but might add it to an existing car if that can be done... 3. Arm rest...Can these be added by the dealer? Better yet, is it possible to buy a totally different (BETTER) armrest than the ukky Mini one and have it installed? I realize that the leasing thing is a problem to ruin the car with something like that--but just wondering, since I probably will end up buying the car--just can't comit now for a variety of reason and the lease doesn't seem to be costing more to lease 1 year and buy (they say residual is 19K and 89%) I am planning on going to Mini in the afternoon. If anyone has a chance to weigh in LATE Friday night or saturday morning/lunch, I'd really appreciate it! thanks! tica
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