I'm dying here! My car invaded the shores of NY/NJ early Saturday, and our MA called earlier in the week and said they were trying to get it on a carrier that would hopefully get to the DC Metro area by today, and then of course, wait for dealer prep... [I still find it incredible that folks in less populated, land-locked markets have a faster turn around from the VDC, but I digress...]

Besides my aching hunger to tearing up the streets with my new purchase, I actually need it pretty bad. I gave up my Subaru when I moved to the area a year ago, under the impression my job would be an easy commute on the Metro, only to discover my commute is 1.5hr (compared to the 25min to drive as I go against most of the traffic), and that I need to go off-site locally much more in the recent months than I had expected. I know that I am actually still far ahead of the 6-8 weeks that was estimated, but since placing my order, I've spent well over $1000 on ZipCars... I really need the car at this point. Of course, I might have saved about $100 if I hadn't sought out ZipCar's MINIs that are strategically located all over my neighborhood, and instead opted for the budget rate Versa or Matrix across the street...!

 

Congrats CRTommy! So is there such thing as a break-in period? As in you shouldn't push the car past a certain speed until you reach a certain mileage? Or is that just a myth?

Edit: Oops... just did a search on this topic and the conclusion seems to be drive it hard and ignore what the manual says =D

 

I know right? So kalililly, this is it. We'll see how long it takes me to get my car now. I'm hoping, just hoping the VPC is open this weekend to process Priority One vehicles (vehicles already sold like ours) so it will be here in CO by next weekend. Oh please MINI Gods. Make it happen!

I would only imagine a couple days on the road to get here, right? I mean, I've driven to CA from CO in 17 hours non-stop other than to get gas. They can do it.

Now we just need MINI to extend the 3.9% financing. I still think those of us who have vehicles in transit should qualify. I'm going to Schomp tomorrow to have my car appraised for trade. I'll ask again.

 

Supposedly if there are enough priority one cars they will work on Saturday. I would think you should have it by next weekend, we'll be keeping our fingers crossed for you Meanwhile..

 

Update:

Well, I guess it was good to let off a little steam, since right after I got the call from my MA, and I've now got a 9:30 appt to take delivery tomorrow!!!

Now all I have to do is decide between Sherwyn or Porter for the name...

 

So I'm sitting here fidgeting like crazy, took a half-day off from work, waiting for The Call From My MA.

...

He hasn't seen my car yet!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

He's as confused as I am! Sriracha was released from the VDC on Wednesday and the trip from the VDC to Nashville is only about 6 hours. But...the truck hasn't arrived!!!

If the truck arrives at the dealership by 3 p.m. I can still take delivery today. While it would be neat to have a Halloween delivery, I'm going nuts here! I'm crossing my fingers so much for delivery today!

 

Hey,
Guys I thought I would let you know that the Turandot got in to port today Friday 10-30-09 @ 6:50 Am. The off loading of the cars should take most of the day. From what I could tell from the port web site, the ship had around 354 Mini’s on it. Now it is up to the VDC, they probably will have the cars on Monday some time. So close I can almost feel the engine!!
Ron

 

Sweet Get us, who are still waiting, some pictures of him so we can drool in anticipation of getting ours

 

Yaay! Good luck with your delivery! I have over 500 miles on mine after a week and he's just sooooooo much fun to drive. I am going to have to be really careful about my mileage, I just want to drive him all the time!

 

NICE! I'm waiting for that call, the OL says it will be delivered today!! I can’t wait; I’m just going to sit here and twiddle my thumbs.

 

I'm excited for all of you (week 40'ers) lol. Please post pics of your new babies! I'm 5 weeks or so out from having mine...so excited!

 

Any word on VDC being open this weekend? Were Priority One cars off -loaded? Anyone on West Coast or Rocky Mountain States hear from their MA's? Cactusklaw - Seeing my Chile -Red Mini In my sleep.Happy Halloween

 

I hope VDC port Hueneme is working today. My MINI was discharged from the vessel yesterday at noon. I should be getting the MINI early next week... my dealer is less than 2 hours an hour away from VDC.

 

I talked with my MA on Friday, He told me that they do work on weekends if they have the need. I was also told that they are now installing the Gauge accessory kit at the port now. So we are going to have it done there instead of the dealer. That was the most time consuming of the accessories to install.
Ron

 

Still no sign of my car. I have no idea what's going on. :(

 

Yeah, that's just crazy. 8 days on land and still not at the dealer.
Well, hang in there, cause what else can you do? Sooner or later somethings gotta give!

Jay

 

Thanks, Jay!

It's all really frustrating and confusing -- I can track a 1 ounce letter all the way across the country when I ship it via USPS mail, but no one has any idea where my *car* is.

First my MA told me he thought it'd be in *last* Friday, but I didn't bank on that too much since it seemed way too early. But when my MA told me it had been released from the VDC and that it'd be delivered to them on Thursday and ready for me to pick up yesterday, I took a half-day off from work, told all my coworkers I'd have my car this weekend, etc.

When I talked to my MA yesterday he assured me that the truck is en route from the VDC to the dealership and that he was sure it would be here today and that he would call me as soon as he knew something. But it's 2:30 now and he hasn't called with any update at all. It's only 6 hours from the VDC.

I was really hoping to be able to pick up my car on a Friday and have the whole weekend to motor around and enjoy. Instead I've spent the weekend on the couch waiting for the phone to not ring.

How do you lose a car? Heck, how do you lose a gigantic 18-wheel truck carrying a load of them, for that matter?

 

Well, I went to the MINI dealer this morning to have my trade appraised. We looked up my car and it shows a ship date to CO of 11/2 which is Monday, so I'm crossing my fingers it will get processed Monday and to me by this next weekend. I can't freaking wait!

 

That's an excellent question! And it's likely you'll never find out what the hell happened. You'll just get the call and pick up your car. And you will be really, really, happy. Very soon! They're sure not sending it back to England!



Jay

 

4 p.m. came and still no update from my MA, so we broke down and called.

He said that the truck left Chattanooga, TN this morning.

For those not wholly familiar with TN geography:



It's about 2 hours away. Now, yes, there's a weigh-in station as well as a bit of a "mountain" (6%) grade around the Monteagle/Manchester area, so it'd take an 18-wheeler a little more than just two hours.

But that truck *still* isn't in Nashville, the dealership is closed tomorrow, and I'm not sure when and how I'm going to be able to pick up next week b/c I already took off work early one day and it's a particularly busy time for me right now.

 

I can only say one thing...'that really sucks!!'

 

What time were you there...probably walked right past each other as we visited with our MA this AM also and dropped off our credit app . Talking to our MA as to time frames and I think you will have Tui by next weekend

 

Looks like Don Carlos should hit the northern part of the canal around 6:00pm our time or 0000 UTC. Last check was approximately 90 miles out. Boyds is still showing Nov 4th so hoping it doesn't have to wait in the harbor for other ships to go ahead.

 

Yeah, I was looking at that too... seems like a lousy use of resources if it has to sit for four days essentially in place before moving into the canal.

Not that we have any say in the matter...

Jay

 

As kalililly said, that totally sucks. They ought to deliver it to your office (like that would happen!). Well, at least you know it's in the area...

Jay