[pabs911]

Just got back from the newly opened JOHN ROBERTS MINI of DALLAS dealership. Had to take my MCS in to remedy a faulty thermostat. I was their first service customer! Hope I don't feel compelled to have any of them over for dinner sometime in the future even though they were great with the fix. Don't want to know them quite that well.

JOHN ROBERTS is selling cars at sticker. Talk to Matt. He's great! Seems very knowledgeable.

Looks like MORITZ MINI of ARLINGTON won't be ready for awhile. Still more than a month away from breaking ground. Looks like Jan/Feb 2003 at the earliest!

HEY, BUT WE HAVE A WORKING DEALER NOW!!!!!!
HUZZAH !! HUZZAH !!!!

[pabs911]

More photos!

[pabs911]

Another.

[pabs911]

Sorry, but this is a coolass logo!

[BruceK]

Wow! Great news for MINI-loving Texans.

This dealership opening is much earlier than what was posted on the MINIUSA site just last month. (they must be updating the MINIUSA site because as of right now the software isn't showing any dealers for Texas! )

There's no progress in San Antonio yet - they haven't even broken ground on the MINI showroom.

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by BruceK
..This dealership opening is much earlier than what was posted on the MINIUSA site just last month. ....

Oppps. My bad. John Roberts MINI was scheduled to open in October and did just that. (As did Momentum MINI in Houston)

So, there are two MINI dealers in Texas open now, and three more to go.

(I thought the day would never arrive )

[pabs911]

BruceK,
I figured you'd be the first one to reply to this thread. I just hope MORITZ is as great to work with as JOHN ROBERTS was yesterday. MORITZ is much closer to me.

I think us MINI owners are so used to worst case scenarios that we naturally assume that OCT. means middle to late OCT., not OCTOBER ONE!!!!!! All Texas owners rejoice!!!

I guess I wasn't as crazy as some people (the waiting masochists) might think on this site. I've had my car for 4 weeks. I decided to get a MINI 5 weeks ago. Do the math. There's only two things you need to just go get one. A modicum of flexibility and not much patience. The cars are out there waiting to thrill you. GO GET ONE DAGGONITT!!! End of soap box.

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by pabs911
...I think us MINI owners are so used to worst case scenarios that we naturally assume that OCT. means middle to late OCT., not OCTOBER ONE!!!!!! ...

I'm definitely guilty of that. (especially since I really doubt the San Antonio dealer will be open by March. I sure hope they prove me wrong! )

pabs911, congratulations on getting a MINI so quickly.... but what took you so long to decided you wanted one!!

[pabs911]

Actually, it didn't take long at all. From the moment I first saw one to the moment I knew I would eventually get one was about two hours. The full story is on the COOPER S area. It's called MINI LOVE IN FLORIDA AND BEYOND. I just figured out how to get this on here.

I had to smash my 1990 Vanden Plas before I could really get one. That did have something to do with my lack of patience---no usable wheels. I did love my Jag though, but only had it 3 months. Some things are meant to be!

[hocndoc]

I called the Dallas dealer Fri (Oct 4), and was told that they were selling their cars for MSRP + $1000: "Like everybody else."
They told me they've sold 3 to Austin area residents, since opening.
I, too, want mine yesterday, and have test-driven a car in San Antonio. I was calling to compare with the Houston dealer, Momentum.
Momentum is selling for MSRP + dealer "options." Ended up going with them, because they had the closest to my wish list, on a ship that docks in NC Oct 11. They took my $1000 down payment via credit card, but seem to be stalling on giving me an official specs list and VIN/Production number. I feel a little foolish, but I want my MINI!

(We sold our '96 Tahoa when I thought I would just go buy a new pickup.Driving an '86 Dodge Ram pickup in the meantime, so I can't wait 'till December, much less March!) (Still trying to figure out how to keep and use that Ram hood ornament)

[BruceK]

hocndoc, welcome to MINI2 ! (from a fellow MINI-loving Texan who lives in your neck of the woods )

If you get your car's VIN from your dealer, you'll be able to sign up on the Owners' Lounge and track the progress of your MINI. (see the FAQs for more info)

[Wynn]

Hi, Bruce and guys!

