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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 91 of 150

#897 of 1491 buying a MINI- which options are best? by bijoubaby05

Nov 19, 2007 (12:03 am)

im sorry if wasn't clear in my other posting.
 
i am looking for an automatic minicooper S 2008 or 2007 (which year is recommended? 2008 is pricer for a mini cooper S options)
 
I am also looking for a list of options i should consider.
 
i live in Los Angeles.... so, do i need a sunroof?
 
I'm considering a premium package, i love the comfort package with the key less access key. my questions is: do i need this stuff? leather or leatherette or cloth? dynamic suspension necessary?
 
i am trying to keep this car as close to 24,000 as possible as it is my budget.
 
i am also considering the MINI Select option. Is this form of financing recommended? why or why not?
 
what colors look best, stripes combo? i love the white but i worry its too bland. black, i worry would get me killed on the fwy at night.
 
I've decided that long beach mini is the best deal for me. I'll let the forum know how that goes.
 
i did, however, go to assal mini in Monrovia for a test drive (that i had to push to get). and the ppl there don't know what they're doing and the sales manager is an asshole. first, they told me that i couldn't order a 2007 anymore, which i can. secondly, they insulted my budget set for this car and then offered to throw in free mats. then, the sales manager pretended not to know what a mini select is.  
 
i took the sales managers card. when i get my wonderful deal, I'll call him and let him know what i exactly think of him. maybe ill call tomorrow
 
so, ppl of the forum, i would really appreciate some input. I need help to buy my first car!

#898 of 1491 Choosing MINI options by bijoubaby05

Nov 19, 2007 (12:44 pm)

so here's my idea for what i need/want for a mini
 
astro black
mini 2007
automatic
sunroof ( i live in la, it would be a waste not to)
comfort keyless entry
 
msrp: $25,000 - w/out tax & lic.
 
anyone think i can get tax etc and the car out the door for 25,000 ?
 
 
anyone know where i can get a deal like that?

#899 of 1491 Re: buying a MINI- which options are best? [bijoubaby05] by dwynne

Nov 19, 2007 (2:31 pm)

Replying to: bijoubaby05 (Nov 19, 2007 12:03 am)
The dual panoramic moonroof is nice - except when you don't want the sun beating down on you. I have a convertible for when I want to be in the breeze. In a non-convertible I would like the choice of being in or out of the sun and the "holely" inner sun screen on the MINI is a major disappointment . I love having a moonroof, but having test drive a MINI on a hot, very sunny day (even with shades on) I can't say I would want to own a MINI with that moonroof in it. I think there is an aftermarket shade kit available to "solve" the problem, but I have not researched the price or how much trouble it is to install.
 
I would not waste your time with a dealership that did not treat you well. They really will not learn anything from you calling them back - if they have been in the business for a while they should know better.
 
Dennis

#900 of 1491 Re: buying a MINI- which options are best? [dwynne] by bijoubaby05

Nov 19, 2007 (3:10 pm)

Replying to: dwynne (Nov 19, 2007 2:31 pm)
thank you, Dennis.
 
so u are saying that a moonroof option isnt worth it because it makes the car too hot and the drive isnt shady enough. i noticed that.
 
congrats on the convertible! sounds like my mini will not have a moonroof. i'm okay with that. i dont want to squint while driving, it would be a waste of an excellent driving experience.
 
thank you for the advice.

#901 of 1491 I didn't get the moonroof by blueguydotcom

Nov 19, 2007 (4:57 pm)

1. Because of the heat
2. Because it adds weight/chassis flex
3. Because it throws off the balance
4. Because it's too expensive for what it does
5. Worried about breakage

#902 of 1491 Re: buying a MINI- which options are best? [bijoubaby05] by dwynne

Nov 19, 2007 (8:43 pm)

Replying to: bijoubaby05 (Nov 19, 2007 3:10 pm)
My convertible is an S2000, not a MINI .
 
If you live where it gets sunny and hot, you would need to seek out an aftermarket shade for the moonroof - I would think. Or you will need dark sunglasses and extra time to cool off the car. The backseat is about unusable, but even more light/heat gets in back there too.
 
A quick google shows some cloth things you can Velcro up to block all the sun, not sure how well they work or not - but I am positive there is something out there.
 
