chef r,
I hope you have told Shadowfax to behave today. I don't want him and Motor'nMAX to get kicked off of another ship.

Regards,

 

We had a long talkabout "adult" behavior and that there will be plenty of time to goof off once he arrives in Texas...hope he was listening...how many times have you been to the WW site today?
(C'mon, be honest...)
chef r

PS...I noticed that my sig has vanished again! :evil: Has anyone else had this problem. One visit it's there, the next its gone, what's going on?????

 

Today 5+. The sad thing is I kept checking a zillion times on days prior. Like it really was going to leave early.

 

I've probably checked in 8-10 times and I am equally guilty of checking for an early departure...nuts, huh?
chef

 

it pains me to do this guys...

i must hereby officially withdraw myself from the april club...

alas, i wont be able to get morgan right away. fate dealt me a bad hand this round, and i'm gonna have to wait until sometime later to get a mini.

i wish you all congratulations on your mini's, and the best of luck in the future!

...i adopted my girlfriend's mini as a piece of my own though, so not all is lost.

adieu, mis agimos...and adios...

 

zero,
Sorry to hear and I hope things work out for you. May your next hand be a royal flush.

Stick around. When you have a chance to get that MINI, you will always be a CWFACer.

Take Care,

 

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN (and Ryle, too) Any number of 10-year olds with bugging eyes

 

CONGRATS Michael :evil:
Keep in touch with us all, it's been a great journey anyway!

Smoochez,
Ryan

 

Way to go Miacheld

 

WOW, All of you who are taking delivery on your minis is cool. I just cleaned out my garage to make room for another car. MA is faxing the programmable options sheet.

I am envious of you all. Keep posting those pics.

Jeremypro and Miniclo, tomorrow our minis should be on California soil!

Andy

 

Well, call me a fool or an optimist but a just placed an ad to run this coming weekend in the Washington Post to sell my Audi. I don't need to sell it before my Mini arrives, but I thought if I put an ad in the paper I could force the VPC to release my car (I can hope at least).

Harry
(probably a pedestrian for a week) :???:

 

>>Kelisa: there's UK sign shop but they only have "detailed" not "ruled" like you want. I think your dealership is full of crap personally Honestly tho, I wouldn't wanna take the risk of getting the driving lights screwed up by those heavy and brutal cloth-walls! Try to stick to the self-do "quarter" washes, or better yet, hand-wash in your driveway! Take a look at the Detailing 101 Forum, lots of info in there!
>>
>>Have a great day
>>Ryan

Ryan,
I knew I'd take some hazing for the post. I agree that the only washing method with the best results is by hand. Thanks for the 101 Forum fyi. I'll check into it.

Birdie

 

WW is keeping the ships moving on schedule. The Terrier (which admittedly is of interest only to me) left as scheduled on 3/28 with my new toy on board. Due in to CA on 4/16. Then it's VPC limbo hopefully no longer than two weeks. Then the road trip up the CA coast back home.

Pictures of graduates are only increasing the anticipation. Keep them coming.

Quinn

 

Yup, looks like our mini's will soon be enjoying the California sun!! Do you have any ideas how long we have to wait after the boat unloads? I still haven't talked to my MA about anything yet (financing, preprogramming, etc...)

 

Errrrrr :evil: . I'm haveing a majorly stressful moment right now. Trying to find auto insurance by friday is starting to look harder than I thought it'd be(this will be my first auto insurance, since I'm not on my mom's plan anymore). Don't have a NY liscence yet, which is makeing the insurance more difficult. I don't know when I'll ever be able to register the mini, since I can't really drive it here yet(not comfy enough on the stick). And my dealer expects me to bring my plates with me on friday. How is that even possible?

I'm really bumming right now, and hopeing some of my April Peep's will cheer me up with some advice.
(Zero I totally feel your pain, hang in there buddy!)

Whatda think? Should I just say "F*** it!" and drive the mini home anyway? Is 4 1/2 hours on the interstate sufficient learning expirience to be able to confidently drive the mini in NYC?

 

>>Errrrrr :evil: . I'm haveing a majorly stressful moment right now. Trying to find auto insurance by friday is starting to look harder than I thought it'd be(this will be my first auto insurance, since I'm not on my mom's plan anymore). Don't have a NY liscence yet, which is makeing the insurance more difficult. I don't know when I'll ever be able to register the mini, since I can't really drive it here yet(not comfy enough on the stick). And my dealer expects me to bring my plates with me on friday. How is that even possible?
>>
>>I'm really bumming right now, and hopeing some of my April Peep's will cheer me up with some advice.
>>(Zero I totally feel your pain, hang in there buddy!)
>>
>>Whatda think? Should I just say "F*** it!" and drive the mini home anyway? Is 4 1/2 hours on the interstate sufficient learning expirience to be able to confidently drive the mini in NYC?

