Well, after calling every California dealer and every dealer within 2 days' drive (see here), I have settled happily on participating in yet another round of Classic Mini's group Mini buy. ) So get off the fence, Californians, and get yourself the Mini you deserve.

And in case anyone is curious, the Mini I deserve is:
2004 MCS
Indi Blue
Black Top
Black Stripes
Chrome front top & bottom grill
Panther Leatherette
Premium and Sport packages
Fog Lights
HK Stereo

Based upon everyone's dislike of the stock wheels, I also plan to ship Julie some new wheels -- I'm currently in favor of the BBS RGR 17" w/ Toyo Proxes. And when she gets to me, she'll get the aux. input, the whalen shifter, a new brake handle, maybe some chrome interior rings, and perhaps a nice healthy intake.

Yay!

 

Enjoy it when it arrives, just a warning, the wait is torture!!!

 

For those of you that want to drive home and pay MSRP, MINI of Murray was great to deal with. The Sales Associate, Debbie Linge, picked up my daughter and I at an airport hotel, took us to the dealership, went over the operation of the car and we were out the door in 45 minutes. The dealership is close to the Salt Lake City airport and Southwest flies there often from San Diego and I would guess often from other California cities.

We had a wonderful drive back, got 750 of the dreaded break-in miles out of the way, and spent some quality time together. Not to mention mom got rid of dad and 8 year old for a weekend!

All in all a great experience and I have referred several people to them.

Dave De Rosier
2003 DS/B MCS sport, premium, leather...fun.

 

...............

 

>>Is Julie at Classic still doing $300 off at MSRP or just MSRP?
Dunno - all I can say is mine was $500 off MSRP from Julie in March and it has landed on the continent and I AM PSYCHED!

 

Hey dlaugh, looks like we're in the same group! Our MINIs will be sharing the boat ride here and the truck ride to CA :smile:

Classic isn't doing anything off MSRP this time around, but it's alright, we get a euro parcel shelf though! lol. Julie has been great to work with and so far I'm really enjoying this experience.

The MINI I don't deserve but thank goodness I'm getting one is:
DS/B
Panther leatherette
DSC
Anthracite
Front/Rear fogs
and the rest are standard MCS features

and as dlaugh said, CA buyers or anyone west of Ohio get in this group buy NOW! Great chance for great savings! Act fast since allocations are limited and more people there are cheaper the shipping! We all want cheaper shipping, so hurry up and order that extra MC or MCS for your wife/hubby/brother/sister/inlaws/neighbor or whoever! Have an enemy? Buy them an MC or MCS and they'll be your friend for life!

And I swear I don't work for Classic

 

...............

 

You should still join! It's almost impossible to get anything off MSRP on the MINIs and this is still a great deal. Not to mention Classic is an awesome dealer, and Julie has been great to deal with.

 

>>For those of you that want to drive home and pay MSRP, MINI of Murray was great to deal with. The Sales Associate, Debbie Linge, picked up my daughter and I at an airport hotel, took us to the dealership, went over the operation of the car and we were out the door in 45 minutes. The dealership is close to the Salt Lake City airport and Southwest flies there often from San Diego and I would guess often from other California cities.
>>
>>We had a wonderful drive back, got 750 of the dreaded break-in miles out of the way, and spent some quality time together. Not to mention mom got rid of dad and 8 year old for a weekend!
>>
>>All in all a great experience and I have referred several people to them.
>>
>>Dave De Rosier
>>2003 DS/B MCS sport, premium, leather...fun.

So you're the reason I can't get an MCS until early next year! You keep refering people to them and now their list has grown too long that I'm having second thoughts about even bothering with a Mini Cooper S!
:evil:

 

>>So you're the reason I can't get an MCS until early next year! You keep refering people to them and now their list has grown too long that I'm having second thoughts about even bothering with a Mini Cooper S!
>> :smile:

 

(Bump.)

Still open, I believe. Jump on in & get your Mini soon, with no mark-up!

[Waiting is killing me, btw! ]

 

dlaugh and Barnabas, look like my MCS is on the same ride with yours. Where are the other 3 owners, I wonder.

Thanks for NAM for providing a wealth of information which I used in my research of the S. After test driving one I decided I have to have one. My local Mini dealer is one of the best in the West and does not sell above MSRP. Unfortunately the wait is 9-12 months.

