So I had to go to the local Honda dealer in Madison, NJ today to drop my wife's CR-V off for servicing. I actually LOVE going there b/c every time we do, someone comes up to me to ask my about my MINI or there are a bunch of people huddled around it when we come back out. Well this morning I was a little bummed b/c it was so cold (in the teens) that the dealer was pretty desolate. However, when we came out I got the surprise of my life! Not only was someone LOOKING at my MINI but they were crawling around on the ground and even looking underneath MINI! At first I thought, "oh no! Someone's trying to steal my MINI tire pressure caps again!". Then I realized that I never put new ones on. So when I got to the MINI, I asked the guy, "Do you like it?", beating him to the punch. He said, "Oh, is it your car?". As it turns out, the guy was one of the Honda mechanics and saw my car in the lot and ran out to get a "closer look". My wife was like, "Sure take your time, do you want to sit in it?". The guy asked if he could look under the hood b/c he really was dying to see the engine and supercharger. So I popped it and let him inspect the engine. It was great seeing how excited he was! We talked to him for a few minutes and gave him "the tour" before he had to run back in. That was a really cool experience.

I love going there, every time there are either customers asking me what kind of car that is (and if the Honda dealer sells them) or I'll even get salespeople huddling around it and asking questions. But this one topped them all - a Honda mechanic loving my MINI (and he did get pretty intimate - I'm not sure what he was doing UNDER my MINI!!!!).

 

that's a great story! I lived in Madison in NJ for a short time. I can just imagine you driving down the main drag to the Honda dealer.
JB

 

Great story.

It makes me want to hang out at the delarship.

 

I almost have started giving myself extra time to get somewhere to allow people to ask about the car and gawk at it. Was finding that I'd be late for some outings due to people swarming my car if I stopped for gas or something. But it's all right. I'm getting a lot more used to it now. It's to be expected.
Cheers,

 

I thought I'd resurrect this thead to share my story from yesterday which was a similar experience...

I took my MINI in to the local Ford dealership for my state inspection. The guy actually doing the inspection seemed totally unaffected by this car, but slowly a crowd began to form around it. All the service guys were there, some salesmen had been summoned, one lady pronounced it her "dream car!" The bonnet was up, the boot was opened, everyone took their turn sitting behind the wheel! At max attention I think there were 10-15 people around. It was great, they all loved it!

 

great stuff.....

Peace,
D

 

That's a great story!

He obviously has VERY good taste!

 

greatgro,

I love hearing stories like that.

Funny thing, this kind of thing happens to me when I go to the local car wash. The guys treat him (my MINI) like he's made of gold (and he IS :smile: ) The other customers really like the MINI and they ask lots of questions. I've even met a few people who knew all about the MINI and although they didn't own one, they were just as enthusiastic about the car as I am. I get the same reaction from gas station attendants and all sorts of other folks in general.

Glad to see that you're not the only one enjoying your MINI.

 

Ah, greatgro! Our little MINIs....spreading joy wherever they go! It just doesn't get any better!

Cheers!
Clover

 

I had a similar experience at 6 different dealerships on a Saturday afternoon. My MCS was the center of attention at each one. Even drove through a Mercedes-Benz dealership without getting out of the car and a salesman came outside, flagged me down, so that he could look at it. Great way to spend a Saturday afternoon... I highly recommend it! :smile:

 

I had the same experience at a Jeep Dealership where we got my wife's Liberty. The salesman that sold the Jeep to us wanted to go for a ride around the block. When we got back all the mechanics were out there waiting for us so they could look at it. It was funny becouse our salesperson was trying to get everyone to leave me alone, being protective I guess, but I just popped the hood, opened the doors and stood back.

 

I'm having similar experiences and I don't even have my car yet! I walked into work yesterday, and one of the nurses said "I hear you're getting a new toy!" There were about seven other people standing around looking at me expectantly, and when I said I was getting a Mini, their faces ALL lit up simultaneously and there was this collective "OOOOOOH!" like a crowd watching fireworks go off! It was the most amazing experience! Then they broke into excited chatter "Oh I want one" "What color?" "They're so cute!" etc etc. The car just seems to elicit that reponse from everyone I meet.