I went on a trip to visit friends in London 2 years ago and came back with an obsession. I saw Mini's parked on all the streets and could not get over what a nice looking car they were compared to the generic lot I was use to seeing back in the States. My interest in the car turned into an obsession to own one. Friends would talk about car purchases and I would always blurt out, "Well, I think my next car is going to be a Mini Cooper!"
I have been driving a 95 Miata with some bolt on mods for the last 6 years and really loved the car but, it wasn't nearly practical for intown driving, had no room, and it was starting to get some age on it. So, this weekend, after a few phone conversations with the sales rep at Tom Bush Mini in Jax, I caught a ride over with my sister who was going over to visit relatives, had her drop me off, and I closed the deal on a 2006 Mini Cooper S hatch back that was sitting next to me on the show room floor - I had not even drove a Cooper yet but based the decision on what I had read about their handling. The car is Pepper White with black top and black bonnet stripes, has a 6 speed getrag manual, cloth interior, 8 - spk Harmon Kardon sound, 3- spoke multifunction with cruise control, space gray cloth interior, and alloy patina dash. It came right off the show room floor and I had to take it out in to the hellish traffic of Veterns Day weekend. I can tell you, that was the best ride back from Jax to Tally I have ever experienced - I love that little super charger!. This car has more than met my expectations!
My only concern is with mechanical work. The down side is I'll have to drive back to Jax for servicing and warranty stuff but I would like to hear from other forum members in my area ( I know there are some Tallahasse people lurking here) on who they trust to work on their car locally. I was use to working on my Miata myself (such a simple car) but this car is a different story.
If you are a Tallahassee resident, can you shoot some advice my way on the best place locally for emergency work? Who do you trust?
Anyway, if your driving around town and see a Pepper White MCS with black bonnet stripes, give me a wave!

 

Grats on finally getting your own MINI, and fulfilling your obession =)

 

Hey, newcom. How'd you like the Tom Bush dealer experience? I'm actually in Jacksonville and planning on making a purchase by February, but haven't decided if I'll go to Tom Bush yet. So was it a pleasant experience? MA's good?

 

The experience was pretty painless for me. I have never bought a car sight unseen before and I had always bought from private owners. After driving a Miata for 5 years and having obsessed on a MINI for the last 2 years (as stated in my post, they got my attention in London) I knew I wanted one. I got in contact with Amy Jordon, Tom Bush motoring adviser and asked what she had available on the lot. There were very few Minis for sale in Tally and the ones on car lots were ridiculously priced. Amy sent me the specs on 2 brand new 2006s in inventory. I decided on the one PW/B with the options I mentioned in my above post and after finalizing the price with her so I wouldn't be surprised on my trip over to get it, I gave a deposit over the phone and got there that weekend. I filled out the paper work at her desk while my MINI sat there on the showroom floor next to me. They did try to sell me floor mats but I wasn't going to spend anymore than what we agreed on for the car. Paper work was done in 20 minutes, Amy put my tag on my new MCS and then drove it off the floor. I got in, started her up (maybe it's a he, I haven't looked underneath yet) and drove a MCS for the first time out into the worse traffic imaginable - man, I had forgot how crazy people drive in Jacksonville! Once I got back onto I-10, I had one of the most enjoyable car trips from Jax to Tally that I had ever experienced. I love this car!

It was one week after I had the car that I suffered a herniated disc and then couldn't drive it for almost 2 weeks (must have been the excitement). I have since drove it to Panama City and it by far beats the Miata in the fun factor.

I have not experienced Tom Bush service yet as I'm still about 9,000 miles from my first oil change (haven't even broken the car in yet because of back problems). From what I read about them on other forums (can't remember which ones) they've gotten better than they once were. I don't have too much of a choice in the matter as other dealers are further away than Jax.

They didn't give me much in the way of freebes (I bought some diamond sheet metal floor mats off the internet) but they didn't pressure me on extras. So far, it was a good experience.

Since then, I've been in touch with DoubleNick who lives in Tally and he came over to show off his new mods on his 05 MCS. I wish he hadn't done that, I'm tring to fight the urge on spending money on mods so soon in the game and all he did was make it tougher for me after riding in his car.

 

Their service is so bad I would prefer to pay someone rather than have them do it for free. Its almost impossible to get someone on the phone over there and your lucky if they call you back within a day or two.

 

That's not good to hear... believe me, if there was a way to get the scheduled service done locally by paying someone who is qualified to do it, I'd jump on it just for the convenience of not making that 170 mile drive. Oil change is no problem here (I would do it myself but I don't like to hassle with the waste). When I bought this car, I went with the closest dealer out of necessity... with any dealer, you just hope that you have to deal with them as little as possible. So far, buying the car was painless, I hope if there ever is the need to get Tom Bush's assistance on something, my experience isn't as bad as yours was.