2023 models now showing on MINI website configurator. Signature trim for SE has been removed.

Texas22Step said:
I am not one that focuses on all of these vehicle market statistics, as I know I wouldn't retain them in my head anyway. However, I am definitely old enough to easily remember the past periods where gasoline prices spiked and (surprise!) all of a sudden any vehicles with high gas mileage specs, including the hybrids of the day and now including BEVs were in high demand and carried higher prices. Now we see once again the same ("the more things change, the more they stay the same"). So, be sure to include in your theory the usual "unforeseen" bump in demand for higher-efficiency vehicles in periods of relatively high gasoline prices.

(To really show my age, I can say I remember retail gasoline prices in the $0.25 / gal range when I was in graduate school! Of course, my trusty but old Pontiac got maybe 10 mpg on a good day.)
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it always fascinates me how people and companies never seem to learn from history…

We don’t even have to go back more than about 15 years to recall when SUVs like the original Hummer and pickup trucks etc fell out of favor because gas prices had climbed to over $4. All of a sudden the people who claimed they “needed” such a vehicle were selling up and buying fuel efficient cars. So much for “need”.
Gas prices fell and people flocked back to trucks and SUVs as soon as the economy started to improve. So many people sign 5 and even 7 year finance agreements now on vehicles that get lousy gas mileage because at the moment of purchase the gas prices are ok. But with such long finance terms you’re begging to be caught out by a gas price rise…
I honestly have very little sympathy at this point.

I remember something Bob Lutz from GM said in “the revenge of the electric car” documentary how they were hammered by congress at that moment for selling big trucks instead of fuel efficient cars but he pointed out that the public goes where the gas prices are, when they’re low they buy trucks and there was a danger the Volt would die due to the rapidly falling gas prices. And he was right. Of course GM are idiots with the ridiculous new electric Hummer. The thing is an energy pig that will take an age to charge at any common fast charger just to get 200 miles on the highway. Totally impractical. But comments on YouTube videos show people love the thing because they don’t understand the limitations brought about by running a vehicle with a giant battery. I guarantee it will fall flat.
 
AndysComputer said:
But for the range of the SE there is a limit to how much you can charge given the range and price of other vehicles on the market. No way would I have paid circa $35k for one…
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While I waited through 2019 for the price to be announced, I was sure MINI would be charging $42K for an electric MINI Cooper, expecting it to cost more than a JCW. I was counting on the fed tax credit to bring it to $35K, which I would have paid and never regretted. There is no alternative small, sporty EV available.

Porsche just announced their next-gen 2025 Boxster and Cayman will be electric. I bet they will cost more than double the SE's price--even if the SE cost $42K.
 
Meh, the Hummer EV is serving the same "halo car" function that sports cars used to do. GM volume EVs will be in the Equinox EV, Blazer EV, and Silverado EV.

Will be interesting to watch the sleeping giants awaken and see if they can catch up.
 
Just a contribution to this thread from here really down under in NZ. The MINI SE price and configurations have not changed, we still have the same 2 level trims, i.e. the Classic (which is the Sig+ in the US) & the MINI Yours (which is the Iconic in the US). MINI NZ though added another trim, the multi tone roof and added NZ$2k for that. Other than that and the longer wait time, nothing has changed here. Having said that, it might be taking awhile for the changes to come through.
 
Puppethead said:
Wow, with the Signature trim gone the starting MSP is no longer under $30,000.

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I agree. The base model was very well equipped as is. The only extra feature we wish our Signature had is the power folding mirrors. I suspect they looked around at what the other car makers are doing and made the change. The car prices in today's market make the SE's price seem like it's an economy car. Mini and BMW probably don't want that.
 
Tommm said:
Not exactly correct. My red signature came without the rear parking assist sensors. So it is a c rap shoot. If you are not in a rush, put the refundable 250 down, and when they give you a build sheet see if it has everything you want.
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Did you request compensation?
 
