My girlfriend wants a mini....

[cdheaven]

haha. fair enough. thanks michael. that site does look very good. im gonna dive into it right now.

[Nikki]

what happened to this thread?
i don't understand...lol

[cdheaven]

nikki, you ordered at vista right, who did you deal with?

[human]

My favorite Mini message board is:

motoringfile.com

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by cdheaven

nikki, you ordered at vista right, who did you deal with?

Pat

[AidenL]

Originally Posted by CnoteMD

Try this one out (haven't really spent any significant time there, but seemed ok to me)

http://www.mini2.com/

I think the MINI is a great little car, and surprisingly roomy in the front. I would love to have one similar to what they were using in "The Italian Job"

Michael

www.mini2.com is the big one , 29,000 members +....

I have 33,000 posts up on there, same username, if you get there and need any info, give me a shout, I'll point you in the right direction....

[AidenL]

And heres the main US MINI site :

www.northamericanmotoring.com.

MINI2 is global, with US regional sections, friendlier in general, NAM can be a little , emmm, frantic at times....

[cdheaven]

thanks aiden. going to the dealership right now. not buying anything, i will post details of the trip later and then check out that site when i get home.

[cdheaven]

alright, well she ordered her car today. i first advised her not to order the car the very first day she went to talk to a sales person. but i honestly i believe those cars are in such demand that there really couldnt be too much negotiating or haggling. im gonna try to remember most of the details, please tell me what you guys think.
2006 Mini
not S not Convertible
Space Blue/silver roof
auto
leatherette
Convience Package
Premium Package
Heated Seats
Arm rest
Chrome line interior
anthercite headliner
anthercite interior

Noooo money down at all.
3 year lease/12,000 miles a year
384 per month plus tax..
how does that sound?
the car ended up being like 22,000 bucks or something

[Nikki]

I thought the S option was only a couple grand?
It's definitely worth it unless she doesn't care about performance at all.
Also, they're redesigning it next year and it is going to have way more power,
so you might want to make her hold off,
at least until the end of the MY to get a good deal,
or until the new one comes out.


edit: the standard Mini Cooper is getting a hp bump from 115 to 150hp and they are supposed to come out Summer 2006 as a 2007 MY

[Nikki]

.

Originally Posted by What Edmunds.com Says:

The addition of more refined, flexible powerplants should give the Mini lineup the boost it needs to stay competitive.

What We Know: While BMW has made some minor changes to the styling of its popular midget car, the big news for the next-generation Mini will be the complete overhaul of its engine range. BMW has designed a new series of all-aluminum twin-cam engines with French company Peugeot, at least two of which will appear in the "Mini 2." While the capacity will remain the same for all available powertrains at 1.6 liters, the engines themselves are expected to be vast improvements over the hastily designed Tritec engines that Chrysler originally provided for the vehicles. The standard Cooper will receive a substantial bump in its horsepower from 115 to 150, while the Cooper S' new turbo engine will channel its 170 hp into a much more sophisticated package. BMW is considering retaining a 115-hp engine as an option for the standard Cooper. All three of these engines will feature Variable Valve Timing, while the turbos will be endowed with common-rail direct-injection fuel delivery. In addition to the above mentioned engines, other changes include a new and slightly longer body, new sheet metal, a revised grille and upgraded interior materials.

[cdheaven]

thanks nikki. i will talk to her tonight

[ward]

the mini is the most fun FWD car I've driven

[AidenL]

I agree - I drive our MINI for fun at weekends, it is so chuckable....

Cdheaven, spec looks nice, power outputs on the new models, which will be launched , and this is definite, in September 2006, as 07 models , aren't confirmed as yet.

On MINI2, we have doubts that the Cooper will be 150bhp as the S is 170 - Cooper output at the mo is 115 bhp, can't see they will boost it this far.

If she can go for a cabrio, and has to have a car now, I suggest plumping for it, as the new shap cabrio probably won't be launched till September 2007, at the VERY earliest, so will retain more value.

Read MINI2 for info.....