Hi All,

A funny thing happened to me on Friday. I was out looking for new tires for my pickup truck (Dodge Ram 1500). I had been considering downsizing, to a single cab truck vice the quad cab I drove. I stopped off at a local Ford dealer to check out an EcoBoost V6 equipped truck. I drove one, came away a bit underwhelmed, and then saw it. A gleaming little red Mini Clubman S. Having recently parted ways with my 97 NA Miata, I have been experiencing a bit of small car withdrawls, so I gave it a test drive. I was hooked.

She is a 2009 Clubman S, Chili Red, 6speed manual equipped, and an absolute joy to drive. I have been intrigued by Mini's ever since the first release of them here, I can't believe it took me this long to scratch that itch. Already, my wife is making plans to sell her Cadillac SRX and buy a Mini convertible- she thinks the Clubbie would be the perfect size for us empty-nesters and the convertible would be a great weekend addition!

I really look forward to learning more and more about this great little car. The lurking I've done here indicates a great and knowledgeable group- very similar to the miata.net crowd.

 

Smart woman!!! Welcome to the MINI world.

 

Welcome to NAM
Miatas are great, I have an itch for one of them.
A convertible MINI Cooper S would make a great addition.

 

Thanks. I had a great relationship with the Miata, but decided to sell it when I was made an offer I couldn't refuse. I'll have another one day, but I have a specific model in mind- 1991 SE (British Racing Green). Until I find the right one, I'm totally happy living my small sporty car dreams in Gadget (that's the name my grandson "gave" the Mini (as much as an 18 month old can)- can't argue with that!)

 

Any reason why a BRG 1991 SE?
I am pretty stuck on a 94/95 Mazda Miata R Package or if I got extra cash maybe a 99 10AE or 05 Mazdaspeed.

 

Well, the 91 BRG SE, particularly for the color. As for wanting an NA6- my previous NA was a 97 M-Edition. It was great having the Torsen LSD, but I want a 1.6 now- more rev-happy, easier to mod, and more to the essence of what a Miata is. R-packages are awfully sweet, I was never much of a 99AE fan (too much blue for me!), and the MSM is a beast unto itself. All great choices, just different than my next Miata adventure will take me.

Anyway, I'm digging the R55 so far. Great mileage, smooth power delivery, handles like it's on a rail, one of the best shifters I've ever put my hands on! What's not to love?

 

Welcome to the Mini-verse! I traded in my 05 ram quad cab for my mini and haven't looked back once!

Be sure to check out Minis On The Dragon (MOTD) happening May 2-6th in NC http://www.minisonthedragon.com/

 

Yes, that's already on the calendar. I've attended Miatas at the Gap a couple of times, and always had a tremendous time. I'm really looking forward to Minis on the Dragon!

 

 

Welcome! If I could get rid of my truck (I use it to haul 4 or 5 bikes quite often now and a bunch of other crap) and get a 2nd MINI, I would.

 

Thanks! Fortunately, my 2004 Jeep TJ Wrangler, with an accompaning utility trailer, serves as my "truck" now. The biggest benefit? All my cars are now garageable! There's no way my old Ram would fit...

 

Yup... MINIs are like little singularities... get too close and you just get pulled in

 

Congrats!

 

Congrats! I also just traded away my dodge ram 1500 for a 2008 MCS. Enjoy!