mtubesing - You are oh so right about MINIs financial services. They used the special low rates to get me to purchase off the lot and tried to scare me away with the higher "normal" rates. Ridiculous. I'm approved for a CapitalOne loan at 4.69% over 60, so hopefully I can use that as a bargaining chip.

And BTW, I'm dying to see your car! Each time I scan this thread and see your sig, it convinces me my next MINI will be a Cabrio. Maybe even BRG.

Pocket_Rocket - I extend a personal invitation from the Week 23 Support Group to become an honorary member! It looks like you are taking delivery around the same time we are, so the more the merrier.

 

 

↑ Wish I could afford that monthly...

 

Well thanks! Truly appreciated. Wishing everyone a speedy delivery.

 

I'm sooo jealous..... I'm still waiting for mine. I WAS Week 19 now since you are getting yours today I guess that moves me out to being a Week 24 person now!!!! . Mine is supposed to be at the dealer Monday or Tuesday and I'm getting the clear bra installed along with the JWC Carbon Fiber Accessories. So I'm going to be getting my car on the 26th if all goes well.

 

Thanks!!! I will post some more when I finally get the stripes done!

Im with you on the body kit. I went to the dealer and looked at the Factory and Dealer Aero's. I just didnt like the look Especially the rear's. The only thing that origionally drew me to the kit was the painted trim along the bottom but once I decided to go black it didnt really seem like that big of a deal to me. No regrets at all on ditching the body kit for me.

 

Triton Highway docked, released vehicles and departed at 11:55 last night from Charleston, so mine should make it to Charlotte in 3-4 days according to MA. The high temperature today is 98, and it will be in the mid-90s next week, so I will have to be hardcore to motor with the top down once it comes. Oh well, it is good to have such problems.

 

I placed my order April 3, it started being born on May 19, and my internet stalkings indicate that it was on the Triton Highway that just hit Charleston. So now the OL says it's at the VDC with an estimated delivery date of 6/20. So now the waiting is getting too much to bear! I left a message for my MA yesterday morning, but no return so far, so I have no clue when I'll get her!

I'm glad I found this thread to be impatient in!

 

I just got a call from my MA saying my car has arrived at the dealer!!!

I wasn't even expecting to pick up until end of next week, so this is awesome news. Gotta head over to the bank before they close and move funds around for my down payment. I have that nervous excitement.

Wish me luck and pics sure to come!

 

How exciting!! Can't wait to see pictures of Gizmo.. CONGRATS!

 

awesome robo!! let us know how it goes

 

Congratulations, Robovega!!! I am so happy for you----Please post some pictures. I am interested about your purchasing experience since we have the same dealership.

Have Fun!

 

Exciting day! Took delivery this morning! One minor problem... somehow, the white bonnet stripes got "lost in translation". Not sure how it happened, but to me, it's a complete MA oversight. He half-apologized - and they will install the dealer-installed stripes on Monday.

Can anyone think of a reason that the dealer-installed stripes are inferior to the factory installed? I'm wondering if I should make a bigger stink about it.

It was a hot day in Atlanta for top-down motoring! The external temp reading was 100 degrees mid-day. Youch! I'm sure other drivers thought I was insane for having the top down.

Two things I noticed driving my first 60 miles or so:
1) The heat made the windshield wiper spray nozzles "weep" fluid. Is this a permanent condition? Anyone have tips/hints on that?

2) I am used to a pretty forceful throw into first gear when a green light catches me off guard. I actually put the MINI into reverse a couple times today at two different red lights. Luckily I wasn't trying any 0-60 launches, so no harm done, but I'm sure I probably freaked out the drivers behind me.

I will post pictures when she gets her stripes...

 

Congrats! Send pictures.

 

Just wanted to pop in quickly to say I'm officially a MINI Motorer. It's such a good feeling. I didn't anticipate such a long time at the dealer, but by the end of delivery day I was exhausted. I will have a proper delivery story post today if any of you are interested, including my first impressions of the car and the little quirks I discovered (iPhone 3G owners beware... ). And of course pics...

Thank you everyone for all your kind words. I'll be sure to return the favor once you all take delivery!

 

Congrats! Can't wait to hear your story - I have to live vicariously for a bit longer - my MINI (Who has been officially named Hobbes) is still steaming up the coast towards Port Hueneme. Hopefully it doesn't take too long to go through the VDC and get trucked up north!

 

Story please!! I'm an iPhone 3G owner...I was told that the ipod adapter wouldn't charge the iphone, but would charge the older models? Does it not even work with the iPhone? UH OH!

