Greetings all!

Monday I fly down to Burbank to pick up my first Mini. It's a 2006 JCW cabriolet with everything. And I'm really looking forward to the drive back up the coast to San Jose. I'll be taking 101 to the San Luis Obispo area and then heading up Hwy 1 to Carmel. I can hardly wait.

I'm sure I'll have some questions from time to time but the first would be this: In the San Jose area, are there particular dealers that are recommended? And are there any that I should stay away from?

Many thanks!

And happy motoring to all!

 

Can't offer any help on your questions, but CONGRATULATIONS on your new MINI! You have found your new home(s) away from home--the MINI and NAM!

Happy Motoring!

 

Thanks! I'm looking forward to owning and driving this car. My brother was just giving me a hard time about buying a convertible, but hey, you only live once. It's not meant to be a practical car. It's a fun car.

I seem to have gotten really lucky finding this car as well. It apparently was originally owned by a Utah car collector who bought it no expense spared for his wife and she either couldn't or wouldn't drive a 6 speed. It ended up on consignment in LA were the current owner bought it. He's a Mini nut and babied the car. But he wanted something to run track days with so he bought a GP and thus he's selling this one. I'm really looking forward to picking it up.

 

Congrats! You have to be so excited! The drive on the coast sounds like it will be wonderful! As far as your questions about finding a good local dealer, you might check the forums to see if there is a local club in your area. They might be able to give you some answers about the dealers. Sorry we are in Ohio so not much help here! Be sure to post some pics when you get back!!

 

Burbank. Isn't that the place with the beautiful downtown?

Excited for you. Have always liked the body on the R53s.

 

'Don't know. All of southern California is LA to me. But I do think I've heard that it's a nice city.

 

congrats......bet ur psyched

 

You betcha! I'm packing my bag now. I'll be wearing shorts and a t-shirt and will have something to pull over me in case it get's cold. I'm bringing a bunch of CD's, mostly 60's rock and roll like the Doors, Santana, Jefferson Airplane, Traffic, etc. Also bringing my iPod in case the car is equipped with an adapter and I'm also bringing my tire pressure gauge and other minor necessities. I am SOOOOOO looking forward to the drive up the coast. Whoppee!!

 

It does have a plug on the top of the cubby in front of the gear shift. Should be towards the pax side. Plug is same size as the earjack plug in your iPod. You'll have to work the iPod to change songs, but volume can be adjusted using the MINI sound system.

 

Awesome! I sure hope it's there. But in case it isn't, I've got a bunch of great CD's. I watched part of the movie The Doors the other night and that got me into a retro rock and roll mood for the trip. They will likely be the first CD I put in the stereo.

All packed and ready to go.

 

Well, I've had the car for nearly 2 weeks now and I absolutely love it. The initial drive up the coast from LA was great, especially the section of Hwy 1 between Cambria and Carmel. I've never had so much fun driving that section of road. It rivals doing it on a motorcycle. Then, unfortunately, I had to leave the Mini in the driveway behind the gate for 5 days as we took the family SUV up to Mendocino for 5 days. But no worry, two days after I got back I took off again on my own for a 3 day road trip. I went back up 101 north of San Francisco, took 128 out to the coast, up 1 and back inland to Leggett (that section of 1 is FANTASTIC), then up 101 to 36 and east on 36 to 3 and up to Weaverville for the night. The next day I spent driving up 3 past Trinity Lake to Yreka and then north a bit to catch Hwy 96 along the Klamath River. It was then down to the Hoopa indian reservation where I spent the night and attended a traditional dance in the evening. The next day was over to Arcata and then down the coast. Wow, what a car.

Here's a photo I took of it along the Klamath River: