Another Lucky New Mini Owner
Another Lucky New Mini Owner
Just picked up our 1st Mini!
Year 2010
Make MINI
Model Cooper S
Color Horizon Blue & White
Packages Premium package, Automatic
History EBay purchase - 5,000 miles
Dealership bought at Mini auction and payed too much. She sat on the lot 180 days. I happened to be the right person when they decided to take a loss and make a great deal. This is our 1st Mini and we love our new baby.
How Lucky we are!
Year 2010
Make MINI
Model Cooper S
Color Horizon Blue & White
Packages Premium package, Automatic
History EBay purchase - 5,000 miles
Dealership bought at Mini auction and payed too much. She sat on the lot 180 days. I happened to be the right person when they decided to take a loss and make a great deal. This is our 1st Mini and we love our new baby.
How Lucky we are!
Last edited by Kokopellie; Mar 6, 2011 at 05:56 AM.
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach
Trending Topics
I would love to change out the head lights for HID's. Just kind of looking and learning at this time as to what's out there. - Thanks
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA
oh you'll notice you have an endless amount of options you can do. youll never get bored
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Little Rock,ARK
Even my wife likes it!
First visit.
Just bought '03 S. One key and no owner's manual.
My previous experience was a mini was as a BMC dealership back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. (Dealership ownership MIGHT sound a bit more glorious than abandoned gas station which sold funny little furrin cars-BMC, Volvo, M-B)
We took an initial shipment of assorted Austins, MG-As Morris Minors and a clutch of Miniminors. NOt only could we not sell the odd front wheel drive??beasties, we couldn't even entice folks to SIT in one.
We had started up a sports car club to generate interest in imports and just incidentally increase our negligible sales. (SportsCar Rally Association of Mobile=SCRAM)
My partner (who had fallen in love with tiny toys) casually invited me to enter my Porsche Speedster in a Sunday gymchana (sp?) to show those clowns motoring about in tiny boxes what a "REAL" sports car could do.
Short version: Whilst I trounced the assorted Austin Healeys, MGs, TR2+3s, a Jag 140 and some Volvo Sports-544s I got my clock throughly cleaned by not just one, but EVERY mini which entered
Sales soared, I sold out my % for what turned out to be about a penny on the dollar and immediately dealership became profitable. This was not my worst financial decision...I traded the Speedster for a 1961 Corvair Monza, even up
Had not been in one in over 50 years. Toyed with the idea of a VW diesel beetle for economy until ALL the kids screamed "Chick-car" and "You will be the only straight beetle owner in the state"
Upshot, ran across MINI on ebay, "won" it and it showed up on the doorstep this week.
I have feared that when one "WINS" an auction it really means you were willing to pay more than any other human..Too late now.
Problems: VERY annoying rattle rear hatch latch? Good rubber (except for the one rear tire worn completely through 2 metal cords. Can't lower right rear seatback. Can't seem to raise lower driver's seat (ala VW?) Slightly balking shift to 3rd..might be me/not clutching enough.
Still discovering switches, controls etc. but exceedingly pleased with: handling, pep, and mileage..27mpg stop and go rush hour, 35 dense go-home traffic and 41.7 100 mile drive thru baby mountains.
Sho am a FAR cry from the late 50s
Just bought '03 S. One key and no owner's manual.
My previous experience was a mini was as a BMC dealership back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. (Dealership ownership MIGHT sound a bit more glorious than abandoned gas station which sold funny little furrin cars-BMC, Volvo, M-B)
We took an initial shipment of assorted Austins, MG-As Morris Minors and a clutch of Miniminors. NOt only could we not sell the odd front wheel drive??beasties, we couldn't even entice folks to SIT in one.
We had started up a sports car club to generate interest in imports and just incidentally increase our negligible sales. (SportsCar Rally Association of Mobile=SCRAM)
My partner (who had fallen in love with tiny toys) casually invited me to enter my Porsche Speedster in a Sunday gymchana (sp?) to show those clowns motoring about in tiny boxes what a "REAL" sports car could do.
Short version: Whilst I trounced the assorted Austin Healeys, MGs, TR2+3s, a Jag 140 and some Volvo Sports-544s I got my clock throughly cleaned by not just one, but EVERY mini which entered
Sales soared, I sold out my % for what turned out to be about a penny on the dollar and immediately dealership became profitable. This was not my worst financial decision...I traded the Speedster for a 1961 Corvair Monza, even up
Had not been in one in over 50 years. Toyed with the idea of a VW diesel beetle for economy until ALL the kids screamed "Chick-car" and "You will be the only straight beetle owner in the state"
Upshot, ran across MINI on ebay, "won" it and it showed up on the doorstep this week.