I stopped by Momentum MINI in Houston last week, on their third day of business, mostly to check it out and show my support. I've long intended to buy from MINI Center in San Antonio, and don't at all mind waiting until next year... but, their attention has been non-existant since my original sales rep there left.

So, I thought I'd ask at Momentum if they would make me the same promise that MINI Center had: to sell me a Cooper S at the MSRP, without having to buy any dealer extras, like a paint protectant, or other mark-ups. They made me that promise, and are able to put me in exactly the car that I want, months before MINI Center even opens... so, I surprised myself and put down a deposit in Houston. Everyone at Momentum was helpful, professional, and polite, and the two youth who greeted and helped me first were also refreshingly fun, laid back, and sincere. And several years my junior, much to my surprise.

If they keep their word and treat everyone this way, it looks as if Momentum MINI might be a great place to buy. Here's hoping! Hooray!

Effervescently,
wynn

[hocndoc]

Hello, Bruce and Wynn,
I got my VIN, but the Owner's Lounge only knew the color, make and year. I want details! At least it confirms that my car is "en route."
And, I can access the Unofficial owner's manual, but not the real thing.
But, I am an "Owner"!!!
If things go perfectly, I'll have my Mini this time next week.
Now I have to find out how to get vanity plates - I'm naming the car "BN GOOD" (if possible.)
Beverly Nuckols

[pabs911]

Wynn,
I called Momentum MINI about three weeks ago and talked to Andres Vanderdys and was very impressed. He seemed to have a perfect attitude for selling MINIs. I didn't go to the grand opening, but he said they were going to have races, food and various other things going on. Was anybody there? I'd like to see pics.

[Wynn]

Wow, I'm sorry I missed the opening, then. There wasn't a thing going on when I visited, mid-afternoon of their third day. I was the only visitor in the time I was there, and the staff that wasn't in a meeting seemed downright bored, and lacking customers. By the third day, they'd only taken four orders, and I'm inclined to bet they took those in the first day. *chuckle* I'll bet the opening was fun. Here's hoping things pick up for the place over time.

...Or, well, maybe not; it might be fun to have one of ten MINIs in the city.

I liked the experience at Momentum MINI. The other Momentum dealerships have kind of a reputation for being expensive and stuffy at times, so I was delighted to find MINI appropriately relaxed, and warm. I've even emailed them today to ask if they are hiring. It'd be great fun to spend some time selling MINIs while I return to school for new degrees.

[hocndoc]

I just wish Andres would send me the information on the specs and dealer "options." I guess I was a little eager to buy. No salesman needed, here!

[Wynn]

Yeah, I'm eager to see the options, too, particularly since someone this week posteda claim to have seen a listing for red and black leather. WOW, I hope that's true.

Soon, it'll be time for me to have a look at all the options and begin making decisions. I'm willing to wait some months, if that's what it takes for new options to become available... I just wish that we knew, that's all.

I probably differ from most of the enthusiasts who post here because I'm more inclined to wait and see, than to buy soon and take what I can get. As badly as I want the car, it just seems to me that I've been waiting ten years already, and I hope to own my NEXT car for a long time... so, waiting even as long as another year to be sure I finally have the car I really want seems prudent. The only frustration I feel is simply not knowing what might still be around the corner, and available next year.

*laugh* Actually, the frustration is kind of fun.

[Razhael]

went there a couple of days ago, I was told the markup for ordering a MCS was $2500 and i literally laughed... Both the wife and I love the mini cooper s, but after the test drive we were left a little unimpressed and also the markup thing didnt help at all

[Wynn]

That's about what the MSRP is, relative to the dealer's cost, so perhaps one of you misunderstood the other? They're apparently very willing to sell the car at list.

[hocndoc]

Wynn,
See my post on momentum. There's a chance we misunderstood each other, but not $4000 worth.