My fiance totalled her car two weeks ago, causing me to buy a new car (I've been in the market for a new car for a while, so it made sense) and giving her my old car (97 Civic). We planned (and she still thinks that's the plan) to buy her a Corolla or something in a few weeks when we get the insurance money. The thing is, the girl doesn't care about cars at all. They all kind of look the same to her, as long as they go from point A to B, etc. You get the picture.

Anyway, I know she likes the Mini though, and while she may not care that much, would enjoy having it and appreciate it. So....I thought I would get her a Mini and surprise her. I did a lot of research and the local dealer said they could maybe get a red/white cooper w/ no options for me. I went and looked at it, then saw pepper white/black which I loved, and think she'll like more too. The didn't have one that would work though (too many options), so I found one at another dealer that was scheduled for production with only the premium package, so I jumped on it. They say it will get here early Feb?

Needless to say I'm really excited. I figure the Mini will be our weekend car and I'm really looking forward to having it in the family. I'm a huge car nut and am already thinking about mods for her car. I haven't even test driven the regular Cooper (but did drive the S - wow), but got it for her because she's not a power-oriented driver at all. Any tips from you guys?

Also, what do you think about presentation? My first idea was having it in the driveway, blocked by my car (4Runner), with a bow. She would get home and I would say lets go somewhere, we would get in my car, then she would see it (I would have it backed in, so the headlights would be looking at her).

Option 2: I was going to park it at the local Target/Kroger whatever (far back where there aren't other cars nearby). She would get home, I would say lets go to the store. I would park by the Mini. I would say, that's a cute car. She would agree. I would take out the keys and say, "well, it's yours" or something like that.

Option 3: I think this is the one I'm going with. We're going to her parents house over Xmas. I bought a hotwheel Mini. Wrap it in box w/ tissue. She opens it. Gets confused. Tell her real one is on the way.

What do you all think? Sorry for the long post, but I'm really excited. Maybe she'll end up driving the 4Runner!

 

First, congratulations and welcome to NAM

I pick #2.

Why? #3 is over done. You see it all the time

#1 is over done ... Big Bow, big deal. Its even in commercials

But #2 is different. She will be shocked.

Hey lets ask all the women here ... they will know far more than me

 

Yeah, #2 sounds like fun

Congrats, I wish you could take a video of what its like when she sees the MINI, oh the fun!

 

I am a woman, so here is my opinion. Anyone of those plans would be awesome, but I vote for number 2. I think that has the biggest suprise factor. You are a good man!

 

I'm not a woman, but I like #2. Not only is it more of a surprise than #3 when the time comes, but there's less chance of an accidental sighting than with #1.

It would almost be even more fun to get one other person involved. You would park normally and go into the store, then the other person would swap the MINI into that parking spot (make it an easy to remember one, end of a row, next to alight pole, something like that) and hide the 4runner somewhere else in the parking lot (far away so as not to be seen on the way to the MINI). On the way out as you get close to the parking spot and she's looking for the car you hit the button and do something, smile, say surprise, hand her the keys, whatever works. At that point it's more reliant on how she reacts to this type of thing than anything else...

 

I like #2 best as well... the only risk factor... by the time you drive over to it at the store, someone else may have parked next to it already - on both sides!

Sure, you could deliberately park it further away from everyone, but then she'll be wondering why YOU are parking further away, and right next to that lonely MINI sitting right there.

It just might take a little extra planning and foresight. But it's definitely the best idea of the 3.

 

Argh! You all are making it hard on me! I liked #2 the most as well, but it's so hard! Just the thought of waiting until Xmas to tell her is driving me crazy, let alone until early Feb.! Also, I thought the Xmas thing would be cool b/c it would be in front of her family and everything. All things being equal #2 would be my choice though.

I'm beginning to think I should just go ahead and go that route? I'm also really beginning to think I'm going to become the Mini driver...

 

The beauty of parking it away is that since I just got the 4Runner, and it's kind of big, I've already gotten her used to me searching for "safe" spots, which are usually farther out.

