I know it's my decision. I know I'm insane.
Finally getting a MINI after years of drooling. It's in VA. I'm in CA.
The intelligent choice would be to have it shipped out here, especially given the recent ice storms on the East coast.
But the weather is clearing, and I'm tempted to make the drive. Even if it's nice in VA, I know I will encounter bad weather along the way. If it was any time other than winter, I'd definitely do the drive, but a sprint across country in winter is definitely less appealing. Odds of road damage are probably also greater than if shipped.
Cost is about the same, when factoring in paid out vacation days.
I'd have it in 2-3 weeks if shipped, by end of week (plus at least four days travel time) if I drive.

So what say the fellow MINIacs?

 

OK, We'll be waiting.

 

Eric,

Can you spell R-O-A-D T-R-I-P?

 

Drive, it will give you ample opportunity to get aquainted with your new baby.

 

Driving will let you see a big chunk of the country you might not otherwise see, and will also get you past the break-in period without taking 3 months like I did.

 

hey, i live in VA and i just ordered mine. I recommend you fly...but whatever. Anyway, which dealership did you get yours from?

 

Buy a front end bra and go for it. Just make sure you travel the southern most route.

Why am I almost jealous of your situation?

 

I agree, make your way down south and take I-10 across... avoid I-80 like the plague. I-40 might be ok, although some of the places it goes through like TN ar Arkansas can't handle any icing on their roads...

 

Exactly what I was going to say.

Eric

 

VA dealership did you end up buying it from? Sterling or Richmond? I'd be careful with both and I'd want to see it up close and personal before you take delivery. Just my 2 cents.

 

drive it, totally! Its such an awesome experience if youve waited so long.
I live in wisconsin and bought mine in texas. Flew down, and drove back. 21 hours sraight, 1300 miles....SO worth it. what a ride!

 

I was in that exact situation a few months ago and I say ship the car. One thing is you are almost guaranteed your car will arive in new condition, driving that far durring the winter greatly increases chances of dammage from rocks etc. personally I know the car wont stay new/perfect forever unless you dot drive it but I would at least like to recieve it perfect and have it stay that way for a while. I did all the math on cost and like you said its about the same.

Pretty cool deal to see you new perfect mini come out of the enclosed trailer at your house ;-)

I say ship it and then drive and enjoy the heck out of it when it gets to SUNNY California!

 

Drive it!!! I drove my MC back from Memphis, TN (to Los Angeles) during September 2003, and that was one of the best 11 days of my life!!!

Go for it!!! Your car will be fully broken in by the time you get home.

 

I'd opt for driving. I agree with another poster who said it would be nice to see it come out of a trailer perfect and new, but who says they can guarantee that they won't scratch/dent it either? I drove mine home from Westchester NY to Santa Monica CA in October of 02 and loved it....
Ask yourself this question----how often, if ever, will I take the time to drive all the way across the country? I am so glad I did it. It was an experience I will always remember with a smile. And yes, I got home with a few rock chips and a windshield crack (rock) from the third day....still wouldn't trade the experience....Bruce

 

I would have it shipped.

I don't like to drive constant speed on cross country interstate while
breaking in the motor nor do I like rock chips from tractor trailers.

When I drove two of my previous cars from LA to Chicago, I pretty much
wrapped my hobby car in saran wrap. front bumper, front of hood, side
mirror (as a clearbra). Im glad I did it too... turned out with pretty much
zero damage although the wrap had tons of gunk on it. :smile:

 

Eric,


When is yours coming-in?

I say drive! I am picking-up our MCS on Feb. 23 and driving from Classic Mini to New Orleans and then west to So. CA.

Just be careful and enjoy!

AndroMCS

 

FWIW, it's used, not new (but just got a new windshield) so any scars would not be its first, and it's already been properly broken in.
So have any of the above who advocate driving done so in early February??
My biggest fear would be racking it up on a patch of ice in Nowhere, Arkansas and buying another one way plane ticket home.

I don't have the time I'd like to dawdle, but I have always wanted to drive across the US. I do like the idea of the adventure, especially if I had more time (only 4 or 5 days right now) to play on the way. Guess I'll check the weather forecasts - if there's any more of that ice-storm crap, on the trailer it goes! If not, hmmm.
Ah, decisions, decisions.
Thanks for all the input!

 

Last summer my wife and I decided that we would buy a MINI for my 50th birthday. We couldn't wait so be bought it for my 49th. In October we drove to DC to visit the inlaws. It was such an enjoyable trip that we decided to go again for Easter making a detour by Santa Fee.

When you think of Europeans, I find that we're so lucky in North America to have such a large playground. They've got to be jalous a bit.

Driving that little booger across the country is the kind of memory that you will bring to your death bed. Enjoy.

 

Don't tease me, Gilles! I once drove from Austria down into Italy, then to the Netherlands in a day - at 110mph all the way through Germany, it was a pretty quick trip. Hmmm, maybe if I finagle another few days off...

 

Definately something to think about there. I drove cross country a few years ago SF-NYC, and the one thing I regret was that I couldn't take my time and made the trip in 4 days... I had hoped to sight see along the way, instead I got a flat outside Park City UT and got to take in the SAC museum outside Omaha. Financial considerations prevented me from doing more at the time...

If you can take the time and leisurely make the trip you will love it... But if you need to beat feet back home.... well then it's just 3 and a half days on an interstate... whoo hoo....

 

drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive, drive!

 

Also.....I don't define waiting as a memorable experience....

 

True, true. :smile:

 

In a word, DRIVE.

 

I'm in central Virginia. Have we had ice storms? Really, don't worry about the weather and enjoy a road trip. We've a bit of ice/sleet/snow mix, but only for a few hours at a time. I drive my Mini to work every day. The roads here are clear.

I did a cross country and back trip last spring on my motorcycle. The road crossing the Rocky Mountain NP was closed due to snow, but other than that, my trip went off with zero problems. Interesting picture - the bike parked next to a snowdrift.