Okay, so. About two months ago I got laid off. (Thanks, economy!)

Luckily, I just got a new position lined up. As I was taking the train to work to my old job, and won't be able to now, my wife and I agreed that it was time to replace my decade-old car with something new.

We went down to one of the local MINI dealers here in L.A. to have a looksee at a Clubman and get a test drive.

I was pretty keen on the car but she wasn't sure - until she drove the test drive car - a manual-transmission Cooper Works Clubman. She was hooked. The first thing out of her mouth was "I know what I'll be taking on the weekends!"

So now I'm just waiting to actually start my new job to order the Clubman S. (I know, just order the thing - but the financial responsibility part of me won't let me do it until the paychecks are rolling in.) The waiting! It's killing me!