What sort of discount?

Honkycat

Hi,

If I went to a Mini dealer at the minute and was willing to pay cash, what level of discount do you think I should be looking for? I think the Mini Ones are about £12000 or so? I've heard of really big discounts at the minute, but maybe because Minis are so popular they don't discount them as much?
Also, is there saving to be made from importing? I know nothing about this and because I live in Northern Ireland it might not be so straight forward.
I was considering Leasing, but the going rate seems to be around £240 a month x 39 = £9360 and you can get a new one for not that much more, it doesn't seem that great.

Any advice appreciated,
Thanks,
Steve.

MX5huggy

I think you will struggle to get much of a discount off a MINI you will also find that you will end up paying more than £12k by the time you spec it up a bit.

The week pound makes importing from the EU not worthwhile never mind all the other problems with importing if you just mean from the main land I have no idea.

I would use a broker to get the best price, Drive the Deal would be a starting point.

Leasing works better with less desirable cars.

AdrianHi

Don' t tell them you want to pay cash until the last possible moment. You don't want the sales person realising they are going to miss out on the commission from selling a finance deal too soon.

Your not likely to get more than a few hundred off the Mini and you absolutely must specify it with the "Pepper Pack" which includes kit you will probably want including alloy wheels. Critical for resale prospects.

Depreciation very low on the Mini, about as good as it gets in fact and other running costs low. A £13K Mini will cost you about the same as a £10.5K Kia/Hyundai etc. in the long run. Check out the What Car "Real Cost" figures to see what I mean.

Honkycat

Thanks. I was looking at Mazda 2s today as well. They were offering NO discount at all, but were keen to do scrapage.
If depreciation is so low with minis, why are they so dear to lease? I thought you were basically paying the depreciation figure for 3 years. Or are they just having a laugh because they're so popular.
Anyway, my wife really liked the Mazda (sport of course) ...sigh....

motorguy

Honkycat wrote: »

Thanks. I was looking at Mazda 2s today as well. They were offering NO discount at all, but were keen to do scrapage.
If depreciation is so low with minis, why are they so dear to lease? I thought you were basically paying the depreciation figure for 3 years. Or are they just having a laugh because they're so popular.
Anyway, my wife really liked the Mazda (sport of course) ...sigh....

You're looking at the wrong model of mini to lease. You can lease a brand new Cooper D for £189.95+VAT

http://www.nationwidevehiclecontracts.co.uk/Mini-Hatchback-leasing.htm

Also have a look at lings cars website - she normally does good deals.

AdrianHi

Honkycat wrote: »

Thanks. I was looking at Mazda 2s today as well. They were offering NO discount at all, but were keen to do scrapage.
If depreciation is so low with minis, why are they so dear to lease? I thought you were basically paying the depreciation figure for 3 years. Or are they just having a laugh because they're so popular.
Anyway, my wife really liked the Mazda (sport of course) ...sigh....

Mazda 2 is next best thing (in this class) to the Mini for holding value, world car of the year 2008, I don't think you will feel short changed if you get one, more space than a Mini One. The Mini One is stil cheaper in the long run due to lower deprecation though.

Mini lease prices higher "because they can" I guess and no big discounts from the manufacturer.

Honkycat

AdrianHi wrote: »

Check out the What Car "Real Cost" figures to see what I mean.

That site is REALLY useful.... guide discounts and everything. Thanks!

MotorIndustryExpert

Hi Honkycat.

From experiance working with the brand, you should expect 2% ish discount and be happy wit that. Dealer margins are low on Minis. This is partly why their 2nd hand values are so strong.

cookie_monster

Have a look at the Fiat 500 Arbrath

http://www.fiat.co.uk/500abarth/

Seems much better than the Mini.

MotorIndustryExpert

I have to agree with Cookie Monster after driving both. Also expect similar discounts on this car to the Mini.

Honkycat

The interest free credit on the Mazda is appealing (though with 50% deposit). We went to a Mini dealer today and they tried to interest us in their finance scheme. It involves £3400 in interest payments over 3 years! I really don't like the idea of that. It brings it nearly up to the price of an MX-5 which could be had with interest free credit as well..... probably with more discount than the Mazda 2?
I'm confused.....