Katie... deep calming breaths... it'll all be okay.... it'll all work out... this is your dream car.

I'm sorry I can't be more help with insurance advice.. all I can suggest is to keep calling around until you can find someone nice enough to explain things to you and help you out. Can you register the car in the state that you do have a license in and get insurance that way? That might be more work than just getting a NY license...

As for the stick thing... the MINI is a pretty easy car to teach yourself to drive a stick on. Is MINI of Peabody going to take you out and show you about the car and how to drive it? Worse case, I (or my SO if my knee isn't better) can meet you up there with the Probe if you're afraid of breaking something in your car (I don't think that's really likely, but if it'll make you feel better...) and teach you a bit more. Do you have somewhere to crash if you want to take a few more hours getting used to the car if you need to? If you need it, I'm offering (I'm NOT scary, I promise!).

But I really think you'll be fine getting the car back to NYC. Lots of old grannies drive through there and do just fine. Just smile and enjoy the car, no matter where you are.

Here if you need the help...
~Rachel

 

Finally the day has arrived...my mini is at the dealer!!!
too bad the dealer is still 2049 miles from Los Angeles, but whose counting!
Had its roof rack installed today at the dealer and its options programmed.
Signing the paperwork in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Private shipping company (enclosed transport of course!) picking it up on Friday!
Should have it in my hands by 4/4! Ahhh...soon to be many more hours of tracking the MINI across the US of A. And I thought I was done with this tracking when I got off the Jingu! :smile:

Best of luck to all!
My MA even offered to take some pics of my mini at the dealer and send them my way. Of course i'll let everyone peek when i get them!

Bryan

 

Oh yeah...more kudos for the Owners Lounge...
My Mini got to the dealer on Saturday the 29th of March. Today is the 1st of April...still say its at the Distribution Center! C'mon guys...get it together!

 

I can't believe I missed opening day I never miss opening day.

I was having so much fun getting my garage ready and talking to my MA that I totally forgot about baseball. I was home, and the game was on TV. (Giants won 5-2).

Hey Chef, what do think would be a good mini menu for a mini tailgate party?

Katie, can you register under your mom's name, then switch it to your name later when you get insurance? Just a thought.

Andy

 

Missed opening day!?!? Now that's obsessing Anybody have other ideas for the MINI menu?

Ryan, still struggling with my sig (obviously) it doesn't seem to be loading from geocities, but when I open it directly, there it is...it even appears on MCO occasionally...any ideas? I'm trying to set up a different spot to host it, maybe that will work.

The nice thing is it keeps my mind of the wait for 5-10 minutes at a time

Par4-we should be sailing by now, feeling seasick at all?

chef

PS Katie, hang in there, you and that car WILL get together! --Rachel, you are a beautiful human trying so hard to help Katie--and I am scouting for your spicy...

 

Holy Crap! More shipping advances, and a bunch have already taken delivery; The April Club is morphing in front of our eyes! No need to panic, I'm not gonna pull any immature April Fool's Joke!

Our 1st Graduate! *Wags FTB, MC, PS/PS, Motoring on March 8th
Graduate #2 *my2003mini, MCS, DS/W, Motoring on March 24th
Grad #3 *Birdie33, MC IB/W, Motoring on March 28th
Grad #4 *Squigidoodle, MC, VR/W, Motoring on March 29th
Grad #5 *MichaelD, MC, VR/W, Motoring on March 31st
Grad #6 * Ryephile, MCS, DS/B, Motoring on April 1st

At the Dealership:
Bbuskas, MCS, DS/B, 2049 miles away from home!
Littlecajun, MC, CR/W
Red, MCS, PS/B

Production Status:

196+ – being transported to Venezuela
Colinarm: MC, LY/W
Rb905678, MCS, DS/B

196+ – On the Truck:
Kelisa, MC, CR/W
DaMatta, MCS JB/W

196.5 - At the VPC
Hfranks, MCS, CR/W
MiniSail: MC, IB/W
Rataha, MCS, EB/W
Rfath, MCS, DS/DS
Sandra7833, MCS, DS/W
Scoobs, MCS, PS/B
Tourist, MC, BRG/W

196 – Discharged! (returned to Factory)
Brgmini12723, MCS, BRG/W
Moggio: MC, LY/B
PJ, MCS, IB/B

195.5 – At the docks in Panama
James4513: MCS, LY/B

195 – En Route on Tosca; in NY about 04/24:
Asodestrom, MC, CR/W
JeremyPo, MCS, IB/W
MiniMarc: MCS, PS/W


