A few days ago I made my way down to Mini of Austin to finally test drive the minis that I've been eyeing for the last year. I have been driving a crappy Ford focus since college and I decided it's finally time to move into something new.

I originally really wanted a coupe because of its sportiness, but since it's now gone away it's really not a good option, so I've switched courses to a good old hardtop 2 door.

I've selected British racing green with a white roof and black racing stripes for the exterior. Inside, I'm trying to class it up a bit with satellite grey leather seats and satellite grey doors, dash, and color lines. I'll have a nice monochrome look with black components and white surfaces.

For upgrades, I've gone fairly simple with the bulk of the extra price going into the connected package and Harmon Kordon speakers, plus a bit more for the keyless entry and folding mirrors. I wanted to go for a few other perks but these guys get expensive quickly.

All in the msrp came to $29k even, which I then brought down with $750 from the spring sale event and another $1150 off from negotiating, so the pre-tax price ended up at $27,100 including delivery. I think that's a pretty damn good deal for how difficult I've heard these dealers can be.

I just got my order number yesterday so there's no data on the owners lounge yet but I've got the fever and I'll be watching for any updates.

I've never had a car I cared about before so I've got a lot to learn about caretaking for the paint, leather, etc. Good way to spend the eight weeks, I suppose!

 

Welcome to the MINIacs!

Now comes the hardest part... the wait.

Congratulations.

Motor on!

 

You bought a Mini or a MINI?

Mini


Or MINI




and I don't consider my FOCUS crap since all reviews say better handling vs the MINI . . . . FOCUS ST

 

Ha!

The Focus (or at least my 2007 shitbox) drives like a brick compared to the M-I-N-I that I took for a test drive. Especially that turn radius...wow! My Focus itself is also just incredibly craptacular, having been keyed on several sides, broken into and damaged, and a mirror is taped on from being knocked off by road debris. Anything would be an upgrade, but the MINI is an upgrade that I want.

 

semantics . . .

 

after everything your Focus has went through, I would be afraid to buy a new MINI.

 

Welcome to NAM, Richard M Nixon and congrats on your new MINI. Happy motoring and please don't forget to wave.

 

I'm now scheduled for production on May 11. So I'm hoping to see it on the WW ship leaving May 23 and arriving at port June 6. The wait continues...

 

Congrats! If you like to have fun driving then you'll never be sorry you picked up a MINI!

 

Woah I misunderstood the ASK-MINI automated answer. I'm apparently already in production and May 11 is my scheduled completion date. Hot damn!

 

Here's my MINI on the online configurator (they just updated the UI, too). We'll see what it looks like in person...

 

I'm now in the body shop (whatever that means) still due to be completed May 11.