I have feared that when one "WINS" an auction it really means you were willing to pay more than any other human..Too late now.
Problems: VERY annoying rattle rear hatch latch? Good rubber (except for the one rear tire worn completely through 2 metal cords. Can't lower right rear seatback. Can't seem to raise lower driver's seat (ala VW?) Slightly balking shift to 3rd..might be me/not clutching enough.
Still discovering switches, controls etc. but exceedingly pleased with: handling, pep, and mileage..27mpg stop and go rush hour, 35 dense go-home traffic and 41.7 100 mile drive thru baby mountains.
Sho am a FAR cry from the late 50s
Last edited by Minimiser; Mar 10, 2011 at 06:49 AM. Reason: sloppy typing
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA
First visit.
Just bought '03 S. One key and no owner's manual.
My previous experience was a mini was as a BMC dealership back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. (Dealership ownership MIGHT sound a bit more glorious than abandoned gas station which sold funny little furrin cars-BMC, Volvo, M-B)
We took an initial shipment of assorted Austins, MG-As Morris Minors and a clutch of Miniminors. NOt only could we not sell the odd front wheel drive??beasties, we couldn't even entice folks to SIT in one.
We had started up a sports car club to generate interest in imports and just incidentally increase our negligible sales. (SportsCar Rally Association of Mobile=SCRAM)
My partner (who had fallen in love with tiny toys) casually invited me to enter my Porsche Speedster in a Sunday gymchana (sp?) to show those clowns motoring about in tiny boxes what a "REAL" sports car could do.
Short version: Whilst I trounced the assorted Austin Healeys, MGs, TR2+3s, a Jag 140 and some Volvo Sports-544s I got my clock throughly cleaned by not just one, but EVERY mini which entered
Sales soared, I sold out my % for what turned out to be about a penny on the dollar and immediately dealership became profitable. This was not my worst financial decision...I traded the Speedster for a 1961 Corvair Monza, even up
Had not been in one in over 50 years. Toyed with the idea of a VW diesel beetle for economy until ALL the kids screamed "Chick-car" and "You will be the only straight beetle owner in the state"
Upshot, ran across MINI on ebay, "won" it and it showed up on the doorstep this week.
I have feared that when one "WINS" an auction it really means you were willing to pay more than any other human..Too late now.
Problems: VERY annoying rattle rear hatch latch? Good rubber (except for the one rear tire worn completely through 2 metal cords. Can't lower right rear seatback. Can't seem to raise lower driver's seat (ala VW?) Slightly balking shift to 3rd..might be me/not clutching enough.
Still discovering switches, controls etc. but exceedingly pleased with: handling, pep, and mileage..27mpg stop and go rush hour, 35 dense go-home traffic and 41.7 100 mile drive thru baby mountains.
Sho am a FAR cry from the late 50s
Just bought '03 S. One key and no owner's manual.
My previous experience was a mini was as a BMC dealership back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. (Dealership ownership MIGHT sound a bit more glorious than abandoned gas station which sold funny little furrin cars-BMC, Volvo, M-B)
We took an initial shipment of assorted Austins, MG-As Morris Minors and a clutch of Miniminors. NOt only could we not sell the odd front wheel drive??beasties, we couldn't even entice folks to SIT in one.
We had started up a sports car club to generate interest in imports and just incidentally increase our negligible sales. (SportsCar Rally Association of Mobile=SCRAM)
My partner (who had fallen in love with tiny toys) casually invited me to enter my Porsche Speedster in a Sunday gymchana (sp?) to show those clowns motoring about in tiny boxes what a "REAL" sports car could do.
Short version: Whilst I trounced the assorted Austin Healeys, MGs, TR2+3s, a Jag 140 and some Volvo Sports-544s I got my clock throughly cleaned by not just one, but EVERY mini which entered
Sales soared, I sold out my % for what turned out to be about a penny on the dollar and immediately dealership became profitable. This was not my worst financial decision...I traded the Speedster for a 1961 Corvair Monza, even up
Had not been in one in over 50 years. Toyed with the idea of a VW diesel beetle for economy until ALL the kids screamed "Chick-car" and "You will be the only straight beetle owner in the state"
Upshot, ran across MINI on ebay, "won" it and it showed up on the doorstep this week.
I have feared that when one "WINS" an auction it really means you were willing to pay more than any other human..Too late now.
Problems: VERY annoying rattle rear hatch latch? Good rubber (except for the one rear tire worn completely through 2 metal cords. Can't lower right rear seatback. Can't seem to raise lower driver's seat (ala VW?) Slightly balking shift to 3rd..might be me/not clutching enough.
Still discovering switches, controls etc. but exceedingly pleased with: handling, pep, and mileage..27mpg stop and go rush hour, 35 dense go-home traffic and 41.7 100 mile drive thru baby mountains.