 

Patience is a virtue.


Now to be fair, I just asked the wife and she said ....

Go with the Big Bow at home.

Of course, you still got to wait until it arrives but she thought it more romantic

Hmm, I guess she aint getting any new MINI cause I would do #2!

 

Here's another vote for #2. It has the best surprise factor for sure. Make sure you post back with the results

 

Edge .... too funny. My wife just said that!!!

Hmm ... way to much thought for me

 

Still, it would be so much fun when you show her. Nothing like a good suprise that you can remember later on and laugh about it!

Perfect excuse to park beside a MINI too "Hey Hon, let me park beside that little car toady, no need to worry about hitting it "

 

awwwwww YEA!!! shes lucky!
im going to go with the crowd and go for number 2... and dont forget to put the keys in a jewelry box (or something like that )

 

I really think I will end up going with #2. I just have to try and muster the will power.

A few questions: Is early Feb. accurate? I'm in "scheduled for production." I called the mini # and they said it just went into that stage on the 9th, that it would be physically started on anyday now.

Do I put premium into the regular cooper?

I have many others, but I'll use "search" and just browse the forums for those!

 

Even though high on the wait factor, I vote #2 as well. If someone did this to me I would cry. and i am a GUY.

 

You should set up a poll so you don't have to read through all our posts...but I would vote for #2.

 

Park the car outside of a Chinese restaurant.

Go in, eat.
Ahead of time, swap the message in a fortune cookie with one of your own.

"Mini things will be coming your way soon."

Lucky numbers: 5,16,3,48,32,36

I purposely didn't capitalize all of MINI to make it seem misspelled for "many".

 

No. 2 sounds good to me....my only question is, if you don't tell her before you do surprise her with the car, won't she wonder what is taking so long with the new car purchase? What kind of story are you planning on fabricating just in case she asks?

 

I've had some experience with that. Most of my firends/family don't know I'm getting a MINI for instance...

So, first is financing. It takes time to evaluate a couple of different places and then to finally apply to a couple and decide which one to use. I've stretched this one to about a month/month and a half.

Next is comparing different cars, doing research, browseing different forums, driving different cars. This one can be stretched as long as you are detail oriented.

Finally, if it's a new car the dealer has to "find" one that matches the spec you choose, too bad they didn't make more of them in that color/interior color (I haven't done this one yet, but that's mostly luck).

Of course, with the fiance being the one the car is for that makes it all a little bit harder. Elusiveness, vauge answers, mis-direction, topic-changing. All of these need to be used to the fullest.

The worst is trying not to say anything to the car guys I work with (all part of the same SVT club) until I get it - which should be within a week finally.

 

#2......#2.........#2.........#2.......the SURPRISE FACTOR is worth the suspense!!! Make sure you have a camera....

Donna

 

She thinks we're in no big rush to get the new car. She's driving my old car now (which runs fine). She just thinks we're waiting until a great deal can be had. I honestly don't think she would say anything for ~6 months if I didn't bring it up.

 

But my real vote would be for you to get the MINI for yourself. You clearly want this car. My husband gets on my case when I get him a gift that is really something I want for myself or want him to want (for example concert tickets to an artist I like better than he does).

 

Or like when Homer bought Marge a bowling ball

True, I'd examine the motivation and whether you'd be happy with your fiance claiming the car when its you who really wants to drive it.

That aside, I vote for a modified version of #2. I say modifed since I think it would be nice if you could drive off in the new car together instead of seperately as you'd have to in the situation you describe. Also, paranoid as I am I can only think of the possible shopping cart/parking issues in a lot like that, it'd be a shame to start things out with dings. Maybe set a nice Valentines's Day dinner and have a friend help you swap cars while in the restaurant or something like that - have a friend pretend to be the valet and bring the "wrong" car to you after

I'd have to ponder the details, but in any case great idea (as long as you'lll really let her have the car ).

 

I would be in great surprise if you say the Porsche 911 on the parking lot is mine and then hand me the key!! I vote for #2

 

#2