Edmunds Daily
MINI
October 15, 2009
MINI Financial Services is now offering manufacturer-backed extended service contracts on MINI vehicles as part of its MINI Motoring Protection suite, which also includes gap insurance and tire/wheel protection.
MINI owners whose cars are still under standard factory warranty can purchase the extended warranty option, dubbed "Extended Motorer Protection," from a dealer. Available as of yesterday, the program has two tiers of coverage and a range of durations.
- Posted by
- Permalink | Comments (0)
- Joanne Helperin October 15, 2009, 9:00 AM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Car Warranty, MINI
September 10, 2009
The Mini Cooper has been a run-away hit ever since its reintroduction here in the 2002 model year. This premium-priced compact has been popular with both consumers and the Edmunds editors, with the Cooper making a record (tying) three appearances in the Inside Line long-term fleet.
However, the downside is that the Mini has always been hard to come by, both by selection and by pricing. Even today, some Mini dealers like to try to charge a premium over MSRP on some models. However, Mini is now doing their customers a solid by offering a mini rate on their Mini Cooper. Now through the end of October, buyers can score 1.9% financing for up to 60 months on all Cooper models (including the S, Convertible, Clubman and John Cooper Works).
With a plethora of body styles and options, there is a Cooper for almost everyone. Now with some low financing available, the Mini is can be had for a MINImum payment too. Click here for the latest incentives and rebates on all vehicles.
- Posted by
- Permalink | Comments (0)
- Lee Scott September 10, 2009, 3:00 AM
- Categories:
- Deal of the Week, MINI
- Technorati Tags:
- Deal of the Week, Financing, Incentives and Rebates, MINI Cooper
August 26, 2009
Not content to wait for the Federal government to begin phasing in stricter roof-crush requirements in 2012, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) already conducted its version of the test for micro and minicars.
The results? The tiny Smart ForTwo has the strongest roof, the Chevy Aveo, the weakest. Full results are at right. (G = Good, A = Acceptable, M = Marginal.) None of the cars tested ranked "Poor."
Stronger roofs are expected to cut down on the deaths and injuries suffered in vehicle rollovers. Although rollovers aren't the most common form of crash, they are the most lethal, killing some 10,000 people each year.
So the IIHS is getting tough. Starting with the 2010 model year, a vehicle must earn a "Good" rating in the roof crush test in order to qualify to be an IIHS Top Safety Pick -- an important award that automakers use to tout their safety chops. The new requirement will drive some automakers to improve their roof strength ahead of the federal requirement, which won't be fully phased in until 2016.
For details on the minicars test results, click here. To learn how roof crush tests are conducted, click here.
- Posted by
- Permalink | Comments (6)
- Joanne Helperin August 26, 2009, 9:00 AM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Car Safety, Chevrolet, Honda, Hyundai, MINI, Toyota
- Technorati Tags:
- Chevy Aveo, IIHS Roof Crush Test, IIHS Top Safety Pick, Minicars, Smart ForTwo
August 25, 2009
Last week MINI unveiled the future of roadside assistance and what could be the logical future of telematics services: a Roadside Assist app that works with Apple's popular iPhone and select BlackBerry devices.
Developed by Allstate Roadside Services, at the touch of a button the app connects a driver to a roadside assistance operator while pinpointing the vehicle's exact location and also providing all pertinent vehicle information.
So no more describing to a dispatcher where you're stranded or giving the make, model and color of your car. As with most automakers' roadside assistance programs, it's free within the vehicle's warranty period.
And like Ford Sync's 911 Assist feature, MINI's new roadside Assist App signals a further shift towards leveraging a communication/GPS device that most drivers carry anyway -- a mobile phone -- and perhaps away from traditional embedded telematics systems.
Continue reading...
- Posted by
- Permalink | Comments (0)
- Doug Newcomb August 25, 2009, 3:00 AM
- Categories:
- Automotive Technology, Car Tech Tuesdays, MINI
- Technorati Tags:
- 911 Assist, Allstate, BlackBerry, Ford, iPhone, MINI, OnStar, Sync
June 18, 2009
Hot hatches originated in Europe and continue to dominate the car enthusiast culture over there. Sadly, we only get a tiny sample (pun intended) of Europe's many hot hatch contenders, so this tournament is devoid of such hotties as the Ford Focus ST and RS, Renault Clio 197 and Twingo RS and Fiat 500 Abarth. Yet, we still get two of the best. One is credited with starting the hot hatch category back in 1984, but the other is a descendant of the original front-wheel-drive, fun-to-drive, tiny hatchback. Who gets more credit? We'll leave that up to you.
Hailing from Germany is the Volkswagen GTI, which shall be defended here by Automotive Editor James Riswick. It is about to be replaced by a sort-of-new sixth-generation model, but the current car has lost little of its appeal. Hailing from England with help from Germany is the Mini Cooper S, whose Union Jack shall be carried by Associate Editor Josh Sadlier. Its appeal transcends the typical car enthusiast demographic arguably more than any other contender in this tournament. You don't have to be a car nut to know what a Mini is.
