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Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences MINI Cooper Prices Paid and Buying Experience
1094 messages, Last post on Aug 26, 2008 at 1:28 PM
You are in the Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum. Your Hosts are car_man & kyfdx
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I've received my production number and am now tracking my MINI! Since I haven't yet paid anything or signed any contract I'll definitely negotiate that "Dealer Prep" fee. I've done it in the past and, it seems, here in Atlanta where every dealer I've dealt with puts it in, they pretty much expect you to. |
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The add on charges are always hot topics and "BS' charges to me also. I paid $195 in "document fees" additonal after my MSRP purchase of my Mini way back in April of 03, that was at Prestige Mini in N.J.. They would not negotiate that fee whatsoever even as ridiculous as it was. I swallowed hard and made the buy based on my need for a good gas mileage commuter and the "fun factor" of driving this oversized go cart. I don't regret it but the fees are ridiculous. $50 I can understand but not over or above that. I hope all the warranty repairs I've had done are'nt indicative of things to come after my warranty runs out! I already have 33k after just 15 months. Maybe time to trade up to a MCS at the end of warranty...hmmmm ! Ray T.
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Replying to: rayt2 (Jul 15, 2004 10:31 am) |
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Replying to: rayt2 (Jul 15, 2004 10:31 am) Can you detail your warranty issues? There aren't many owners who have run up 33k miles, so I'd like to know what to expect (although rumor has it the quality control has been steadily improving). You have a 2003, right? |
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Sylvia..........thanks, haven't been to that discussion yet...so much to do so little time..... As of this date dealer in Ramsey, New Jersey charges $16449 base sticker plus the $550 destination & their "optional documentary fee" of $211, broken down as "clerical expense" & registration fee, for a Cooper with no extras. MicWeb, Go to the "Problems and Solutions" on this board, I posted the warranty issues there. #122 I'd like to think as time passes the problems will become less. The down side being that dealers don't have to tell you about TSB's (Technical Service Bulletins) which deal with particular reoccurring problems with instructions for technicians to follow, but don't warrant a recall notice. The only way you find out is if you state a particular problem which mimics the criteria for that TSB. I did not know they have had 23 "PCM" upgrades until I mentioned a stalling problem. Service ticket showed they did the upgrade #23. Had I not mentioned this problem and was out of warranty I'd had to pay for it. Enough off topic discussion for now...... I still love this car ! Let's Motor ! Ray T. |
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Know All the Costs Before Saying "Yes" Steve, Host |
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Well, I cancelled my MINI order and, after much talk and a strong letter from my attorney, got my $1,000 deposit back. When I started inquiring about the "Prep Fee" I really started getting a load of BS. At some point it had turned from a fee that I wasn't comfortable with to them totally lying to me about it. The last straw was one of the other salesmen, who is in the local "MINI Club", telling me that sure, I didn't have to pay the "Prep Fee" but they would deliver my car dirty. I couldn't believe it. I actually called my mother in California about it and she started laughing and then started getting really mad. She said that in all of her years owning dealerships she had never heard such pompous thing. I ended up getting a Toyota Solara Convertible (well, I will have it in a few weeks) and I'm much happier actually. The people I was chatting with on the other boards were kind of scaring me. They got a little to much into naming their cars, calling them "baby" and such. They even banned me from even seeing their message board when I created a long string of remarks regarding Global Mini's tactics. No offense to any other MINI owners but I kind of feel like I escaped from one of those cults you see on TV! They really are cute cars and maybe someday I'll have one as a weekend run around car. |
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Replying to: mfullmer (Jul 24, 2004 8:59 am) And if you really don't want to offend MINI owners, perhaps you shouldn't have made the statement at all! I really do hope you enjoy the Toyota. See Ya. |
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Replying to: mfullmer (Jul 24, 2004 8:59 am) Second, I got a packet of info from my own dealer, a pre-purchase packet, and apart from setting up the car the way I'd like it (in terms of door locks automatic, daytime running lights), which I'd already done via an email through MINIUSA, they had a sheet asking me which of a bunch of horribly expensive options I wanted - BS stuff that they usually try to sell you in finance departments. Maybe I am a little sensitive, but like you I think there is a "let's be happy" thing going on here ... compared with straightforward treatment I've had from other dealers. "Price? Why would you ask the price? If you ask the price, maybe you shouldn't be buying one." That kind of stuff. Anyway I'll let you know how it goes as the delivery comes up. I think its a great car, otherwise. Why are great cars sold by "grating" dealerships?
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Replying to: micweb (Jul 26, 2004 4:07 pm) Did you get a manual? The last time I was in the dealership there was a girl that came in from service to talk to my saleswoman. She had her car two months and clutch went out! They were talking and I overheard. Her boyfriend also has one (although it sounds like it is a year old or so) and HIS clutch went out. The saleswoman had the gaul to tell her that she probably wasn't using the clutch right and they take some getting used to. I wonder if that means the service department was going to say it wasn't a warranty item because she caused it to go out. The girl sounded really annoyed. Reliability was also a big concern for me once I started checking into it. |
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