Like Walkabout...I'm waiting for the ship that is less than a week away from Cali!

Question...any real reason to wait until the car has arrived at the dealership to finalize the financing paperwork?? I ask because my hubby and I are going to buy a house too and we want to have all the car financing out of the way (we don't want it to come up as a "surprise" even if we make full disclosure), so we are waiting to get pre-approved for the house loan. Want to get the MINI financing out of the way so there are no pending items. Also, my new MA has told me that, as long as the car makes it through the VDC and has been loaded onto a truck, they get all the info at the dealership and it has cleared QC and has officially been imported into the US. If that happens before June 30, I can get in on the special financing rates even though I haven't taken delivery on the car.

Any reason to wait??

I'm giddy with excitement!

 

Full story is still to come, but I just wanted to address a few things...

Walkabout Wolf - My car was unloaded at Port Hueneme on 6/19 and was at my dealer (Long Beach MINI) at 11:00 AM on 6/20. I have no idea how fast it moved through the VDC, but it can happen. I hope you have the same luck!

BTW, Hobbes is a fantastic name!

PenelopiePDX - Charging is definitely an issue with the iPhone 3G. It will not charge a completely dead battery, or a battery with 20% of its juice left. This is a total bummer, since the original iPhone charges fine. But charging is the only issue, because the iPhone 3G works beautifully with a Bluetooth equipped car, especially with MFSW.

I'm not sure about your financing question, although I can say that it was my least favorite moment of taking delivery. If you want to take advantage of MINI Financial's low rates, I suggest calling your MA to see if you can sign before the end of the month. They aren't sure if the rates will be available next month.

mtubesing - My nozzles are weeping too. After I get out of the car after a drive, I check the nozzles and sure enough there is some liquid seeping out. I make sure to wipe it off because I read a post somewhere that it may ruin the finish of the paint. Hopefully it's just a newborn phase it'll soon grow out of.

 

(So here is my delivery story. Yes, it's very long and yes, I am sorry. But for anybody interested in how one Motorer came to be, here you go... )




I found out my car would be unloaded at Port Hueneme on Friday, 6/19, and would soon head to the VDC. I called up my MA asking for some kind of time table for delivery, but he couldn't give me an answer or estimation, only that he saw on the reports that it would be delivered soon. Needless to say, I was bummed out. I anticipated waiting another week to take delivery of my MINI.

On Friday, I had to work at a certain store that launched a certain phone. It was a pretty rough and tiring day, so my girlfriend and I decided we'd just take a lazy Saturday to relax and unwind from a hectic week. Still half asleep at 11 AM, I got a call from my MA saying my SS/W was ready for me to pick up. I was delightfully shocked, but equally puzzled. According to the WW tracking info, my MINI was unloaded off the Grand Dahlia, had passed through the VDC and arrived at the dealer in less than 24 hours. This didn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but logic gave way to excitement as we got ready to make the 70 mile trip to Long Beach.

After moving around funds at the bank and an hour on the road, I made it to the dealer, along with my girlfriend and parents. My MA greeted us and before I knew it, the MINI I configured months ago was right before my eyes. My dad and I took the car for a quick spin around the block and I instantly felt at ease with the car, unlike my nervous test drive months ago. Everything felt just right. And the smell of the leather. Oh, the leather...

Things got a bit more serious and a whole lotta boring when we got back to the dealer. Pretty much the standard loan application process: fill this out, sign here, wait around, lather, rinse, repeat. Thankfully, the showroom had plenty of stuff to keep us occupied. My girlfriend and I spent most of our time sitting in a Midnight Black Cabrio with Tuscan Beige Leather, enjoying the "view".

After they ran my credit and crunched numbers, they told me I was approved for 3.9% over 60 months and gladly accepted it. While they got all the paperwork together and finalized the loan, my MA took us on a thorough demonstration of the car. I couldn't have been happier getting taught all the ins and outs of this quirkly little machine.

And a funny thing happened during the lesson – Now SS/W is a pretty rare combination. I've never seen it on any MINI lot, and only a few people here on NAM have that combination. So when we saw another SS/W drive right past us while we tested out the Bluetooth, we all did a double take, glancing at each other with our WTF faces. My MA joked, "Hey, isn't that your car?" We all shared a good laugh. Maybe you just had to be there.

