Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences MINI Cooper Prices Paid and Buying Experience
1077 messages, Last post on Jul 22, 2008 at 7:03 PM
You are in the Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum. Your Hosts are car_man & kyfdx
|
Know All the Costs Before Saying "Yes" Steve, Host |
|
|
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. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
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?
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
Mike, Sorry to hear about your bad experience and cancelling your order. It's unfortunate but there are dealerships that are extolling the virtues of owning the Mini to the point of nausea and tacking on unrealistic charges to boot. You might even drop a line to Mini USA about how this particular dealership treated you, they seem sincere enough to want to know about how customers are treated. Maybe down the road the opportunity will come to get one, till then enjoy the Solara. Ray T.
|
|
|
Replying to: rayt2 (Jul 29, 2004 4:08 pm) All kidding aside. I love a lot of vehicles but I've found that the perfect vehicle and/or dealership just isn't out there. There are a lot of great things about every vehicle and a lot of not so great things.
|
|
|
Replying to: mfullmer (Jul 29, 2004 7:06 pm) This all happend in L.A. county (so, big surprise THERE!).... Luckily, I found an honest dealership out here - Mini of Longbeach. They will not charge a premium of any sort for a Mini. You configure it, you order it, and they'll get it for you at MSRP. Just out of curiosity, I contacted another L.A. dealership - Mini of Universal City - yesterday to see what they would do for me. They charge $2,000.00 over sticker for a Cooper... and it was explained that this represents 1.) extended warranty, 2.) a LoJack, and 3.) factory floor mats(?).... I decided not to even bother with these folks. When I told them that I wanted to pay sticker for a car that will order to my specs, I was told that "they are very reasonable and will negotiate with me..." WHOAH!!! Stopped right then and there! No negotiating - no need to when there is a sticker on the window! I learned my lesson from the Chrysler nightmare. Anyway... sorry you won't be getting your Mini. I will be going out of my way to get mine. I'm sure there are honest Mini dealers somewhere not too far from you. |
|
You are here:
Forums
Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences MINI Cooper Prices Paid and Buying Experience
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2009 MINI Cooper
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
