I loved Millenium and I agree it is probably the best that I have experienced. I also like "X" and Goliath at Magic Mountain and for woodens if you haven't tried GhostRider at Knott's Berry Farm (the only reason to go to this park); it is quite impressive. We are probably going back to Cedar Point in about two years - this time to spend more than just a day checking the place out.

 

*Lightbulb!* Kimberely, what about "MRSHWGL" ? 7 characters. . . too esoteric?

Mini2Na- I'm not sure if the silver owners club confers peerage numbers on their well-deserving members! The pepper white club is appropriately titled "Peerage of the Pepper White" I think we all have a bit of a snob factor here!! My number is 762.

Ugh! Had PLC, back to school night, and BTSA all in one week. I'm trashed, and full of weird education acronyms. The scary thing is that I actually use the dang things and understand them! Yikes!
Need sleep, but have about 2 hours to go first. Oh well. . . Check in on NAM for short sanity breaks!!

 

Well, I am almost to 1100 miles. Just a little further to go. Sick as a dog though, the last few days. I am not going to get there this weekend. No rest for the wicked (n)either, so much to do this weekend. Vet appts., DMV appts. (must get registration someday), spouse (with my help) is putting down tile in the laundry room, and Kermit is filthy. My poor boy. All I want to do is crawl into bed and stay there. Not to be.

 

Kimberely, sorry to hear you are under the weather. Being under our weather right now is saying something. Dreary, dreary for early Oct. Feel better and take Kermit over 1200 next week.

Scoopmama - PLC, IEP, SpEd, SIP, PBS.... . Unfortunately, I understand your language. I wonder how strange we sound to those outside the profession? Maybe when I grow up I'll stop talking that way.

My lovely wife has fallen in love with Frodo. She looks fantastic in it, but who doesn't look fantastic in a MINI? She has driven it to school a couple of days now and it looks likes she wants it to be a regular occurance. Does anyone know if there are boilerplate documents out there for declaring MINI custody and visitation rights? I had to smile, as well as wince when I noticed that in the 15 miles she put on in the middle of tank, the avg gas mileage went down nearly a mile/gallon. She be driving my baby pretty hard. He's tough and can take it. I trust my wife. I trust my wife. I trust my wife.....

 

Wow! You let your wife drive Frodo? My hubby has only driven Kermit about 5 miles - and he won't get him to drive to work (Tigard!). Of course, he is now talking about when he pays off his truck and can buy his own MINI. Figures. But he still thinks of the MINI as a toy. My Kermie is NOT a toy (at least not his!) That being said - I have a new Vanity Plate idea - what say you - PDLHPPR? It is even available.

 

OK - you've got me scared now. I told my husband he could take the MINI for a drive today as I am stuck at work all weekend. When he picked it up he said was going on the coast loop - about 400 miles !! Not quite what I had in mind... He's not back yet!

What worries me is that he was already talking about HIS order before we picked it up... I don't recall that he let me drive his truck when it was new.

Mini2na I hope you find those forms soon!! Maybe Jarid slipped them in with all the adoption ones we signed in Portland at pick up. I'll have to check...

 

MINIs are contagious! Hubby keeps coming home with more supplies for Scoop, and talking about minor mods. He even suggested a roll cage! Now he's thinking that when his car dies, he might get a Clubman!

He's driven my car about 5 miles, and will take it to a buddy for her first oil change. Luckily, he's more OCD than I am! He'll keep Scoop well under the 4K revs

Minicounter - did you hubby return yet, or did the coastal route include the east coast! I'd be worried!

Mini2Na~ start saving. "Mama needs a hot set of wheels!"

Kimberely~ Hope you feel better soon!

We just found out yesterday one of our dearest friends kicked her hubby out for womanizing. We're devestated. This couple has been our family. Lot's of get togethers. . . It's like Barbie and Ken splitting up. Most of our friends have really solid marriages, and the folks that have split SHOULD have. It's really weird to be blindsided by the people who seemed to have an ideal marriage.

Sorry- I know this isn't MINI talk. I think I'll go wash Scoop for therapy!

 

Ideal marriages on the outside aren't always ideal on the private side. I was in one of those with first hubby. All of our friends were very surprised when we split. It always sucks when one of your "family" makes a life change that affects you. I recommend lots of MINI therapy. It always makes things clearer and brighter.

I am feeling better today. I really need to wash Kermit. Maybe later - I must go help spouse with tile now. Have a great day!

 

Well my Hubby did return with the MINI - I'm glad I didn't think of the east coast option lol. As it was I might as well have gone with him since I couldn't concentrate on my work... I don't remember being that stressed when we first left the kids with a babysitter
I was a little worried because he said when he came up behind a couple cars and they just moved over to the shoulder to let him pass - and they weren't motorhomes either ! But I will say when I checked the mpg it had gone up 3 miles to almost 34 so he couldn't have been too bad! The good news is that we are only 3 commutes (150 miles) away from releasing the dragon!!

Scoopmama sure am sorry to hear about your friends - I know it makes you feel like you've been kicked in the stomach. A little Scoop time would be good - maybe a trip to the coast My hubby's still wearing his smile!

