Howdy, we are moving to Seattle from Austin, TX in june. We intend to order 08 MINI Clubman S when we get up there, but I'm reading some negative input about Northwest MINI here. The info is old - was wondering if anyone has recent input to share about this dealership. Are they better now or should I just order my car from a huge dealereship like MINI of Dallas and ship the car up to Seattle when it comes in. BTW, Dallas is saying four mos. wait and Northwest is saying the same thing. Any input appreciated. Thanks
AT

 

Call Jarid Perry at Rasmussen MINI (Portland). Not a nicer guy on the planet and is a MINI nut to boot. Owns 3 himself.

Portland is 2.75 hours south of Seattle. A little over 2 to Northwest MINI. very driveable!

Bought our second MINI from Jarid and he's highly regarded.

Also can be PM'ed ...posts as 'jaridp' here on NAM.

(tell him I sent you.... and no.... I don't get anything out of this )

 

Other than the wait time (June to November of 07 for me) things went very smoothly for my purchase through NW Mini.

I see lots of MINIs with Rasmussen plate liners, and everyone I've ever spoken with that has worked with them are also very happy.

You should stop by PSMini.org and say hello too!

EDIT: I don't know if it works this way with Rasmussen, but at NW Mini, you can put an order in to get in line for production with a deposit. We just placed our order earlier than we planned to account for the time difference. Wherever you go, putting in a deposit right away could shorten your wait up a bit. For us, we could cancel with no penalties right up until production was started.

 

Seattle area is a great place to motor in a Mini. Like all dealerships, NWMini is viewed both good and bad depending on the customer. I have had no problems with NWMini and would purchase another Mini from them. Likewise, I have heard good things about Rasmussen. Regardless, you should pop in and join PSMini.org to get a more up to date view of what is going on in Seattle in regards to Minis. We do love our Minis and having fun with them.

 

Rasmussen MINI was awesome to us when we lived in Hillsboro....definitely worth the drive to deal with them!

 

We ordered our Mini back in December from Northwest Mini, and it couldn't have been a better experience.

If you go there, you might ask for Tomio Blakey. He's a good guy who was great to deal with. Low key, great personality, zero pressure. We walked in with a printout of the car we wanted, and he ordered it. He was thorough and easy with us.

Btw, my fiance moved up here from Plano, TX about 12 years ago, so he's been though the same move.

 

Man, thanks everyone for the responses. I am truly impressed by your generous input. It makes a Texas boy feel good to know there is a welcoming committee up there. After my post today I received an email from Jarid at Rasmussen and several folks in Seattle have vouched for Tomio at Northwest. Doesn't make my decision any easier, but I'm damn glad to get good input for both dealerships. Will talk to both. Again, thanks mucho to all, I plan on much more communicato with ya.
AT

 

Glad to hear that things are moving along. I moved from Frisco to Hillsboro Oregon and then last year back to Texas where we got our 2nd MINI in San Antonio not far from where we live. Good luck with your decisions!

 

I'm sure it's redundant by now, but I'll throw in another nod to Tomio. Even after two+ years, he still remembers me every time I'm in. Was just into NW MINI for an oil change Monday, where I also ran into kulmini. And as VP of PSMINI, I probably don't really need to put in another plug?

It's always fun to hear of folks moving up to Seattle. Probably not enough time for you to get up here for the Haulin' Ash WA Wine Tour happening the weekend of 5/17-18 (reference to the 5/18/80 Mt. St. Helens eruption), but we have a number of other events coming up, aside from the usual spur of the moment drives through back roads, gatherings over coffee,
track events, or groups getting together to add fun bits to their cars.

 

Bump for PSMini.org

 

I will be ordering my clubbie with Tomio. He is very prompt on his e-mails and very upfront with information. He did tell me yesterday the ordering is $500 down, fully refundable or if all goes well comes off the price of the mini. He also said the list is 6-7 months of wait time till delivery and there were no cars on the lot to test drive. The first 3-4 months is the wait (12-16 weeks) then another 2-4 Months (20+ weeks-ish) after the fact to get it all together and in your hands. H

Honestly...that's right up my alley..offers time to toss money into the down payment and pay down my trade.

 

Hey digi,
I did order my clubbie from Tomio on 5/2, hell of a nice guy. Sent $1000k deposit same day since all the dealers here in Texas expect that, didin't even ask Tomio what they wanted, duh. Oh well, that'll come off the bottom line. Will spec Clubman S Pepper white/same roof & mirrors, black C-pillars/trim, black lounge int w/ black headliner, Sport, Conv., Prem., nav, auto. I appreciate all the great input I've received from everyone re: my previous post, we are really excited about our move to Seattle. Will arrive 6/8, unfortunately it will be a long wait for the MINI Clubman to arrive. Tomio indicated early Sept. Do intend to contact PSMini.org right away to get with the program. Thanks again
AT

 

We're ordering tomorrow, from Rasmussen in Portland, but have been visiting NW Mini for a couple of weeks. NW folks are nice too, but they won't deal a bit.. won't even give a free t-shirt! Hubby and I found that to be pretty arrogant. Rasmussen is WAY lower on installation costs for accessories, took off the destination charge, free floor mats, and a couple of other things I don't recall (hubby is doing the details), to where we're getting ours around $1600 cheaper than NW. Hubby has been trading emails with the guy from Rassmussen... if you want his name let me know and I'll get it from hub... Just checked.. it's Dan Clarke.

 

Just a thought...oregon doesn't have sales tax, so you might be getting it cheaper there, but if you register is somewhere else you may have to pay applicable taxes and licensing...have you checked in to that?

 

Its probably because Rasmussen doesnt have the cash markup over MSRP.

 

We'll have to pay the Washington sales tax, where we live (Lakewood). The $1600 lower price is based on what I said in my post... lower service fees for accessory installation, no destination fees, etc...Don't know why NW won't deal, but they won't.

 

I line in puyallup and am thinking about working with NW, but if i can get my car cheaper in oregon I certainly will. Can you PM me with how you set it up and the pricing if you don't mind? thanks!

 

I contacted Rasmussen MINI last week and was told February for a Clubman. I have a deposit down for one at the NW Mini dealer, thought it will still likely be around Nov/Dec.

 

See post elsewhere regarding NW MINI