It's been a few years since I owned a Mini. I had to sell my previous Mini back in 2008 to get a Jeep. I got it stuck on a steep dirt lane going up to my parent's house to pick up my daughter.

It was a beautifully clear and dry day, but a few leaves scattered about in the gravel sent me into a drainage ditch and I couldn't get out under my own power. My brother in law had to drag my Mini out of the ditch with a tractor.

The next day, I traded it in on a Jeep TJ, but always felt a bit (quite a bit, actually) of remorse. Well, no longer. I just bought my wife a 2003 Mini S with 104,000 miles. I just replaced all the tires, flushed and cleaned the cooling system, checked the fluids, and away she goes!

Getting back into the cockpit of the Mini was like getting into a leather jacket- it was familiar and comfortable, and everything was right there where I remembered it. It is hard to explain to non-Mini owners just how you feel when driving one of these wonderful little cars.

I still have my Jeep, by the way, it is parked behind the Mini. I bought it during the pre-countryman days, or I might have been tempted to get one.

 

Looks great!