I have done some research into what the Focus SVT will cost. At window, it is $2000 cheaper than a Cooper S, and it will be immediately available at around $500 UNDER window. They are getting well over $5000 OVER window will all the add ons for an S. Is the car really THAT much better that it justifys waiting 6 months to get one and paying that much more?

 

yes

 

>>I have done some research into what the Focus SVT will cost. At window, it is $2000 cheaper than a Cooper S, ...... Is the car really THAT much better that it justifys waiting 6 months to get one and paying that much more?
Chad answered "yes"

I think it's all about emotions. People usually just don't get very emotional about a Ford. Yes, people will wait 6 months to get something they're emotional about (no matter what the size) Mini cooper/BMW has done a great job of designing/producing/introducing a car that has people lined up, ready to buy. They did their homework in the "emotion" department. Good job!

 

Looking and driving a Ford Focus SVT makes me yawn. Ford has about the same imagination as GM. (See Mustang, Camaro, Firebird) all three cars suck (unless you are a Redneck or have big hair or mullet from New Jersey) then they are the best things since sliced bread. There is not a single Ford product that has the aire of fun and sophistication that the Cooper has.

The Mini S inspires my "fun" side. So the answer is yes. I'll pay my $22,300 for my Mini S and be very happy with a uncommon car in a common world, thank you very much.

 

The numbers don't discribe the quality. Unless you are talking about some proformance numbers. I'd like to see a bord focus break 67mph through a slalom on winter tires... yeah not likely.

 

At 54 years old, I am far more logical and rational than emotional. I just drive the light blue S at Universal City Mini, and although the car was impressive and felt solid as a rock, perhaps I was expecting too much.

If you could actually buy one at window sticker or less immediately, I would, but there is no way I will pay the nearly $30,000 they want for the car; I just don't find it that inspiring.

If it takes 6 months or more it will take to buy the car with the equipment I want, at the price I am willing to pay, so be it.

 

We just purchased a mini S in Las vegas and My 18 year old has not stoppedtalking aout how great it is. It is his graduation present. He had a 2001 turbo beetle (VW) and he claims that this car is much more superior nad funner to drive. We ended up paying $28,000 + but there are no others out there. There is no question that in 3 to 6 months the price will drop, but what the heck.

 

will you adopt me?

 

This sounds very odd to me? Do you really have the S yet, or are you just joking. According to MINI Management, the only MINI S models out in the US right now are dealer demo models and the dealers were told if they sold them they would lose cars. According to them the first pre-spec MINI S models will be here in about 2 weeks??!!

I have a feeling some people on this board like to make up stories... that's too bad.

As for myself, my specially orded MINI S will be here the first week of July or so.

 

I drove the demo S yesterday at Universal City Mini in North Hollywood California They had one other S. I was given the impression that I could buy it of I was willing to may the price.

 

The way I understand it...

A dealer may have a waiting list for the S, a name comes up as being the next in line, the model (color, options etc) they are offered the opportunity to buy it If they don't, then the car is available first come first serve.

Some dealerships have more of a wait than others. Sterling VA is sold out til next year. The have a demo which they are not selling. BUT... S models have arrived and are being sold I witnessed it happen. Richmond VA has hardly any demand so you could get an S fairly quickly.

BTW, You can get one without the add-ons/mark-up.

Dave

 

I have just test driven a Focus SVT, and even though the Mini is a better built and better car, I don't think it is THAT much better. I can buy the Focus SVT for $1000 UNDER sticker. The Cooper S is something like $8000 OVER sticker with all the crap they have loaded on to everyone here in Los Angeles, plus the markup. That makes the cars $10,000 different in price, assuming I could buy the Mini S the way I want right now, and I can't. Semms people here are willing to pay whatever the market demands to be the trendiest perosn in town...

 

That's a bit of an unfair comparison as your factoring in that the Mini S will cost 8k over MSRP. This just isn't the case. Several dealerships are charging MSRP only for a fully loaded Mini S. I'm only paying MSRP for the one I ordered. So if you compare the cards this way, it isn't a comparison at all, MINI whoops the competition up badly.

Also, to follow up my earlier post about people getting S models already. Well, by now they are actually arriving at dealerships on the east coast. But last week the only S models in the US were for DEMO purposes only. A few dealerships did end up selling their demos which was a very dumb idea on their greedy part. BMW has limited quantity and even outright told some dealerships they have lost their MINI contract to sell them because they broke the rules. It's my understanding for example that the BMW dealership in Kansas City sold an S and BMW won't let them sell MINIs anymore because of this.

Be careful your dealership is following BMWs strict rules, or you may find out it leaves your order with them out in the cold as BMW limits their quota of cars which could effect your order.

