I just wanted to say thanks to all of you on NAM. For the last year you have answered my stupid questions and provided wonderful advice while I tried to convince myself that the purchase of a Countryman would work for me and my family. I was hooked after the first test drive, but as I've been driving Subarus for 10 years, making such a radical change was hard. None the less, I kept reading and visiting the dealer...enough they must have thought I was nuts.

After a full year of looking at the Countryman (yes, I actually looked and read this site for a full year) I finally took the plunge for a Royal Grey S All4 on Saturday. The deal was just too good to turn down with the dealer trying to get rid of all their 13's and offering a 0.9% interest for 60 months. We put the $500 deposit down yesterday and will go in to pick it up on Tuesday after they put on a clear bra and tint the windows. I'll try to attach a picture from the dealer site. It has nearly everything I could have wanted.

• 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION -inc: Steptronic paddles, sport leather steering wheel w/sport shifters (205)
• SILVER ALLOY WHEELS (REQ: 2GP or 2GT Wheels) (2P9)
• CHROME LINE INTERIOR (345)
• CENTER ARMREST (473)
• ANTHRACITE HEADLINER (4AA)
• CARBON BLACK, COLOR LINE (4C1)
• CARBON BLACK, INTERIOR COLOR (4CU)
• FLAT LOAD FLOOR (4UL)
• XENON HEADLIGHTS (REQ: 785 White Turn Signal Indicators) (522)
• ADAPTIVE LIGHT CONTROL (REQ: 521 Rain-sensing Windshield Wipers, 522 Xenon Headlights & 785 White Turn Signal Lights) (524)
• WHITE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS (785)
• ALL-SEASON TIRES *Replaces tires not recommended for winter use with all-season tires* (927)
• COLD WEATHER PKG -inc: heated front seats, heated pwr folding mirrors w/washer jets (ZCW)
• MINI CONNECTED PKG -inc: center armrest, Mini connected w/voice-command, comfort Bluetooth, USB/iPod adapter, smartphone integration (ZMC)
• PREMIUM PKG 2 -inc: pwr dual pane tilt/sliding panoramic sunroof, auto headlights, rain sensing windshield wipers, auto climate control (ZP2)
• TECHNOLOGY PKG -inc: Harman Kardon sound system, satellite radio w/1-year subscription, Mini connected pkg, comfort access keyless entry (ZTC)

I'm naming him "Rupert"....no idea why, it just seems to fit.

So, thanks again to all of you for your help along the way. I hope now that I'll be an actual owner, that I can begin to return the favor.

***********UPDATE************

I spoke too soon it seems. I was to pick up the car today after having the clear bra and tinting done, but I got an email yesterday saying, "sorry, we sold your car".

Seems that we went in on Saturday and picked out a car that was in reality sold on Friday. So, I'm back to looking again. Needless to say I'm very upset. I know clerical errors happen, but this was a heart-breaker for me. I still want a Countryman, but now the wife is pushing to go back to Subaru....not gonna happen. So, I'll see you all in the 5280 group eventually, but Rupert is no more.

************UPDATE 2**********

Well, I again spoke too soon. The car they found for me at another local dealer was sold too, or so I was told after 2 days of waiting. Wow, it's as if someone just doesn't want me to have this car. However, I have to give Schomp MINI here in Denver credit, they are trying to work a good deal for me on a 14. The issue is I loose a couple discounts and the 0.9% loan rate, but as the 14s are now at 1.9% its not huge. We can get close through our own financing, but we were counting on that great deal we had lined up. Since the 14s aren't moving as fast as the 13s, we aren't in as big of a hurry now. We may even look at ordering one. Time will tell. Thanks to all for the advice.

************UPDATE 3***********

I finally did it! I brought home a new 2014 Countryman. After going through multiple exchanges on options for a new 2014, Schomp MINI made me a great deal on a new 2014 (about $4k off MSRP). It's more loaded than the 2013 I had bought originally. I'm having a great time with it so far. So far it's been a blast to drive. I look forward to having a fun for years. Thanks to everyone for the advice and assistance. I'm finding I'm looking for reasons to drive now.

 

Sounds nice = has almost anything ANYONE could want! or even get!

But I'm someone who likes gizmos, so...

Congrats!

 

Very nice and congrats!

 

welcome aboard and congrats !

that's a helluva package for a dealer stocked car.

 

Congrats. I didn't read that long before I got my Clubman (although it felt like that long before it came in), but I'm studying the Countryman at the moment. Motor on!

 

... and yes, we are waiting for pics.

 

There are lots of 13 countryman out there. I would strongly suggest to your dealer that they need to find one to your liking and bring it in ASAP and should offer some additional discount as an apology. If that doesn't get a response I would suggest contacting MINI HQ in North Jersey and relating your situation. The dealer took a deposit in good faith and it's their responsibility to get you the car

 

Yeah, they are looking, at least locally in the Denver area. They did make me a really good offer on another one that would be perfect, but it's a manual. Although I would LOVE to have the manual, my wife is adamant that it must be a automatic due to her knee issues. I'm still hoping for a good outcome, but I'm really bummed. Thanks for the suggestion on going to MINI HQ in Jersey....I'd not thought of that.

 

No pics....see my update above. Turns out they sold my car the day before they sold it to me. I was to pick it up today, after the tinting and clear bra was applied, but was told....oops. And, yes, they still have my $500 deposit.

 

They ought to let you order a '14 for the same deal as the '13 you were going to buy, considering it was their error. Particularly since you already gave them a chunk of cash.

 

Many years ago I sold cars. Mistakes happened despite efforts to make sure none did. Trust me, the dealer wants to sell you a car and will do their best to find you one that you will buy, even if it is at another dealer. Give them some time to make it right for you. And I do not believe talking to MINI will result in any resolution. There was no intent to deceive or defraud, just poor luck and some honest confusion.

 

I did as suggested and gave them time to look around. And amazing enough, tonight they found one that is very similar....similar enough that I'm going for it. As ACEKraut11 stated, I fully believe it was an honest mistake, and they are doing all they can for me....well they could always give me one for free, but I'll be reasonable. The new one they have suggested tonight has two pluses (color and GPS) and one minus (no adaptive headlights) over the initial one I had picked out, so I'm ok.....if the car is truly there when I go to get it this time.

I won't believe it's mine this time till it's in my driveway this weekend. Thanks for all the advice provided by everyone.

 

I bet the adaptive headlights are nice, but I wouldn't let a car not having them be a deal breaker. I've owned two Mini's with regular halogens and when properly adjusted they are absolutely fine.

 

nice to see everything might work out then, and maybe even a little better.

... same rules apply tho as far as pics are concerned

 

Sounds like it's meant to be. If they are an absolute must-have, I'm sure you can retrofit some xenons.

 

Glad to hear the dealer is working to make you happy. I am sure you will enjoy the new car