[CateinNH]

Hi all-
I'm looking at buying my first MINI. I live in Southern NH and I'm trying to figure out where I should purchase my MINI from. I've been to Peabody once. They didn't seem to have much for me to drive and I've called the guy I spoke to a couple times- but no call back I'm getting annoyed and have scheduled a test drive at Herb Chamber's in Boston. Any opinions on which is better to deal with? I want the buying experience to be a good one and not worry if I'm being brushed off. What do you all think?

[Dr_Doogie_MD]

I'm completely loyal to MINI of Peobody. I had the best motoring advisors going through my test drive and order with Keith, and then after his accident I finished everything with Vinny. MoP has the best reputation in the country for service. HerbChambers is more on the opposite side of that repuation, but have been working on that.

[GBMINI]

Vinny is also online on MINI2 - I'm sure he'll see this thread and make sure you're helped soon!

BTW: I visited Herb Chambers MINI last week and chatted with the new and very friendly sales manager Kerry - they also have almost zero cars in stock; the MINI is still very popular and cars are flying off both lots as fast as they arrive!

[jwardell]

Hi Cate, I think you'll find most in here arre very much in favor of MOP for many reasons, and several HC horror stories. But I will counter in saying HC has tried to improve drastically from their old ways. I'm very surprised to hear that someone didn't call you back, except perhaps they are off or on vacation. You can always simply call and ask for sales, then explain to the person that so and so was helping you but you have a new question etc. Of course, you can ask the same questions in here and get 100 answers.

[AntiqueCarNut]

Cate:

When I last visited MOP several weeks ago, their inventory was quite low. Two months ago, the had probably 100 MINI's in stock. From what I see, by mid-May things get pretty cleaned out and you'll most likely want to order one to get exactly what you're looking for.

When you call, ask for Steve or Hrach. Either of these MA's will get you going.

[Zipperblues]

Personally, I think they are both in terrible locations for test driving, but I think MINI of Peabody's location is a little better.

Personally, I waited until I found a used one out in Bridgewater before I test drove one, then I went to the MINI dealerships.

Last time I was at MINI of Peabody (about 3 months ago) it looked like they had at least 30 new MINIs in stock, and at least 10 used ones.

[MoPRep]

Hello Cate~
I'm sorry for the lack on communication you recieved from you advisor at MINI of Peabody. As everyone above has mentioned, MINI dealerships are very busy this time of year but we do not want anyone being "brushed off". Please let me know how I can help you out - we would love the opportunity to earn your business. We've been short staffed as of the last couple of weeks due to advisors getting married, a few family losses, and Hrach is on vacation.
If you'd like to discuss the situation please feel free to give me a call.
~Vinny McCauley

Dr. Doogie - thanks for the honorable mention!! :-)

[minidew]

I bought my 05 MCS from MoP in August 2005 and received it almost exactly one month later. All of my experiences with MoP have been great -- even amidst a slew of problems with my MINI. And I can say this even while currently in the middle of the worst issue to date.

Vinny is my sales rep, and he's been fabulous, from the very first phone call. He even took me out one day to help me learn how to corner better!

My boyfriend bought his MCS from HC, and his experiences were not so pleasant. But it does sound like they're improving, from what other people have said.

[CateinNH]

When I went to MoP I was very impressed with everyone there- super friendly and no pressure. I'm just surprised my MA hasn't called back. I'm thinking I'll give Vinny a call today and see what happens. I've looked online to see if there are any used convertibles for sale that I could drive before I go all the way down to Peabody (45 miles from me). I drove the hatchback Cooper and LOVED it, but I really want a convertible. I drove a VW new Beetle convertible for a comparison in Nashua and it just wasn't the same. I just don't want to waste an entire day driving to and from Peabody to find out I don't like the way it handles.

[jwardell]

Cate I was just there yesterday and I think there were two used convertibles there. It was after hours and the top wasn't up...I'm surprised they trusted the forecast that much!

Quote: Originally Posted by minidew

He even took me out one day to help me learn how to corner better!

Wow, now that's impressive!

[RenaultF1]

I have to cast another vote for MoP.

My sole reason for originally picking them as a dealership was how easy they were to get to from Maine. Once I went for my test drive (my salesperson was Keith), purchased the car and had various service visits (planned & unplanned), I realized how lucky I was for making that decision.

Hands down they are the best dealership I have EVER done business with. I can't recommend them highly enough and in fact, I recommend them all the time to people that ask me about my car. The staff is super and I actually enjoy bringing my car in for service because it is usually so darn entertaining.

[MoPRep]

Thanks Super..opps...err....um..... MINIDEW. ;-) I don't think I ever got the explaination of your email and MINI2 screen name? Anyhow, thanks for the kind words! It helps when you enjoy the cars and the people - I always get shocked when people have a non-ideal experience here at MoP - but we do want everyone happy. Cate, I got your email and sent one back. Thank you all for the kind words about MINI of Peabody!!!

