Okay, so as I'm on my anniversary weekend last weekend in Nags Head, NC, I log onto ebay and come across exactly what I want.... an '05 S convertible in Hot Orange.

Wow, wasn't expecting to find her just yet, wasn't expecting to buy her from a dealer on ebay, just happened to be browsing and there she was. Perfect condition (we'll see when she arrives) an '05 with 15K miles, supposedly not a scratch on her.

Well, she's what I want, what are you waiting for? So I buy her now, notice I said buy her now, not "it"... she's not an it. Heck, I'm not even sure she's a she, what if she turns out to be a he? Guess we'll see what her personality is like when she arrives.

Anyway, she's at a dealer in Colorado, he says they can have it shipped this week and I'll have her by the Thursday or Friday. The dealer pays for the shipping if you do the buy it now but you know it's going on an open container truck. Being in the bodyshop business for 25 years, I can't tell you how many estimates I have written for transportation damage for people who have bought cars from out of state. Door dings, crushed qtr panels, hydraulic fluid spills from the trailer, brake fluid spills from the car above, blah, blah, blah. In fact, one of my shops does about 75K a year from a new car dealer in JUST new car transportation damage.

So I paid extra to have her shipped in an enclosed transport... a few bucks more but IMO, well worth it.

That was last weekend. Thursday came and went, I knew that was too optimistic. I got a call from the transport company, she'll be here Friday morning possibly.

Friday morning came and went, she'll probably show up late Friday night.

Friday I get a call and they're only in Ohio, it won't be till Saturday when I get her.

Okay, it's the weekend, I'm just being impatient. I wait all day Saturday and get a phone call from the driver... "we're running late, it'll be tomorrow morning".

Arrrghhhh, okay, so here it is Sunday morning and I'm patiently waiting.

Wait, I hear the phone. I rush to grab the phone and it's the transporter's wife I've been talking to. (she's from New Zealand and has this beautiful english accent... says she absolutely loves minis and tells me the car is beautiful)

Makes me feel better that she likes minis.... makes me feel comforted that she has an english accent, not sure why, feels like she'll take care of the car better...

So where's my car????

"Well, we're having truck trouble, we're still in VA and the truck won't start".

We should be there in 4-5 HOURS....




I'm trying to be patient but the reason I didn't fly out to Colorado and spend two days driving her back was because she was going to be here sooner than expected. Guess not.

Sorry for my rant... just sitting here patiently whining....




Mark

 

So I will check this thread around 3 or 4PM and I expect to see some pics of your new ride!

 

If I were you , I'd be lining up a friend to make a 4 or 5 hour run ,
based on if you receive another phone call <g>.

At that point , I'd just say "Stay where you are, grab a slow breakfast,
and I'll see you soon ".

It might cost some gas , and most of your Sunday, but that's a fair
trade for the remnant of sanity you've probably got left <g>.

Enjoy your MINI.... I'm guessing somewhere in life you prayed for patience <g>.

 

Just looked up your ebay auction.
Sharp looking MINI !!!

I can see why your so anxious. Congrats on the new lady in your life.
(Looking at the picture, I get the impression it's a "She" too <g>.)

 

Oh - I'd be going crazy, too! I hope it got home to you safe & sound...can't wait to see pix!

-Holly

 

Hope you get her today. Be sure to post pictures.

 

Thanks ya'll, I knew you'd understand. The first thing going through my mind was.....hmmmm, wonder how fast I could drive to VA...lol.

I'm just excited, I was hoping to drive her today. I've been driving everyone else on the wheel section forum crazy with my choices of wheels and I don't even have the car yet...lol.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...=1#post2126909




LOL, ya see what I mean... I think she's a she...lol.

For those that haven't seen her, here's a few pics. I'm sorry, I know ya'll have seen a mini before but here she is anyways...

 

And to think I was going to stay away from NAM today! Good luck, we are very excited for you and share your anticipation. We'll be checking in here in hopes of happy news.

 

Hey Quesera,

I just read your signature, that's the color and setup I was going to go for... sidewalk with the sparkling silver... that's a very nice color setup.

I had to go with orange cause my wife is in the process of buying an orange edge and I've got the following in that color.

 

3pm and I just got a phone call.... car is about an hour and a half away...

Getting closer.....


Mark

 

Gotta post some delivery pics!

 

Love the orange fleet! We're very happy with sparkling silver, but during our first years of MINI-longing we were intrigued by both cool blue and hot orange. That should polish up nicely and turn heads as you motor down the street.

I'm waiting for this drizzly mess to let up so I can see how sparkly I can make our Sparkling Silver.

Good luck with the wait.

 

4:23....

 

Hey! What gives?
Its already 4:30 and no pics...

Next time call me and I'll fly (for free) and get it for you or anyone else that needs their MINI driven to them.
The flying is free the driving will cost you fuel, food and good times.

 

Just got a call, they're about 10 minutes from me.... be walking out the door in a few minutes.... woohoo.

Be back with pics shortly....

 

This is exciting!!!

 

Go man go!

 

Hey! Don't leave us in suspense...
Did she get there?
Do you have pictures to post?
Or are you doing like I would be doing and that is driving all over town for the next few hours?

 

She's here..........



Come on.... unload it already.



ahhhhh, finally...









Sorry the pics are so small... my wife used my camera phone and didn't have it set correctly.

Anyways, she's here, needs a bit of cleaning up... have half a dozen scratches, one ding, etc, etc... I was already in the garage and wetsanded a few scratches out.

The car is overall in very good condition. A little tweaking and she'll be perfect.

Thanks to everyone for tolerating my silly posts. I'll be back in a few hours.... gonna go get milk.

Mark

 

Well that explains why I could get the picture to expand when I clicked on it..

Are you bringing her to the Dragon?

 

WOO HOO!!!!!

 

I'm trying to make it... I've been there on sportbikes, harleys, corvettes and miatas.... time for a mini run.

Ya'll gonna caravan up there?

Mark

 

If you haven't been there when all the MINI's show up for "MINI's On The Dragon" then it is a must do event that you will not soon forget.
I don't have much of a caravan coming from a short distance away in South Carolina but there are others that are posting their convoys.
Where would you be coming from?

 

congrats! shes gorgeous!! any ideas on names yet?!?!

 

Actually, I was at the dragon one year and it seemed like a thousand minis drove by at one time. It was a cool sight...just wish I could have been driving with them.

I'm gonna be coming from Charlotte... not too far of a drive.


Thanks Niki, she needs a little bit of work but it'll be worth it. I was thinking of names and since I've never named a car before, I'm thinking... I'm thinking.