<<I'm wondering if we need a bail fund for Sir Winston's owner?>> haha she made it back but hasn't uploaded any pics yet...but will try to do so later today. Perhaps I was a bit too optimistic in this post-9/11 world about how far I could get into the port, so let's just say the pics aren't the best and are taken from behind barbed-wire topped fences lol...

 

And in between guard dog shifts, right? I hope you don't suddenly appear on Homeland Security's lengthy list of Suspicious People to investigate!

 

I got a call from my MA yesterday telling me that my MINI arrived at the dealership yesterday, and that it would be ready for pickup tonight!!! Wow, that's pretty fast, right? I mean, it just got off the ship! I guess my MINI was behaving and didn't get any damage that needed repair.

 

Woohoo! Congratulations! That is so exciting; I totally want to see pics when you get her. I haven't heard anything from my dealer yet; however, I just emailed/called so hopefully I'll get to pick up Sir Winston soon...

 

Where are you located, Sir Winston? I am (impatiently) waiting here in Colorado. I am car-less at the moment, so the faster she gets here the better!

MaryBeth

 

I'm in Los Angeles...I have heard that there can be delays if your dealer doesn't send a carrier to the port to pick up the car(s) right away after the VDC is done processing, so maybe that's the holdup? Good luck!

 

SW,

I'm not classifying it as a hold-up yet....my MA DID warn me that port --> pickup would run about a week for CO. That doesn't mean I can't still be impatient!

The bigger problem is that I sold my minivan last week to a friend expecting his 3rd child. He needed it more than I did....but even as an avid bike commuter, I wasn't expecting carless-ness to be such a challenge!

mb

 

Living in L.A. I cannot even imagine car-lessness. That is very cool though you are able to bike-commute at least some of the time. Hopefully your baby will be on a fast carrier and you'll get it soon!

 

MiniMB - any word yet on an arrival date? Did you check the MINIUSA website? If you've registered/once you/ve registered it will give you an ETA. My dealer just told me that Sir Winston should be ready either tomorrow or the day after...can't wait!

 

The Owner's Lounge still says mine is en route to the VDC. WW says it cleared customs and was released by the liner today. The dealer has volunteered three different dates (beginning with the 20th, lol) and clearly doesn't know.

 

SirWinston,

Mini OL says ETA is....yesterday! I called the dealer today, and my MA told me the truck didn't show up yesterday and had no other information. What? A truck doesn't show up on time and you don't know why? :-)

It's a moot point now anyway. I work full time, coach little league W and Friday and am taking my son to see the Sox whoop the Rockies on Thursday! I won't be getting any mini until the weekend at least......

mb

 

Don't trust OL. Mine was on the Maersk Wind ship, with an arrival date of 6/4. OL stated that my ETA was 6/9. I didn't take possession until 6/20. Even today, OL still says mine is at the VDC.

When the dealer gets a notice from the trucking company, it "usually" takes about 1-2 days before it arrives at the dealership. Good Luck.

 

Yeah I just checked OL and it says mine is at the VDC...however....I *FINALLY* got a call back from the dealer today who told me that Sir Winston has arrived; they are getting him ready and I should be able to pick him up later this week (fingers crossed). Mini MB, sounds like you have a busy - and fun! - week ahead of you, hopefully the time will go by quickly and you'll get your baby next week.

 

hsautocrosser, i would recommend being a pain in the ...neck to the dealer...i.e., keep calling until you get info...that's what I did. Totally frustrating that I had to do that but I had to have an idea so I could make arrangements to get to the dealer, arrange my work schedule, etc. Hopefully yours is on its way up to NoCal!

 

Well? Well? Those of us still waiting are excited to see some PIX, Zoedragon! Of course....you are probably too busy driving around to spend your time online.......

 

I picked up my MINI on Monday! I've been so distracted I haven't had time to post pictures till today.

Here I am at the dealership, taking ownership. I totally look like a mannequin here, hehe.


First night in the garage here.



It was dark by the time I got it home, so no outside photos in the brilliant sunshine yet. I actually took the day off yesterday to have a MINI day. It was awesome. Love this car!

 

She (?) is beautiful!! Thanks for posting the pix....and I hope you had a great MINI day!

mb

 

I drove to a beach town, had breakfast, then went to the county fair. I've only seen two MINIs since taking ownership. One was at night and the other guy was too busy smoking other drivers to notice me, and the other was too self-absorbed to notice me waving. Even pulled up beside him and he didn't even turn his head. Hope I don't look like an idiot waving at strangers.

Next things on my list:
1. Get roof graphic installed.
2. Get floormats from dealership (would you believe they ran out??) I have no floormats right now!
3. Get lowjack installed.

 

Congrats Zoedragon - she's bee-yoo-tiful!!! Sounds like you're having a great time. Also, I totally love the shirt you wore to pick her up - how perfect for MINI pick up day!

 

I'm glad you noticed! I wore it specially for that occasion! I should've had fish and chips for dinner too. lol

Even though I'm back at work now, I have the manual with me. I flip through it now and then, and went down for a break to set some radio stations in the car. I love looking at it!

 

GOT HER (Or Him....I can't decide :-))

Will try post some pics today or tomorrow, but what a dream to drive!!!

 

It's definitely the funnest car I've ever driven! The only thing that's come close was when I test drove a Nissan Z, but it doesn't have as much character, space, nor the fuel economy as the MINI! Glad you finally got yours!

 

Yay Congrats MiniMB!!! I definitely want to see pics of him/her. Enjoy your weekend driving around in your fun new ride!
Sadly I have yet to take Sir Winston home...the dealer *FORGOT* to order some of the options (stereo and mirror caps) that I had ordered and that are installed by the dealer/not the factory. Needless to say I was not happy...SW should be ready by Monday, at least that is what they're telling me...

 

Home at last. A diminishing light pic in my gallery. We play tomorrow.

Today, the owner's lounge updated to "at the distribution center" where it arrived eight days ago.

 

Woohoo!! Congrats autocrosser! Definitely post some pics when you have a chance.