Remember, you decide who wins. The car with the most votes goes on to meet the Chevrolet Cobalt SS in the Western Division final.
Continue reading...
- Posted by
- Permalink | Comments (46)
- James Riswick June 18, 2009, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Face-Off, MINI, Volkswagen
June 7, 2009
"The so-called German spirit," groused Nietzsche in 1888. "For the past 18 years a contradiction in terms."
Pity he didn't live to see BMW's 2009 convertible lineup.
Among contemporary droptops, it's the American spirit that's increasingly a contradiction in terms, whereas BMW and its Mini and Rolls-Royce brands have quietly amassed the most spirited collection of convertibles in the world. With roofless versions of the Mini Cooper, 1 Series, 3 Series and 6 Series, as well as the Z4 and incomparable Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe, the Bavarian juggernaut now offers al fresco motoring for every budget.
For this test, we assembled our usual four-man comparison team and selected two of the most affordable topless options under the BMW umbrella: a 2009 BMW 128i and a 2009 Mini Cooper S. We commuted in them, abused them on winding canyon roads, wedged bulky items into their boots, and steadfastly resisted the temptation to cruise four-deep through Venice Beach in the Cooper with "M-I-N-I" painted on our bare chests.
After two weeks of evaluation, we had an undisputed winner on our scoring sheet, yet we'd unanimously recommend buying the loser if you can. More on which below.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor
Continue reading...
- Posted by
- Permalink | Comments (8)
- Josh Sadlier June 7, 2009, 3:00 PM
- Categories:
- BMW, Comparison Road Tests, MINI
May 7, 2009
While the rest of Los Angeles celebrated Cinco de Mayo, a quiet crowd assembled at the California Science Center for a sort of community meet-and-greet. This invitation-only event was held for Mini E Pioneers, a select few who have been chosen for the one-year field trial of Mini's new electric vehicle, the Mini E. How did Edmunds get its golden ticket, you ask? Well, after applying like many other eligible candidates, we diligently filled out a bunch of paperwork, and were fortunate enough to meet many of the logistical criteria for the SoCal portion of the trial.
Continue reading...
- Posted by
- Permalink | Comments (3)
- Mark Takahashi May 7, 2009, 2:00 PM
- Categories:
- Hybrids and Alternative Fuels, MINI
- Technorati Tags:
- Electric Cars, Mini E, Mini E Pioneer
March 18, 2009
Must be nice to be a Mini salesman. The customer starts to negotiate and you can just say, "Ah, sorry, that doesn't work here. See, we're selling Minis."
Both the Mini and the Mini Clubman are selling at full MSRP, even in this economy, according to Edmunds' TMV. But now comes proof that hard times have even reached Mini. Mini is now offering low interest financing on all their models.
This surprising news comes only a few months after Mini announced that they had sold out their entire production run and had no cars left for buyers. It's amazing what a few months of economic meltdown will do to a company's attitude.
Basically, the deal is 2.9% on all 2009 and 2008 new MINI vehicles (with some restrictions) for up to 60 months. Mini also, claims the deal applies to all credit tiers, but must be on approved credit with MINI Financial Services. The offer excludes new 2009 Convertibles and expires at the end of this month.
- Posted by
- Permalink | Comments (0)
- Philip Reed March 18, 2009, 2:44 PM
- Categories:
- Car Buying, Car Loans and Financing, MINI
- Technorati Tags:
- cool cars, incentives, Mini, MPG, poor economy, slow sales
We recently had a 2009 Nissan Cube stop by the office. To quote my arch nemesis Josh Sadlier, "this car is nonsense." There is just no other way to describe a "car" that looks like either an aquarium or a washing machine. A "car" that handles like either an aquarium or a washing machine. A "car" that has water ripple ridges build into the headliner. A "car" that's gauges are colored differently to represent the Earth and the Moon. A "car" described by Nissan as a "mobile device." A "car" that forces you to utter the nonsensical words, "Hey, do you have the keys to the Cube?"
But all of that is before you start customizing your Nissan Cube. Now, plenty of brands offer customization. Mini is perhaps the most famous, allowing you to add different color interior panels, "bonnet" racing stripes and a Puerto Rican flag graphic upon the roof. On the other end of the spectrum, Rolls-Royce will put just about anything you want on your $400,000 behemoth sedan. Fridges, humidors, iron safes, VHS entertainment systems, butlers named Cavendish. Anything your gold-plated heart desires.
And then there's the Cube.
Continue reading...
- Posted by
- Permalink | Comments (10)
- James Riswick March 18, 2009, 3:00 AM
- Categories:
- MINI, Nissan, Thoughts from the Curb
