You just may want to kick me off this forum after I relate my experience:

Being pretty much totally ignorant about the whole MINI Cooper experience one day I decided I might want to look at one. Going to the Mini website I was a bit shocked to learn that the closest dealership was an hour and a half away in the next state. Pulling up their website I was dazzled by their "inventory". So many cars. A Chili Red basic Cooper looked just about right.

The next day after work I drove 75 miles to the dealership and walked around the lot checking-out all 12 cars on hand. The Chili Red still seemed to be the most appealing. I was a bit shocked and disappointed that no salesman came out while I bent down to look at all 12 stickers. After 15 minutes of this I walked into the showroom.

Nobody inside paid me any real heed until I walked up to a secretary's desk. When I said I wanted to test drive the Chili Red MINI she looked like she was about to have a seizure. She immediately picked-up the phone to summon help. There was a lunatic at her desk!

To make a long story a wee bit shorter I was finally introduced to my MA who informed me that every single car on the lot was already sold. (I never did learn why the MINI Cooper website lists these as inventory if they aren't for sale, but it looks like each dealership perpetuates this scam) He told me they had nothing to do a test drive in. Then he went into a long testimonial about the many virtues of the MINI. I felt he was sincere and ooohed and ahhhed at almost every fascinating detail he told me. I had no idea that this cute little sucker had so many bells and whistles. Then he told me that virtually every car is a special order. And that it usually took months to get one. Why would I order and wait for a car I couldn't at least test drive? Disappointment was written all over my face. When I told him how far I had come he checked with the used car manager. He "allowed" us to take out a 2005 Cooper S.

Our test drive started out with my MA in the driver's seat. He showed me all the cool accessories and features then demonstrated the "takeoff" with the Supercharged package. Then he proceeded to drive and drive and drive. I was beginning to think the test drive would just involve me testing the passenger seat. I assumed they didn't want a Newbie actually driving one of these precious babies. As we drove onward we both rattled on about high performance cars and auto racing. I tried to pretend I understood half the stuff he was talking about.

Finally he pulled over, got out and gave me the keys. I almost shook as I belted myself into the driver's seat, pushed in the clutch and started the engine. As soon as I attempted to start-out I stalled the engine. The seat in this MINI rolled back so far that I couldn't depress the clutch all the way. Amazing.

Anyhow, I was totally floored by the zip of the engine (even though I didn't really want the super or turbo version) and by the handling. Like nothing I ever drove before.

When we walked back into the dealership I immediately said one word: "Sold!".

We then sat down at his computer and "built" my affordable dream car. He gave me a decent price on my trade-in but reminded me it was not a binding quote (God, I hope they don't pull a fast one on me when we close the deal). I very reluctantly put the $1000 deposit on my Visa.

Like all car salesmen he then disappeared for an uncomfortable amount of time where I started to think about how crazy I was being. I even considered backing-out. When he returned he told me he had great news - they had an allotment space open for a 2008 MINI Cooper and that I could get mine in as soon as a month. He then gave me a print-out with the order info and production number.

Now my luck really turned: As soon as I got home and checked the MINI website and plugged in my production number, my car was listed as being on order. Two days later I had a VIN number even though the car wasn't in production yet. That happened a day later. One week to the day after I ordered it, 1-866-ASK-MINI told me the car was done and awaiting transport to the docks.

A day later I learned it was at the Southampton docks. Utilizing the many links I discovered here I was able to track down the fact that it was slated to go out last Sunday on Wallenius' ship, the Patriot. I even tracked that ship into and out of the Southampton docks. Now I'm following the agonizingly slow progress of that ship across the Atlantic. Four days into the trip and they've barely cleared the Irish Coast. I swear, the Patriot is the slowest freakin' boat in naval history. Columbus made it to the New World faster. The ship's supposed to arrive in NYC (Jersey City) on Sunday, but it ain't looking likely.

As long as my car doesn't sit at the VSC for a long time I'm assuming I could get delivery by the end of next week. That would be 23 days from the order date. I know, I know. A lot can happen to screw up that anticipated arrival date, but I'm optimistic. I've never been this excited about anything I've purchased before in my life - not even my first home. Maybe not even my kids!

 

Wow! Despite your initial experience at the dealership, you are indeed lucky!

Congratulations, welcome to NAM, and enjoy your new MINI. The wait is hard, but it sounds like yours won't be too lengthy.

Cheers!

 

Gluhwein (great beverage, by the way, especially the white variety!!) -- sorry to hear it, but sounds like you had a typical reception at a MINI dealership. The only time I was ever approached (I wasn't EXACTLY shopping, since I already had one, but...) was when the dealer tried to buy MINE from ME! (NOT HAPPENIN'!!!)

The reason the dealerships put those cars on the website is kind of a fluke that just happens to be a marketing item that works. The dealerships have to put the special-ordered cars into their system as being received; this is so that they can order parts and goo-gaas against THAT car, and not just against the general dealership (keeps stocks-on-hand low, where space may be a premium.) Now, why they can't separate their inventory with their system arrivals, I dunno...kinda feels like bait-and-switch a little, but I'm sure they're doing things legally. Freaks out a LOT of people -- especially the ones who just ordered! "Don't put my MINI up for sale!!" etc.

