Thanks! It just struck me out of the blue and seemed quite appropriate. And thank you for the delivery story as well. I'm not looking forward to the business end of things, but it's a necessary evil I suppose. Gizmo looks fantastic (and a great name to boot)! Have fun motoring and I can't wait to share pics of Hobbes!


For those on the Otello, it looks like Tropical Storm Andres is bearing down on the route up the coast of Mexico. Hope all the MINIs are holding on tight!

 

I saw that too...um...thinking happy thoughts!!

Thanks for the story and pix Robovega! Assuming my car makes it to port and through customs quickly, I can get the financing done before it even arrives. That way I can take advantage of the 3.9% and when it gets here just take the tour and drive her home!

So...need thoughts on this one...she's a Horizon Blue Clubman...at first I was thinking Eloise but now I'm leaning toward Beatrix.

Any votes??

 

Thanks for everyone's kind words, and its good to see more Week 23ers taking delivery and motoring!

On the financing bit, I actually did have a blank check ready to go from CapitalOne, with an APR of 4.69%. I know the difference between 3.9% and 4.69% is tiny, but if there's anyway I can keep my monthly down I'll take it.

Maybe he was giving you a discount?
Oh yeah, any pics yet? I'm dying to see that BRG Cabrio...

 

I vote for Eloise, but that's because I'm a huge LOST fan.

Can't wait to hear you delivery story too. I hope you make it in time to take advantage of financing. But like others mentioned in this thread, it would be wise to have a backup plan. I think the default rate for MINI Financial is 6.9%. And that's with good credit!

Good Luck!

 

Well... she's not really complete without her stripes. Here we are about to drive off the lot on Saturday. You see my first victims.. err.. passengers, I mean, in the backseat. They were very excited!

I will try to make a full set of "glamour shots" when she's done.

 

 

 

 

Love those wheels! Congrats and hope you had a fantastic ride home!
Will look forward to the glamour shots..

 

Love those wheels! Congrats and hope you had a fantastic ride home!
Will look forward to the glamour shots..

 

I vote for Eloise. Don't ask me why, but that name sounds more blue to me. Also, always a good idea to go with the initial thought!

At last check, the Otello appears to be sneaking ahead of Andres - although there was that report at 1800Z of wind at 62 knots! I don't blame Florence one bit!

 

At least the OL changed to show yours is at the VDC, mine still has not changed and my MA has no update on delivery date. I WANT IT NOW! Charleston is only 3 hours away! Where is my baby?

 

Robovega & Walkabout Wolf...I think Eloise fits better. Eloise is a very precocious little girl who lives at the "tippy top" of a fancy New York hotel (the Plaza) with a british nanny, her dog Weenie who looks like a cat, and her turtle Skipperdee who eats raisins and wears sneakers... Eloise is about being rowdy in a public place, or acting up in a public place and being allowed to do it.

"I am Eloise. I am six. I am a city child. I live at the Plaza."

I think that is fitting for the clubman (especially if you know the stories)!!

Not sure about the LOST reference there, stopped watching after it got really strange in season 3. I was a die-hard Alias fan until the very end though!

Beatrix has 2 references...the woman who wrote The Tale of Peter Rabbit, and, of course, the bad-a$$ of them all...Beatrix Kiddo (although if my clubby were Yellow & Black that would be better suited for sure!).

I would name her Penelopie but that name is already taken...by my cat.

Ahhh...I can't wait until she gets here.

 

Look incredible and I bet its a blast to drive, for both you and the kids! BRG was always one of my favorites and the matte black wheels are a sweet match. Fine taste, sir. Mighty fine.

I was going to get stripes installed at the dealer, but I'm still on the fence about it. I didn't think I'd be that enamored with the look of the car as it is stock, but it just looks right. At least for now...

In fact, I ordered a JCW grill and side scuttles a couple weeks ago, thinking I'll install them as soon as I have the car. The parts arrived today, but now I'm not sure if I'm going to be putting them on.

 

Sorry, but its things like this that trigger LOST knowledge to spew from my brain. Apologies.

If you stuck around for the middle of Season 3, Eloise is the old British lady that sold Desmond the engagement ring, and would later advise him on the rules of the universe, time, and destiny. She emerged as a very prominent and critical character in the LOST story, playing a central role in key events in the later seasons of LOST.

Okay. Back to MINI and motoring and such...

 

QUOTE=robovega;2801801][I] I almost bit on LoJack and the 6-Year Extended Maintenance after he dropped the prices, but ultimately declined on all of them.

robovega,first of all your car is beautiful, I love the color combination. I also wanted to asked if you would not mind telling me how much did they offer you the extended warranty? I am thinking of getting one but I would like to research more about it.

Any advice about extended warranty from anyone?

 

Thanks for the compliments!

I went to Long Beach MINI and the normal price for Extended Maintenance was $2495, but he immediately offered $2195 without any negotiating. I'm willing to bet you could get it to an even $2,000 if you tried.

His main argument was that a brake/rotor job and a single service would pay for the Extended Maintenance. Its a very compelling argument and perfectly valid. And typing these words, I'm actually reconsidering it myself. I'm going to be doing oil changes myself when the after my free maintenance ends, but that's probably it.

