Buy a Mini

Sixteen months after my intial test drive, fourteen months after placing the order, and two months after approving the final build order, it finally arrived.

Over the course of the very long wait, I had the occassional doubts about how it was going to turn out. There are just so many different combinations of colors and options that it was hard to know whether the particular features I chose made sense at all—or whether another combination would work even better. Fortunately, the car turned out even better than I thought it would.

The 30 mile drive back home from the dealership actually was closer to 70 miles as I took the, uhm, slightly less direct route back. All the while the car’s navigation system (which I couldn’t figure out how to turn off) was yelling at me for missing turn after turn of its carefully planned directions.

Yes, the ride was a bit stiffer than my previous car, and right leg was a bit bruised from constantly being wedged against the center column-I think I still need to work out a more comfortable seating position-but it was quite a lot of fun crusing down the freeway with the sun roof open on a long overdue sunny day in Seattle.

I’m looking for to an extended drive this weekend and hopefully a longer road trip later this summer.

I just received a letter from the dealer informing me that production on my car was now complete. Now the car begins its long journey to its new home.

Finally, some progress after a year of waiting. That means that it is time to figure out how I am going to finance this purchase….

As I was walking home from work, I noticed a MINI parked on the side of the road. Immediately across from it, on the other side of the street, another one was parked. Then, a third one drove past me between the first two.

It seems like everyone has a MINI these days.

Within two hours of faxing the dealer confirmation of the final build order, I received an email from MINI with my new car’s production number and an invitation to join the owner’s lounge on the MINI website.

Now I can track the progress of my car. Unfortunately, this early in the process, the site just mocks me with an “order received” status. But at least things are finally in motion now.

I was notified by the sales person last week that there cancelation and that my order was moving to the top of the queue. I just signed off on the final build sheet, so my car should go into production within the next few weeks.

It’s been a really long wait, but at least there was some benefit to the wait. I got to take advantage of a few more options that were just added to the 2005 model year.

I am especially excited about the option for proper iPod integration. Although I already have an iPod, I think I will go ahead and order a blue iPod Mini to match match the car.

I’ve been on the waiting list for nearly ten months now. The last I heard, my car wouldn’t be ready until late March.

This is quite a long time to wait for my usually impulsive self. I’m not sure whether I should cancel my order because of the expense and impracticality of the car, or stick with it to prove my inner strength and resolve.