Hello! I'm in the market for a new car and I'm really interested in the MINI.
I've been doing my research and this site has been really great!

I was wondering if anyone has dealt with Oliver Morris at Ferman MINI in Port Charlotte. If so, what can you tell me? So far he's been my contact to the dealership and it's only been via email.

Any info would be great! Thanks!

 

I didn't know Ferman had a dealer in Port Charlotte? Ferman Mini of Tampa Bay is in Palm Harbor and have been good to deal with. Call the manager Doug Opie for assistance...727-490-6464 They presently have a good stock of MINIs.

 

Sorry, I did mean Palm Harbor....I do so much traveling around FL, I get all the Ports, Palms, Bays and Harbors mixed up sometimes :smile:

 

I didn't have much luck with Ferman Mini.

They never responded to my initial email. Then well over a week later, I send them another email to tell them that they lost a sale. Guess what? They called the very next day and denied ever getting the first email. To top it off, the tried to tell me that they were the best place to buy a Mini from in FL and that everywhere else was going to charge me WELL above MSRP. WRONG!!

Long story short, after attempting to work with Downtown Mini (in Orlando)and Ferman Mini, I ordered from Lauderdale Mini. The whole transaction was super fast and easy. Crystal (my MA) was AMAZING!! She totally took care of me!! :smile:

If I were you, I would go to Lauderdale Mini and be taken care of quickly and professionally!

 

Go you.

 

I talked to Aaron at Ferman MINI too. I've only been over there once for a test drive, but one of the initial things he mentioned in passing that put up a red flag for me was that all the MINIs there came with a "mandatory" clear paint shield for a whopping $900! Did he mention anything like that to anyone else?

I might be willing to live with $500 over MSRP (considering the dealership is 5 minutes from my house), but I won't be forced to buy options that I don't want that are ridiculously overpriced.

TIA,
R2

 

900! I'm a little nervous about the whole thing. I'm in almost desperate need for a new car (I think mine will last another 4 months or so, then ) although I've got a secret weapon in my back pocket (My dad, who is in sales---not car sales, but helpful all the same)

I think I know what the choice here would be, but I've got it narrowed down to the MINI (which I'm leaning heavily toward) and the VW Beetle.

One of you mentioned FEDEX, did you not trade in? How did that work if you did? Those that dealt with the distance, how did the transaction work?

I live in Ocala, so I'm pretty central to several dealerships with exception to Lauderdale, but I'm not ruling that out. Any help you can give me with regards to dealing over the phone, Fed Ex, Etc. would be a great help!

 

moneypenny, go over to www.sunshineminis.org and ask your question there. You'll get all kinds of help from your fellow Florida natives.

 

First of all, the Beetle is a BIG differnece from a MINI! Test drive both and see which one you like. Go to Ferman and ask to test drive one of their cars. Then hop on over to the VW dealer and I'm sure you'll realize the MINI is a much more fun car to drive!

I did not trade in a car... I am selling her old car to a family member or to Carmax, not sure which yet. Carmax is pretty easy to sell to... and it sounds like your car is a hunk of junk anyways, so I wouldn't worry if you lose a coupel hundred bucks by selling it somewhere. Now if you had a real nice car with good resale value I'd probably be more careful of where I sell it.

If you need a contact name at Braman MINI, let me know, PM me. I did EVERYTHING over the internet (email), phone, and had all the paperwork FEDEXed to me. Easy as pie. In fact the day I picked it up, I showed up wtih a lien check and that's it!

Q

 

All your posts have been great! I looked into the "Florida Dealerships" thread and it seems Crystal @ Lauderdale has helped, successfully, many mini owners.

I have already test drove the beetle, and did enjoy it. In Mini's defense, I have yet to drive one. Sat in two so far and have enjoyed the interior much more, can't wait to get one on the road.

Any more suggestions, I am open! :smile:

 

Take the drive to Ft Lauderdale Mini. Ask for dan. He is a great guy and very helpful.

 

Hello again!!

As far as my transaction . . .
Once I got Crystal, the whole process was SUPER easy!! We handled everything over the phone and then she faxed me the paper work. (It comes in handy to own a fax!) I filled everything out, faxed it back and the whole process only took a few hours. (That included me sitting at my computer and finally figuring out the EXACT options I wanted -- that took awhile!)

I live within minutes of Downtown Mini, but there was NO way I was going to order there! I didn't want to pay for stuff I didn't need or want. At Lauderdale Mini, I dealt with people that actual value customer service!! It really does make ALL the difference!

Once my Mini is in, I plan to fly there and then drive back to Orlando. LOTS of people have done this and you get a head start on the break in period.

Oh, I thought about other cars too, but once I saw the Mini I KNEW that was going to be my next car -- no matter what! My logical side kicked in (that doesn't happen often) so I did test drive several cars in one day, and nothing compared to my Mini test drive! (I test drove a Prius and a Bettle Convertible)

Hope that helps! If you need anything else, just ask!
:smile:

 

Crystal and Bonnie are the best!


I just came back from Lauderdale MINI from putting my order for a new '05 MCS

Can't wait for March to come!