Hey all; I've been lurking these forums for a li'l more than a week now, and I decided to settle down and register.

My name is Jesse, and I live in the Northern Virginia (DC-Metro) area. I've been a fan of MINIs ever since I saw my first one, and I knew that I'd eventually get one. It was just a matter of time and opportunity. Well, the time and opportunity seem to be falling into place. A couple of hurdles (some credit card debt [minimal compared to other recent college graduates] and the selling of my '66 Cadillac [don't get me started; I might start crying]) are the only things keeping my wife (just got married last September!) and I from heading to MINI of Sterling to place our order. Seems like an eternity until things will be ready!

To prove how big a fan of these cars I am, let me share a quick story. My wife and I (then my girlfriend) talked about how badly I wanted a MINI, and when I thought it would be possible to get one, etc... She jokingly made the comment "Man, you should propose to me in a MINI; maybe they'd give us one as a wedding present!" We'd talked about getting married before, so it was pretty much a matter of time.

Little did she know that I had already made plans to secure a MINI on which to take her out on a date. I pulled up to her house a few weeks later in a stunning Astro Black Cooper, courtesy of Zipcar (you guys in metropolitan areas will know what I'm talking about), and luckily she had completely forgotten about her earlier commment. We went to dinner at Olive Garden, drove around DC looking at the monuments lit up at night (it was too cold for a walk!), and then I parked alongside the Potomac River and proposed to her. In the MINI.

We've since married, but alas, no MINI Cooper with a giant bow showed up at our wedding. However, it should be noted that Jen Schulke (I'm sure I butchered her name!) at MINI (corporate, not a dealership), upon hearing our story, promptly sent us some plates, cups and coffee mugs from the MINI store; very nice indeed!

So yeah, I love this car, and I'm really excited to order our '05 MCSa. There's one thing that I could use some help on, though... Could you guys post some good daylight shots of a hyper blue car and a dark silver, preferably with a black roof and bonnet stripes? It will be a little while before my wife and I get back to MINI of Sterling, and I'd like to show her some shots of the two color combos that we're debating. She's a bigger fan of HB, me DS.

Anyways, thanks for giving me a chance to introduce myself and share my story! I look forward to becoming an active member of this GREAT community!

Jesse

 

Welcome, and Congratulations! :smile:

Sorry My MINI is Cool Blue, can't help, but wanted to welcome you!

 

Welcome to NAM, Jesse! Great first post and congrats on preparing for the big order! I'm sure folks will start posting pix, but be sure to check out the NAM Gallery. You may find what you seek there! (Link is located just under the NAM logo at the top left of this page.) :smile:

If you hurry up and order, you can get your MINI before May, and join us at the 3rd Annual MINIs on the Dragon Meet, May 5 - May 9, this year!!

Read all about it here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...splay.php?f=86

Be sure to join DC Metro MINIs, a great club in your area! When are you ordering?


Clover

 

Well, If I have my way, we'd order it this weekend, but if the wife (my grounding in life :smile has her way, we're looking maybe at a mid-March order, which Jeff, my MA from MINI of Sterling tells me would result in delivery to the dealership by mid-May. It really comes down to getting the debt paid off. I really want to have it all taken care of before taking delivery of the MCSa.

I'd LOVE to go on MINIs on the Dragon! Don't think I'll get the car in time, though... It's yearly, right? I'd love to take the car down there next year! I know I'll have accrued enough vacation time by then.

 

That is CLEVER! Too bad one didnt show up at the wedding for you ! Good luck with getting the car, even more luck for the new marriage!

 

Hi and welcome. Interesting story and congrats on the marriage. How did Mini hear about your story? As for color schemes, I contemplated the exact same choices. I decided to go with Hyper Blue w/ Black since it seemed not as many people had that combination and the color is great. Good luck deciding.

 

Yeah, I'm thinking the same thing - not as many people have the HB/Black with Black Bonnet Stripes... But the DS/B/B looks so HOT!

Oh, and MINI found out about our engagement when I emailed them via the MINIUSA site; Jen Schulke emailed me back with congratulations and a request for my address. :smile:

 

Thats cool! DS/B is a great combination, especially with wheels and a tint. But I am biased to HB/B

 

Yeah, I've debated a tint for a while now... how much does a good tint job run?

 

Hello & Welcome to NAM

Great story! I would take a picture of my Mini and email it to you but I don't have one (yet)! Anyways, I am busy 24/7 driving madly to all the dealers in my area trying to piece together the perfect combination. I have made myself a deadline. What ever my latest combo is by this Friday @ 12 Noon, that's what I am ordering!!!

 

Man, I'm jealous!

However, patience is a virtue; I know this. When we get the MINI, it will be the perfect time.

 

Sorry no pic, Cool Blue here....Welcome to NAM and congrats on your recent wedding. Never completely out of debt so my advice go for it

 

Yeah, I know we'll never be TRULY debt-free, but we at least want the credit card debt eliminated. Just a matter of time...