Right now, I'm just looking into ordering my first MINI. I haven't placed an order yet, but I'm pretty well sold on the idea. I'm really impressed with these little cars, especially after I got to test drive a used one at a local dealership. So fun to drive! That's really what I want out of my next car too, something that makes me love driving again.

Anyway, I just wanted to say "Hello!" to everyone and I'm looking forward to learning more about these great little cars!

 

 

This is probably the best website on earth to find out more about the Minis -- AND the Mini-cult...I mean Mini CULTURE, of course! We are a bunch of fanatics (mostly), but we're happy fanatics. Welcome to the world of Mini!

 

 

I'm not sure how soon we're planning on ordering, or if we're going to order. The dealership is a good five hour drive from where I live, so I'm hopeful that I'll find what I'm looking for on the lot, but realistically, I don't think so. I want an automatic with the nav and I haven't seen too many dealers that actually admit to having those on the lot. I know that the automatics aren't terribly popular so I suspect I'll be ordering. Go ahead, chide me for needing training wheels ;-)

The timing totally depends on my husband, but I'm thinking June or July at the latest, given that mountain passes tend to start filling up with snow and closing in mid to late October. While I'd love to drive a mini over the mountains, I really don't want to drive anything through two feet of snow!

Oh, and thanks! This is one of those things where I just really want to be sure what I'm getting into before I take the plunge, although it's already too late. I've been looking up custom license plates for any potential names for the car since yesterday *laugh*

 

You might be able to check your 'local' (5hrs away) dealerships inventory online to see if they have anything you're interested in. If so, then I'd probably give them a call to verify.
Since it takes FOREVER once you order a MINI, even if your just considering it, you'll have time to change your mind before it comes. (Dealerships will refund the deposit that holds your place for order). Since the MINI is in such high demand, they're pretty much guaranteed to sell your order to some one else.

 

OR you can get yourself put on the list for a demo-model. Most of them come pretty well turned out, so they might have the nav. I'm not sure how the demo-model sale thing works here, but that's how I got my first MCS (Mini Cooper S) in Europe. They had to make sure it was under 3,500 miles and had been detailed before I got it; they shipped it up to me from Italy!

 

You might be surprised.
I bought mine off the lot, the dealer had a huge inventory. On my 1st visit I saw a CPR with sport seats and cold package for ~19K and being stupid I left.
The new inventory had MINI's with all the options including auto. I kept checking online and took another visit and found my NFR Mini. The dealer said that they get very few basic models. My test drive was in an 07 with Nav.

I would check online, when the one you want is available: call them at once and ask if they would hold it for you. Let them know your commute.
Mini's move fast off the lot and on the road

 

Welcome to NAM!. Come check out the PSMINI club at www.psmini.org/forum . NAM is a great and a very friendly set of folks monitor this forum to help out people new to MINIs. The folks at the Puget Sound MINI Club are awesome too!

 

Thanks for the welcomes and advice! If it were up to me, we would have gone out there last weekend and this weekend I've got several appointments I have to keep, but I'm hoping that I can talk the hubby into going next weekend.

Ever since I test drove the '04 at a used car dealer here, I've had a big grin on my face when it comes to these cars. Part of me is wishing that I'd bought the '04 now, but it was one of those situations where I got in the car, I loved how it drove and I loved everything about it... but it just didn't feel like we were a match, so I decided to walk away. It was kind of like the motoring gods were speaking to me and said, "Don't give in to temptation simply because the car is there. Hold out for better, more!" and I just listened.

I've always bought cars based more on how I feel when I'm in them, than by the numbers. I sat in five different corollas on five different dealer's lots before I finally picked out the one that I drive now. Ordering has always seemed a little... weird to me. So it's good to hear that I might find what I'm looking for on the lot. I'll definitely call them before we drive out there. If they do have it on the lot, I'll be in heaven.

I'm so excited!!! I wonder if I can convince my hubby to leave work now...

 

Welcome to NAM from Middle Georgia Minis! I bought mine off the lot as it had everything I wanted and a little more. I'm too old to have to wait for things, I'm for instant gratifacation. When you do get your MINI I wish you many happy miles and new adventure's along the way.

 

Yes, MINIs will definitely do that....more than one can imagine!!! Welcome.

 

See this? This will be on your face every single day when you have a MINI.....

Donna

 

+1! After the test drive of the Mini, I was sold! I agree with that Cadillac commercial where it says when you turn on the car, does it turn you on too? Yup. After test driving that Mini, I can't wait for ours to get here!

 

I'm looking forward to it too! We're trying to make arrangements to head out to the coast this weekend and take a look at a couple of used MINIs out there. There's a dealership that has a few on the lot that are 2007 and 2008 Coopers (Not S) with really low miles. One of them is Oxygen Blue with white bonnet stripes and has 90% of the features I want. It's just missing the Nav. Failing that, we'll head to NW Mini! I just have to find a dog-sitter first.

Come to think of it, that's another issue. I wonder if my dog will fit in the car... I've got a 90 pound Lab. LOL!

 

Sure, your dog will fit...the question is how much other stuff you want to pack in, too!!!

I think you will find some nice MINIs to choose from on the lot, a situation that did not exist a few years back as Plant Oxford struggled to keep up. I personally am a big fan of Oxygen Blue, but I suspect you'll just run across just the right MINI that will "speak to you." Have a blast!!!

 

I thought and said the same thing when I test drove the MINI, the Cadillac commercial does suit the MINI!