Any ideas on Mini Coopers?

**clonomaniac** · 11-18-2009, 04:11 PM

My girlfriend wants to buy a new 2010 mini cooper (Sports package). We live in St Louis and she is picky on the color (blue with white top). St Louis doesn't seem to have the car she wants in stock. Chicago has a few shop with the exact car she wants in one of them. She is a little nervous about buying it from Chicago and paying more to register it in both Illinois and Missouri to bring it home. Anyway, few questions: Does anyone have any experience buying a new mini cooper in midwest? Any dealer you prefer? Is there room for negotiating? How do they nail you? Iowa doesn't have any Mini dealers I hear, what are some of the other ones you can think of? Any advice would help. She is thinking about buying something that's in stock already as opposed to ordering one. (She needs a car by the end of December)

**clones26** · 11-18-2009, 04:16 PM

All I can think of when I see Mini Coopers is this Austin Powers scene...and how ugly they are.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLKR9tCiwvA]YouTube - Austin Powers - Three Point Turn[/ame]

**CYKID** · 11-18-2009, 04:28 PM

My neighbor bought his in Omaha and loves the dealer. I would buy one closer to home if I were you. I have seen him driving a replacement car three times in the last year due to mini malfunctions. The dealer drives from Omaha and picks his up to do it but I would guess St Louis is out of their territory. Those cars are fun to drive. I'm a big guy but they seem to have ample room inside.

**SeattleClone** · 11-18-2009, 04:52 PM

I always think of when Mrs. Featherbottom had hers shipped over from the UK.

Not that I spend any amount of time thinking about mini coopers. could not be further from my choice of vehicle.

**GuyFonteClone** · 11-18-2009, 04:55 PM

Bat Boy was last seen driving a Mini Cooper in Ohio. If anyone has his number maybe you could get his opinion.

**Tarbox** · 11-18-2009, 05:01 PM

Cool story, bro.

You should start by using the key just to the left of your apostrophe and quotations punctuation key on your keyboard once in a while.

Then you can explain to your "girlfriend" that Mini's are the lamest things on four wheels only after pickup trucks and Mini/Compact SUV's.

**TJ2004** · 11-18-2009, 05:04 PM

This thread is amazingly terrible.

**cymonat** · 11-18-2009, 05:07 PM

FYI, MINI ranks dead last in the 2009 JD Power Initial Quality Study: Ratings | J.D. Power

**woodie** · 11-18-2009, 05:11 PM

THEY LOSE WHEN HIT BY A SEMI.

**djkent01** · 11-18-2009, 05:19 PM

I drove an '04 Mini Cooper when I was in S CA (company car). It was great for out there on the curvy mountain roads and the smooth roads, but wouldn't consider driving one here in the midwest. It has such a short wheelbase and a ton of torque - it will be a nightmare in the snow and our beat up roads.

But I have to tell you - all the ladies would look at it and comment on what a "cute car" it was - but in truth, it's a high performance sports car. Fast as hell and corners like nothing else I've ever had.

**flyhighcy** · 11-18-2009, 05:22 PM

Bought both of ours His and Hers in Omaha. LOved the service I would look into that. I know our blue one was a dealer exchange swap.. I would look into it.

BTW they are fun cars but definately NOT as a primary vehichle.

**drmwevr08** · 11-18-2009, 05:35 PM

You dont have to register it in Illinois. You just drive it home and register it and pay tax in Mo. I flew to Chicago last year to buy a minivan and signed the loan papers for only the costs of the vehicle. All else being equal I'd sacrifice color for buying local though and having a dealer in your backyard to help. Especially on a new one.

**Tarbox** · 11-18-2009, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by flyhighcy

Bought both of ours His and Hers in Omaha. LOved the service I would look into that. I know our blue one was a dealer exchange swap.. I would look into it.

BTW they are fun cars but definately NOT as a primary vehichle.

Lol....btw, found your summer vacation photo...thought I'd be the bigger man and give that back...

**dmclone** · 11-18-2009, 06:07 PM

I've bought at least 4 new cars in different states. Each time I just payed the taxes/registration when I got home. It makes no difference where you buy it. Ramsey Mazda doesn't treat me any differently since I bought my Mazda in Omaha. As a matter of fact they may treat me better to get my business. The warranties will be covered by any dealer. I say go and get the one she wants.

The Mini Coopers are a nice little car that handle great. I'm 6'2 and I fit just find. If it was a year from now I'd tell her to look at the Fiat 500. It's very similar to the mini cooper but smaller.

As far as quality, I would kind of ignore the quality reports a little bit. Companies like Mini, Porsche, etc are hurt by just having a couple of models. Mini came out with a new model(clubman) and first year models usually have bugs. The Mini Cooper is far from the most reliable and has some bugs but you could do worse.