Hi, all. My name is Dave. I've got a 2012 Justa on order with my local dealer. My first new car!

I've been on a number of enthusiast car forums for other cars that I have owned. Now I'm checking out the MINI forums.

...Why yes, I do have cats--why do you ask?

 

From one another Mini Newbie to another, welcome aboard.

Just out of curiosity, what else have you driven?

And how many cats do you have???

 

What else have I driven?

Porsche Boxster Spyder. Neat, but way too expensive. And the one I drove (and the other one at the same dealer) had the PDK transmission which I wasn't wild about.

Fiat 500. Cute, but noticeably not as good a car as the MINI. I didn't like the ergonomics as well; the seats were less supportive; the handling was worse (though the turning circle was tighter!); it felt like it couldn't really get out of its own way in top gear (5th) at 60 MPH. It is probably fairly priced at 75% the cost of the MINI, though, and it's still pretty uncommon in my area. (MINIs are everywhere here!) And the slightly better gas mileage was slightly attractive, as was the notion that you don't have to use premium gas.

Those were the only ones that I drove. I considered other models, but ruled them out without a drive.

My wife and I have two cats that own us.

 

Funny! I had the same feelings about the Fiat - It was the only other contender for my driveway due to the length - very short driveway!

The dealer was riding in the back of the Fiat, and as we rounded a corner he let out a "wheee!!" Sadly I didn't echo his feelings...
When we test drove the Mini, the dealer had the decency to leave us alone in the car, and the first corner had me nearly "wheee!"

Picked up my 2012 yesterday evening...

Longest 3 months EVER! My wife and 2 little cats tried to console me - I survived.
Don't spend too much time here - it only adds to the pain!
E

 

I was looking at the Fiat 500 before deciding on the MINI. Dad pretty much sealed the deal when he told me about the Fiat he drove in the 70s.

Couldn't be happier with my British Racing Green girl. The cats are starting to worry why I'm spending so much time out of the house instead of inside waiting on them.

 

Fiat today is not the same Fiat from the 70s. That said, my step-dad owned a 70s-vintage X-1/9 back in the 80s. He would have disowned me if I had bought the 500...

 

My dad told me he'd disown me if I got one!

Plus dad's a MINI driver himself so he's a little biased

 

This whole Fiat thing is bringing back some great memories. I had an 850 Spyder and X-1/9 in the 70's as well as a Lancia Beta Coupe in the 80's.
All three were a blast to drive. Maintenance had to be done, as scheduled, no exceptions. Not really something American drivers did in those days.

Haven't really looked forward to the corners since. But, my MA notified me today that my 2012 Clubman S will be at the lot on the 31st (or maybe sooner)! There are a couple of nice corners just down the street from the dealership as I recall.