I thought I'd introduce myself, even though I've been posting for a couple weeks. As the title says, I didn't test drive or even ride in a MINI before placing my order. I looked at one at an unfriendly dealership (I won't mention names but I was told that I would have to wait 8 months and pay $2500 over list) and decided not to do business there. I went on line and found the dealer in Arlington, TX. After a couple phone calls the deal was struck, an order placed for my EB/EB MCS with only a 8 week wait and MSRP. I booked air tickets for my wife and I and flew into Dallas a year ago. We picked up our car after a pleasant meet and greet with the staff at the dealership, climbed into the car and spent a wonderful week driving our MINI home. We have had zero problems and have put on 21,000 miles to date.

2004 MCS EB/EB sport package, lapis blue leather, 15% pulley, alta intake, miltek exhaust

 

Cool story. Congrats on your new purchase

 

Mini of Mountain View had long waits, and high mark ups! I bought mine at Mini of Murry in Salt Lake City, and laughed all the way home.....

No one should buy at these mark ups, especially when there are places that will ship for $300-$500.....

No regrets yet....

 

Good for you!!!! I don't really get the whole deal w/ those markups anyway. Moritz MINI is my friendly neighborhood dealer so its super they could help you get the MINI you wanted. But w/o a test drive? Stuff of legends......

 

I put all my faith in the ravings of the MINI lunatics I had talked to before I bought.

 

I had my car ordered and all set up with my MA BEFORE my test drive... so I guess we did the same thing! Congrats on the new car!
(and I didnt talk to my one MINIac friend before I did... just one that doesnt like em much but made me look at them!)

 

Normally, I'd yell at you at the top of my lungs, "NEVER buy a car without test driving it first!"

This is simply common sense, (or is it)? There are some people I know who don't know or abide by that rule, and they've put up with a car that disappointed them for 4 years until their lease ended. Seems really dumb to me.

Let that be a lesson to all drivers... Test before you buy.

That being said, I'm glad you 1.) are happy with your purchase, and do not have any buyer's remorse and 2.) DIDN'T pay the dealer mark-up at the first dealership you went to.

By all means, don't be shy, mention that dealership to us, so we can boycott it, and drag their name through the mud. Say it with us, "DON'T PURCHASE FROM DEALERS WHO MARK UP MINI'S!"

Everyone now!

 

I bought mine at Moritz too, and they are a top notch bunch to deal with. Paid MSRP and they threw in the top of the line floor mats and a very cool key ring to boot.

 

Let's see...VegasDan, markup plus a wait....Desert MINI?

You should come to the Suncoast bowling alley on Saturday night (4/2/05) and meet up with the Sin City club.

 

AGRO, You've hit the "Mystery Dealer" on the head. I've got to join your club, what time Sat. night? I live 10 min. from Sun Coast. If I can't be there I will go online and join. Hope to see you all soon, Dan

 

I too bought my car without test driving one! At this point I don't want to drive one, might as well wait now! Supposed to birthed April 4.

 

I test drove one and I knew in about 10 seconds that this was the car for me. I "stongly suspected" it long before the test drive, though. I've test driven several MINIs since then for various reasons....all were a blast to drive (hard to avoid....after all, it IS a MINI) but each was also very different. The selection of options were all over the place from car to car, as was the weight. Level of tuning was different, too. IMO, it's very difficult to test drive a MINI with the EXACT spec you plan to buy...just too many combinations of options! Perhaps most of us took a leap of faith in some respect. AND there's lots I've discovered about my MINI over time. I admit my test drive was a revelation, but the nuances I had to discover little by little. Awesome car!!!!!

 

I've test driven a couple so far (2002 MCS and a 2004 MCS). I liked the 2004 better for some reason, which is why I've decided to go for either a low mileage 2004 or a new 2005 in the next week. I'm not ordering, don't really feel the need and I hate to wait. I know I'll find one that has the features I like and at the right price. Congrats on your purchase, and good for you for not giving a sub standard MINI dealer your money. They don't deserve it if they act that way or try to rip people off. Have fun with it, and I'm jealous that you've got yours...I'm pulling my hair out waiting to buy mine

Dave.