Hi everyone,
My name is Jerry and I've been reading these forums off and on for about the last year. Well, I went to Classic Mini the other day and I pulled the trigger! Not only that, but I picked one that was right on the lot so I'll have my new Liquid Yellow/Black Cooper S on Saturday!!! Woohoo! I'm so excited. It is a little different than what I had configured online but the temptation to take something that was right there was just too overwhelming.

I've been holding off for almost a year for various reasons. I stopped at Classic about a year ago and had been thinking (dreaming) about the Mini all along. I figured I would be waiting at least 2 months when I decided to go back... so imagine my surprise when they had one like I wanted (basically).

Now... I just have to learn to drive stick .

I already feel like I'm part of the "club"! Thanks for letting me introduce myself.

 

Welcome Jerry,

You are going to love thiss car.... , still waiting for mine should be here mid April (Drove my aunts in England while on Vacation 3000m in 6 weeks)
If you are up for the Road trip
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/motd-home look at this

Again welcome


Scott

 

Congrats!! Its awesome that you found one on the lot. That wait time is brutal. As far as learning how to drive a stick.. I learned on my Cooper and its the best decision I ever made. The MINI is a great car to learn on. You're going to have a ton of fun!

 

Hi, Jerry. I admire your restraint. Sure beats mine. I managed two test drives and had to BUY. Also, was thrilled to find a car on the lot that had the packages I wanted and not too much mileage. I bought a 2003 Cooper with 8900 miles. Don't worry about driving stick. It is very simple. I hadn't driven a stick shift in over 20 years and it came right back. Have had my little car five weeks now and can't imagine being without it.

Motor on!

Cheers,

Tony

 

JerrrRAY! Welcome to NAM! Great news that you are getting your MINI so soon! Have fun and please PM me if you need any help here on the site. :smile:


Clover

 

no wait time for MINI= GOOD THING! congrats on getting ur car so fast! thats great that you could find what you wanted at the dealership, what are her specs?

 

It is an '05.
As I mentioned - Liquid Yellow w/ black top, and black bonnet stripes
Premium package
Cold weather package
fog lights
yellow dash/interior
black leatherette seats

If I was ordering I would've gotten the sport package so that I could also have the bigger wheels and xenon headlights... but that was no biggie to me. I also was leaning towards the HK stereo system, but I can live without it. By taking what they had there I also saved myself some money :smile: (as you can see).

I'm intrigued by this Dragon thing. However, looking over some of the info... it seems a bit intimidating. Since I am just going to be learning manual transmission, is this something I should avoid? Maybe in 2 months I'll have it down, I don't know.

 

Thanks for the warm welcome Clover! I'll be sure to let you know if I need anything.

 

Congrats! That's close to my spec (ordered through Classic), including color and interior, except I've got the Sport rather than Premium package and have the Chrono Pack, H-K, and MFSW.

You'll love it!

Mark

 

What is an MFSW?? I keep seeing this acronym around the site but I have no idea what it is.

Ohh, I'm also getting the aux audio input so that I can hook up my MP3 player. Good stuff. I also think I already have a name for my car - The Bride.

 

MFSW is short for Multi-Function Steering Wheel. radio and cruise control mounted on the steering wheel. very very useful option. as for the dragon, 2 months of decent practice and your skills with a manual will be just fine for a dragon run. even if you don't come down to drive, there's plenty of other stuff to check out, that and there will be over 300 other MINIac's there

 

Jerry, that's great news! Welcome to NAM and the wonderful world of MINI ownership. I'm just imagining the shock of walking in to the dealership expecting a wait and finding out that YOUR MINI is on the lot. WOW!!!!

You'll pick up the stick in no time...practice smooth launches on a nice flat road and then, as soon as you can, practice on an uphill grade using the e-brake instead of your foot on the brake. That's a tough maneuver at first (make sure there's no cars behind you), but one you're likely to encounter soon when you least expect it...so best to practice. You'll do great!

