For all those on the TOSCA, the vessel has sailed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I happened to check the site for the 1000th time today and it has set for sea. My MINI is still showing waitlist status, but I assume that will be updated soon.

Bon Voyage fellow Tosca cruisers

 

Ok, ok, I'll admit it. I'm spending WAY too much time at the Cargo Tracking site!

But it's paid off. Carmen is unloaded, and it is reflecting that - i.e.:

Cargo Status History

Cargo Id: TC44759
Booking Number: GBSOU117320 Bill Number: GB111759
Vessel: CARMEN Port of Origin: SOUTHAMPTON
Voyage: EQ307-CAR Port of Destination: NEW YORK, NY
Priority: Customer Ref. Number:
Status Port Time (dd/mm/yyyy hh:mm)
DELIVERED FROM NEW YORK, NY 26/03/2003 08:00
DISCHARGED NEW YORK, NY 25/03/2003 20:15
LOADED ON VESSEL SOUTHAMPTON 16/03/2003 15:35
RECEIVED AT TERMINAL SOUTHAMPTON 14/03/2003 07:42
BOOKED SOUTHAMPTON 11/03/2003 09:44

 

Ok, now that it's off the boat, we're done tracking through W-W, correct? :???:

 

Congrats Minisail! Grover is on shore. Do you know if he plans on taking in a show tonight or is just going to light up the town?

Regards,

ps. When did they update the delivered from status today?

 

>>Congrats Minisail! Grover is on shore. Do you know if he plans on taking in a show tonight or is just going to light up the town?
>>

With Grover, you never know. I don't see him seeing a Broadway show, but if he could pick up tickets to Letterman, he'll probably be there!

>>Regards,
>>
>>ps. When did they update the delivered from status today?

Within the last hour. W-W timestamp on the record is 8:00am EST, so that would be indicative of an 8 hour lag. Not real-time, but certainly not awful.

 

Heard back from the MA. Maybe Friday it will be ready (although we have another snow storm coming in tomorrow). I never even received an e-mail about my personal programming choices for the MINI, etc...

My MA has been very disappointing. I feel like I've done half of his work for him. I had to request my purchase agreement for final price several times before he even faxed it. It didn't even have the final price on it. I've tried to explain to him I'm coming in with 1 check to purchase the vehicle - I'm not financing so I need a final price. He didn't have all of the accessories that I told him to add on to the list.

I also told him to not put the dealership sticker on the vehicle. Why do I think when I show up the first thing I'll see is the dealership sticker on the back of my MINI. That sad thing is I could not have been nicer thru this frustration. Hope it's worth it. Uugh.

 

>>Congrats Minisail! Grover is on shore. Do you know if he plans on taking in a show tonight or is just going to light up the town? :smile:

 

MichaelD!

Awesome news. I am so excited for you. If I don't have my mini by Saturday I will be living my life vicariously through you.

Congrats and Motor On!

Birdie

 

minitothemax-

I met the woman who owns the Y/B MC today. Turns out that she is in the same building I'm in. We have planned to park next to each other when I get my car.

Thanks for the understanding.

Birdie

 

Anyone else get the "we just upgraded our system and only can see when your car was giving to the exit port" response? That is all I can get from them.

 

>>minitothemax-
>>
>>I met the woman who owns the Y/B MC today. Turns out that she is in the same building I'm in. We have planned to park next to each other when I get my car.
>>
>>Thanks for the understanding.
>>
>>Birdie

That is really cool. If they are especially deep spots, you can share one! After all, my 69 Caddy convertible is 225 inches long, and some spots have room to spare.
:smile:

 

>>Birdie, It seems like you are going through the same emotions that I did before I picked up my MINI about 1 1/2 weeks ago. I was so nervous that something was going to go wrong and way too excited at the thought of finally being behind the wheel. This car has exceeds my expectations in every way! It is such a blast to drive. The wait is definitely worth it. I will swing by the freedom business center to spy on Bonzo when I hear that it has arrived. What dealer are you going through? I have to go to Don Rosen on Friday so if you ordered from them, then maybe I will see it there. Good luck with the delivery and enjoy all of our twisties in our area. As I said, it's a blast!

Minitothemax-
Sorry....I never answered your question! I am buying from Don Rosen too. My MA is Mark O'Neill. He is a real good guy and has been very patient with me. The whole process with them has been excellent. I will even be doing the financing through them.

Birdie

 

>>My Friends and Fellow Americans [and the other guys, too]:
>>

>>If everthing goes as planned [BIG HA!], I'll be in My MC on Saturday, which is almost as good as Friday, which is my birthday . :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

If you guys haven't seen the thread going under the topic of "Has Anyone Had Sex In Their Mini Yet" you need to. It is HILARIOUS. Specifically the "How To" Map someone submitted.

Birdie

 

MichaelD - I live so close to where you are picking up your mini I am tempted to come by and check it out!!!! SOOooo excited for you!!! Whoo Hoooo!!! What a bday gift!

