MINI USA doesn't want me to have a MINI - MINI Cooper Forum

XSmall · #1 (**permalink**) Dec 17th, 2003, 01:18 AM

As I posted over the weekend, Cinci MINI agreed to replace my MINI that's been in 5 times for stumble (or whatever it is). Announcement: This is what happened regarding my lemon MINI
Yesterday, they even said they would try to get it even earlier than February. Today however....

MINI USA regional representative called and actually argued with my husband for 20 minutes, telling him we would be happier without a MINI,

and he basically wants to "make us whole" and give us our money back. My husband at one point said to him, "I'm sorry that I have more faith in MINI than you do," which the guy didn't like. He suggested that I can't drive a stick (which is all I've driven for the last 10 years) and that it's not my car that has developed a problem, it's my driving style that has (magically, evidently) changed. Well, anyway, finally they hung up after the guy gave up trying to convince my my husband that I don't need to have a MINI. Well, that really angered me.

BUT, the more I think about it, I have a plan. It's actually more of a plot. I'm tempted to say, OK, I'll take my money back. Then I'll just take the equity cash, buy a second hand car (more on that in a minute) and then just go to the Other Dealer (who is also 150 miles away, in a different direction, and order a new MINI there. Yes, I'll be starting my payments over, but it will be on a brand new MINI, hopefully stumble free, and as for our other car....

a classic mini!!!

Currently we have the new MINI, and my husband has a company vehicle, and he really isn't doing much work for them anymore, and is looking for other work. So he can't keep that vehicle forever. This solves the problem of needing another car, and I never have to deal with Cinci MINI again.

Is that devious? They're the ones that want to give my money back. If they want to do that so bad, I'll take it, and come out ahead. I was satisfied with replacing the car. The thing is, the MINI is the only car I want. However mad it makes me that MINI USA suggested I byu a different kind of car, I still want one, and they aren't goingto dissuade me. I've read too many posts on here of 04s that run just fine, and I have faith that my new one will. (fingers crossed)

PS. Can we buy a driving condition classic MINI for under $6,000? Appearnace can be fixed up later, I just need for it to be driveable, especially while waiting for new MINI.

AuthiMini · #2 (**permalink**) Dec 17th, 2003, 03:26 AM

If I were looking for a "proper" Mini (as a British friend calls it), I would be spending time on the Minimania "Cars for Sale" pages. Lots and lots of Minis for sale there.

As to whether you can get a good running Mini for $6000, I'd say probably, but it won't be a 1275.

Good luck.

NEMINI · #3 (**permalink**) Dec 17th, 2003, 03:29 AM

if the stumble is enough to make you return your MINI, they may have a point, there is no guarentee at this time you will get one without a stumble or yo-yo, supposedly cd v.36 fixes it but only time will tell and obviously you were not willing to wait any longer, so realistically the next one might not be any better, hence it might not be the best thing for you to get another.

iDiaz · #4 (**permalink**) Dec 17th, 2003, 04:34 AM

Hey c'mon, GMINI. Don't spoil such great rationalization for owning TWO Mini's instead of one!

CooperS4us · #5 (**permalink**) Dec 17th, 2003, 04:44 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by GMINI03

if the stumble is enough to make you return your MINI, they may have a point, there is no guarentee at this time you will get one without a stumble or yo-yo, supposedly cd v.36 fixes it but only time will tell and obviously you were not willing to wait any longer, so realistically the next one might not be any better, hence it might not be the best thing for you to get another.

Well, without having the "other side" statement on what really happened and was exchanged during that phone conversation, I still think that what the MINI rep told her husband is blatantly inappropiate. He could have said it in your words, but to say flat out that they are better off without a MINI and then accusing them of driving the vehicle improperly is totally unacceptable.

NEMINI · #6 (**permalink**) Dec 17th, 2003, 04:47 AM

We're already on the 3rd retelling of it, not saying anyone is lieing but another who's ever played the game telephone around a campfire can atest to how quickly things get distorted and reinterpreted

CooperS4us · #7 (**permalink**) Dec 17th, 2003, 04:48 AM

Very true.

iDiaz · #8 (**permalink**) Dec 17th, 2003, 04:53 AM

You could always go to that person's superior and take it up with them.

Paul · #9 (**permalink**) Dec 17th, 2003, 08:08 AM

As much as I love them, and as many as we've owned, if you want hassle free motoring a classic mini probably isn't a wise choice!

A stumble is nothing compared to the grief you can get from the wonderful world of lucas electronics!

AprilWhine · #10 (**permalink**) Dec 17th, 2003, 08:58 AM

I agree with Paul, if neither you or your husband is mechanically inclined, a classic Mini may not be for you.

But if you want one anyway, send a PM to hotelcalif. He lives in TN and can help you locate a good Mini in your price range.

XSmall · #11 (**permalink**) Dec 17th, 2003, 10:45 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

As much as I love them, and as many as we've owned, if you want hassle free motoring a classic mini probably isn't a wise choice!

A stumble is nothing compared to the grief you can get from the wonderful world of lucas electronics!

I know... (not that I kow what lucas electronics is...

) but I've heard about the classics. It would have to be like a 'hobby ' car that my husband would work on, cause I'm sure there would be lots of work.

We're still trying to decide what to do.

Willy · #12 (**permalink**) Dec 17th, 2003, 11:38 AM

MINIUSA probably reads MINI2 and knows that you let folks online know about your problems. They are probably afraid that you will have another bad MINI and you will let everyone on MINI2 know about it, including potential customers.

The regional rep and Cincy MINI would rather have no customer than a vocal one. I moved to Ohio recently, your post will certainly make me think twice about having any service done at Cincy MINI.

Paul · #13 (**permalink**) Dec 17th, 2003, 01:00 PM

I've moaned a lot on here, but I'm very happy with my current S.

Rob. · #14 (**permalink**) Dec 17th, 2003, 04:41 PM

If I were you I would take the money and walk away.
If you still want a mini in a few weeks order from another dealer, where you are starting a fresh relationship. Imagine how hard it would be if you had problems with your new car and had to go back to the same people

Did you get the name of the Mini rep who called you? All may not have been as it seemed

What i mean is it could have been someone from your dealer who had decided they couldn't get a mini for you quickly and decided to be devious about it. Then again, might not

dansmini · #15 (**permalink**) Dec 17th, 2003, 04:55 PM

Very disturbing story here, since Cincy MINI is the dealership closest to me. I must say that if any merchant ever even hinted that they did not want my business, I certainly wouldn't insist on giving it to them ,no matter how badly I wanted the product. That just makes for a bad situation all around. It is definitely time for you to cut ties with Cincy MINI and probably MINI in general, IMO. If I honestly felt that MINI USA did not want me to have a MINI, I'd look for something else, no matter how much I enjoy my MINI (and I do enjoy it alot!)