I've decided it is probably better just to order a Cooper and get an '03 just like I want than try to locate an '02 I can live with. So, the dealer wants $1000 deposit (pretty standard I think). I'm wondering: What questions I need to ask? What do I need to get in writing? What to watch out for, etc. I've never ordered a car this way before. I'm a little worried about handing over my hard-earned pay. What's to stop them from jacking up the price and holding my deposit hostage once the car arrives? Just basic paranoia. I thought the veterans could give me some pointers.

 

Hi, quaz!

Welcome to MCO! Where are you located? You can check out the Dealer Rating System under "Features" to the left of this screen to see what others have written about the various dealerships.

I'm buying my Cooper from Long Beach MINI at MSRP and they didn't require any deposit. I simply printed out my specs off the MINI USA website, faxed them in (after being told to), and every time I TRIED to give them money, they wouldn't accept it! I'm taking delivery this Tuesday and plan to write a full rating at that time.

Many have suggested that if the dealer claims to sell at MSRP, and takes a deposit, to get your agreement in writing to insure that you get what you want without all the "additionals" that are sometimes thrown in at the last moment! Good luck and keep us posted!

Cheers!
Clover

 

Hi,
I ordered my Mini Cooper S approximately one month ago from Irvine Mini in Irvine, CA. They too required a $1000 deposit which I didn't worry too much about because: 1. This is the 3rd car I've bought from them. 2. The deposit goes towards your down payment. 3. The deposit is fully refundable. In return, they gave me a copy of my order and a receipt for my deposit. I do not believe they are charging more than MSRP, however they are adding LoJack & Perma Plate for an additional $1600. I really do not want either of these, but at Irvine not getting them does not seem to be an option. The 2003 "s" model did go up $125 in price which is fine. I hope this helps. My husband has had his 2002 Mini Cooper for one month now and we absolutely love that car! Good luck.

 

I also paid the $1000 deposit, but I actually don't think that it was refundable...not that it matters now that I have my Mini.... When I ordered they gave me a copy of the the order itself and that was pretty much it. They called me with my Vin# later.
One thing I would suggest is to make sure that you get a hold of your production number or vin as soon as possible. I did not get mine until after the car was produced and there turned out to be a problem with my ordering in that they ordered me two cars and I ended up with 2 vin #'s to track. Make sure that they give you this info straight away....I wished at the time that I had been given it earlier on. This will allow you to track your order online yourself without having to really call the dealer with questions.
And coming from someone who probably annoyed the heck out of the dealership near the end of the wait period (actually I KNOW I annoyed them) if you have any questions or you think that something is just not right, let them know.....the people at your dealership are there to help you and they usually do. I pretty much flew by the seat of my pants through the whole process and when things got sticky nearer to the end, it made me think that maybe I should have asked more questions earlier.

Welcome to the site! You have entered the Miniac Asylum...... :smile:

 

>>Hi,
>> I do not believe they are charging more than MSRP, however they are adding LoJack & Perma Plate for an additional $1600. I really do not want either of these, but at Irvine not getting them does not seem to be an option. The 2003 "s" model did go up $125 in price which is fine. I hope this helps. My husband has had his 2002 Mini Cooper for one month now and we absolutely love that car! Good luck.
But hey, if you want to pay it, it's certainly your choice. Do what you gotta do to get your MINI. But just don't think you're only paying MSRP

 

The only advice I can give you is, go with your gut! Order what you want, and later on, enjoy it!

 

Thanks everyone!

I was quoted 1.5 months from order time to delivery of a MC. Does that seem TOO optimistic to you? I'm in a lease that ends mid-October, so it's cutting it close.

I found a "bird-in-the-hand" at another dealer (8 hours away). Besides being an '02 it isn't my first color choice (red). It has what I want, so I'm tempted to take it. There doesn't look like enough is added on the '03 to make it compelling enough to wait.

 

Well, 1.5 months wait time seems to be VERY short... my dealer told me that there is a 4 weeks delivery time... And I am in Europe!!!!!

I admit you order a cooper and that it may have a shorter waiting list to be built, but still, I would say that crossing the Atlantic takes at least 4 weeks too (how could it be shorter than crossing the channel? )

That's my guess, now I you might have plenty arriving soon to your side of the pond, so, I don't know...

 

>>Thanks everyone!
>>
>>I was quoted 1.5 months from order time to delivery of a MC. Does that seem TOO optimistic to you? I'm in a lease that ends mid-October, so it's cutting it close.
>>
>>I found a "bird-in-the-hand" at another dealer (8 hours away). Besides being an '02 it isn't my first color choice (red). It has what I want, so I'm tempted to take it. There doesn't look like enough is added on the '03 to make it compelling enough to wait.



Welcome to the forum Quaz If your getting a COOPER get what you want ,don't settle ... $1000. seems normal my dealer just wanted $500 but i just went with a grand it comes off the bottom line anyways . My car was ordered end of June and it it two months to the day today and still no car . now things are backed up at the port of arrival so i am sure that things will clear up by October so 1 1/2 months may be possible (( i was just at my dealer today, just stopped in to say hello and a man ordering today was told if he ordered now it would be December before his car came in )) so it all depends on your dealership and what allotment they coming .