>>>>"Sitting on the dock of the bay, watching all the somthing-somthing something (can't remember words)...whistle, whistle, whistle."
>>>>
>>>>My MINI is still siting on the Bayonne, NJ docks waiting to go to the VPC; 5 days and counting. Bet the seagull crap is beating the hell out of the paint.
>>>>
>>>>Love the waiting...nervous tick developing...voices telling me to do bad things to garden gnomes with whipped cream and tartar sauce...Must resist! Catherine, get me the axe!!!!! No more wire hangers!!!!
>>>>
>>>>Sorry, lost it for a moment there; say, these elephant tranquilizers are good.
>>
>>

DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY

my MCS stayed at the docks for more than a week - after it was a fast process- two days at the VPC and in 1 day at the dealer. Got it last Sat - great drive home compensated for all the waiting.
Good luck, happy motoring is comming soon

 

>>CWFFCers,
>>
>>Fellow Graduates: mini-rolls, TonyMaguire, zagato67, Kecia, tmac, ns1122(miniln), jcs, mbabischkin, miniplusbug, and SKvarcius please keep us informed of your MINI motoring experience as those still in purgatory need encouragement.
>>

I heed the call to UPDATE!! I've been fighting my Internet connection for a week, ever since I returned home from the maiden voyage with Joe Green. For some reason, my digital camera messes up the cable internet connection, but it didn't dawn on me that the camera was still connected until today. ARRRRGGHHH

Anyway, Joe and I started motoring together at about 3:30 pm on 1/31. We've now gone 1052 miles, had five car washes (it's been snowing here), and four tanks of gas. A few problems but nothing major: when it's cold and wet, the brakes have squeaked a few times; there's a rattle that sounds like one of the back seats isn't quite latched; the heated side mirrors seem to bake on some of the road scum from the interstate; the radio antenna isn't the one I expected; is it supposed to have an alarm or not?; and I haven't mastered the ACC yet (was interested in another thread about whether it ever stops blowing ...).

None of those things are life-threatening or even really annoying. A major problem right now is figuring the mpg which was one of the primary reasons I went MINI. I haven't checked independent of the MINI's own mpg readout which is registering 26-27. Not good when more than half of the miles have been highway and I was expecting more like 35. Is it the runflats? They are Dunlop 3000 DSSTs, 16 x 6.5 wheels ... they look good, slid a little on the snow this morning, but will do until they wear out.

I'm getting used to the stares around town but only one person has actually commented ... the McD's young woman worker who gave me my last Egg Mcmuffin, had big eyes and a big smile when she praised the MINI ... had no idea what it was. The BIMMER drivers are all looking the other way and the Wranglers want to race .. otherwise, this is a strange town where folks are unlikely to display any interest,,,,

the drive is great and I can't wait, make excuses to motor for awhile every day .. couldn't be happier with the vehicle and am looking forward to better weather and maybe a day out with other MINIs.

 

Hi everyone!

I called my dealer today. He confirmed the car was in Bayonne (known, but it was good to hear anyway!). He said it was scheduled to get to him out in LI by 2/12 and be ready for me by 2/13, but also said there was NO promise of that. Just wishful best case thinking at this point. :smile: So I'm hoping to go out to the Hamptons this weekend for a very nice long weekend! We'll see. If not, it'll be the next weekend for sure.

Now it's time for me to do all the financing and insurance and stuff. So far, the best rate I have found is 4.39 for a 3 year (4.89 for a 5 year) from PeopleFirst. Anybody finding good deals around? The dealer indicated a fairly high 5.5%, but I gave him an application and he hasn't gotten back to me with a real offer. Hopefully they can get more competitive.

BTW. The PeopleFirst deal is pretty neat. They approve you over the phone, then send you a blank check not to exceed your maximum requested loan amount. The check is good for 45 days. The loan starts the day you buy the car and for the amount you fill out. You just include the VIN of what you bought on the check. If you buy used then the rate goes up to the used car rate automatically. After you buy the car, then based on the rate and amount, the monthly payment is set.

I hadn't ever heard of anything like it, but after reading the fine print, I don't see any catches (no hidden fees or wierd stuff like that). Great rate and now it's up to the dealer or local banks to beat a locked in rate.

Has anyone found any particularly good offers? I've been surprised at how high most banks were, many in the 7-8% range. The best was Citibank offering 13%! I have credit cards with lower rates!

