When I first saw the MINI in 2001 I told my parents "One day I'm gonna have one of them." Being only 11 at that point they always brushed it off with yeah sure you are. As the years went on, and I got older my love never died. I'd see the MINIs on the street and dream of being able to say "I have one too." On August 19th 2006 I purchased my first MINI. A pre-loved 2003 MINI Cooper. British Racing Green with a White top. I drove it off the lot with 50054 miles on the clock. I have since put 33000 miles on the little guy, changed out some bits and pieces, and even added some flare of my own. Whenever I discussed my future cars there were 2 that I knew I would have. A brand new MINI and a Lotus, always in that same order. Last night I went to make chapter 2 in my MINI book come to fruition. I took a trip up to MINI of Towson where I was met by a lovely MA by the name of Alison. She asked if I needed help with anything and thus the relationship of MA/Customer began. I sat with her for almost 2 hours building my dream MINI. Model, color, options, the works. First thing she asked was, "are we keeping the Cooper or are we going to move up to an S?" I gave a little smile as I replied back, "lets make this one an S." She pulled up the online configurator and away we went. "What color did you want to go with?" I replied swiftly with "Interchange Yellow." She paused and said, "that color is only for the convertible models." I then said back, "you never asked if I wanted to stick with the hardtop or move to a 'vert." We restarted with the configurator, this time building a MINI Cooper S Convertible. We swiftly moved through the configuration. Adding this, removing that. Once we completed the build she took back Itercide to see how much they would be giving me for the trade. I took this time to wonder around the showroom looking at all the lovely MINIs, in pristine condition, sitting around waiting for a home. When Alison returned we started with the hard talk. They offered me $6500, which was $750 under what KBB and Edmunds valued my car at average condition. I accepted it because of the repairs she mentioned that their shop noted were needed. I presented her a printout of the JCW Tuning Kit from Morristown MINI for $1680. I asked if they could match that price, or if I'd have to buy it from Morristown. She took a few minutes to talk to the manager and came back happy to oblige. We signed a few papers and I was on my way, with my brand new 2009 MINI Cooper S Convertible on order. The Build: 2009 MINI Cooper S Convertible Interchange Yellow Black Top Cold Weather PackageHeated Front Seats Heated Powerfold Mirrors & Washer JetsSport PackageXenon Headlamps w/Power Wash Dynamic Traction Control White Turn Signals 17" Black Star Bullets with Performance Runflats Mounted Black Bonnet Stripes Rear Fog Lamps 6-Speed Getrag Manual Aero Kit (Factory Installed) Sport Suspension Dynamic Stability Control Front Fog Lamps Checkered Carbon Black/Black Cloth Seats Leather Sport Wheel w/Multifunction 10-Speaker Hi-Fi Sound System Interior Surface Interchange Yellow Interior Color: Carbon Black Sport Seats On-Board Computer JCW Tuning Kit
Congrats on your impending arrival. Towson is my old stomping ground. Grew up in Owings Mills, ended up in the "Hereford Zone" before heading off to TX. Spend many a night staggering around "downtown" Towson.
Very cool! MINI of Towson is actually turning into MINI of Owings Mills soon when they open their standalone (no more sharing space with BMW!) facility later this year.
Nope, still nameless. I don't think it'd be fair to name him/her without even knowing if its a him or her yet :nonod:.
I agree. Some soon to be MINI owners have one set. I've always been of the school that the car will tell you it's name and gender. My job is to listen. Thats how Augie came be
MINI is on a boat, MINI is on a boat! It left Southampton on Thursday at 1pm my time. Set to land in North America at 5:00am Thursday. Then land in New York on the 10th where it will be offloaded.
It's been more than seven years now since I was tracking my MINI's progress and arrival but I still remember well that excited feeling of anticipation.
I just got all sorts of good news from my MA! My car will be arriving at the dealer on Thursday, where the JCW Tuning Kit will be installed. I also found out that MINI extended the special financing rates to the Convertibles! 3.9% for 60 months here I come! I just need to get the go ahead from my doctor and physical therapist to drive and I should have my MINI next week!
I agree 100%. I think that and yellow screams MINI! No matter if its a Cooper, Clubman, Conve...ok you get the point. As long as its with a black top and stripes :lol:
No name yet. I have to drive it a bit before I know it's gender, let alone name. It took 4 months before my current MINI got named Itercide