Well sort of. My wife doesn’t take my infatuation with the Mini Cooper very seriously. I’ve liked the cars ever since I first saw one. As a first time new car owner at 43 years old, my 2001 PT Cruiser was bought before I knew the MC was to be made. I always said I would have bought the MC over the PTC if I had known. So I’ve admired the MC for the past few years from a distance, sometimes asking drivers that I met in parking lots how they liked them. I was really asking so I could gawk over the car. Of course, every owner loved them and said I should just get one. Just once I’d like to find someone who hated them, at least it would curb my enthusiasm for a little while.

Last Saturday I went to my local dealer and test drove a Mini Cooper S. Now I’m hooked. I know why people have permanent smiles after driving one. When I got home I confessed to my wife what I had done to which she responded with no comments or questions. During the day I mentioned it a few more times and she basically told me she was getting the next new car (a minivan) and to forget it. What gets me is she won’t even talk about it, despite my enthusiasm. If I could just get her to a dealer…

Since then I’ve watched the Italian Job twice, changed my PC wallpaper to a MCS, downloaded every MC video I could find, posted a MCS picture on the frig, searched the web for anything Mini related and built my MCS at mini.com. I’m also starting the process of selling my beloved PTC. Unfortunately I’m not going to get more than $10K for the car. She doesn’t think I’ll do it, but at least I can bank the money until I figure out how to buy a Mini.

In fairness to her, I have some expensive hobbies, including restoring a 78 MGB and a 68 MGC. But I will not rest until I have a MCS in the driveway. Now if only I could settle on a color.


Rich

 

you go boy! I started a passbook acct. and started banking $100 every 2 weeks.You'ld be amazed how fast it adds up.Of course I started doing this almost a year and a half before the first MINI would hit our shores.By the time I could, I left a $500 deposit with a BMW dealer here in NE Mass who would be the parent company of what is now called MINI of Peabody,the largest volume dealer in the US(or at least it was ???)It would take an additional 10 months after leaving the deposit to actually get my car(June ,2002, DS/W MCS),but get it I did.My advice would be to sell the MGB and turn that cash into your MINI fund.I'm assuming that your other MG is a TC? I always loved the look of those cars, soooo classic! Good luck , Bro, Jock

 

Good husbands don't let wives drive mini vans. You just have to get her to go for a drive in a MINI.

Kris

 

I'm speculating that, since you are obviously a car guy, it is only a matter of time that your dear wife will take note of that faraway look in your eye and wistful sighs and let you get the MINI you're pining away for. I just hope your MGs don't get jealous. Those curves on the present MINI bonnet are mighty alluring so you might want to consider eloping before 2007.

 

Well, there's really no turing back for you now. I did the same thing as you for the last 2 years - the research, the wallpaper, the videos, and The Italian Job. The only thing stopping me was - well - I don't even know now! I picked up my MCS exactly 1 week ago, and I am in love.

As for the domestic disagreement, here's hoping your wife sees how much happiness the MCS will bring you. I feel really lucky that my husband and I buy our own cars. We each bought a car in the last month - his is a 05 Mustang GT - and except for telling each other what we were doing, we just went out and got what we wanted. Newlyweds without kids can do that, I guess.

On the up-side, the longer you wait, the better chance you won't pay a mark-up...and maybe in another year, you might actually be able to negotiate!

"Always look on the bright side of life..."

Keep the faith,
Carol

 

Well, if your wife really wants a minivan you' d best help her get it, but that doesn't mean you have to give up on the MINI

My spouse had no problem with getting a MCS, it was the five-day 2900 mile drive home from the dealer (LA to Guatemala) that took a little more convincing!

You could always ditch one of the MGs. Afterall you'll be too busy with the MINI to work on both of them!

Saludos

 

I told my wife the MINI was an economy car.

Although, after 35 years, I think she is wise to me.

 

The signs are all there, man...classic behavior. I think selling the PTC will demonstrate your ready to make a committment and that this isn't some wild, careless infatuation. The fact that you have other British cars proves this isn't just a physical relationship either, although who can deny that that is possible. You're only human.

And you took it for a TEST DRIVE?!?!?!?!?! Sir!...spare us the tawdry details. (j/k...we want to hear everything! )

The path to MINI ownership is truly a mysterious thing. In the end, you must follow your heart, right?