195 – En Route on Tristan, in CA about 04/28
Gr8brit, MCS, CR/W
Pamato: MCS, JB/JB
Sockdaddy: MCS JB/JB
Tboner4me: MCS, IB/W

195 – En Route on Fidelio, in SC about 05/29
Chefrichie: MCS, CR/B
MINIHOLLAND: MCS EB/W
Res0zvle, MCS, DS/B
Rocketpop, MCS, DS/B
TziholMeg, MC, PW/B

193 – Received at Port
Bustov: MCS, EB/B
Jerrygee: MCS, CR/B
Par4bmw, MCS, PS/PS

190 – Awaiting Transport
SemiImbecile: MCS, DS/W
Veritas: MCS, DS/DS

155 – Production Complete
Lastwave: MCS, BRG/B

111 – Order Accepted
MINIclo: MCS, JB/W, April 4
Quinn: MCS, JB/W, April 4

37 – On Order
Katiedidmini, MC, JB/W, April 11 (crash a burn, Round #2)
Zerocharisma, MC, PW/PW, April 18
Wastik, MCS, DS/W, April 18


Oh, by the way, APRIL FOOLS!

 

Here's the REAL Production List

At the Dealership:
Bbuskas, MCS, DS/B, (TD66312), 2049 miles away from home!
Katiedidmini, MC, VR/B, (TC44052), Picking up April.04
Zerocharisma, MC, JB/JB, (TC44208) ßBad twist of Fate!
Wastik, MCS, EB/W, (TDxxxxx) ß Delayed Motoring?

Production Status:

196+ – being transported to Calgary
Colinarm: MC, LY/W
Rb905678, MCS, DS/B (EDD, April.05)

196+ – On the Truck:
Kelisa, MC, CR/W, (TE18013)
Littlecajun, MC, CR/W, (TC44438)

196.5 - At the VPC
Hfranks, MCS, CR/W, (TD66683)
MiniSail: MC, IB/W, (TC44759)
Rataha, MCS, EB/W, (TD66399)
Ryephile, MCS, IB/W, (TD66772)

196 – Discharged!
Brgmini12723, MCS, BRG/W, (TD66698)
DaMatta, MCS JB/W, (TDxxxxx)
Moggio: MC, LY/B, (TC44578)
PJ, MCS, IB/W, (TD66528)
Red, MCS, PS/B, (TD66806)
Rfath, MCS, DS/DS, (TD66825)
Sandra7833, MCS, DS/B (TD66493)
Scoobs, MCS, PS/B, (TD66891)
Tourist, MC, BRG/W, (TC44391)

195.5 – At the Docks in SC
James4513: MCS, LY/W, (TD66729)

195 – En Route on Fidelio, in SC about 03/29
MiniMarc: MCS, DS/W, (TD66901)
Res0zvle, MCS, PS/B, (TD67028)
Rocketpop, MCS, DS/W, (TD66477)
TziholMeg, MC, PW/B, (TC44724)

195 – En Route on Medea; in CA about 04/02:
Asodestrom, MC, CR/B, (TC44373)
JeremyPo, MCS, IB/W, (TD66360)
MINIclo: MCS, JB/JB, (TD66433)

195 – En Route on Tosca, in NY about 04/04
Gr8brit, MCS, CR/W, (TD67112)
Pamato: MCS, JB/JB, (TD67097)
Sockdaddy: MCS JB/JB, (TD67092)
Tboner4me: MCS, IB/W, (TD67178)

195 – En Route on Pegasus Leader, in CA about 04/09
Jerrygee: MCS, CR/W, (TD66838)

195 – En Route on Jingu Maru, NY about 04/09
Chefrichie: MCS, CR/B, (TD67260)
Par4bmw, MCS, PS/B, (TD67251)

195 – En Route on Terrier, Ca about 04/16
Quinn: MCS, JB/W, March.21 (TD67266)

190 – Awaiting Transport
Veritas: MCS, DS/DS, (TD67645)

150 – Production Started
Lastwave: MCS, BRG/B, March.28 (TD67742)

37 – On Order
Bustov: MCS, EB/B, April.4

Good night, Cheers,
Ryan

 

Rachel you are amazing! That is so sweet of you to offer me so much help.
Some of the guys at the dealer had said they'd take me to the lot next door and get me more familiar with the stick, but I don't know how sincere of an offer that is. I'm starting to think that I can do this though. If I pick the mini up friday morning, I can spend the whole rest of the day inside of it. My boyfriend, doesn't drive a stick either, but has decided to go up there with me, so that I'm not alone on the way back. I figure I just need to get in there and tackle it right? I mean I'm never going to learn by just inching my way in. If anybody disagree's with this idea, tell me now or forever hold your peice!!!!!