After reading many satisfied customers' experience with Classic Mini I gave Julie a call about joining the June/July group buy. I found her excellent to work with and tell it like it is. Her use of a good auto shipper is one of the main reasons I chose them among other out of state dealers. I rather pay a bit more for the closed carrier all the way from OH without changing transport.

In the process I made many adjustment to the package along the way. She has always been responsive.

Initially I was dead sure that I want to include the JCW. I read up on pro and con discussions on NAM as well as Mini2. I decided to forego the JCW and opt for more cost effective 3rd party performance upgrade after taking delivery.

I am keeping the car with only few options and without the sun roof to keep it light. I chose 16" wheels.

For those in the West Coast who are looking for a Cooper Julie still has a couple of spots for June build July delivery.

 

Yep -- Julie says 6 have signed up so far. Come out into the light, the rest of you!

And there are still at least 2 spots left. Jump in while you can!!

 

>>Yep -- Julie says 6 have signed up so far. Come out into the light, the rest of you!
>>
>>And there are still at least 2 spots left. Jump in while you can!!

She told me all you guys are in CA. I hope the carrier drop mine off first.

There are no MCS allocation left. 2 Cooper left. The carrier can hold 8 Minis so there are 2 carrier spots left.

The wait is killing me. I am already have a long list of accessories (all light weight ) picked out. I also have identified a "stage I" performance upgrade which I think will be comparable to the JCW. I plan to put 0 mile on the run flats.

Hum! Got to remember to ask Julie about space saver spare.

_________________
- Zodiac

 

Zociac, dlaugh, and Barnabus,

Congratulations on your MCS purchase from Julie at Classic. As the originator of the Classic Group Buy concept last November (7 MINIS to Northern CA) I can tell you that Julie is every bit as nice in person as she is over the phone or via email. A genuine, good person who cares about her customers.

The entire Classic MINI staff is that way..from Tiffany who answers the phone, Jared, another MA; Ed Ritz the sales manager, David, his son and also a MA, to Mr James Brown, Sr. the owner of Classic MINI and all the other brands that make up the Classic Auto Campus. And I can't forget Brian Flick who is the parts person who so masterfully takes care of all the NAM community at Classic MINI parts. How do I know? Well, last week I stopped in at Classic while I was in Cleveland for a conference and met the Classic team.

I've purchased 3 MINIS from Julie and I'm proud to be assisting CMINIGO with the upcoming Group Buy that will arrive in California in 10 days....13 Classic MINIs coming to CA and OR on two Concours Transport Systems enclosed rigs.

You're gonna love your Classic MINIs !

Charlie

 

What wheels & tires are you going to get? What does the rest of your "Stage 1" look like?

I notice you're in Oregon. Is the shipper dropping yours off there, or are you coming down into Cal.?

 

>>
>>What wheels & tires are you going to get? What does the rest of your "Stage 1" look like?
>>
>>I notice you're in Oregon. Is the shipper dropping yours off there, or are you coming down into Cal.?

I will initially stay with the standard 16" wheel but swap the run flat with Falken Azenis 205 or 215/45-16. I may buy a set of 16x7 SSR Comp.

The "Stage 1" I am thinking of consists of stuff mainly thru Randy Webb
15% pully
Unichip
Milltek cat back exhaust
Alta air box
Alta oil catch can

I went to Randy's pully party this past sunday and I like what I saw and what owners shared with me. Including an owner with JCW who I think gave me the most objective feedbacks of any owners I heard. He was having a Unichip put in and custom map created, JCW exhaust swapped out, and before and after dyno.

I also plan on a set of H-sport springs and rear sway bar.

They will ship straight to my door.




_________________
- Zodiac

 

>>Yep -- Julie says 6 have signed up so far. Come out into the light, the rest of you!

Ok, ok. I'm part of the group buy as well, I'm just a little shy. :smile:
I ordered my CR/W MC on 4/16 from Julie.

I gave the local dealership (Assael in Monrovia) a chance... I called them up and said, "I'm ready to order my MINI and I only want to pay MSRP. Can you do that for me?" The response was "Well, I can get close." I countered with "Well, if you can bring the price down to MSRP, you've got a sale." The MA said that his manager was outside and he'd get back to me later that evening. Two days later, after not hearing a word from them, I called Julie and placed my order. :smile:

I'm looking forward to meeting all of you when we pick up our MINIs, or is there door-to-door delivery service?

