Habberstad Mini

I was looking to trade in my old Honda this month. I really only had a few brands and models in mind, and wanted to find something small, stylish, and truly fun to drive. I always loved the MINI Cooper really only had a few brands and models in mind, and wanted to find something small, stylish, and truly fun to drive. I always loved the MINI Cooper's style and design, and only dreamed I might ever come to own one. I started looking at random car dealerships, asking if they had any used ones that might be in my price range, and although I found a few, the dealerships were either shady, or the service was terrible, or the MINIs they had in stock were in the high end of what I thought I could afford. Things looked grim. Then one afternoon, as fate would have it, I noticed the Habberstad MINI dealership as I was passing by it, and made a u-turn to stop in... a whole lot filled with just MINIs ! I was greeted by Nancy Shinholster. She offered to show me around, and asked questions to get a better idea of what I was looking for. I would have been happy with the least expensive used MINI on the lot, but Nancy was knowledgeable, patient, and helpful and got me to realize that it was possible to finance a new MINI with the features I was looking for, for actually less money than a used one. When I admired a new one in particular then, Nancy encouraged me to go with her for a test drive, which was simply the most glorious experience of my week. Nancy pointed out many of the features and benefits on the test drive, and within 10 minutes, I just knew I had to own this car. I wondered how this could be possible, and worried while we walked back to the show room, because I knew I was falling in love with a car that looked completely out of my price range, and that my dreams would be dashed. Nancy took the time to explain all the different possible ways to finance the MINI I wanted, and suggested a plan that worked out for me with low monthly payments, at what seemed like an impossibly low interest rate. (Even the banks I visited to ask about auto loans all commented that I got a great deal, and that there was no way they could beat it, even as a long standing customer of my own bank!) This was a match made in heaven, and by Friday, I was meeting Nancy at the dealership to drive away in my new MINI - my dream car. I am 100 percent convinced that if it were not for meeting Nancy at this dealership, that things would be very different for me - and that it is entirely possible that I would not be driving a MINI at all. Nancy is one of those rare people you meet in life who connects with you because she cares. She has this amazing positive energy about her that just radiates. She takes the time to understand what you are looking for, and her enthusiasm for helping people to realize their dreams is just magical. From a business standpoint, Nancy is the ultimate sales person. She is cheerful, enthusiastic, confident, knowledgeable, kind, considerate, and patient. Above all, she is genuine, sincere, honest, and caring, and took the time to answer all my questions and concerns to make sure that I would be excited about owning my dream car with a financing plan that I would be totally comfortable with, right from the very first payment - and that from the first day, I would be happy that I was driving the car that was made for me, the perfect match. In the days between making the down payment, and scheduling an appointment to pick up my car, Nancy was in touch with me by phone to answer any other last minute questions and concerns I might have had, including auto insurance that was as affordable as well, and took the time to help me research the best insurance coverage at the lowest cost, too, and for that I am equally grateful. When I went to pick up the car, Nancy greeted me enthusiastically and made me feel that this was truly a special eventful occasion, and that I was making the right decision. I had absolutely no doubts in my mind at that very moment that I was doing the right thing, and would be driving away completely happy with my entire experience - the car, the service, and meeting a truly rare and special individual who made this all possible. Nancy walked me through all the paperwork, one step at a time so that I understood everything I was signing, and felt comfortable everywhere I placed my signature. She walked me to the car and took the time to review all the important highlights and features about how to operate the vehicle, so that I would drive away with confidence. Then she said goodbye and thank you, and hugged me for good luck, and standing in the lot to watch and wave as I drove away, as we both smiled. I am grateful to Nancy for one of the most amazing experiences in life. She was a huge part of the reason for it. More

