Hey wassup my name is Austin aka panda aka malottopanda, i'm 17 and have been obsessed with minis since about 2000-2001, I just recently purchased one it's a 2003 MINI Cooper S it's a manual tranny so I'm still learning, this isn't my first car, my mom would never have bought me a supercharged gocart as my first car, but yea soo I'm from Vista, CA (San Deigo area) born and raised, I don't know a whole lot about MINI's other than that they are one badass little car and I'm looking forward to driving it and making some new friends

 

Welcome Austin !

Thanks for joining and feel free to look around. You can post some pics of your MINI in the gallery section of your account when you have some.

NAM has vasts amount of information here to help you in keeping your MINI on the road and right side up. And check your area for local MINI Clubs, they can be helpful and fun as well.

 

Welcome....getting a MINI at 17...you lucky SOB. I'm sure you will love it!!
my bit of advise to you is to learn about your car, and remember that standard car stuff does not necessarily apply to you new MINI. So when you think you have an issue, or a question, do a quick search, or ask!! You will find a wealth of knowledge here....and don't let the numbers of problems you see discussed get you worried....when you get tens of thousands of drivers, driving, and in many cases racing their cars (yes many MINI drivers do weekend track events, and autocross) things get pressed to their limits!!
My bit of advise for ya....use good high octane gas....as required, and do your oil changes every 7500 miles or so with one of the recommended synthetic oils. Other than that HAVE FUN!!!

 

Welcome
1st car a MIni S come on man . Your insurance must be a killer dude ! You better hugg your mom every day . Drive safe ! Happy Motoring !

 

Wow, I'm sure there are a few of us older drivers who would've killed for a car like this at your age. Best advice is buy a Bentley manual for your year and get to know your car from the inside out. Check locally for any performance driving schools to learn how to maximize your skills to the car. Those drivers down south are crazy when traffic builds up. Your gonna have a lot of FUN!

 

Nice car for 17.

If I remember correctly, my car at 17 was a 2 speed slush box corvair. Not exactly the chick magnet a MINI would be.

Read the forums, learn about your car, have fun and be safe out there.

 

Welcome, No better car than a MINI for someone named Austin

And TRPete, Don't feel bad. I'm ashamed my first car was also a 1960 Corvair 600 4dr, 2spd powerglide and slow as snot. The kids at school named it Goofy.

 

Congrats! Like everyone else has already said, do a little research on this website to get familiar with MINI's and have as much fun as possible. I wish my parents would have bought me a car when I was 17... BTW you need to post some pics asap.

 

Wow. You are one lucky dude. Best first car EVER. Motor On.

 

You 1st car guys with your Corvairs had it good, my first automobile was a mostly grey 1941 Nash coupe, talk about a chick magnet?

 

lucky to have this car at yr car...congrats

 

dude. I have a '03 MINI S.! Isnt it a great car.!! Mines electric blue which I like to call "manley blue". Theres a few things to figure out about your car if you plan on working on it yourself though. I had an '89 240sx that had room to work on but a mini? Its so compact sometimes its best for the pros to have a go. But that is a rare occasion to bring it in a shop. My car is still riding strong and a terror on the freeway. Welcome to the MINI World. Her names "ALCE" by the way.
Jav from Castro Valley.Nor Cal.