I have never owned a mini until yesterday. I picked up a 2005 Mini Cooper S, with 82K miles on it. I have been a VW guy for years, but I got a Mini this time. And I'm madly in love. My wife was mad, because I bought a 6 speed, and she can't drive manual... ooopps!

 

Hi and welcome to the NAM family!
Teach you wife to drive it, then be prepared to get another! It happens!
I think the gen 1 Mini is a great car. They are older and needs some fixing, but they are life changing and will make old fart young again and young see what driving a street legal go-kart is all about.
Just remember to save up for the next one. Within three months, I owned three of them, then I took it to the next level!

I have owned many Minis' and still have three. I just can't shake the way they make me feel!

 

Tell the wife you bought it because you know she will love to drive a 6 speed when she tries it.

 

Great looking Mini! Flying in the face of the previous posts, my advice is to keep your wife out of it. It certainly gives me peace-of-mind!

 

Welcome.

 

Thanks for all the comments! And she has NO desire to drive it. She has her own Mid Life Crisis car... a 2011 Miata, that I can barely fit in. I bought this as a fun mid life crisis car. I also have my truck if we need a bigger vehicle for anything.

 

Welcome the MINI World.

We now have 3, one from each Generation, and can’t seem to be able to part with any of them. They are each fun in their own right. I fully understand your wife’s position; mine has the same “interest” in learning to drive stick, but loves to drive her base Cooper with the CVT. Maybe she needs her own? MINIs love being in a pack. Maybe a R52 (convertible) auto in Electric Blue... Just a thought....

Enjoy the drive