 

I had a hard time Dating for a while (like a year) cause I had to let every girl that was hitting on me, talking to me or whatever know that I had a wife...she was on order, then in production and finally on a boat on her way over the pond from england...it really was quite interesting to see the reactions, especially when I told them it was a Mini...LOL...they musta thought I was nuts...then there was MLE she wanted a Mini too....LOL...now we have a been together almost a year...and have two minis...but Hal (my mini) is still "the wife"...LOL

 

Welcome to NAM, Rich! Try anything, even trickery, but get wifey to go along for a MINI test-drive and see if she doesn't also fall in love! Menage a trois!

BTW, great thread title...very provocative!


Clover

 

Boy does this sound familiar!!! I remember a very similar situation almost like it was last week. Oh, wait it WAS last week!

Even worse for me, this is deja vu all over again. I was initially bitten by the MINI bug way back in '02 and pined incessantly for 3 months - much like it sounds you might be doing - before she finally broke down. I couldn't help myself. I spent night and day thinking about it.

Now, after almost 3 years and 41K miles with my '02 option-laden CVT Cooper (purchased as a compromise for the wifee) I've become a driving enthusiast and have been bitten by a different variant of the MINI bug! I haven't been able to quit thinking about it night and day - and pined enough to wear the wifee down - Now I'm working on selling Molly so that I can order a bare-bones Cooper S to gradually turn into a track toy!

Good luck! Persistance is key (and it is not difficult - it happens naturally once you've been infected.)

 

Thanks everyone for the support and advice. Hoping this year to buy a Mini but it will require some careful domestic maneuvering. I’ll have to start by selling the PTC and a few other extra cars. Without being obnoxious, I keep bringing up the Mini in short conversations. Come to think of it, I’ve already been doing that for the past two years. We were driving to pick up some lunch today and I brought up the fact a Ford F150 faired worse in a 40 barrier crash test than a Mini. Just as we were discussing that, a yellow MC came up from behind and passed us. It must be a sign one is in my future.


Jock: My MG is a MGC, not a TC. The MGC/GT was made from 1968-69 and had a six cylinder engine. I rarely see MGC’s at car shows anymore. This one I’ve owned since 1980 and it has family sentimental value. My wife considers the 78 MGB her car, although I’m doing the restoration work. I have some other MG’s that I’ll never get to restoring, so I’m working on selling those.

Jds: The test drive was way too short. The salesman gave me directions around the block while he talked about the car, a loaded 2005 MCS w/6 speed. I don’t remember too much about what he said, I was concentrating on the car and how it felt. The car was of course very tight and quick from the stops. It would have been better if I could have taken it out a bit longer, but I had fun with the car none the less.

This is the car I drove:

 

You need a longer drive. We took it out without the salesman and drove it around for fifteen minutes. Then someone else took it out after us. It was like a rollercoaster ride...always someone waiting for a ride.

 

Stinch - I absolutely loved reading your post.... Fortunate for us, we are both car lovers. Which can be BAD, very BAD - LOL!! We've always loved both classic and new....which I see you do too....we have a 58' MGA - love those sunny days... I see a MINI in your driveway...sooner than you think...

Donna
02' CR/W MCS (gone to MINI heaven)
05' Cool Blue MCSC

 

I took the wife and daughter out for lunch on my wife's B-day, while out I stopped at the Mini Dealer and we all went for a test drive. The next day I went back and purchased mine.... after two years of "mini talk" she simply said "Do what you gotta do...." so I did . Of cousre now she tells people that I bought Me the Mini for HER birthday... O Well.

 

It doesn't matter how long or short your test drive is, just so you're fully satisfied!

Hey, I didn't start this..........

 

Rich,

I too had difficulties convincing my wife that we needed a MCS. Check out my gallery and your see what I moved "down" from. She desprately wants a G35 Coupe but the dealer was playing hardball because they had just hit the showroom. After 4 days of talking w/ the dealer and her we took my Dodge in to talk trade. The Infinity dealer offered my 8K for my truck, I about sh*t. My truck was imacculate, low miles, and loaded w/ every factory option but one. Well needless to say we didn't get the G35. I sold the truck outright for over 17K the next week and ordered a MCS. Now I hardly get to drive the car. She still pines for her G35 but takes my MCS as often as she can. She has even let our son start taking over the payments on her Accord so we now "share" the MSC which really just means I have to scrounch up a company van during the week. Once you get the wife to drive one it'll all be over. Minivan?!!? No way, we fit 3 teens in the MSC (short drives, they get cranky being that close together) and can more than accomodate the groceries.

PS. Did I mention that I taught my wife to drive a stick on the MSC, very nice and easy car to teach her on.

