'08 Sparkling Silver/Blk MCS, man trans, sun roof, cruise control, mud flaps.

Currently listed as "John Doe". I asked my six year old daughter to help me name him/her, but I just could not settle on Princess Belle or Hanna Monatnna. We'll have to keep working on that. I'll keep you posted.

I have a sixty mile one way commute, plus I like to do day trips on the week end with the family. After three weeks and 3,000 miles I'm happy to report an average fuel milage of just over 37 mpg. I'm pretty conservative when it comes to driving point A to point B on the flat and level, but I do turn it loose on the curvy rolling roads when I find them!

Drove to Carlisle for the Import/Kit show the week after I picked my Mini and got to see lots of the old classics as well as some hot modded Coopers from the Carlilsle Mini Club. On the way there I told my daughter that I would give her a quarter for every Mini she spotted on the road, car lots and car shows don't count. That would help keep her occupied for a while. I spotted only two within the first two hours of our drive and helped her to identify them. I also showed her the handful of quarters that I had deposited in the ashtray insert. Find a Mini, take a quarter. She was disapointed that we did not get a visisble wave back from the two sightings even though we gave it our best effort. About ten miles outside of Carlisle on I-81 I hear "Beep, Beep, Beep" and turn to my left to see an enthusiastic lady looking down at us from the passenger seat of a Hummer, waving and smiling at us as they passed. We all returned waves and grins. As the the dark silver Hummer eased passed us we saw the trailer hauling their matching Harley, and just behind it their mathcing Mini Cooper complete with Harley Davidson wings across the rear window! "Dad, I'm getting a quarter!"

After having MGBGT, Porshe 924, Miata and a couple Outbacks in the past, the Mini Cooper really fits my driving lifestyle. I love it. Got to get a darker tint on the sunroof soon, just too bright in direct sunlight. Torque steer while turning and accelerating takes a little getting used to. Love the extra power of the S when you need it, what a hill climber this thing is! Anybody know how to switch the Sport button control to the Bluetooth button on my steering wheel, that would be sweet.

Thanks to all that submit here on NAM. I've been reading lots of posts over the last several months and it has helped tremendously in my purchase and overal knowledge of my new ride. Look forward to meeting some of you in the near future.

 

Welcome Paleo. Where is Oak Grove?

 

Westmoreland County, near Colonial Beach. 35 Miles east of Fredericksburg. Looks like we might have something else in common... photography.

 

Nice intro, Paleo. Looking forward to reading more!

 

And what's wrong with Hanna Montana?

 

Oh, we are worlds away, west of Roanoke (in the mountains). Welcome again. Maybe we will cross paths some day.

 

"Worlds away"? It's just a morning drive to Roanoke! Aim Pepper Jack towards the Blue Ridge Parkway and meet us for lunch at Peaks of Otter Lodge one weekend. Now David is worlds away, if he shows up there lunch is on me!

OWG - I guess Hanna Montanna was better than Barny. Got any pics of the interior of Maxwell? Sounds awsome.

 

My almost 6 year old son, has just discovered the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" so if he were given a vote I have no doubt that he would have gone with Raf....

Re: photos - we are still pre-natal - I will post in early July. Mini of Sterling had a heavily optioned Clubman S with this interior, and it is very nice.

 

OWG - Look forward to the new baby pictures. At least it is not a nine month wait for this one! Let us know when the contractions are five minutes apart and I'll gather up some micro fiber towels and detailing supplies!

 

Tempting!

But I'll have to pass.

 

Welcome to NAM and the wide world of love-in that is Mini. There are a bunch of cool clubs around VA, and the Blue Ridge is awesome!

How about "Monty" instead of Hannah Montanna? Or Miley?

Motor on!

 

Have to keep an eye out for Mints on the way down to the inlaws. They live in Waverly, we pass by Petersburg often, hope to give you a wave someday!

 

Hey all... here goes my first post as a mini owner.
Love my '08 std chili red/white cooper! My favorite thing so far is getting waves from other mini owners and jealous looks from those who don't own one! pictures soon...

 

Ditto! Sometimes I just like tootling around town, just to hear us go!

 

Well "John Doe" finally got a name. My daughter and I named our MINI Sabine after the character in the movie Mr. Bean's Vacation.

Late last week I stumbled upon the Blueridge Parkway Tour post, and event put on by Tarheelminis.org and asked if we could join in the fun. We were eagerly encouraged to do so by their club founder and on Friday my daughter and I drove Sabine to Waynesboro Va. and met up with their group for the start of the north to south Parkway ride. I think we started out with sixteen or seventeen MINIs and met up with a few more members along the way. We got off the parkway near Roanoke for lunch break. While sitting at the table eating with my navigator, I looked over and noticed a nametag of one of the members that just joined us... Leicaguy! (you have to read this whole thread to understand the irony in this). Dave, I hope you are reading this, I was thinking about you buddy!

 

I try to be a part of the Richmond MINI club (River City MINIs), and they have a really long route, too - I only have a paper-directions-copy, so as soon as I find it again, I'll send it to you. Blue Ridge is awesome! Next time you head out, please let me know!

P.S. I like the name!

 

Hi Paleo!

Yup, I'm still reading your stuff and just wish everyone wrote like you. I assume you're a journo?

I've only done one run so far - locally, but including some track time, and know how much you will have enjoyed yours. And I'm booked for another next month in the Yorkshire Dales, less than a couple of hours north of us, which has some of the UK's BEST roads. Dunno how my Clubman D will fit in with the modding crowd with their GPs though!

Give Sabine an extra stroke for me!