[jcam711]

I live in Northwest Ohio and am no. 311 on the Ohio list (would have preferred to be on Detroit list since it an hour closer but saw the delayed opening). Anticipated a one year wait. I was traveling this week for business, stopped at the Mini Dealer *hoping* I could at least sit in a car. Surprise - dealer asked me which one I wanted.

Bought my Mini Cooper Wednesday night, and this afternoon I am driving it back to Ohio. I paid sticker, and there were no mandatory options like I've read about here on this forum. No problem with being an out-of-state buyer (special thanks to my helpful bank manager). I worried about whether there were people ahead of me on this dealer's list, but was told they'd been contacted and hadn't called back or stopped by - or were waiting for an S.

I'm not normally a lucky person (no winning lottery tickets). And I don't know if there will be a downside later when car needs service.

So Detroit ... I'm feeling a little guilty that you did everything right and are still waiting. And I didn't even try to get on a list until six weeks ago and own a car. I think the earlier advice about getting on the phone, calling dealers, and then taking a one way ticket to ? will work for you. I feel like today is the ultimate Motor On as I exchange an afternoon of waiting in airports for a spring day of driving (and a true test of the comfort on long drives of those profile leather seats)