I test drove an MC last Saturday. She was in the car (as well as the two kids) and felt it was too small. I didn't bother with the MCS because I loved the MC and I figured the MCS would be fine, plus I wasn't sure I could afford the MCS. I'm still not 100% sure I can, but I'm sure as heck going to go down trying.

My quest is in "neutral" right now, still waiting to hear back from the dealership about financing. I've called my MA twice today and left messages, but nothing back. It can't be a bad sign, we have great credit.

 

but after reading your last post, probably should get the stripper MC. Keeping your wife happy is always priceless. You'll still get almost all the fun.

 

If you'd like to hear any more encouragement on this note, I have an MC with very little extra and am very happy. Ya, for example the stereo is mediocre and there's a million things you could always want. But judge what's important to you and what you'll truly regret not having.

 

Going from a Mustang to a Mini, you should get the MCS. Gotta have some accelleration.

 

get the MCS and go for the 72 mo option on payments. There wasnt a huge difference in the interest rate. Plus you can always pay a little more if you have the dough.

 

I'm looking to do the Mini select financing. Lease-like payments for the first 36 months, and then if I want to keep it, I'll just finance the balloon payment. If not, I'll trade it in on a new Mini or something else.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not cryin' poor here. I can't afford a $500 payment on a buy, but a $300-$350 payment on a "Mini select" stripped MCS or loaded MC is definitely doable. My wife just doesn't see the value in spending the extra money. Anything over $300 to her is just "too much". Her Focus is $207 a month and she's mad about spending that.

Sad thing is, I could go get a new BMW for less (family connections), but I don't want one. I want a Mini.

 

Cant your BMW people pull some strings for you, and get you into a MINI???

 

Drive both. Really. You can't buy based on paper specs. It is so subjective. Nobody can tell you what will work for you. Something has to hit you in the heart.

Write down a list of must-have options, desired options. Trim those as much as you can to really keep costs down. For me-Xenons and MFSW were the really two big things. (I'd go for a stripped MC given your conditions-the '07 MC is a great car).

Call one of the sponsor dealers, or a couple within driving range. I'm sure there's plenty of stock-find a car closer to your needs. Hamptons only charges $500 shipping, for instance.

 

That is the only car they can't help me with. Now if I wanted a 3 or a 5 series, it'd be good. Seriously, I called them on Sunday and they said that Mini is the only car they couldn't do anything for me on.

 

Excellent advice. I kick myself for not trying the MCS on Saturday, but I didn't want to get my hopes up for something I wasn't sure I could swing with the wife. I am off tomorrow before getting ready to head down to MD for the weekend, I think I can take a few hours and drive out to see my MA and test drive the MC and MCS back to back and get a better feel for which I'd prefer.

Another excellent point. I'm being bamboozled by sitting here looking at the Mini catalog, trying to figure out what I want. I have to figure out what I need, and prioritize any wants from there on out. If it comes down to brass tacks, I don't need any of the options, but a few really push that want/need envelope.

 

Im sorry, that really sucks. We have a BMW dealership about 35-40 miles away. The only thing they can help me with is buying BMW recommended fluids (power steering). They seem to be really sticky on who gets the franchise, and who doesnt. Maybe once you drive them both it;ll click for you. I hope youre driving a MINI by Saturday!

 

Thanks everyone for hanging in there with me while I agonize over this. I do have a bit of good news, however. My relentless pushing has worn my wife down. She's given me the green light to do whatever I deem appropriate. I will be heading to the dealer tomorrow, and am deciding between a few different Minis.

 

Don't forget flowers or something!

 

^5 BOSS!

 

"Don't forget flowers or something!"

 

THATS AWESOME!!! Go with your gut, and get the car that will make you happy! (Of course once you drive the MCS, itll be all over with)!

 

Well, it's official. Even if it is unofficially official.

I am now a Mini owner! I test drove an automatic MC. I was thoroughly impressed with the way it worked, and loved using the paddle shifters, but I'm just not ready to give up rowing the gears myself yet. This is what I finally decided to go with:

'07 Mellow Yellow/Black
6-sp man
Cold Weather
Premium
Sport
Grey/Black Leatherette Sport Seats
Mellow Yellow color line interior
Black bonnet stripes

As much as I really wanted an MCS, I couldn't justify giving up all those other options. In another 2-3 years once I've gotten firmly acquainted with all of the base MC's nuances, then I'll pick up an MCS with all the trimmings I want.

Now the wait begins. The MC is currently in transit on the water somewhere between Oxford and NJ. MA estimates 1-2 weeks for delivery. I'm cool with it, but patience has never been a strong suit of mine.

Where do I find the MY Owners and Team Just A Copper badges? I did a few searches, but nothing came up....

 

Congrats! Glad it worked out for you.

 

Thanks. This has been the oddest, most difficult car-buying experience I've ever been through. That being said, I have the feeling it's also going to be the most rewarding car owning experience I've ever had.

 

I'm off on my road trip down to MD to help my sister-in-law move. So I'll probably be away from "teh Interweb" for a few days. The good news is that it might help keep my mind off the 1-2 week wait.

See you all in a couple of manyanas (sp?)....

 

Congrats! You're going to LOVE it! Be sure to post pics!

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=71218
has a collection of badges. It's a sticky in the "General MINI Talk" forum.

 

Yes, for sure take some pics. We love pics!

Glad to hear that your search came to a happy ending. Mellow Yellow is cool and very rich, I've always believed that's what Liquid Yellow should have looked like.

Welcome to the cult. At least you don't have to wait 9 weeks and drive around in your mother-in-law's POS Ford for the last 4 . Motor on (soon)!

 

Congratualtions!!! I am really happy for you. Youre gonna love your new MINI!!! Yes, and pictures are necessary!

 

You will love it, the two weeks will fly by and your fun begins.

Nice options and color on the MC. Good choice too, a Ford is a Ford, a MC or MCS is the only way to motor.

Can't wait to see some good pictures in a few weeks.

Don S. (old81)

 

Well, that is, unless it is a Mustang. I will always have a soft spot for them.

Ironic though that you'd say "A Ford is a Ford". The wife and I just got back from driving to MD over the past few days, and I kept seeing Ford Fusions left and right. From the time we left NY and passed into PA, going all the way into MD, I saw only one MC, and it was on a dealer lot. We saw that same MC on the way back (the dealer is in Delaware - one of those "buy here-pay here" places), but not one more until we got back into NY. While I do want people to "feel the Mini love", the fact that they are somewhat rare (at least around here) is pretty cool.

While the Mini kinda goes against a lot of what I personify (at least according to my wife - she's still trying to figure out how I became infatuated with the Mini ), one thing I love to do is march to the beat of a different drum, which the Mini definitely does. Sure, it does 90% of the same things that every other car out there on the market does, but it does it differently enough that it makes it special.

No cookie-cutter vehicle here. The Mini is special and as unique as each individual Mini owner. Glad to be a part of this, I think it's going to be one helluva ride.

Just one question though. Do I get my decoder ring in the mail, or will my MA hand it to me as he teaches me the secret handshake when I take delivery?