This is the first time I've had to wait for a car to be built and shipped. And it's going to be three to four months at that.

Here’s what I’ve been doing to keep occupied:

- read the color brochure cover to cover – check (three times)
- read the accessories brochure cover to cover – check (multiple times)
- scour North American Motoring website for information – check
- make a cool signature block – check
- listen to mini podcasts - check
- google mini cooper – check
- read up on manual transmission, DSC – check

And I’m only in my first week of waiting.

What else is there to do in the meantime, short of loitering at the local mini dealer?

 

Watching The Itialian Job is a must

 

- Start shopping for accessories, detailing supplies, and mods!
- Check the Owners' Lounge obsessively waiting for your car to show up as "in production"
- Talk to all your friends incessantly about how excited you are about your new MCS, until they begin to roll their eyes each time you start a sentence with "My MCS...." (unless they themselves are MINI owners)
- Check your DMV's site for all possibilities of vanity plates
- Start thinking of names

Then, once your car goes into production, you can add:
- Call ASK-MINI repeatedly to find out exactly where your car is every step of the way

And then:
- Obsessively track your car from Oxford to Southampton to its ship and its trip across the ocean

 

I put it on my netflix queue saturday night, bumped it to the top. It should be in my mailbox today. Check.

 

How funny! OK, I'll join in since I too am waiting for my '09 (which my dealer says it will come in late Oct, early Nov???)

- Updated my email signature with a photo of my ordered MC
- Updated my PC's desktop with the same photo as my background
- Spot MCs on the road, noting the color, accessories, etc.
- Peruse the online MC accessory websites to begin picking out accessories for my own car
- Start "X"ing out days on my desk calendar until my MC arrives...

 

kewlby, you are too funny . I have done ALL of that and then some! I have a bunch of accessories waiting in the laundry to be installed

 

Search out every single mini clip on youtube to watch to kill time .

 

I did most of you you mentioned too. I might add that you really haven't called Ask-MINI enough until you start to recognize the names of the people working there!

 

i no how you guys feel i just picked up ziggy jun 26 after 3 months of waiting but once the day comes it is awsome! just try not to pull out your hair waiting and start saving for mods and watch anything that has a mini in it!

 

Become an expert in tracking MINI production and transport.

Bookmark this site so you will be ready as soon as you have a VIN:
http://schedule.2wglobal.com/AppTrac...trackType=Auto

Get to know this site and practice watching ships go through the Panama Canal so you will be ready when your ship passes through.
http://www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/camera-java.html

When you have the VIN, register at the MINI Owner's Lounge.

Memorize this thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=144057

Call 1-866-ASK-MINI (1-866-275-6464) incessantly asking about the status of your MINI. You will know that you are making calls frequently enough when every operator recognizes your voice.

Explore all the vendor web sites and plan what mods you will be doing to your MINI as soon as it arrives.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/sponsors

There is much for you to learn, Grasshopper.

 

OMG. This is SO funny!

 

Also, take time to enjoy the wait. I think it makes the whole experience a bit more fun than just going into a dealership and buying a car off of the lot. It's a car that was made especially for you exactly how you ordered.

 

I'm in the exact same boat except i'm renting a car till the Mini comes in.

 

These are perfect suggestions! I've checked off most of them, so time to get started on the remaining suggestions.

Nothing quite like mixing a mini cooper, 3 month wait and an OC buyer!

 

Oh, one more suggestion:

- Practice your developing OCD detailing skills on your old car. By the time your MINI gets here, the old car will be shiny and clean and ready for sale, and you'll be ready to take care of the MINI.

 

my MA said that they bumped up production and that the 2009 Minis will arrive in 4 weeks.

just letting you all know.

 

Wow, this is great news, anyone else hear about this?

 

+1

 

Oh now you're really messing with us.

 

[quote=trippmullins;2407847]These are perfect suggestions!

+1 .

 

The shipping website doesn't have any record of my VIN... but it is shipped.

Am I doing something wrong? I entered my VIN in the "Enter Cargo ID(s) and then click on Track" section. Yargh! I can't wait!

 

Both versions. Original and remake.

 

Aha! Don't forget:

1.) Join all your local MINI motoring clubs (notice the plural) and recon all routes that you will be driving "to go get milk" and/or having fun

2.) Buy two way radios for all MINI motoring club events (I even bought hands free headsets!)

3.) Buy all the coolest MINI t-shirts and/or hats and/or accessories, etc.

4.) Start collecting your personalized "on the road detail kit" -- made of a specially-purchased bag, extra handy tools, and of course using all your favorite car cleaning brands that you've already tested on your old car (+1 jgarner53)

5.) Start your motoring badge collection NOW!

6.) Always always always practice your OCMD -- Obsessive Compulsive MINI Disorder -- techniques.

 

Start a collection of mods. I already have a stubby antenna and the "actual size" sticker on order.

 

I haven't heard about this, but then again I've harassed my MA with calls of ". . . any new info, any new info?" so many times he probably filters my calls now!

Kewlby, you should join me at my company parking lot -- There are literally a half dozen MCS and each owner is more than happy to give you a tour of their car, and all the mods. Some even let you drive it! That is how I'm getting my fix and coping with the wait. But agree with someone else's comments, this wait is only going to make me appreciate T-Rex more!