Hi Gang,

I just traded my blue/white 2004 hardtop for a new laser blue/black 2010 S Hardtop. I loved the 2004 dearly, but she had over 73K, and needed a pile of work. So, new MINI, new questions, and new "stuff" to buy for it.

But before I go on about the new MINI, here is something I wrote the night before I teaded the 2004:


She holds me gently, but firmly, like I am a small bird.

We are melded: my hands and feet and spirit become part of a single entity.
We move without conscious thought.
I know not to push too hard, and she gives me all she has.

It took 6 years figure out that she was a girl.
Looking back, it was of course obvious all along.
I know every inch of her.
Where to push, and where to turn.
What to press and when to stop.
She has no idea that this will be the last time.

Stripped of her jewels, she stands before me,
wearing the simple beautiful skin that she did when I first saw her.
She has no idea of her impending abandonment.
I kid myself that this is an adoption.
That someone else will take her in and, yes, love her as I did.

It is instead a betrayal.
She has been faithful, and kept me safe and warm:
from Maine to Virginia, and from Boston to Buffalo.
Through snow to Sun and sand.

But it is not she that is failing, it is I.
I am not strong enough to see this to the end.
She ages far faster than I do, and I am not sure I could stand
To see her degrade. Bit by bit. Until the bitter end.

 

Wow...that was very nice slotrod.

Did your 04 have lots of mods?

Congrats on the 2010! Looking forward to more poems too.

 

The dearly departed will find someone to love her!

 

"Did your 04 have lots of mods?"

She had an aftermarket chrome interior kit, and chrome side turn signal scuttles with white lenses. It was not a lot, but these small bright bits really made her sparkle. Sort of like jewelry. Before the trade in, I removed these and other various aftermarket parts I had added, as I figured other MINI owners might want them, and I wasn't getting an extra on the trade for them. It was amazing that with these bits removed, how plain she looked. But I realized that this is what she looked like when I first saw her. My 2004 was the exact color I wanted when I began searching for a MINI, and was first MINI I ever drove.

I do not write poetry. This is the first thing I have written like this since High School. (Waaay too may years ago.) But this MINI was special to me. I remember when she was new, I would eat at my desk, and at lunchtime jump in just to drive for a 1/2 hour. Not stopping anywhere. I was just enjoying driving this little car. The new S is great, but will never really replace my first MINI.

 

Here is a picture of my 2004. Just the few bits of extra bling really make the difference IMHO. I will post pics of the 2010 S soon.

 

Well Congrats on your new Cooper .
Im am told the new ones r56 are better = only because i have one !
El Tiger