 

>>I'm looking forward to meeting all of you when we pick up our MINIs, or is there door-to-door delivery service?
>>
>>

lheiss,

May be the remaining 2 owners will show up soon.

Julie told me they ship straight to your door. Although it will be fun to have a Mini pick-up party.


_________________
- Zodiac

 

I also called a few out of state dealers who has allocation. In the end I went with Classic Mini for reputation and service, discount on accessories, free Euro shelf, and most importantly the carrier Julie arrange. Other factors including drive back vs ship, total cost of JCW though I ended up not wanting it.

 

>>Zociac, dlaugh, and Barnabus,
>>
>>Congratulations on your MCS purchase from Julie at Classic. As the originator of the Classic Group Buy concept last November (7 MINIS to Northern CA) I can tell you that Julie is every bit as nice in person as she is over the phone or via email. A genuine, good person who cares about her customers.
>>
>>The entire Classic MINI staff is that way..from Tiffany who answers the phone, Jared, another MA; Ed Ritz the sales manager, David, his son and also a MA, to Mr James Brown, Sr. the owner of Classic MINI and all the other brands that make up the Classic Auto Campus. And I can't forget Brian Flick who is the parts person who so masterfully takes care of all the NAM community at Classic MINI parts. How do I know? Well, last week I stopped in at Classic while I was in Cleveland for a conference and met the Classic team.
>>
>>I've purchased 3 MINIS from Julie and I'm proud to be assisting CMINIGO with the upcoming Group Buy that will arrive in California in 10 days....13 Classic MINIs coming to CA and OR on two Concours Transport Systems enclosed rigs.
>>
>>You're gonna love your Classic MINIs !
>>
>>Charlie

Charlie,

Thanks. I didn't know you initiated the first group buy.

Your post was one of which made good impression that led me to the final decision.

 

Alright more people! And welcome to the group Iheiss and Zociac :smile: I think it'd be great to have one location and meet everyone else on the group buy it depends on the location and how close/far everyone can go. I'd prefer to have the car deliverd to my house so I can leave it in the garage until midnight and let it loose for a floggin'! hehe We can work all this out later since we have plenty of time.

I'm guessing these are all people in SoCal? Julie told me there are two trucks going out, one to LA and another to SF. Can't wait till July!!!

 

Barnabas,

The November 03 Classic delivery was done at one location, on the campus of Santa Clara University. We had folks fly in from LA, and drive in from SF, the Central Valley. SJ Airport is a free 15 minute shuttle ride away. I had a CHP officer there to do the required Vehicle Verification that CA DMV requires. There's a lot of great energy with a group delivery coming from all the new MINI owners.

In February, we had just two MINIs delivered to the campus; but with this next delivery, the one that CMINIGO initiated, we're having two delivery points; once again at SCU in Northern CA; and at a delivery point in Southern CA selected by CMINIGO. 7 MINIs are going south; 6 are coming north, with one car being delivered to the owner in Oregon.

Up North we're arranging for an officer to once again do the VIN Verifications; we're doing a group install of MiniRolls' Brake Light Conversion Kits; and we're all headed over to a Test Only Smog Station for a "group smog test" where the operator is charging us a special rate of just $40 per vehicle.

Concours Transport can provide the best rates when all the cars are are delivered to one central location. Much of this depends on where the buyers live. This time around all the No CA buyers are less than an hour from the delivery location.

Something to keep in mind is that the transporter is BIG. The trailer alone is 54 feet long, plus the tractor that pulls it. And it's tall as well. It may not fit in the parking lot of the local market....or on your residential street.

Anyway, you have plenty of time to plan for your delivery. Happy Motoring!
Charlie

 

Thanks for telling us what you guys did for the past group buys Charlie! The group smog check and vehicle verification is a great idea and I think we should do the same. What do you think folks? Just to see where we can come up w/ a location to meet where does everyone live? As for me I live in Riverside, also I think it'd be a great idea for everyone to exchange emails to keep in touch with what's going on w/ shipping etc. Anyways let's shoot off ideas here to see what we can do.

Again I think some of the stuff Charlie mentioned are great and will save us time and money! Something to think about I think.

 

I'm now waffling between '04 IB/W and '05 PEB/? MCS- but I would love to join in on the excitement at SCU. Got my MBA there, which has provided me with the cashflow to buy a MINI... :smile: Will you be posting the delivery date?