I'd like someone to show me a Mini cooper S for 21k....

Mine is like 42k out the door... Granted Tax and extended warranty included, but still....

and the cheapest I've seen is like 25k plus tax, so like 27k...

Maybe this is why Mini makes everything optional... Hook them with a great price in the press, but kill them with the "price as tested" after they fall in-love...

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/auto...LXRlY2gtY2Fycw--

 

If I wanted to, I could have ordered a stripped MINI. MINI offers some options that you just couldn't even get from some other makes or it only comes bundled with bunch of other crap that you didn't want in the first place. IMO MINI gives you the option to spend as much or as little as you want with a huge middle ground in between the two. Unlike most Japanese makes that I find to be either all or nothing.

 

I am really happy with my car's equipment level, and I paid about $29k out the door. Since MINI usa offers complete a la carte option selection you can buy just what you want. And I think the base MC and MCS are pretty well equipped--they have what makes the MINI great: handling, performance, dynamics. I didn't buy my MINI for the sunroof, stereo, HVAC, or oddball interior, I bought it to drive.

 

i'm more bothered by the focus being in the list. the european focus models are beyond superior than the ones here in the states.

eh. even a barebones MCS (or MC) still beats the pants off any of the other cars/suvs in the list. though i can't really make any calls on that c30. i'm sure someone is driving around their optionsless mini and is having a blast.

 

One thing I love about the MINI is I get to choose what I do and don't want on my car. I don't like leather seats much (not worth the $) and dislike "leatherette" aka nice vinyl. Stoopid BMW doesn't let me get cloth seats, MINI does.

The options do add up, but the buyer gets to choose.

 

I think you get my point best...

Why wouldn't the artice when it shows price range show the real range...

With japanese cars, you buy the trim level and that's pretty much it and the trim level are always listed in the price range for articles.

With mini the options are a significant % of the cost of the base vehicle in most cases, articles like these do not assist resale value. For example when I was getting estimates on a loan, my bank, JPMC-Chase gave me a crappy rate offer because they said it's only a 21k car and the loan I was taking was for more than that... After I sent them an invoice, they dropped down more than 1.5%.

 

i got your point. and the reasoning behind it is exactly what you said from the get go: the hook. and due to the immense list of accesories & options (before installation fee), no way is anyone gonna be crazy enough to post the worst case scenario price. and i'm sure it works for MINI's benefit as well.

you said your mini configured to 42k, correct? well...thats not eye candy. thats like chocolate truffles dusted with gold. gold mined by poor children from south africa. you obviously must be happy with the stuff on your car since you/the bank paid the invoice.

 

How else would they compare prices? With the way that options vary, there's no other way to compare apples to apples. Or Ford's to MINIs.

I don't have a problem with it. While I'm also a member of the 40k+ club, the basic MCS is still a heck of a car.

 

The Mini was the highest rated car on the list (not the Ford), 9.3/10. With many of the cheaper cars there just aren't many options to jack up the price. My wife got a Mazda 3 in 2005. I think there were 3 options available: AT, sunroof/stereo, and ABS/side airbags. No wheels, seats, Nav, nothing. Kept it cheap though, just not the Mini/BMW style.

 

bought mine for $19,700

 

I bought my 08 MC for 22K and that included about a grand in options. It's got everything you need and much of what anyone might reasonably want. In fact, anything else I could have gotten largely fit into either the sport or luxury categories. I hold nothing against MINI's pricing policy.

In fact, my MA told me NOT to get several options because the after-market crowd could give me a wider choice and as good or better price. Haven't gotten any of those options, yet, but I find he was right.

 

Im the guy who bought the "stripped model" 07' MCS in December of 07' and paid ("Total Suggested Retail Price") $21,850 which included the $650 destination charge. Of course there are no options and I luv it.