Anybody want to chime in?

 

when i flat dissed my guy on the extra's he said "Cant do the extended warranty for 1895?" I just said no and moved on. Good luck

Penelopie if you want to do Penelopie but its taken by your cat I think you should go with Penne like then noodle .

and

Very nice ride Mt. The convertable's arent for me but im sure they are nice if you live somewhere that you can always have your top down.

 

From my perspective, the only reason the dealer argument starts to make sense for an extended warranty/maintenance is because it assumes that you will continue to use the dealer for that maintenance. That automatically implies a *huge* markup for service that is not necessarily superior to non-dealer maintenance.

If you can find a MINI mechanic near you, establish a relationship and get to know other people that may recommend them. You aren't married to the dealer for anything beyond the initial sale.

 

[SIZE=2]Hey, everyone!

Well, I finally picked up Murphy, the Mini last night from Otto's Mini dealership in West Chester, PA! All I can say is that this car is an absolute blast to drive! When I pulled out of the dealership parking lot onto the main road, the torque steer kicked in, and shook the steering wheel out of my hands momentarily (LOL)! I love it! This car is little, but it's so powerful!!

Now for my delivery story!

Otto's Mini is about an hour and a half from where I live...at least, on a normal day. This was obviously not a normal day, because it took my dad and me two and a half hours to get to the dealership (thanks, traffic and Google Maps ). I was almost in tears because I was so late ! I called my MA (Holly) several times to ask for the correct directions, and she patiently talked us through it. Seriously, she's a saint! We arrived an hour and 10 minutes late for the appointment (which was at 6:30, and we arrived at 7:40...the dealership closes at 8:00!), and the first thing she did was give me a hug and asked me if I wanted coffee! LOL...I declined the drink, only because I felt so awful that she and everyone else had to wait for us for so long! She said it was no big deal, but I really felt bad about being so late :(

Everyone was so wonderful! They really made me feel welcome. I was led to the showroom/garage, where Murphy was sitting, shiny and ready for motoring! After walking around the car several times (I couldn't stop grinning...I'm sure I looked like a miniac--er, maniac), Holly walked me to the financial expert, who had me fill out the necessary "adoption papers," and hand over the down payment. I almost bought the tire/wheel replacement package (free tire and wheel replacement for three years, I think), but I just didn't have any more money. I'm still considering purchasing the option, though, because my luck with tires has been pretty awful in the past.

Finally, it was time for a get-to-know-your-Mini lesson! Holly went over all of Murphy's features from bonnet to boot! She showed me how to program the onboard computer and the radio, and even demonstrated the interior ambient lighting system (I had no idea that even existed!). We looked under the hood and Holly pointed out where the battery was housed, as well as the dipstick and washer fluid. She even showed me how to get an additional two or three inches of cargo room by leaning the back seats forward! I literally couldn't stop grinning like a loon! When it was time to leave, she waved goodbye (after giving directions back to the turnpike...ha, ha!), and Murphy was free to motor! As I mentioned before, I was pulling out of the dealership lot and must have stepped on the gas too hard, because Murphy jumped forward--he wanted to GO! I grabbed the wheel and held on. I swear, he drove ME home last night!

Anyway, I made it home safely, and have been thinking about my Mini all day, alone in the parking lot outside of my workplace. I took it on a drive during lunch, and he seemed to enjoy it, so I plan to motor a bit after work, as well! I can't believe I've only had it one day, and Murphy's windshield is already covered in bugs (not to mention the brake dust on the wheels...yum!). I look forward to many happy motoring years with Murphy. Thanks to everyone at Otto's, especially Holly, who definitely made my Mini ordering and delivery experiences as pleasant as possible!
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My MA just called and my MINI will be out of Detailing tomorrow afternoon ready for pickup.

Looking forward to seeing the car in person, I'm tired of looking at my desktop image from MINIUSA build.

I enjoy reading everyones stories. I'll be sure to share mine later.

 

SnappleLlama - Thanks for sharing! Seems like your delivery day went very smoothly, except for the traffic. But hey, you'll be weaving in and out of it now with Murphy!

And the grins go ear to ear whenever I see my MINI too. Just walking into the garage I cant help but smile because its smiling right back at me.

I also was pleasantly surprised with the mood lighting. I didn't think non-S hardtops had it, but lo and behold my girlfriend and I drove Gizmo home bathed in an orange glow.

Oh yeah, where are the pics?

 

My MA made good on his promise to send someone out to my house to apply the stripes that were missed on my original order. I'm actually glad to have the dealer-installed option. After a long conversation with the installer (distracting him while he was working.. ), I'm convinced that these are a superior product. And he was able to do a little custom work with the pin-striping that isn't possible with the factory application...

Here's my attempt at some glamour shots. There are some others in my gallery.

 

wish my stripes were done :(. I am still waiting. Thinking about getting a local place to do a clear bra for me but I have to wait till the stripes are down.

 

MA just called me. She's at the dealers getin washed and waxed. Will be picking her up on Monday.