Hi everyone,

just 3 weeks ago I got my new Mini Countryman and I am loving it! It was a pretty straight forward decision. Living in Northern California with regular trips to Tahoe I had a couple of minimum requirements for my new ride:

1. manual
2. 4 wheel drive
3. sunroof
4. heated front seats
5. 4 doors
6. (relatively) efficient
7. fun to drive
8. personality

So living in CA points 1 and 2 already limited me to a handful of choices: Mini, Jeep or Subaru. Well Jeep obviously only fulfilled some of the first couple of points. Subaru on the other hand could have been still in the race if they would over sunroofs or anything but base models with the smallest engines with manual transmission... But they don't. All the manual SUV/crossover models are under-motorized and lack personality.


So here I was with my mind made up on getting a Countryman. But even there I was quiet restricted because of my minimum requirements and the need to get the car ASAP since my old car (Jeep) was about to fall apart.


Luckily I found one on a lot just 30 miles south of where I live. and it was love at first drive. Not necessarily at first sight.. since I did not like the stripes at first. But I have to admit even that I still have the option of getting then removed for free they are growing on me

So much about my new mini and me and how I ended up on this forum.
cheers
Jake

and here he is, my Countryman:

 

Welcome and congrats on the new Countryman. Looks very nice.

I re-posted your pic so its a little bigger for everyone to see. :thubmsup:



Thanks

 

Looks great! I love the JCW Countryman's.

 

Welcome to NAM, bubbleflip and congrats on your new MINI. Don't touch those stripes! They look fantastic. I'll give you bonus points for posting pics right up front without provocation. Happy motoring and please don't forget to wave and your fellow MINIacs.

If you consider yourself a true MINIac, and you're devoted to saving the MINI wave, please consider joining The League of Extraordinary MINIacs.

You can become a member here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...y-miniacs.html

If you are a Facebook user, you can join us here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1404114396479123/

No big commitment, except your oath to help us in our endeavor to save the wave!

 

Published twice, sorry

 

thanks for the warm welcome

And yes I probably will leave the stripes on there. I am about to put my roof rack on the next couple of days. I wonder how it will look with a mountain bike on top. I'll probably post another pic then. Did I already mention that I love my Mini? <3

 

Every time I think my mind is made up in my internal debate of Paceman vs. Countryman (Leaning towards the Paceman - it's new, more hype and buzz, little sexier design, etc.), I see a great looking Countryman like yours that messes with my head! That is a great looking car!

 

Hey MaybeMCSC

Well i definitely liked the Paceman design but ultimately the 4 doors of the countryman made me lean this way. I just tend to go mountainbiking, snowboarding or surfing with friends and 2 doors just don't cut it comfort wise. if its because you are 3 people or you just have stuff on the back seat...

I actually was discussing this with a sales person at the local mini dealership and I came to the conclusion that a Paceman with something like clubman double doors on both sides would be just awesome

 

He has a name now!! named after the British original of Waldo... please welcome:

Wally