Hi GuysI'm Czar from Yorkshire in the UK, maybe I should say (ow do!) having started the new year as a new life you 40 somethings out there (know what I mean!),
ok maybe I'm the only one who's left the baggage on the carousel of humdrum life!
So with freedom I set off to find a car just for me and my dog (nothing else in tow giving me grief) I looked at many manufacturers/models (never even gave Mini a thought) was looking at the usual bland estate cars at one point I even considered a pick up what was I thinking!
Then whilst parking in my local supermarket car park there it was right along side, yes you guessed it a Mini clubman in yellow I couldn't believe it, after all this time and endless searching here seemed to be the perfect solution!
Whilst waiting for the owner to come back to their fabulous looking clubman I had a good look and just couldn't stop smiling at its cheeky quirky style, upon the owners return we talked for a while and that was it I knew my next move, and I'm sure all you reading this do too? off to the mini dealership looked at at great selection of clubman's got a test drive in a cooper s version and it was as easy as that, I placed my order for a clubman cooper s in yes Chilli red/black.
Only down side now being the estimated delivery date sometime within the first 2 weeks of May but having found this forum and read many posts this will keep my many questions answered till I get that phone call, (the one we all wait for) your car is ready to collect also seen the array of after market goodies (glad i'm not funding handbags/shoes anymore!) I am really looking forward to my only ever second Mini, my last one being an original 1275 GT some 23 years ago!
(ouch) where does the time go when your having fun.......

 

Congratulations! It sounds like you're off to a good start... new day, new life, new car! The anticipation has got to be tough though.....
Again Congrats!

 

Welcome & Congratulations on your new MINI!!!!

 

I LOVE your story. Welcome to the wild world of the new MINI. I had an original and I can't believe how they captured the essence of the old one but made it so completely new, comfortable, fast and scream around corners.......

 

You wont regret it, I promise you, welcome to NAM!

Cheers!

 

Welcome chap to NAM-land from across the pond. It appears you've been infected with mini-mania. Not to worry, as you have found the cure. By the way, what kind of dog do you have? Oh, and your mini will let you know its name soon enough.

 

hi czar- i am also a new MINI owner. I just bought mine in february....and what a blast it is to own one!!
like James G quoted..."only people who think they're old-act their age"...

always loved Mini's and after my 40th birthday, i guess you could say, I got my second wind

this car makes me feel like a giddy teen again, but with much better driving skills love the way it handles, love the sound of the engine, love the way the seats mold to my butt.....

love the way the other Mini drivers wave and flash lights to acknowledge each other...i personally give the "peace " sign....there are a few snobby chix who totally snub...but who cares...it's the dudes who reciprocate...

still not thrilled about letting my dog hop in just yet...want to savor the new car smell for a while before she gets her wet dog smell in it ...

the new man in my life's name is Stewie( Stewart -to be pronounced with a heavy Scottish accent).2009 S - mellow yellow, racing stripes, harmon stereo- which usually cranks out Marley, Cliff and classic rock

 

Shortly after buying mine at 46 years of age I made the observation that I was '10MPG from a midlife crisis'

Call it rationalization but I'm lovin' it!

 

well, i guess it's true what people say " the older you get, the wiser you get"....or as i always say "oh ,what the hell...you only live once- then it's all over".

 

Congrats and welcome!!! If it's any consolation, it appears as if you may get your MINI sooner than many of us do over here. Have a blast!!

 

You are going to love your MINI.
I was in my 60's when I bought mine and it's an absolute blast.

 

I just picked up my MINI 2 weeks ago and my 60th B'Day is this Saturday ! I would be curious as to the age breakdown on who buys these MINIs.

One thing I found interesting and I am certain it has to do with age of drivers is that my new S Clubman is about $40 less expensive per year in car insurance with collision compared to the car insurance w/collision for my '98 Honda Prelude ! That is really something when you figure my Prelude is 11 years old and is worth so much less regarding payout in a collision versus a new MINI. Minis are just not involved in as many serious accidents.

 

Wow, I'm jealous on 3 counts. 1) You live near Elland Rd (I'm a Leeds fan stuck in California) 2) You're getting a new MINI (that was 6 years ago for me) 3) You got rid of the missus and still have money left over (haven't got the courage to try that yet).

 

Maddymioselle is right: I feel like a kid who just got the best present ever - except I get to open it again and again when ever I go for a drive!

I'm 46 and after 165,000 miles in a '05 Mercury Montego (great car) I wanted something fun to drive. Somehow I managed to get my new toy under the guise of "needing a car for work" (actually true...since the Montego left along with the old job). 'Been enjoying it ever since

I also think its great the way Mini's wave. They seem to be the only people with smiles on their faces - even in traffic. I guess Mini owners know lifes too short not to have fun eh?