(Summary here, detailed experience below, conclusion at the end.) My experience at this dealership turned what was supposed to be a celebratory event, buying another Mini, instead offering an experience that made me feel manipulated, condescended to, complicit in racism, and doubting Mini as the car for me. All the cars on the lot are poorly cared for, some covered in adhesive, and all except for the showroom cars' paint were covered in swirl marks. The dealership claimed this was how the cars come; was Not a result of their washing them; they haven't "detailed" the cars yet, and the wax will cover the swirl marks. I said I was disappointed to see the paint already showing wear, to which J responded, "we can't hand wash everything!"
Rude greeting: I returned to the dealership with a friend this weekend after viewing (but not driving) a Mini on their lot the previous weekend. I arrived later than I anticipated, the salesperson I was going to meet was unavailable. Another person ("J"), whom I met the prior weekend, greeted me with, "you come at the worst times." J would not let me drive the vehicle I was interested in purchasing because it "might not have gas," and offered a demo vehicle. I had disclosed I've driven this generation of Mini two door, S and non-S models, and owned a previous gen S, so the purpose of a test drive was to experience the car I was interested in owning, but I agreed to the demo as I already felt uncomfortable for arriving "at the worst times."
Racism: The test drive started out pleasantly, until my friend pointed out the apartments we were driving past, and J said, approximately, "They are actually nice on the inside. I'm white, in these clothes, and I felt safe." The cabin of a two door Mini is already a tight space for three people, but the addition of thinly veiled racism filled the car to capacity.
Returning to the dealership, J offered to go over the cost of the vehicle, and this is were the price of doing business with Sonic comes in:
The MSRP was listed at approximately $30K, with the "Sonic price" at $28K, but after the promo pricing, Sonic had two line items after discount, but before taxes: PermaPlate ($499), and Phantom Footprint ($259).
PermaPlate ($499), J explained, is a special coating the dealership applies after they receive new vehicles that prevents, according to J, "dents, dings, and paint chips." To clarify, PermaPlate is not a clear vinyl coating or an adhesive film that protects the car, PP is equivalent to a wax. J was joined by employee D, and D explained they coat every interior surface, except the steering wheel, with PP, as well as the exterior to prevent color fade. D and J stated the warranty was four (4) years on this coating, but the warranty does not cover any dents, dings, or paint damage. J did advise I purchase a care kit of wipes, saturated with PermaPlate, to use until I need to pay for the next PP application. I could not opt out of this add-on as they claim it has already been applied, but its application was Not the cause of the paint damage.
Phantom Footprint ($269) is another dealership add-on the dealership required. PF is three stickers, one applied to the hatch, one applied to the driver door, and one applied to the hood, with an alphanumeric code, that J stated helps police locate the vehicle. The are stickers, stickers, applied to door and the hood! I asked J why this was necessary when VIN's provide this same function, and J stated, "These add extra protection as the manufacturer only puts the VIN on the vehicle twice." 1) False, Mini does at least four : 1) Driver side door jam, 2) steering wheel column, 3) under the windshield 4) engine and the engine compartment. J rationalized that the stickers they apply are much safer than the VIN under the windshield which could be easily removed (please, someone, tell me how this makes sense).
Another local dealership informed me Mini can track all vehicle activity when a vehicle is stolen through the SOS system, which the vehicle has.
Conclusion: I would like to give the benefit of the doubt and say the experience I had was due largely to J's inexperience, but J was not alone in trying to sell me car wax that was nearly divine, and redundant stickers that I'm sure any chop shop would have no trouble removing (after they've removed the "easily removed" VIN under the windshield, according to the dealership.) These "services" are not a standard practice at every Mini dealership, and do not help the Mini owner to care for their vehicle. Mini "motorers" are, by their nature, passionate about their vehicles, and often willing to spend more time and money to care for their vehicles, but these were obvious cash grabs that at best give a false sense of security while simultaneously increasing the dealer's margins. Offer your customers transparent and honest services, and stop insulting us with snake oil.
Also, maybe do not make classicist, racist comments to strangers. DO BETTER. read more