 

Good Morning Mini Family! Just wanted to drop a quick note to say hi. I washed Zorro yesterday and took him out for a couple of pics. I'll post them tonight when I get home. Only up to 760 miles right now. My MA told me to just get to 1000 miles and I'd be good to go... hmmm... thoughts?

Scoopmama - I just ordered my plates! So, show 'em if ya got 'em!

I better get back to work... pics to follow soon...

 

Cool! I love pics - waiting impatiently.

 

Ok guys...there are pics in the gallery! Not much yet but it's a start.

 

Thanks for sharing. Very nice
I'm drooling over your nav
Very cool

 

NAV is definitely cool! Love the car! Beautiful color. Awesome!

 

Thanks. The NAV was definitely worth every penny, if only because it finds every Starbucks within 150 miles! It integrates everything very nicely, ie: bluetooth, voice commands, satellite, cd, etc etc... Definitely a fun toy within a fun toy! Scoopmama... I got my plate ordered today so I'm ready to see yours as soon as you get it!!

Kimberly - did you decide on a plate yet? pddlhppr was cute but drophppr might be more appropriate

 

Oops...too many letters...sorry

 

Nice lookin' MINI! I'm living without the NAV, but from what everyone says I wish I had it.

About the 1000 miles.... My MA told me that too. I went the full 1200 just to be sure.

I want to do an oil change now too. I figure there is a reason for the break-in and it could mean some metal in the oil.

 

I have been thinking about that myself. I too want to be sure any and all metal shavings are drained out. What I was wondering though, is, if we change the oil early, doesn't the onboard computer refigure our mileage and push our service date back? Also, I read on a thread earlier about tire rotations and I wanted to confirm with the owners manual before I said anything to the dealer, but, according to the post I read the manual tells us to rotate the tires from front to back every 3k - 5k miles (makes sense). Since the owners manual says it and the verbage in the service contract tells us the dealer is responsible for all required maintenance.... is the dealer going to take care of tire rotations also? It's not like we can do it with the one little jack they provided with the car... hmmm

 

As for the tires, that is one thing that is not covered under the warranty, so tire rotation is the owners responsibility.

 

Hi! Kim~ hope you are feeling better!
Lil A ~ Love the pix! What a cool car!

We looked at the oil (too windy on Sunday for a change) and it is dark and yucky looking at 700 miles. Hubby (who used to sell Saturns and who built two MG wagons in the '70s') claims that break-in from the marketing dept. is BS! The engineers and mechanics idea of break-in is less fun and more conservative: change oil around 500-800 miles, then again at 1500, and drive easy for about 2K. So. . . that's what we do! The older of our two Saturns has 220K now, and probably another 100K of good miles. So right now Scoop is in the garage, waiting for her oil change so she can come out and play!

Each time I get in and drive, it's such a fun experience!!! LOVE the MINI!

 

I hit 1200 today on my way into Portland. Woo hoo! What is this about an early oil change? Can I bring it to Jiffy Lube? or should I take it to my dealer?

Made up my mind on plates. I got a "special plate" (design-wise) that is also a personalized plate, but in doing do I cut had to cut my letters to 5. Nothing like making my life more difficult. Anyway, the form gave my three choices, so here they were in order of preference: KRMEE, KRMT, or DFROG. Not imaginitive as I was originally trying for, but I was pressed for space.

Question for you guys: Has anyone noticed a throttle surge in first gear? I step on the gas and there is a pause before the acceleration hits. Is this normal? It seems to be somewhat intermittant. But I have noticed that if I don't step on it in first gear, it will stall on me. I just thought it was being touchy - now I am not so sure.

 

Kimberly - I've noticed the throttle surge myself. Fortunately the sport button takes care of that problem

Tharkun - thanks for the info regarding the tires. I think I knew the answer all along...

Scoopmama - Thanks for the info regarding the oil change. I haven't looked at my oil yet but I think I'll go check it out now. I too will probably play it on the safe side and take it easy way past the 1000 mile break-in my MA told me. I will be driving the Mini to San Diego the first weekend in November so I hope to be close to having it broke in by then. The mountains I go over just before hitting SD are steep and curvy and I want to unleash Zorro on them

 

Kimberly - my vote is for DFROG. KRMEE is cute but the cuteness may wear off after time. DFROG really seems to fit the color better...Kermit's more of a light green. Just my opinion though. Go with your heart!

 

Has anyone sat out in the garage after returning from a long drive? I find the noises Frodo makes are quite interesting. There is always the hum of pump that is cooling the turbo, but what are the rest?

I can identify the tick of cooling metal, the header or other portions of the exhaust. What I'm not sure of is a sound that reminds me of parking on a slope and you apply brakes and let them go slowly until the brakes let loose and the car rolls. Ok, maybe my description doesn't ring a bell, but the car does make some strange "cooling" noises. Is my baby trying to talk? Is it haunted?

Please tell me some of you have heard things....

 

Mini2na - I love your descriptions I think he is definitely talking to you... The worry will come when you start the babyMINI talk back!

I made it to 1200 last night!! Unfortunately it was raining cats and dogs and the road was thick with deer/elk Today I've been playing with the manual shifter a little. If I let off the gas while shifting I can almost pretend I have a manual! I need to practice a bit more with the music down . I would guess you don't have to reduce the throttle at all but that just seems weird!