G8RMNI is ALL MINE!!!

I got a call this morning at 9am from my Motoring Advisor, Jeff Wanall. He said that he was going to hustle and get me my car today. He said to stop in around 4pm, to pick it up. AWESOME!!!

Here are the first "official" photos.

That's me in the track jacket, and Jeff, my MA. I highly recommend him: No hassle, honest information, and no tricks. All around, he gave me a very pleasent buying experience.

Here are some exterior shots.





Aw...the amber glow...

Sneek Peek

Chances are, if you are reading this blog, you're a car guy. You read Road & Track in the check out aisle at your local grocery store. You look for the spy photos of future vehicles being run through their paces at test facilities in a remote location. You can name the model and make of every car sitting in traffic with you based on their front profile alone.

That said, you'll appreciate this sneek photo of my new car.



Apparently, my car was delivered earlier today. Just by chance, I was able to get out of work a little early today, so I thought I'd swing by the dealership since it is on my way home.

I drove around the lot and ended up in the back of the dealership. Before my eyes I was suprised to see 20 brand spankin' new MINIs lined up. I was so happy to see this!

Shortly after I made my earlier blog entry today, I checked the MINI site, only to discover that my estimated delivery date was pushed back until the 19th. My stomach sank and I was bummed.

So, you can imagine my suprise to see so many MINIs glistening in the sun this afternoon.

I parked my car and started checking out all of the parked Coopers and Cooper S'. I was really hopfeful I would see mine...

And then, there he was. Space Blue body color? Check. 17" web spokes? Check. Piano Black interior? Check. I thought to myself, "This has GOT to be MINE!" Just to be sure, I looked for the center armrest. Yep, it was there too.

I grabbed my Treo 700w and took the picture above. Right afterwards, I stepped inside the dealership and talked to one of my favorite MAs, Fred Sweet. He said that it was unlikey my car would be ready tomorrow since Saturdays are usually crazy days timewise for the sales guys. Most of the time they don't have enough time to do the one-hour delivery procedure for us soon-to-be motorers. He said he would check just for the heck of it to see if he could get the car delivered to me late Saturday, so I wouldn't have to wait until Monday.

Keeping Fingers Crossed

I talked to a Motoring Advisor yesterday evening from MINI of Sterling. Unfortunately, no cars were delivered yesterday. He said he expects the cars to arrive to the dealership either on the 17th (today) or tomorrow (Saturday). I really hope G8RMNI comes today, otherwise my plans to have an installation session will be in vain since a half-day to full day is need for dealer prep.

You see, I plan on using my parent's large, environmentally-controlled garage to do the various installations listed in my profile. They live a couple hours away, and it looks like I will have Monday off since it is a federal holiday (President's Day). If I am able to pick up the MINI on Saturday, I will be able to begin the installation Saturday night, and then complete it on Sunday. On Monday I plan to motor!

If all of this stuff doesn't sync up, then I will have to wait another week to head on down to my parents place to do the installation of components.

Situation Report: "All Systems Go"

Okay, so I got an e-mail back yesterday from my MA about the status of G8RMNI. He said that my car does in fact have an estimated delivery date of February 16th--yep that is today!!

I felt that he must have misread the information the first time, so my fact checking wasn't in vain. I just checked the www.MINIUSA.com website and it reports that my car has an estimated delivery date of the 16th. Sweet!

I am pumped! I plan to install all of the components and tidbits this weekend. Hopefully the "estimate" will prove true...

Where is My Car?

I sent an e-mail to my MA asking him about the ETA of my car. He wrote back with the following:

"Depends on when it arrives. It has an E.T.A. to the port in New york for the 16th. If that date is 100% accurate it would get here the 17-18 and then we would need a half day to a day to prep it for you..

As soon as it arrives I’ll let you know so you can stop by and check it out even if it’s not ready for you to pick up."

The Wallenius Wilhelmsen site says that G8RMNI was discharged in NY on the 10th at 3 pm.

So, now I feel like I don't know who to believe. Is my MA's data bad, or is there something I am not understanding?

According to the MINIUSA Owner's Lounge, G8RMNI is at the Vehicle Distribution Center.

So, now I'm thinking my MA is misinformed or may have been looking at another car's VIN.


I'll give him a call or e-mail him again.

"We've Spotted Land Captain!"

G8RMNI is almost in the U.S.! Only one more day until he arrives in New York!!

What are you doing? Put your tires back on G8RMNI!

Spotted the Boheme further in her voyage. I hear from MINIUSA that G8RMNI has been the life of the party so far on the cruise. Ahh, taking after his old man...

Poop Deck

Looks like G8RMNI got in trouble last night for streaking the poop deck. Here's his latest location in the Atlantic. I used this site to track his whereabouts.

Day 1 of the Cruise

I just checked the site I use to track my MINI and it looks like he has been loaded on the Boheme. Party!!