Birdie, I just checked out the aforementioned site....HILARIOUS! Love the blueprint plans....the sunroof adds some options too. Hee hee

 

speaking of sex, I just ordered some goodies for my MCS today

 

Flo is checking out her rubber on the new continent!!!!. Hope they don't turn off the DSC!!! MCO say's 4/5 for delivery date Probably be later than thant before I can get down to KC to pick her up! The Cooper (formerly Harley) lost her name. Still quite a ride. Took alot of chips in the bonnet over the winter, but she is cleaning up nicely. If the S is 3K more fun than the Cooper it is going to be one hell of a ride. I wonder if it will ever compare to the girly car????

 

>>minitothemax-
>>
>>I met the woman who owns the Y/B MC today. Turns out that she is in the same building I'm in. We have planned to park next to each other when I get my car.
>>
>>Thanks for the understanding.
>>
>>Birdie
I saw the same color combo yesterday when I was running through the park. Maybe it was her. I was parked by the Baron von Steuben statue but may not have been visible from Rt 23.

 

>>Sorry....I never answered your question! I am buying from Don Rosen too. My MA is Mark O'Neill. He is a real good guy and has been very patient with me. The whole process with them has been excellent. I will even be doing the financing through them.
>>
>>Birdie
>>
Mark is also my advisor. He was very thorough with the explanation of the car but I made it easy for him because I had learned so much already from all of the forums over the past year.

By the way, your wait hasn't been that long. I put my deposit down in June! I'll try to put some pressure on him to get Bonzo ready ASAP when I see him on Friday.

 

chef r, gr8brit or any other Tosca cruiser, do any of you show the status of being on the boat on the Wallenius Wilhelmsen Global Cargo Tracking website. Someone on Owners Network posted they showed theirs was loaded at 9:56 am. My still shows waitlisted. I hope I did not miss the boat.

Regards,

 

Hey guys, how are you paying for your mini? Did any of you guys "haggle" to get a better deal (i.e. getting it at msrp, etc...) This is my first new car and i'm not sure who i should go through for financing. I have a pretty good credit score (above 700) and i have about $10,000 saved up for a down payment. I've read in some forums that people don't like going through BMW because they don't give low APRs, and they went through a source called peoplefirst.com (online auto loan) or there credit union. I, unfortunately, do not have a credit union. I just need some suggestions on which road to take to get my mini at the best price. Do you think, w/ a down payment that size, i can haggle for a lower price (i have to pay $1500 dealer markup) and a lower APR? Anything will help...peace

 

Sorry I haven't written with my experiences since picking up my car. Well, to everyone who is still waiting for their car, all I can say is hang in there, the wait is well worth it :smile:

I picked up the car on Monday evening (delivery is an experience - going through all the Mini quirks and features), and then managed to get lost on my way home - an chance to drive the car more.

The car drives beautifully - at last a car that drives like a go-kart, with no feeling of inertia. The steering is very direct, and sharp. The engine is surprisingly willing above 2000 rpm, though a little hesitant below. Throttle response seems sharp too.

I can't wait until I have completed 1200 miles, and can start to "drive' the car. The gearbox still feels a little notchy, though I am expecting this will get better. The six speeds seem well spaced to keep the engine in the powerband.

The engine sound is tuneful - and 6th is long enough to make long journeys possible. The car also feels very solid, though you do feel almost every last bump, even with the 16 inch wheels. The roads are terrible here in Long Island.

I have uploaded some photos as follows:

http://photos.yahoo.com/my2003mini

The car seems to have the effect of putting a smile on everyones face ... in particular the drivers :smile: Every journey is an adventure to look forward to.

Wishing everyone else well with their car.

My2003mini :smile:

 

JeremyPro-

It's simple.......first, realize you run the deal, period, this is your purchase and you are the customer. Second, tell them you have a Credit Union and have a good rate. Third, figure out where the $ hurts the most, meaning is it the price of the car or the monthly payment? Where is the source of pain. Then pick the battle you want to fight.

Chances are you will lose the price battle. The MINI is in high demand, so they have you there. But the finance rate can be negotiated....assuming you have good credit. Call around, check the web, ask a friend to refer you to a bank, etc. Get some ammunition for future conversations with the dealer. Trust me, they want the financing to go through them. There are often incentives, kick backs, rewards that go to the dealer. So, you have some leverage. Maybe they will remove the mark-up if you eat the rate they give you for the financing. You have to do some background checking.

All and all, you have options and you run the deal. Don't forget that. I hope this helps.

Birdie

 

par4bmw

Mine shows loaded at 11:43 and is aboard. I see that you are not online so I'll review your TD number and see if there's an update?

 

par4bmw

Sorry, but it looks as if your MCS didn't make the Tosca for what ever reason? It arrived in plenty of time but they must have some sort of order number priority although having said that, a review of the Cargo ID numbers doesn't indicate a particular pattern? :???: