Found this site yesterday and have been perusing the posts since.

A little about myself- 53 years old and recovering from 2 motorcycles crashes (totaled 'em both) and a near-fatal illness last fall & I'm ready to get back to hearing the wind whistle past my head. At least I think it's whistling past & not through. You better check with Momma for another opinion.

With the warmer weather I'm feeling the itch pretty bad & the truck is paid off in August, but the bod can't handle another crash. So, a question- can a broke-down ex-motorsickle rider find true happiness in a Cooper S convertible and live happily ever after?

Enquiring minds & all that...

Jim

 

Yes!

I don't have a Cabrio but have been hooked ever since my first ride in a MINI.

 

I was afraid of that. I won't be able to fall off, but it's going to cost 4 times as much. Eh, it's just money, right?

 

One test drive and I was hooked, not a cabrio but still hooked!

 

That's just up front money, if you get the "Modding Bug" it's even more expensive!

Motor scoots my not cost as much but crashing them can't be cheap!

 

I suspect it'll be the same for me.

 

Same with bikes, spent half again the initial cost on farkles. And yeah, my insurance company isn't particularly fond of me.

 

Get the cabriolet, you will have all the fun you can handle and stay a hell of a lot safer than on the bike, 4 wheels are better than 2 when the going gets tough.

 

Thanks Ben. I need to go back to Seattle in May to get the stents taken out of my bile duct & I'll be hitting the Mini dealer as part of the trip.

That'll be the only drawback to owning a Mini- closest dealer(s) (Seattle/Tacoma & Portland) are 4 hours away.

 

There isn't MINI Tech, BMW Tech, or European Tech near you...I guess you'll have to join a local MINI Club...

MINI Owners have the experiences, advice, and are willing to help you.

 

Thanks inimini, I'll keep that in mind.

 

I have been driving convertibles for 28 years, Fiat 124's, Mazda Rx-7 and 3 BMW 3 series convertibles and the MINI is the most fun of all. The purr of the engine with the top down is intoxicating....Get one and Happy Motoring!

 

Hi Bimjo. I'm just over the hills from you, but used to live in Yakima. Just got my first MCS in January and I'm loving it. Don't have a cabrio (too damn much rain over here), but it'd be great in the Tri-Cities. Just push the sport button and you'll forget about your old wrecked bikes. I had a very good experience working with Northwest Mini - no hassle and they made it easy to purchase my car. As far as the wind whistling through your hair (head) - with all the heat you get over there, I think it'd feel great! :-) Good luck!

 

My first car was a soft top of sorts. It was a '56 VW converted into a dune buggy/jeep kinda thing that I loved dearly. Sold it when I got married & still miss it 34 years later.

You're right, the weather here is conducive to open motoring. My choice just get a bit more complicated since I've learned about the pending Roadster though.

Decisions, decisions... life's tough.

 

Bimjo, welcome! I know exactly the "bug" you feel, been riding bikes nearly my whole life, did a lot of racing back in the 80s. I'm 48, sold my last pride and joy (Gen 1 FZ1) last year and ordered me a 2010 MCS. Trust me, it's the most intoxicating thing on 4 wheels, you'll think the bike bug is a thing of the past.

 

Having done the "responsible parent" thing and forgone riding for 25 years, when I got back on I discovered that my skillz had deteriorated to the point that I no longer feel safe on two wheels. Two crashes in a year will do that for ya.

I'm hoping you're right that a MINI in some form or other will replace the bikes. Still isn't gonna lean through corners though.

On the other hand I won't need to wear armor anymore either. Wearing shorts in the summer will be a plus.

I have to head to Seattle in May to see the doctor, I'm going to try and hit the MINI store while I'm there just to see what's what.