Hi everyone! I'm Ava, and I'm buying my very first Mini in the next couple of weeks. SO. EXCITED.

I'm graduating from the first car I bought myself, a 2009 Scion xD. I love this car -- it accellerates well, it turns on a dime, I can park it in my purse -- but it's time for something new. I'm even thinking about taking the plunge and getting a Manual trans, even though I've only ever owned automatics! I've learned the basics on my husband's manual (a MCCm!), but occasionally driving a stick and commuting in it every day are two entirely different things. So I haven't decided if I'll go all the way, but if I don't at least I'll have more control over the gear shifts with the auto's sport mode.

I'm dying for a MC Baker Street Edition, but in all likelyhood I will wind up with a MC in Pepper White or Velvet Silver with black sport stripes.

Anyway, thanks a bunch! I look forward to being a cool kid in my new Mini. ^_^

 

Welcome to the Minisanity. Post some pics when you get it and good luck.

 

Welcome!

 

Congrats...go for the pepper white and while you're at it go for the manual trans & I'll see you around town.

 

Congrats on the decision and welcome.

 

The Mini standard shift is quite easy and almost intuitive when driving, if you have even a little experience you will do just fine and practice makes better so, ad in the clutching hill holding feature you won't have to worry about balancing the brake and clutch on a hill and be able to master that ability very quickly.... Enjoy the new ride!!!

 

Yay for you!! Take it from me. I tried learning manual for years from my brother and husband, but was too lazy (and too scared) to keep going at it. When hubby bought his '04 MINI in February, he had me drive it on the freeway and in real traffic for the first time, and needless to say...I was HOOKED! Just 3 days later, I was begging to take it out by myself to my mom's house, fully confident And one month later, I bought myself a 5-speed manual '03 MINI. I commute about 15 miles everyday on the freeway, and drive a lot of city traffic too, and it's really not as bad as I thought.

Hopefully this eases your mind :D I haven't regretted one day getting the 5-speed, even though I do admit I miss my old auto Mazda3 hatch. She was a good car, but I wanted to graduate to something smaller, manual, and more FUN! YAY FOR MINI'S!

 

Thank you all for the warm welcome! I am very pleased to say that today, I drove home in my brand new Pepper White Mini Cooper Hardtop. Her name is Liesl.



I did decide to go with an automatic this time around, only because I wanted to get a '12 while the dealership had the $1000 off deal going on, and I was pretty much set on Pepper White -- the dealership searched the US and couldn't locate one with the features I'd asked for. But I love the fact that I have Sport mode AND can switch gears manually in the Mini -- maybe next time I'll pull the trigger!

 

Looking good! Congrats!