BMW is taking this very seriously. They are paying close attention to the branding of their MINIs and the dealerships who sell them.

 

Just a couple of points:
1st, Our dealer here in Florida has sold some S models already which were not their demo, the first one sold about three weeks ago (silver with white roof) and they are expecting more in May (hopefully mine) and they are following the procedure of calling people on the waiting list and saying we have this do you want it and if not they go to the next person on the list. The dealer told me that at this time Mini is just sending the cars out as they equiped them and custom orders won't be done until later this year.

2nd, Are you really trying to compare a Ford to a BMW built car?? Don't you know Ford stands for Found On Road Dead or Fix Or Repair Daily?? Those names came about for a reason. Not to mention I've never heard anyone sound excited when they say "I own a Ford". Granted, if your local dealer is trying to charge you thousands over the MSRP you should not buy it, as a matter of fact go to every chat board you can find and let everyone know who's doing it and then go to another dealer and get one for MSRP. By the way, our dealer is selling them at MSRP plus dealer prep of 500.

 

Custom orders on MINI S cars can't be placed to BMW before June 1. Expect the first custom ordered MINI S cars late June to early July.

 

Every dealer in Los Angles is loading up the S with unwanted accessories. With the markuo over window (the lowest I have found was $1500 on the S), the cars are "dealer stickering" at around $27,000 With T & L, this come close to $30,000. I think it is a great car, maybe even the best in the world at $20,000, but at $30,000 there are many other choices. I can buy the Focus SVT for just over $20,000 out the door! IMO the Mini S isn't a $10,000 better car.

 

Forget the Ford SVT for $30k I would get a used 911. I bought the regular mini $21k out the door - plenty of pep and easier on the gas.

 

Most logical comparison: New Beetle; Peugeot 206, others?
Ford Focus doesn't seem to make sense to me.
The Ford KA, or Dahmler SMART on the otherhand might be...

What are YOUR top comparison cars and why?

 

I can buy the Focus SVT for around $20,000 including taxes and license fees here in California. I would consider an Alfa 147 or 156 GTA, but we don't have Alfa here

 

I really don't think the Ford Focus compares to the MINI unless you are someone who buys cars based only on performance numbers. The quality of construction and materials on the Focus fall far short of what is found in the MINI. The Focus is for the Pontiac, plastic, "boy racer" crowd, in my opinion. The MINI, by contrast, is pure driving fun that is well built, designed, and maintained. That being said, we did not, and would not pay over MSRP for a MINI. The whole concept of the car was that it should be an affordable fun-to-drive automobile. I can certainly see why people would be turned off by $5000 mark-ups. That is just the kind of thing MINI hoped to avoid...so they say...but Americans are impatient and many will pay almost any price to be the first on their block to have something!

Joe

 

I agree that nobody should pay moe than list for this car. Only exotics might require some mark up as demand is way above supply. The MINI I ordered through Ft. Lauderdale Imports was at dealer MSRP, although since I special ordered it, it will take until the end of May for delivery. There is a big dealership in Miami that charges whatever the immediate demand is (~$5K over list now). I can wait awile as there are almost no MINI's yet in my area.

 

Everybody keeps talking about the focus. I don't get it!
KA is Ford's innovative micro-car for the masses.
What about the Dahmler SMART? This seems to be the most equivalant to the original design philoshophy/goal of the original mini.
How about the Peogeout 206? Or the Renault Twingo?

 

That's interesting.

I looked on the Internet for quotes - the Internet sites are hiking up prices.

I ordered an S with all the accessories for early next year. I don't expect to see it till Feb.

I had priced it out at the MiniUSA website, and ended up paying MSRP plus a $300 dealer fee for some extras, but that's it. And this is at our Ritzy BMW dealer.

If the price of these things go sky high, it's because of the Internet jokers pushing the limit. I already found an S on Ebay - decked out with customizations, for over 30k.

Crazy.

 

Well, I live North of the border and in my city, there is only one Cooper S on the road. It is the promo/demo model that came in, BMW didn't really get a choice on what was being sent for their demo and I believe all the dealers got the same one, light blue with white top and matching alloys. It went to the first person on the list, lady driver. So as for the "rumor" of BMW selling their first S and not getting anymore, i think it isn't true. I put my order in when the minis were first delivered to BMW and they were on the floor in the showroom. I don't expect mine to come in till Dec. But I also hear that my dealership is trying to get more, as they are the only dealership in the next 2 provinces and provide vehicles for them aswell. So I may see my Cooper here earlier than expected and hopefully all of you will too. More rumors to stir, I also hear they are upping production because of the sudden increase in demand that they didn't know would occur at the time of launch.

 

The Ford KA is not availble in America, nor are some of the other alternatives such as the Alfa 147 and Peugeot 203. The Focus SVT is...