 

Stinch,
Here's my strategy. Get a MINI picture of a model/color you
want. Paste the head shot from a photo of your wife on to
the MINI's drivers face. Place on the fridge. Await response.
It worked for me.

 

so you can get 10K for the PTC - what do you thing your wife will fetch?

This might be your ticket!! keep the 2 MGs and 1 cooper.

 

Wow, this must be how it starts for everyone! I did everything you mentioned for the last year, except for putting the picture on the fridge. But I had the MCS wallpaper on my PCs at work and home. I had small pictures on my desk at work. It's a love affair/obsession. Welcome to the club!

I just got my Mini a little over a month ago and today I'm falling in love all over again. We had SUN and over 50deg in Northeastern Ohio! First time in... like almost forever (I could barely believe it). I couldn't wait to get out of the office and open the sunroof . A whole new experience. I love my Mini!

 

Donna: A 58 MGA, nice. I also have a badly rusted 61 MGA roadster and an ex-California 57 MGA Coupe. The Coupe needs a lot of work, although the body is solid. Up here in the Northeast that is hard to find. The lines of the MGA are classic British styling, but I should be realistic and stick with MGB's. I'm sure my wife will be happy to clear out a few and I could use the space. You may find my MG web page interesting. This is what 30 years of being a MG enthusiast can come to.


sacpwrguy7: That's going to be part of my plan. A nice lunch by the water and "oh look, a Mini dealer" .


Doomsdaybob: My wife would still want a minivan, although she would certainly drive the Mini. She drives my PT when she can and it is a stick shift. Minivans come in handy for those road trips with my two kids and for hauling my MG parts in. I'm still stunned my $23K PTC is now only worth $10K. It is as clean as it was when it left the showroom; it hasn't been in rain or snow and always garaged. There isn't $13K of wear on it that's for sure. Well maybe the extra care will help get an edge over other PT's for sale.

Frisco: LOL, Excellent idea! I have to try that.

Bahamabart: I have to keep her, no one else would put up with my hobbies. Another thought is to get rid of the minivan and give her the PTC. That might work, although I'd need a roof rack for those vacation trips. That's not a bad idea.


I've got a funny Mini story. Back in 1980, I visited England to tour the Abingdon MG factory. A friend of mine let me stay at his house in Chesterfield up in the middle part of England. I rented a Mini for a couple a days to see my grandmother in Norwich, must have been a two or three hour trip, I don't remember. All along the back roads were signs that I thought meant the speed limit was 70 MPH. I had a blast driving like a maniac, dodging lorries and such, thinking I was within the speed limit. It wasn't until I arrived at my destination that I found out the signs were actually no parking signs. To this day I don't know why I wasn't stopped. But it sure was fun.


Rich

 

Stinch - I loved looking at your web site and reading all about everything. My hubby Mike and you would get along real well!!

When we met, he owned a 79 Midget. Boy did we have some great times getting to know each other in THAT car...LOL!!! And through the years, we've also owned many MGB's until I finally said - okay - the neighbors think we are nuts.......

What we reallly wanted was an MGA - so the hunt was on. We found our beauty down in SC - it had been completely restored by students at the University of SC. Some guy that owned a Buick dealership bought it - had it sitting in his dealership - hated the car - but it drew in people. So did some wheeling and dealing - got it for a steal - we've owned her for about 13 years now. She's won us quite a few awards..:smile: :smile: She's Red...

Thanks for the great memories in your web site...

Donna
02' CR/W MCS (gone to MINI heaven)
05' Cool Blue MCSC

 

Funny, Stinch.

My fiance was the one who wanted the MINI so bad. I has my heart set on an Acura NSX for several years. I figured I could buy some serious karma from her if I agreed to get the MINI. Then, while searching, I got the fever.

Bad.

It went from her getting a MINI, to us searching nationwide for the perfect MINI S. Then it progreessed to gettign a John Cooper Works MINI, then came Brembo braking system, H & R springs, Alta sway bars, extra guages....

Next come the wheels, and the window tint, and the IPod adapter, and the new intake...

Man...it's an addiction! Be careful!

 

so i know its been awhile but did you get a mini yet???

Also just so you know i hope you have a mini and if you don't yet, Hope your wife has changed her mind...and support you on your enthusiasm for the minis...I think she should!!!

 

It sounds like you all have been reading my playbook!

My wife (bless her little heart) actually suggested that we test drive a mini while we were out shopping for a replacement for her dead subaru, thinking that it would cure me from this twisted lust of a car. Couldn't be more wrong! Ordered Basil about a month and a half later.