MINI USA has officially released the route map for the upcoming MINI Takes the States event scheduled for this August. You can check out all the details (including dates and locations) below:
I’ve always wondered why MINI USA seems to dislike the Pacific Northwest so much. I’ve seen lots of MINIs around the Seattle area, yet this trip is going nowhere near there.
It’s even worse for dealers. We have one in Seattle (Tacoma, really) and one in Portland. That’s for the entire northwest — to cover six states. Both dealers had at least a 10 month wait for a MCS. But every other region on the MINI USA map has at least three dealers, and those are smaller regions. The whole East cost, California, Great Lakes and southern area of the country have a huge selection of dealers, and we get two.
Wow, starting out in Monterey! For me, totally appropriate. Saw my very first MINI, an Indi Blue Cooper, in the parking garage near the Monterey Aquarium in Spring of ’02. Had no idea – zero – that it was coming. Scoped it out, love at first sight, knew instantly that it would me my next car. Put down a deposit within a couple of months, took delivery of an ’03 Indi Blue MCS at year end, now approaching 7 months of ownership of an ’05 Hyper Blue MCS.
Might have to do the Monterey-Santa Barbara first leg, just because! Too bad it’s on a Monday, but for the MINI, I’ll take a day off!
Matt – Unfortunately they aren’t staying on Route 66, which should go through Oklahoma City and Tulsa. So sad for us. Dallas isn’t too far away, but they are REALLY missing out on some fantastic roads between Tulsa and St. Louis.
…..not to mention that there is more of Route 66 preserved in Oklahoma than any other state. But I digress….can’t wait to join in on the trip somewhere yet to be determined!
I personally think that MINI chose this route to simply let the rest of the Country know how great this car is. I personally have to remind myself when I go to my hometown of Clarksdale,MS.(hour south of Memphis,TN.) that few people have seen this car before. Therefore,this rally is a marketing tool to sell more MINIs,and for MINI heads(such as myself)to hangout with like-minded individuals. In short…a win-win situaition.
make sure your pop up blockers are turned off….once I did that I could see the route information too. the route was the first post at top of this page….
a friend of mine bought her MINI last year, and we are thrilled to be joining the “convoy”. we’re actually not picking it up until WV. i know if i were an on-looker and saw 50+ MINI’s rolling down the street together i’d be beyond excited, so imagine how i feel having the opportunity to join!!!
WooHoo! They’re coming through Dallas on 8/26!! I can’t wait.
i like the route, route 66 up till St. Louis then breaking off for the east coast.
I’ve always wondered why MINI USA seems to dislike the Pacific Northwest so much. I’ve seen lots of MINIs around the Seattle area, yet this trip is going nowhere near there.
It’s even worse for dealers. We have one in Seattle (Tacoma, really) and one in Portland. That’s for the entire northwest — to cover six states. Both dealers had at least a 10 month wait for a MCS. But every other region on the MINI USA map has at least three dealers, and those are smaller regions. The whole East cost, California, Great Lakes and southern area of the country have a huge selection of dealers, and we get two.
Anyone know why they ignore us up here?
Jeff –
How many BMW dealers do you have up in Seattle? We have 2 BMW dealers. The lack of BMW dealers may explain why…
That’s ‘2 BMW dealers here in Portland.’ sorry about the typo.
According to BMW USA, 5 in Washington (three in the Seattle area), and six in Oregon. I didn’t check the other four states in the region.
What’s the normal BMW : MINI ratio?
Wow, starting out in Monterey! For me, totally appropriate. Saw my very first MINI, an Indi Blue Cooper, in the parking garage near the Monterey Aquarium in Spring of ’02. Had no idea – zero – that it was coming. Scoped it out, love at first sight, knew instantly that it would me my next car. Put down a deposit within a couple of months, took delivery of an ’03 Indi Blue MCS at year end, now approaching 7 months of ownership of an ’05 Hyper Blue MCS.
Might have to do the Monterey-Santa Barbara first leg, just because! Too bad it’s on a Monday, but for the MINI, I’ll take a day off!
Matt – Unfortunately they aren’t staying on Route 66, which should go through Oklahoma City and Tulsa. So sad for us. Dallas isn’t too far away, but they are REALLY missing out on some fantastic roads between Tulsa and St. Louis.
…..not to mention that there is more of Route 66 preserved in Oklahoma than any other state. But I digress….can’t wait to join in on the trip somewhere yet to be determined!
We also left completely out down here in Florida (Second biggest market for the MINI in the nation after California).
The closest city to us will be Nashville, 900 miles away from Miami.
MINIUSA, what’s up with that?
I personally think that MINI chose this route to simply let the rest of the Country know how great this car is. I personally have to remind myself when I go to my hometown of Clarksdale,MS.(hour south of Memphis,TN.) that few people have seen this car before. Therefore,this rally is a marketing tool to sell more MINIs,and for MINI heads(such as myself)to hangout with like-minded individuals. In short…a win-win situaition.
Can someone post the route here? The link just opens the generic MINI website. 🙁
make sure your pop up blockers are turned off….once I did that I could see the route information too. the route was the first post at top of this page….
Happy Motoring…
a friend of mine bought her MINI last year, and we are thrilled to be joining the “convoy”. we’re actually not picking it up until WV. i know if i were an on-looker and saw 50+ MINI’s rolling down the street together i’d be beyond excited, so imagine how i feel having the opportunity to join!!!
~kristin~