I hope you got the dealer to throw in some cool stuff for you.... And welcome to the wide world of MINI! Now you must start working on your OCMD -- Obsessive Compulsive MINI Disorder...there is a great (and amusing) thread about it here on NAM -- just search "OCMD."

 

Welcome to the NAM and MINI Family.

Have fun and enjoy the "S"

Feel free to PM me with any questions you may have about after market parts.

 

Great post, Gluhwein! Welcome to the cult! Some of us had to wait a year for a MINI back in 2002, so your experience is amazing to read!

 

Great story; I wasn't sure where you were going with it until the last few paragraphs. You are a lucky one, fer sher! Mine is to arrive next week or the week after, but I've been waiting since June!

Welcome to MINI & NAM worlds. They seem different than the other worlds I've lived in!

 

You have been assimilated.....

 

I hope your MA did explain that the 05 MCS you drove and the 08 are not the same car.

In anycase welcome, I know you'll enjoy your MINI.

 

Welcome! You'll love it, and start planning now for MINIs on the Dragon (MOTD) next year!

 

Hey, congratulations. Wow, that is a fast production time and delivery you got going for you. I ordered mine a couple weeks ago and it won't even go into production till September 8th. I'm getting an 09 and have to wait that gap till there built. Anywho, congrats!

 

Wow.. sounds almost like MY story!! You didn't buy in FL perhaps!!? We too drove 75+ miles and when we got there all the MINIs on the lot were sold - except one clubman and one MC. We did get to test both out.

The wait is LONG... I know, since I am waiting!! We also walked in and the dealer had 2008 spots open.. in fact I ordered 3 (changed mind on a couple things and canceled first 2 orders!! They went into production immediately - I had to cancel and start new).

Tonight - as I am browsing my dealers inventory - MY CAR IS ON IT!! MY CAR - my VIN#!!! That is freaking me out a bit, but I do know it is on the ship!

Congrats - what exactly did you end up buying!?

 

Sounds like you've been bitten by the mini bug,LOL. Welcome

 

Oh yeah. He did make that quite clear. He also explained the difference between supercharged and turbo-charged even though neither applies to my car. I'll probably regret not going for the "S" at some point but if this car turns out to be as awesome as everyone says and if it retains its value like I've been told, this will be just the first of many MINIs. Heck, I've owned 5 different RAV4s over the years.

 

Tinker - I'm not in Florida, nor do I wanna be there in this weather you're having!!!

I'm in PA and my nearest dealership is in Morristown, NJ - right next to the Seeing Eye Dog training school. The whole time I was sitting at my MA's desk I kept seeing Black Labs and German Shepherds being walked on harnesses. Almost as interesting as the MINI show itself.

I ordered the basic MINI Cooper in Mellow Yellow w/black roof and racing stripes. I added the convenience and cold weather packages because I'll really need the latter up here in the mountains. I also added the DSC and the map light. Of course, the more I read on these forums the more I wish I had added this or that, but right now my car fits pretty nicely within my budget - only $9.00 more per month than I was paying for my 2006 Toyota Matrix. I hate giving up the AWD but I'm going through my mid-life crisis so it was either the MINI, a motorcycle or a babe and neither of the last 2 are very practical at this point.

 

Wait ... I can't have all three?

 

A motorcycle is always practical a babe rarely is. Cangrats on the car and good luck. It will be fun no matter what. And i feel the saem this will be the first of many minis for me. I'm already thinking about what i want my next MINI to be, I'm thinking a JCW Clubman. In BRG

 

HEY!!! I resent that remark! Babes -- at least the really GOOD ones -- can be VERY practical...<-- like ME!!!

 

You should've spec'ed the babe.

Lighter, mite.
--Anders.

 

Am I the only one here who has a Rolling Stone song going through their head every time they see this thread title?

 

Bruce, you have my SYMPATHY

 

Hey Gluhwein I ordered mine the day before you, '09 clubmanS, just got my vin # and scheduled for 9/2. Saw them unload 3 coopers yesterday think one was yellow. (maybe yours deceided to fly LOL) Actually saw one like mine in an 08 Its great to see your color and options in real life. THe only negative I heard about our dealership is its location probably why they drove away from it to give you your test drive.(still have trouble finding it, street names in that town are almost usless the way they change every block)
I kinda like the fact that they dont jump on you when your looking, My MA actually talked me out of some options its kinda nice that they dont push things on you. He also told me to order parts online from them as they were cheaper that way.

HC clubmanS HC roof Roof Rails black / chrome trim HC leather OAK NAV

 

Great story....I guess things get weird out on the lot when all the cars are already spoken for. Glad you got a MINI that will be all yours, though...and as a fellow Cooper owner let me say that I think you will be totally thrilled. I have been!!

 

Really GOOD babe, who owns a MINI.... that sounds like a win win situation.

 

Even better when the GOOD Babe can also DRIVE the MINI "properly." Heh heh heh...