CuriousGeorge said:
Is the Kona now available in all 50 states? That's one thing in favor of the SE (and Bolt).
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The Kona ev is not available in all 50 states. I live in Hawaii and called the local dealership when they showed a commercial featuring them along with other Hyundais. I test drove one in California last October, but they wanted nearly $50,000! About $10,000 in mark ups and various bs charges like $170 for nitrogen in the tires, when Costco uses it at no charge when they mount tires. I came back to Honolulu and had the great luck to buy my '22 SE for msrp and without ordering or waiting.
 
insightman said:
While I waited through 2019 for the price to be announced, I was sure MINI would be charging $42K for an electric MINI Cooper, expecting it to cost more than a JCW. I was counting on the fed tax credit to bring it to $35K, which I would have paid and never regretted. There is no alternative small, sporty EV available.

Porsche just announced their next-gen 2025 Boxster and Cayman will be electric. I bet they will cost more than double the SE's price--even if the SE cost $42K.
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. You are being overly optimistic on the new porsche prices.
 
Anyway. Turns out my MINI SE is not the last hurrah of the European MINI EV Cooper. A bit sad. But i do spot one or two more since i got mine. So the driving the unicorn feeling has worn off slightly.
 
I called the manager of a local dealership because the base model (Signature) wasn't showing up on the website as you all are describing but the website was also showing the starting price of $29,900 - which didn't make sense. He said the website is not properly updated yet and the Signature model is still available for $29,900 for 2023. I ended up placing an order for the Signature. Currently heated steering has been removed ($100 discount) due to chip shortages. Should be ready in 4 months.
 
Almost Green said:
As I'm always late to the party on some things, I was just on the Miniusa site I noticed the racing green color is no longer available on the 23 model. Looks like a possible price hike as well. Also did a little research on the 24 model. I like the way it looks and the more battery power. But don't like the possible super large round center display screen. No gauge pod in front of the driver. What's the matter with the manufacturers these days that are forcing drivers to take eyes off the road to look to the center display just to see the speedometer?
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Followup to my original comment. When I posted the above Mini must have been working on the site. Was on again yesterday and BRG color is back on there. Prices have increased. It will now be about $41k out the door price for a Iconic model. I want but my common sense says no. And then the other factor is, does everyone that's currently ordering really think your going to get your car in this calender year? With the options you ordered? And w/o additional price increases along the way? Is the Oxford even up and running at this time? I personally think no to most of these questions. Tracking the whole auto industry shows more and more plant shutdowns and continued supply problems. I can't believe Mini isn't any different. What you guys think?
 
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Almost Green said:
Followup to my original comment. When I posted the above Mini must have been working on the site. Was on again yesterday and BRG color is back on there. Prices have increased. It will now be about $41k out the door price for a Iconic model. I want but my common sense says no. And then the other factor is, does everyone that's currently ordering really think your going to get your car in this calender year? With the options you ordered? And w/o additional price increases along the way? Is the Oxford even up and running at this time? I personally think no to most of these questions. Tracking the whole auto industry shows more and more plant shutdowns and continued supply problems. I can't believe Mini isn't any different. What you guys think?
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Do not trust the web builder. Talk to your dealer. There was no price increase for the 2023 model year.
 
Almost Green said:
Followup to my original comment. When I posted the above Mini must have been working on the site. Was on again yesterday and BRG color is back on there. Prices have increased. It will now be about $41k out the door price for a Iconic model. I want but my common sense says no. And then the other factor is, does everyone that's currently ordering really think your going to get your car in this calender year? With the options you ordered? And w/o additional price increases along the way? Is the Oxford even up and running at this time? I personally think no to most of these questions. Tracking the whole auto industry shows more and more plant shutdowns and continued supply problems. I can't believe Mini isn't any different. What you guys think?
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You told us you don't normally purchase a car and then sell it just a couple of years later. That is common sense. A large automobile or SUV with comfortable rear seating is more practical than a MINI Cooper. That is common sense. A car on the lot is worth two in the queue. That is common sense. A new car for $21K is less easier to afford than a $41K car (even counting the fed EV tax credit). That is common sense. (Pattern established; predictable declaration to follow.)

ABANDON COMMON SENSE!

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