 

Take the $$ you saved go buy aftermarket wheels and tires and dump the runflats

Won't take two months to learn to shift -- just get off your computer and get in your MINI (I think I hear it calling your name now)

I have learned more driving on the drives we go on than at the track / schools I have been to. Just follow the MINI ahead of you and you'll be OK

CONGRATS ON YOUR MINI

Earl

 

Ahh, thanks for the info on MFSW... now I know what it is - I got that in my car. That's part of the Premium package, right? I know the car has it either way... definitely cool.

Well, I'm very tempted to come to the Dragon event. It sounds like fun. The trick will be convincing the ol' ball and... errr, I mean convincing the wife . She isn't very receptive to the idea right now.

Anyway, the countdown continues - 3 more days!! Aye yi yi. I could've had it tonight if I wanted, but I wanted to get it when there was more daylight left (for obvious reasons) and possibly less cars on the road. I can't wait to get behind the wheel!

I had a little bit of practice on stick last year and I do OK in 2-... but I had a hard time starting out in 1st. Common thing I guess. Hopefully I can get good at it quick.

 

Jray,

Aloha and welcome to NAM.
You must try to go to the Dragon.
Practice driving everyday or nearly everyday- no time to waste!
Get out and do some motoring.

Your setup is fine.
You missed getting the sport package but that was a blessing.
Your 16" stock wheels will work fine and weigh less than the stock 17" wheels.
The stock stereo is also OK although HK offers a step up in audio performance.

Get through the breakin period and rack up the experience miles.

You'll need to make some reservations and arrangements for the Dragon ASAP.
Great to hear from you. The wait is Over!

 

Lucky dog. I had to learn to drive stick in my parents' Buick Skylark.

On the bright side, it was their clutch I was burning up.

 

Jerry, You'll be ready for the Dragon in 2 months, no problem. Launching from 1st just requires a bit more gunning....you'll get the hang of it! I hadn't driven a stick in 18 years when I got my first MINI...and I've loved driving one, especially the MCS's 6-speed, the past couple of years.

http://www.fontanavillage.com/

Go ahead and book lodging at the Dragon. Wifey has SO many options for fun up there. First of all, it is beautiful; there are rivers and lakes to admire, along with the beautiful forests; Fontana Village has a lot of fun non-motoring activities. Check out their website, and when you make your reservations, be sure to mention that you are part of the MINI club, to get the discount rate!


Clover

 

Mmmm... peer pressure... can't... hold... out

 

where you from Jray? ive lived in mentor almost all my life, and i was looking at the S you got only a few days ago lol. nice purchase, i'm jealous, i can only afford a cooper, mines coming a week from today. well, gl with the cooper, maybey i'll catch ya at anabelles or at the k-mart show sometime!

 

I'm in Twinsburg. Originally from Youngstown. I actually worked in Mentor for just under a year about 7 years ago.

What is Anabelles and the K-mart show?? Inquiring minds want to know!

Less than 48 hours to go... I can barely contain myself

 

Nice choice. I chose those colors too and as a side effect, it's the colors of my favorite football team, the Steelers. You don't have to own up to that association though, since you are buying the MINI in the heart of Browns country.

Congrats on the MINI. And don't worry about that standard transmission. Just be patient with yourself.

 

Ohhh, I'll own up... no problemo. I'm a HUGE Steelers fan! I'm the die-hardest of the die-hard. That's partially the reason I chose the colors I did.

 

Here's pictures of my baby that I picked up a little over 2 weeks ago. Me likey. I haven't had much time to drive it since I was out of town last week and we've had crappy weather this week. I hope to get out motorin' a lot soon though. Still trying to perfect my shifting and driving manual transmission in general.

 

Looks awesome!

No worries, you'll be ready for the dragon!

 

Congratulations. Your car looks great.

We have a lot in common. I got my Cooper January 7 here in Chicago and immediately we had blizzards hit, so I couldn't take it out to drive. Have since been able to hit the roads, though.

Having put over 1200 miles on it, I am also "Still trying to perfect my shifting and driving manual transmission in general."

Best of luck.

aces1