I was looking to trade in my old Honda this month. I really only had a few brands and models in mind, and wanted to find something small, stylish, and truly fun to drive. I always loved the MINI Cooper really only had a few brands and models in mind, and wanted to find something small, stylish, and truly fun to drive. I always loved the MINI Cooper's style and design, and only dreamed I might ever come to own one. I started looking at random car dealerships, asking if they had any used ones that might be in my price range, and although I found a few, the dealerships were either shady, or the service was terrible, or the MINIs they had in stock were in the high end of what I thought I could afford. Things looked grim. Then one afternoon, as fate would have it, I noticed the Habberstad MINI dealership as I was passing by it, and made a u-turn to stop in... a whole lot filled with just MINIs ! I was greeted by Nancy Shinholster. She offered to show me around, and asked questions to get a better idea of what I was looking for. I would have been happy with the least expensive used MINI on the lot, but Nancy was knowledgeable, patient, and helpful and got me to realize that it was possible to finance a new MINI with the features I was looking for, for actually less money than a used one. When I admired a new one in particular then, Nancy encouraged me to go with her for a test drive, which was simply the most glorious experience of my week. Nancy pointed out many of the features and benefits on the test drive, and within 10 minutes, I just knew I had to own this car. I wondered how this could be possible, and worried while we walked back to the show room, because I knew I was falling in love with a car that looked completely out of my price range, and that my dreams would be dashed. Nancy took the time to explain all the different possible ways to finance the MINI I wanted, and suggested a plan that worked out for me with low monthly payments, at what seemed like an impossibly low interest rate. (Even the banks I visited to ask about auto loans all commented that I got a great deal, and that there was no way they could beat it, even as a long standing customer of my own bank!) This was a match made in heaven, and by Friday, I was meeting Nancy at the dealership to drive away in my new MINI - my dream car. I am 100 percent convinced that if it were not for meeting Nancy at this dealership, that things would be very different for me - and that it is entirely possible that I would not be driving a MINI at all. Nancy is one of those rare people you meet in life who connects with you because she cares. She has this amazing positive energy about her that just radiates. She takes the time to understand what you are looking for, and her enthusiasm for helping people to realize their dreams is just magical. From a business standpoint, Nancy is the ultimate sales person. She is cheerful, enthusiastic, confident, knowledgeable, kind, considerate, and patient. Above all, she is genuine, sincere, honest, and caring, and took the time to answer all my questions and concerns to make sure that I would be excited about owning my dream car with a financing plan that I would be totally comfortable with, right from the very first payment - and that from the first day, I would be happy that I was driving the car that was made for me, the perfect match. In the days between making the down payment, and scheduling an appointment to pick up my car, Nancy was in touch with me by phone to answer any other last minute questions and concerns I might have had, including auto insurance that was as affordable as well, and took the time to help me research the best insurance coverage at the lowest cost, too, and for that I am equally grateful. When I went to pick up the car, Nancy greeted me enthusiastically and made me feel that this was truly a special eventful occasion, and that I was making the right decision. I had absolutely no doubts in my mind at that very moment that I was doing the right thing, and would be driving away completely happy with my entire experience - the car, the service, and meeting a truly rare and special individual who made this all possible. Nancy walked me through all the paperwork, one step at a time so that I understood everything I was signing, and felt comfortable everywhere I placed my signature. She walked me to the car and took the time to review all the important highlights and features about how to operate the vehicle, so that I would drive away with confidence. Then she said goodbye and thank you, and hugged me for good luck, and standing in the lot to watch and wave as I drove away, as we both smiled. I am grateful to Nancy for one of the most amazing experiences in life. She was a huge part of the reason for it. More