Congratulations to all you motorers out there! Things are going fast than I expected by about 2 weeks so far, but I couldn't be amoung the motorers soon enough!

Wactuary

 

Update: My MCS showed up at the VPC (NJ) on 2/6, and I just got an e-mail from my salesman at Princeton MINI (also NJ). He said they are expecting my car at the dealership by the end of the week. :smile:

My car was officially 1 month old today! (er, yesterday I guess now). Rolled of the assembly line on 1/10...

 

I forgot to mention that there are three pix of Joe Green on Member MINIs page 148. I'll post more when the sun shines again .. LN

 

DonDon Wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>
My car is going to Braman Mini of Palm Beach in FL and I live in VA. That just shows you how crazy I am to get this car. I am going to have to fly to FL and drive it back up. I cannot wait.
>>

Don, this is what MINI crazy is. flew from California to pick up MCS from Braman if West Palm Beach FL and drove it back to San Diego and my bro. flew to Virginia to pick his MCS from Checkered Flag MINI he also drove it back to San Diego. Bottom line is the experience of long drive is unforgettable and it's all worth it.

Cheers,
jceviche

 

>>
>>Has anyone found any particularly good offers? I've been surprised at how high most banks were, many in the 7-8% range. The best was Citibank offering 13%! I have credit cards with lower rates!
>>
>>
>>
>>Wactuary


It's funny you mention Citibank and low credit card rates. I'm purchasing my MINI with my Citibank credit card at a fixed 1.99%!!!! :smile:

Here's how: Citi sent me blank checks to use at my disposal, up to my credit limit (which is enough for an MC). Along with a $50 transfer fee, every month I just pay the minimum required plus the 1.99% The best part is, I can take as long as I want to pay at the fixed rate of 1.99%.....no increases or hidden charges. It sounds too good to be true so got it confirmed with Citibank customer service. WOW!!

Although the credit card will be paid off in a few months, just wanted to make sure there was enough change for some MINI goodies.
OK, I've rambled enough. Got to take my Anti-MINIac pills Hang Loose

 

IT HAS BEGUN

 

>>First to kgladstone - my dealer did not try to push anything on me. I hope yours is as respectful. Now here's the truly amazing thing...I picked my MINI up Monday evening. On Friday the finance guy called me at work and told me that he had miscalculated my monthly payment and that if I came in and resigned the contract my payment would be $25 per month LOWER! Needless to say I was one happy girl!!!

That's great, Kecia! $25, that's at least an extra tank of gas for motoring!

I'm planning on holding strong and not letting them push anything on me. They look at me and they say, "she'll be an easy target." Not this time, buddy! Back off, Motoring Manager - just hand me the keys and no one gets hurt! You're messing w/the wrong one this time!

 

Minimoto:

>>Sorry, lost it for a moment there; say, these elephant tranquilizers are good.


Got any more of those???

 

>>
>>>>
>>>>Has anyone found any particularly good offers? I've been surprised at how high most banks were, many in the 7-8% range. The best was Citibank offering 13%! I have credit cards with lower rates!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Wactuary
>>
>>
>>It's funny you mention Citibank and low credit card rates. I'm purchasing my MINI with my Citibank credit card at a fixed 1.99%!!!! :smile:
>>


Wow! that is a low rate for a credit card. I thought my Cap. One card was good at 9%. Anyway, my dealer ran financing through BMW and I'm getting their best rate of 5.56%. Thought that sounded alright. Most banks are lending at somewhat higher rates for their auto loans. The home loan rates are running between 5 -6 %. So, I thought the MINI (BMW) rate sounded pretty good.

 

I could use some of that right now

 

gocart29:

I was under the impression that the BMW/Mini's best financing rate was 4.75% (at least that is what they told me for a loan of up to 60 months). You may want to check that out.

Also, you can go to http://www.bankrate.com and find links to a couple of banks that provide new car loans through the internet (PeopleFirst, Capital One, E-Loan) that offer rates as low as the 4.40% range.

Hope that helps. I am in Texas in case that makes any difference.

 

>>
>>I was under the impression that the BMW/Mini's best financing rate was 4.75% (at least that is what they told me for a loan of up to 60 months). You may want to check that out.
>>


Buddha,

Thanks for the info. I will inquire about the lower rates. My dealer called and said I qualifiied for "elite" status and he mentioned the 5.56% rate. I guess I assumed that was the best rate. I'll check on it.

