Hi all. My name is Jon. I have been looking for a Cooper for the last year or so as a second car to my VW Tiguan (Lease) I picked up a 2011 Mini Cooper Clubman S R55 in Eclipse Gray. It was my preferred color (White or Blue) but after driving the White 2010 and the Gray 2011 I fell in love and The gray has really grown on me an I now really enjoy it. I have had the car for about a week now and its been terrific. It stayed stock for less than 24hrs before I ditched the OEM wheels and runflats and added some suspension mods so I can take on some autocrosses and Watkins Glen track days.

 

Welcome. I'm in the area also. Got my new 2013 cooper S a bit over a month ago. Fun to drive...

 

Welcome. We MINIacs love pics. Congrats and good luck and remember to wave.

 

Welcome to NAM and congrats on your new MINI. We're looking forward to the pics. Glad to have you with us.

 

Current picture as of the 24hr owned mark. It was completely stock when I picked it up. It took me 5 hours to remove some cheap knock-off aftermarket eBay hood vinyl that was faded and hideous. I have gray hairs that were thicker than that junk. Looking spiffy now.



Nice, What dealer did you get the Mini from.

 

It's always a great feeling when you can undo the bad stuff. Looks great! Happy motoring and don't forget to wave.

 

Looks great

 

Keeler by Albany Airport is the only dealer in the area. Next closest is Rochester and somewhere in Connecticut.

 

Thats where I figured. How did you like the sales guys there. I felt, the guy i had anyway, was pretty amatuerish. I do have to go back to have the sunshade replaced that has a hole in it.

 

I'm a rochester Mini guy, maybe we will meet up at the glen sometime. Are you aware of the MINI parade coming up there soon?

 

No i did not. I'm just getting back into the loop. I'd been putzing around with old Audi 5cyl Quattros (far from reliable) and taking my wife and I's shared lease at times. Its been since 2008 that I had my own modern toy

 

http://www.dorschel.com/forms/mini-rally

I don't Se why you couldn't just meet at the glen.

 

I dealt with Gia and she was wonderful. I was just going there to see what the MINIs were like no real plan to buy at this time. Maybe next year or so. Told Gia that right up front. She answered all my questions took me for a test drive. Answered all my wife's questions when I came back a week later with my wife. And my wife can ask some strange questions. Took my wife for a test drive. Gia called a couple of times, no pressure at all. Spent a bunch of time with me. I will not say that she knew every answer to everthing, but was very knowledgeable and would ask others at the dealer if needed.

I bought a couple of weeks later. And have been enjoying it since!