[minitron]

MoP has treated us extremely well. They did all our service on our 03 after we moved up here...way better than our dealer in FL. Hrach took us for our test drive in the S automatic at the beginning of the year. When we returned in May looking to trade the 03 he took excellent care of us.

[minidew]

Further praise for MoP -- they just resolved my ongoing saga, resulting in my getting a new replacement (see my lemon law post under Faults & Fixes). They really came through to do the right thing. So whether it's test-driving, buying your car, getting routine maintenance, or handling mild to profound problems, you can count on them to go the extra mile.

[Woody's Mini]

Mini Of Peabody...without a doubt!

I bought my 1st car last week (picked up an '03 Silk Green MC) and the people at MOP made the process so much easier than I anticipated. I worked with Joel and Vinny and would encourage others to do the same. They both were very friendly, well versed and helpful. I went to MOP after being jerked around by the people at Herb Chambers. I felt like they continuously attempted to "upsell" me and were not interested in helping me pick the car I wanted. (It was all about them).

One other point: Herb Chambers is a BMW dealership that sells Minis on the side. MOP sells Minis exclusively...and it shows in service and peace of mind.

CateNH (NH Pride!) take it from me: save yourself the hassle and give MOP another shot. Also, when I picked up my car on Friday the lot was packed with new Coopers...had to have been over 30 there.

Good Luck!

[jwardell]

Remember that just because the lot looks packed, doesn't mean they have any to sell...the majority of the cars delivered have already been sold to impatient soon-to-be owners who ordered their custom mini and have been waiting and tracking its every step of production.

Good to see you tonight, Vinny, and to answer your question, no it was not reset, but I know why.

[Oldpaint]

I bought my car from HC and aside from that talk with the finance guy that tries to sell you the wax package had a good experience. (you can blow him off by saying you detail your own antique cars.)

My MA -Anna- who is no longer there, was great.
The car buying experience comes down to price and trust. I was comfortable with Anna and felt that I was getting good info from her. If I was dealing with a different person I might have felt different.

I went initially to HC for convenience since I am a Cape and Islands person and was driving around in a car that the check engine light would come on at 60 MPH.

The indoor service drop off is terrific there with many people to get your car checked in. I haven't had any big mystery problems with the car but they did find and fix a tie rod problem that I wasn't aware of during a warrenty service.

Whlle Porche's and BMW's are also sold in that same building, it is the building with Herbs Office and that puts some pressure on those folks to be professional. (Also when I bought the car Anna took me up to see Herb's Lotus Elise...This was before the US version was available.)

I've bought parts in person from two other dealers - MOP during the poker rally where the parts guy really went out of his way to check stock when there were a lot of customers to deal with and in Morristown where getting a parts person required the same patience as waiting to see a doctor in an emergency room.

We are lucky to have two dealers here so you can find the Motoring Advisor you trust.

[MisterMINI]

Hi Cate,

The buying experience is insignificant compared to the aftersales support. I purchased my first MINI from Herb Chambers and the salesperson was great. When I took it back for service they were absolutely terrible. At first I thought I was just having bad luck but I soon realised I wasn't alone. I then switched to MINI of Peabody for service and they were always fantastic, even though I didn't buy the car from them.

I have just traded my first MINI for a new one and I don't think I need to tell you who I bought it from.

One reason I think the salesperson might be slow to respond is because I know they are getting low on stock due to the 2006 MINI being replaced with the 2007 model sometime next spring. That is no excuse for the saleperson not responding to you, but I would certainly persevere with MINI of Peabody because of their wonderful aftersales.

Motoring

[CateinNH]

Thanks for all your advice. Vinny actually got in touch with me and explained the issue. I'm going down tomorrow for a test drive. I'm feeling much more comfortable with MoP. I was dreading a trip into Boston to find Herb Chambers nevermind having to deal with sales people.

[kgouin]

Cate, you won't be disappoint with MOP. I have had many new vehicles in the past and MOP is nothing like the typical car dealers. When I went to test drive a MINI in May of 2004, my MA, Steve, spent over 3 hours with me. We went for a drive and then he answered my many questions, and never once tried to push me into anything. I had already printed out my specs and he took that and wrote it up. I think I called Steve just about every week while I was waiting for my MINI to come in and he would patiently answer every question that I asked. When you go in for service, they all treat you like gold. Being a woman, they don't treat me like other dealers have in the past. They explain everything and do not talk down to me like I have experienced in the past. I think what really impressed me the most is that at the beginning of this year, Steve, my MA, called me to see how things were going because I had not been in since my service 10 months earlier. That was a nice touch! Thankfully I do not have to see them that often because although the service is great, it is almost 80 miles there and I hate Rte 1!!!