Sho am a FAR cry from the late 50s
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Little Rock,ARK
?? paid
'03 S @70,000miles
Electric blue w/black top. minor cosmetic crack on driver's seat bottom. 3 fair tires, one horrendous "How the hell will we get home on THAT?"
205/40/17
Straight body. Only flaw is a dimple shallow about the size of a raisin, just behind the fuel filler.
It is on the hard till I get a new set of tires. Anyone have recommedations on inexpensive ??keeping in mind, I am cautious Olphart who got my two wheel corners and peeling out removed from my system 40 years ago.
I have some more or less serious cars, none of which I have EVER come close to their limits speed or cornering.
Lemme see if I can transfer a pic.
Oh, to answer your question..final bid was $7,350 and seller gave me some help on transportation from Florida to Arkansas.
Electric blue w/black top. minor cosmetic crack on driver's seat bottom. 3 fair tires, one horrendous "How the hell will we get home on THAT?"
205/40/17
Straight body. Only flaw is a dimple shallow about the size of a raisin, just behind the fuel filler.
It is on the hard till I get a new set of tires. Anyone have recommedations on inexpensive ??keeping in mind, I am cautious Olphart who got my two wheel corners and peeling out removed from my system 40 years ago.
I have some more or less serious cars, none of which I have EVER come close to their limits speed or cornering.
Lemme see if I can transfer a pic.
Oh, to answer your question..final bid was $7,350 and seller gave me some help on transportation from Florida to Arkansas.
Last edited by Minimiser; Mar 11, 2011 at 10:48 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA
'03 S @70,000miles
Electric blue w/black top. minor cosmetic crack on driver's seat bottom. 3 fair tires, one horrendous "How the hell will we get home on THAT?"
205/40/17
Straight body. Only flaw is a dimple shallow about the size of a raisin, just behind the fuel filler.
It is on the hard till I get a new set of tires. Anyone have recommedations on inexpensive ??keeping in mind, I am cautious Olphart who got my two wheel corners and peeling out removed from my system 40 years ago.
I have some more or less serious cars, none of which I have EVER come close to their limits speed or cornering.
Lemme see if I can transfer a pic.
Oh, to answer your question..final bid was $7,350 and seller gave me some help on transportation from Florida to Arkansas.
Electric blue w/black top. minor cosmetic crack on driver's seat bottom. 3 fair tires, one horrendous "How the hell will we get home on THAT?"
205/40/17
Straight body. Only flaw is a dimple shallow about the size of a raisin, just behind the fuel filler.
It is on the hard till I get a new set of tires. Anyone have recommedations on inexpensive ??keeping in mind, I am cautious Olphart who got my two wheel corners and peeling out removed from my system 40 years ago.
I have some more or less serious cars, none of which I have EVER come close to their limits speed or cornering.
Lemme see if I can transfer a pic.
Oh, to answer your question..final bid was $7,350 and seller gave me some help on transportation from Florida to Arkansas.
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Little Rock,ARK
damage/
This is about the extent of "damage"...look @ about the 5 o'clock position from the fuel filler...SMALL ding...
I'm not that much of a purist.
The seat flaw will be more than amply covered by my more than ample "seatcover"
btw: one of the surprizes of buying sight unseen is COLOR ...those seats are charcoal GREY...the exterior color printed true.
I'm not that much of a purist.The seat flaw will be more than amply covered by my more than ample "seatcover"
btw: one of the surprizes of buying sight unseen is COLOR ...those seats are charcoal GREY...the exterior color printed true.
Last edited by Minimiser; Mar 11, 2011 at 04:36 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 0
From: Cherry Log, Georgia USA
Minimiser, congrats on the ebay win 
. Seriously, it sounds like you paid a fair price, perhaps even got a pretty good deal.
Do a search on the forums, I know I've seen posts regarding the hatch rattle in the 1st Gen section.
Wet Okole seat covers may be a good solution for the seats.
Annette
. Seriously, it sounds like you paid a fair price, perhaps even got a pretty good deal. Do a search on the forums, I know I've seen posts regarding the hatch rattle in the 1st Gen section.
Wet Okole seat covers may be a good solution for the seats.
Annette
Electric Blue is such a wonderful color. My '02 MCS was EB/W, which translates as Electric Blue with a White top.
EB reminds me of a lighter shade of '66 Chevelle Marina Blue.
My very first Mini was a 1960 850. Six Mini's later I bought my first MINI, the '02.
...Les
EB reminds me of a lighter shade of '66 Chevelle Marina Blue.
My very first Mini was a 1960 850. Six Mini's later I bought my first MINI, the '02.
...Les