After that lighthearted lesson, I ran into a road block in taking the MINI home. They needed proof of income to finalize my loan application, and I didn't bring any pay stubs with me. A few phone calls to my work, several nervous paces up and down the Long Beach showroom, and a couple frustrating bits of news later, it turns out I needed my dad to cosign. Personally, it was a bit of a let down, but I guess in the end it really doesn't matter.

Then, we were taken to the BMW Financial department, which was awfully stark and serious in comparison to the fun and upbeat MINI department. Here, there was more paperwork signing, but with the added obstacle of dodging sales pitches. And this guy was good at selling those add-ons. I almost bit on LoJack and the 6-Year Extended Maintenance after he dropped the prices, but ultimately declined on all of them.

A couple of handshakes later and my MA officially handed off the key FOB to my brand new MINI. Needless to say, we were all starving, so Google Maps led me, my girlfriend, and Gizmo (yup, that's its name ) to the nearest El Torito, where my dad had an early Father's Day dinner.



Now for pics! (There aren't many because I had a busy Father's Day. And the view/lighting from the garage isn't the greatest...)







All in all, I have to say the entire MINI experience went very smoothly, from order to delivery. I really couldn't imagine it any other way and despite the seemingly grueling wait, I don't think I would enjoy buying a MINI straight off the lot as much as ordering one to be built.. There's just something about the entire process of waiting and tracking that makes the end result that much sweeter. And yes, it is very sweet indeed.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this. I know its on the (very) long side, but I just thought I should share in this great community and contribute in my own little (or long) way. Especially for those still waiting to take delivery. And you can bet I'll read every word of your delivery stories.

Wishing you all speedy deliveries and happy motoring!

 

awesome car robo. Glad you got it and sorry the dealer part was such a hassle. My first mini was like that ... (it was the first new car I bought) but the last 2 cars I went through my Credit union and came to play with a check. I was literally in and out of the dealer in an hour and that included the demonstration of the car. Only thing I still need to work on is my ability to talk the price down because I still suck at that :D.

Anyway congratz on that car I hope you enjoy it as much as I am enjoying mine if we lived closer I would say we should take them out for a spin

 

Love the combination and the interior is a place I am sure you will enjoy spending many many miles in.. just beautiful. Yea it kind of sucks then wind out of your sails when it gets down to business.. but worth it all in the end.. Its all motoring joy from here on..

Meanwhile my old brick of an ipod the 40G Photo finally died this morning so have to go get a new one so I have my music for the ride home.. hopefully today or tomorrow!!

Enjoy!!

 

Today is Mini Monday!! I'm heading to the dealer this evening after work to pick up Murphy!!!

 

robovega - Thanks for sharing your story. I'm glad it had a happy ending.

Agreed with l00pus that the key to saving yourself some hassle is to have the money in hand when you walk in the door. I have a funny story related to the finance portion of my Saturday morning. The finance manager I met with was a very young guy and he talked through all the extended this's and that's while I waited quietly. At the end, I said "thanks, but I have a check from the credit union for 75% of the car and I'm going to write a personal check for the balance and there's no wiggle room in my checking account so I "can't" do any of those other things right now." He accepted my answer with no additional last-minute pitch and turned to his calculator and started pecking at it. Then he wrote on the back of a business card and slid it towards me. "Here's the balance that you owe." I stared at it for a few seconds and I said "Uhh - I don't mean to disagree with the finance manager, but you should run those numbers again - you're about to short yourself two thousand dollars." Blank stare. He turns back to his calculator and pecks at it again. "Oh! You're right - I don't know how I came up with *that* number." I wonder how long it would have taken for the dealership to realize their mistake.

 

I just picked up a 16 gig thumb drive I am going to give the USB port a try as opposed to getting an MP3 player. I hear the sound qua thru the USB port is better plus I will never have to really worry about that thing over a 150$+ MP3 player. Its in the mail now so hopefully I can get it up and working soon.

mtubesing - I was pretty much in the same boat. I got a Bill of Sale in advance from my MA. I wrote in on the Bill of sale what I was putting down, submitted it to the Credit Union and had a cashiers check for the exact amount with me @ purchase. Basically told him the same thing you did (that I had no room to buy any extra's. I told him if he wanted to sell the ext warranty to discount the car by that amount and I would buy it). The longest part of my close was trying to figure out how to get 5g out of my bank account since they couldnt run my Bank card right.

 

Nice wheels Robo. I checked my status ol. says im enroute, askmini automated says im waitin for a boat!! I looked at my details ol and it says im at distribution ctr. expected delivery 6/25. I do know that i made it across the pond, anyways we'll see as the drama continues.