 

Just called ASKMINI again - spoke with Amanda. She reported that my car arrived at the VPC yesterday. I asked her how long it might be there, she was reluctant to give me a time - only that a work order had been printed for it. She did tell me not to expect it at the dealer this weekend. Guess it will be next week before I'm motoring.

 

I just got off the phone with ASKMINI and spoke with Amanda aswell. I was told yesterday that my MC would go to the VPC yesterday :evil: I figured I wouldn't be so lucky. kgladstone, sorry to hear your MCS has a work order

 

>>
>>>>
>>>>I was under the impression that the BMW/Mini's best financing rate was 4.75% (at least that is what they told me for a loan of up to 60 months). You may want to check that out.
>>>>
>>
>>
>>Buddha,
>>
>>Thanks for the info. I will inquire about the lower rates. My dealer called and said I qualifiied for "elite" status and he mentioned the 5.56% rate. I guess I assumed that was the best rate. I'll check on it.

MINI Finance quoted me the best rate of 5.1% which I thought was good for WA. When I went in to pickup my MINI and was signing the paperwprk I noticed that the rate on the contract was 4.75%. They told that the rate had just dropped and with my credit being among the best the automatically lowered it the 4.75%. This is a 5 year loan. No prepayment penlty, the dealer did ask me to make at least 3 payments or they get a charge back.

Also, when financing with MINI the OL has all the financing info on the web, on-statements, pay-by-web, payment tracking and a lot more. Was pretty cool, as soon as they got my paperwork the tracking stuff went away and the money stuff showed up.

I like the attitude of MINUSA....

 

>>Just called ASKMINI again - spoke with Amanda. She reported that my car arrived at the VPC yesterday. I asked her how long it might be there, she was reluctant to give me a time - only that a work order had been printed for it. She did tell me not to expect it at the dealer this weekend. Guess it will be next week before I'm motoring.

My MINI made it VPC work order printed to the dealer, and then to me in two days.

The dealer had the car ready in two hours after they got him.

digitalpussi - all MINI have to go the VPC and a work order needs to printed for each MINI that passes through the VPC.

MINI-ROLLS




_________________
"Tigger" in the garage- 2003 MC, VR/W, CVT, Premuim, Sport w/SS+, H/K Sound, Black Leatherette, S/S Skid plate, Alarm. Born - 12/06/02, Delivered 02/01/03

 

>>>>
>>I just got off the phone with ASKMINI and spoke with Amanda aswell. I was told yesterday that my MC would go to the VPC yesterday :evil: I figured I wouldn't be so lucky. kgladstone, sorry to hear your MCS has a work order :evil:

Here I was just thinking, last week, how things were moving along rather quickly,... and now this!!!

 

>>>>I just got off the phone with ASKMINI and spoke with Amanda aswell. I was told yesterday that my MC would go to the VPC yesterday :evil: I figured I wouldn't be so lucky. kgladstone, sorry to hear your MCS has a work order :evil:
>>
>>Here I was just thinking, last week, how things were moving along rather quickly,... and now this!!!
>>

That is too funny - no wonder Amanda seemed slightly perturbed when I called - looks like the CWFFCers are making Amanda work for her money!

 

I just called too. No news other than it arrived at the docks on 2/9. They said it usually takes about 5 days from the docks through the VPC and then add the delivery time on top of that to the dealer. So I'm guessing 2/17-18 delivery to the dealer (which is what I had guessed originally). The NYC VPC system seems slower than the west coasters. So if all goes well, I'll be driving it back before the end of the month. Still have to buy my plane ticket.:smile:

 

hahaha!

Evertime I call it's usually Jen or Amanda..lol They must be sick of all the calls from anxious worried soon to be MINI owners. I can't resist calling either otherwise I have withdrawls...

 

It looks like I'm languishing on the dock with digitalpussi waiting for the VPC too.

 

I spoke with Lisa at ASKMINI (who I normally speak with). Do we have different people covering different areas of the country?

My MCS is done with VPC; its inspection is completed and it is released to trucking. I expect it at the dealer very soon now (probably 2/12 or 2/13).

How do I tell my current MC what is going to happen to it

 

>>Minimoto:
>>
>>>>Sorry, lost it for a moment there; say, these elephant tranquilizers are good. :smile: Gotta go -my jello is giving me the code to unlock the colonel's secret recipe...