I had a sticking roof since the end of last summer, I completely forgot about it over the winter and it reared it ugly head this spring. The week before Memorial Day my roof started clicking funny when I completely forgot about it over the winter and it reared it ugly head this spring. The week before Memorial Day my roof started clicking funny when I was operating it. The weather had been good that week so I left it open rather than having to fight it when trying to open it. That Wednesday evening I tried to close it and thats when it partially closed on the left side and that was it, locked and broken in place. I took my R56 S into Hassel for the broken roof, they are in the next town over from me. I went in as an emergency appt. on Thursday as the service advisor had suggested. They could not get the roof to close let alone fix it that day so I was scheduled for the next Monday, luckily I have a garage as things have been rainy in NY the last 30-45 days. Any how I brought the car back to Hassel as asked, no loaner as they want you to make a loaner appt. 3-4 weeks ahead. The reason I mention the no loaner is that the car is my primary and I was without a car for almost 2 days. I was called that the car was ready on Tuesday afternoon and picked it up that evening. After turning out of the dealership it was obvious the tech did not do the new roof install properly. There we screws on the floor, which the advisors assured me were extras, yeah right! And my tint was gone since it was a completely new roof and they didn't even bother to mention this. I called them the next day to let them know and see if I could come in right away. I was told they could not fit me in so I just scheduled an appt. for 3 weeks later, with loaner, and figured I'd have the general yearly maintenance done at that time too. I also find out that afternoon that the blue tooth mic was never plugged back in during the completion of the repair, oh yeah and the plastic front of my tach glass was scratched which I only noticed at weird lighting angles. I get the survey from BMW/MINI and I tell them how it happened. The advisors were cordial and friendly, the tech did not complete the job properly and failed to do a test drive to check his work or the items he removed during the work. I then get a follow up from Hassel's General Manager of Operations, Robert Portesy, wanting to know what had happened. So I told him the same. The day before my next appt., around 10AM, I get the automated call to make sure I was still in for the appt. At 5:30 PM that same day I get a call from someone at Hassel telling me my appt. is cancelled and they will not work on my car. WOW! That's a first for me! I called them back the next day to try and speak to Mr. Portesy to find out what was going on but he would not take my call nor return my call. I then called MINI customer service but they were of no help as they said they could not do anything to help me and that the dealers were not an area they can control. Again news to me. A few days later I call Habberstad to setup an appt. I was able to get one for a week later and it included a loaner. I worked with Jackie at Habberstad and she was great, super friendly asked all the right questions including had I been troubled by the cold start clatter. I also had to have the tip re-call done, general maintenance and of course the roof rattling. I also go the loaner :-) Jackie called me late that afternoon about my tire pressure to make sure I wanted it as high as I had it. Talk about being customer oriented! Anyhow the car was ready the next afternoon and they had fixed the roof, I'll get back to that in a minute. I also got the new timing assembly, chain tensioners, guides and sprockets. They did an oil change, new front brakes, general diagnostic (all clean) and a new cabin filter. As far as the roof went the tech said whoever did the work not only failed to install all the screws but the also left the seatbelt mechanism and the side curtain airbag loose. Talk about potential safety issues! So the tech buttoned everything up like it was all nice and new again :-) Moral of the story, steer clear of Hassel as they are a HASSLE! I found out they are owned by Group One, a dealer conglomerate that only cares about numbers and not its customers. Kudos to the team over at Habberstad from Jackie to the Techs as they really know how to treat customers. It finally looks like someone actually cares about MINI owners since MINI doesn't! More

Nancy Shinholster is one of the most patient salespeople I've ever met! My Mini buying experience was effortless, totally stress-free and fun! She answered all my questions thoughtfully and patiently. It wa I've ever met! My Mini buying experience was effortless, totally stress-free and fun! She answered all my questions thoughtfully and patiently. It was also very helpful that she is a Mini owner as well; this added to my confidence that this is the car for me. More

Buying a new car was never something I considered to "fun". To me it is stressful and unpleasant . That is until I met Nancy! She made me feel comfortable and confident. She answered every questio "fun". To me it is stressful and unpleasant . That is until I met Nancy! She made me feel comfortable and confident. She answered every question. Took me for a test drive .....not once, but twice!!!!!!! She helped me find a mini that fit my budget as well as my personality. Thanks Nancy. For all your help and patience. More

Haberstad Mini is extremely customer friendly. I'm the kind of guy that usually gets ignored at car dealerships, jewelry stores, etc. but as soon as I walked through the door there was someone there to he kind of guy that usually gets ignored at car dealerships, jewelry stores, etc. but as soon as I walked through the door there was someone there to help me. Nancy Shinholster is a knowledeable, personable, down-to-earth sales person. She also dresses nice. I told her exactly what I wanted and she came up with multiple options for me without ever trying to pressure me into something I couldn't afford. She answered all my questions and never seemed like she was trying to hide anything. We took a test drive and she was quite patient with me through my nervousness. I would certainly recommend Nancy and Haberstad overall. More

This was my first car purchase on my own and Nancy made it the most pleasant experience ever!! She was sooo friendly and soo accomodating and very informative. She has a great personality and was soo easy it the most pleasant experience ever!! She was sooo friendly and soo accomodating and very informative. She has a great personality and was soo easy to work with. I got everything I wanted in my new Mini and it was definitely all thanks to her. If you are looking for a new Mini definitely go to Habberstad Mini and ask for Nancy...she was the BEST!! More

My rating was based on sales process and the service center. There are times where their customer service is suspect, but it has to do more with the scheduling or organizational skills. Their employees center. There are times where their customer service is suspect, but it has to do more with the scheduling or organizational skills. Their employees are very willing to go above and beyond and are very courteous. The dealership as a whole is very professional. More