You do a good deal of complaints out noise with the roof open, probably more so on the MINI with just a large opening - but that is sort of par for the course with most moonroofs.
 
Dennis

#903 of 1491 Re: buying a MINI- which options are best? [bijoubaby05] by tiff_c

Nov 20, 2007 (9:47 am)

Replying to: bijoubaby05 (Nov 19, 2007 12:03 am)
I have optioned out a Mini using Edmunds based on a 2007 model and of course performance matters to me.
So this is how I optioned it out, based on my needs.
 
2007 MINI Cooper S (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
 
ZSP Sport Package (w/White Web-Spoke Wheels)
226 Sport Suspension
322 Comfort Access
2TA Limited Slip Differential
4BE English Oak Interior Trim
473 Center Arm Rest
384 White Alloy Wheels
327 Bonnet Stripes White
382 Roof/Mirror Caps in White
Total with Options $25,659
Color: Chili Red
 
I might rethink the arm rest and the oak interior I'd have to see those in person first.
The dealer is just so far away.
 
Sunroofs can be a problem for all the reasons mentioned.
Premium Pkg is ok if you want that. Leatherette is a personal choice but you will cough up a lot for leather which must be maintained with cleaners. For me Leatherette which is vinyl, really wears a lot better IMO.
As far as performance enhancing things why buy a Mini if you don't get them?
Fuel economy has me looking at the Mini as it also offers good performance.
Might have to buy a Prius if gas keeps going up.

#904 of 1491 love me ette by blueguydotcom

Nov 20, 2007 (11:19 am)

I had always owned leather until the mini and i love my leatherette. I can get out of the pool/ocean, toss my scuba gear in the back, hop in the front with a wet suit and never worry about hurting anything. Go ette!
 
I get 30 MPG mixed, driving hard with my 07 Cooper S. It's not prius 45 mpg on 87 octane but smiles-per-mile are way higher!

#905 of 1491 Re: love me ette [blueguydotcom] by tiff_c

Nov 20, 2007 (12:37 pm)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Nov 20, 2007 11:19 am)
I get 30 MPG mixed, driving hard with my 07 Cooper S. It's not prius 45 mpg on 87 octane but smiles-per-mile are way higher!
 
I bet your MINI dealer isn't 1.5 hours away either.
That's why I just don't bother because MINI has no interest in expanding their dealership network. So if you have a problem you are screwed. I can't take a day off of work to get my car serviced. The Prius I haven't driven, and yet next month I probably will try one out. Thing is I drive so much highway I wonder if it will really be worth getting and I've had lots of cars on long commutes and once you hit 70mph the fuel economy drops off. The MINI has a tall 6th gear so that really helps.
I do tend to actually drive my cars and I get lower mileage as a result. I can't stand hypermilers they might save a few pennies a day but annoying to be stuck behind them unable to pass.
They want to save the environment but how much extra fuel is used in passing them?

#906 of 1491 Re: love me ette [tiff_c] by dwynne

Nov 20, 2007 (12:46 pm)

Replying to: tiff_c (Nov 20, 2007 12:37 pm)
I do tend to actually drive my cars and I get lower mileage as a result. I can't stand hypermilers they might save a few pennies a day but annoying to be stuck behind them unable to pass.
They want to save the environment but how much extra fuel is used in passing them?
 
I am the same way, I drive the cars as intended and the heck with the little extra cost . Someone in the xB mileage forum mentioned they were getting nice mileage but they were shifting at 3k! The xB does not have much power to start with, but shift that early and you are not seeing much of it.
 
I can get 24-25mpg in the S2000 around town with the top down driving it like I stole it and about 28mpg on the highway with the top down.
 
The MINI, I am told, does nicely even if driven with spirit but all require premium fuel. The biggest problem for me is the much more desirable S has way too much torque steer when you mash on the go pedal - they need to make a RWD MINI .
 
As far as the hypermilers go, when they tailgate someone to improve THEIR mileage does that not cause the person dragging them along to have worse mileage? And as you said, when they keep a constant throttle then you have to pass them going up hills and they may coast past on going down. Having to go around them over and over surely does not help your mileage any.
 
Dennis

Messages Page 91 of 150

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