Oh by the way, IT' APRIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome to our namesake month, and may the MINI's start rolling in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


and also Go Giant's!!!!!!

_________________

Coop' du jour: VR/B,1, 2 & 3, profile leather, chrome, xenon, HK, anthracite, r87's. Status 196, almost home!!!!!

 

>>Rachel you are amazing! That is so sweet of you to offer me so much help.
>>Some of the guys at the dealer had said they'd take me to the lot next door and get me more familiar with the stick,
>>but I don't know how sincere of an offer that is. I'm starting to think that I can do this though. If I pick the mini up
>>friday morning, I can spend the whole rest of the day inside of it. My boyfriend, doesn't drive a stick either, but has >>decided to go up there with me, so that I'm not alone on the way back. I figure I just need to get in there and tackle it >>right? I mean I'm never going to learn by just inching my way in. If anybody disagree's with this idea, tell me now >>or forever hold your peice!!!!!

Katie - I'm SURE you'll be fine. If they won't show you how to drive the car, then here's a way to start out learning how to get the car rolling... try to be someplace with a largeish area so if you start rolling you don't have to worry too much about where you're going yet.
Start the car (remember to engage the clutch to start it). Take the handbrake off and put your foot onto the brake pedal
With the clutch in, put the car into first gear
Here's the coordination step: take your foot off the brake and onto the gas.. just rest it there. Slowly start lifting up on the clutch with your other foot. At some point (and it's generally different on every car), you'll feel a bit of resistance in the clutch as the car starts to stall - you'll both hear and feel this. This is where you'll want to start adding gas slowly as you continue to let off of the clutch to keep the car happy (and running). If you don't add enough gas, the car'll stall. If the car does start to stall and you think that you can't get it going again (by giving it more gas), press back down on the clutch for another go or just pull the shifter back into neutral. Both will keep the car from bucking you out of your seat It's really just experimenting with how much gas you need to apply to get the car rolling - and it'll probably surprise you at how much throttle you'll need to apply compared to most automatics. If you can get the car rolling from a start it first gear pretty consistently, then you're golden. Upshifting to the other gears from there is the same process, but much easier. There're a lot of different shifting styles, from aggressive boy-racer, stop-light launches to a more economical sort of shifting that leaves a bit more gas in the tank. The difference is these styles is the rpm at which you shift. It's all up to you! You can either decide at what rpm you want to upshift at and just watch the tach for a while until you can hear what the engine sounds like at that particular rpm. If that's too much for you to watch while you're getting used to the extra pedal and the other new things in the car, you can just listen to the car's engine for clues about when you should shift. It's a qualitative change in sound that you'll hear and feel when you get to that point: the engine gets a bit whinier, if you lift off of the throttle, the car will slow down much more quickly (engine braking!). You'll also feel/hear a bit of almost backpressure (that's the only way I can think of to describe it). If you're not sure if you should be shifting, give it a try anyway. If it was too soon, the car will feel like it's bogging and has no horsepower when you give it gas.

Slowing down, the clutch-gas process is the same. What'll probably be easiest in traffic is to just leave the car in neutral as you brake to slow down; as soon as you can accelerate again, you shift into the gear that you think'll work best. Experiment with this too: if the car suddenly revs really really high and starts feeling jerky with you, you've picked a gear that's too low and you should upshift. If it feels like it doesn't have any power, then you've gone too high. You'll also get a rough idea of what speed corresponds to what gear you're in as well... it's a decent way to start out as you're starting to get more used to the idea of watching your tachometer.

Above all else, stay relaxed. It's just not likely that you'll do lasting harm to any part of the car. I've taught a few people to drive a stick shift in the probe and it's still on its original clutch (at 95k miles). Besides, the car's under warranty. The Cooper's an easy car to learn on! Don't let people honking at you in traffic bother you a bit, either... they all had to learn to drive a car once, even if they'd like to forget it.

If you feel really uncomfortable with the thought, PM me and I'll give you my phone number for some moral support or advice if you need it

~Rachel, who probably wrote way too much...

 

Katie...I had a Maryland license when I moved to NY. I just went to the Motor Vehicles place downtown in Manhattan during lunch to get my NY license. It was a piece of cake - just a matter of filling out a form and an eye test. If that makes it easier to get insurance than go for it. Otherwise, register it out of state for now if you can.

If you do drive it down, just take your time. Don't feel rushed by anyone. Just motor along at your own pace! People will be so busy admiring your mini they won't mind if they have to wait at a light behind you for a little bit. :smile: Good luck!