My story's a little different. I've want a mini for years but the 2 door was impractical for us. The Countryman changed everything.

Anyway, we moved to the snow belt. My truck is rear wheel drive and stayed parked all winter. After tons of research, we decided on a Countryman. (Had to do some convincing) Our MA found one already completed, matching our wish list and unsold awaiting shipment in Austria so my wait hasn't been anything compared to some of these guys. This is the first car we didn't buy off the lot and just this much is torture.

My hats off to you guys who went through the build process and are now getting close. I don't know how you've done it and kept your sanity!!

 

Who says any of us have kept our sanity?

This is also the first time I've ever not just bought something off a dealer's lot, and it has been excruciating, but I also feel like I'm going to appreciate the car alot more for having to delay my gratification for so long. And there's something to be said for getting the color I want (my last 3 cars, over a total of about 30 years have been shades of red - I like red, but enough is enough).

 

That's funny! Ours is red. First ever red car. We usually go blue!

Nice to know I'm not the only one suffering a mental breakdown! LOL

 

Very cool youtube! I've been on a sailboat going to Bermuda in 25 foot seas [barf]. 45 feet is very scary, even for a big ship.

Finally, my status on OL changed this morning to "at the distribution center", almost exactly 48 hrs late after Falstaff left the dock. Just another tracking data point...

I think I'll buy my next mini off the lot!

 

An interesting historical tidbit I found for all us Tamerlane passengers:
http://www.2wglobal.com/www/newsFeat...ress&oid=16294

Perhaps I should have named my MINI "Churchill" instead of Dash.

 

That's actually very cool!

 

For those on the Tamerlane; According to VesselTracker.com our ship is due in port at 3:00am on Monday.

 

Florida Highway finally has a position update, on the 26th it was reported just off the U.S. east coast. There hadn't been an update since the 19th when it was by Southampton.

Still patiently waiting...

 

TAMERLANE update: moored in B'more approximately 1:40 CST. Get that baby unloaded!

 

You should have flown there to help them unload!

 

Don't I wish! It seems Vesseltracker.com has some conflicting info. The realtime map indicates it's actually now reversing into it's berth at the Fairfield Auto Termina lwith the assistance of the tugboats "Robert E. McAllister" and "Donal G. McAllister".

 

It's just sweet that it's in B-more today!!!!

 

Tamerlane is officially moored!!

 

Way to go Tamerlaners!

 

You Tamerlaners are going to entertain us waiters with pictures, right?

The Independence II is still scheduled in port on Friday. Any ideas on how long it takes to clear the VDC and head to the dealership?

 

I'll certainly try to post some pics as soon as I can.
As for how long to get through VDC....my MA says it could take 7-12 days but I'm sure hoping for a quicker turn around.

 

We're driving to Pitt. I'm really hoping for a one week turnaround.

 

I'm near Chicago so it'll likely be a bit longer for me. I was hoping to have it before the holiday weekend but that appears to be a pipe dream.

 

Mine is coming to Kansas City, so my wait will be longer. I'm hoping 2 more weeks.

 

Just wanted to say, hang in there everyone.
It's worth the wait for sure. I waited almost 2 months.
My MA told me not to use the Sport button until it's (1200 miles)broken in.

I went out to run some errands today and have a total of 356 miles on the car now.

When I hit 300 miles, I couldn't resist, fingers got itchy and Hit the button.
It Was the Most fun I had driving in a LONG time.
The POP and BURBLE was the coolest thing to hear I shut off the radio.

Sorry I'm just so happy. LOL

 

I've been waiting 8 weeks today with likley two more to go....*sigh*

 

Since the Balt. VDC is less than 20 miles from my dealer, I'm hoping to get it early next week. That would make it just over 8 weeks for me. Whenever, I'll certainly post pics.

 

Eclipse, that's hysterical!!

I'm embarrassed to say I've only been waiting 3 weeks tomorrow...and it's killing me!

 

It's hard the first few weeks, keep yourself occupied and don't think about it.

The past few days, I'm just eyeing the dam button but couldn't get the courage to hit it.
Today after 50 miles in, I thought... she's ready.
I actually took the long way home and got off the freeway just to hear it POP. LOL

 

I might have to tape that damn button over!!

My ship comes in...ha!...on Friday.