Welp, I have been been reading and lurking for a couple of weeks, doing quite a bit of homework on the Mini.

But a little about me first. I am in my 50's and grew up around hot rods. My Dad owned an auto parts store and the first time I was behind the wheel of a car was one of Don Garlits old rails he use to park on the corner of my Dad's store.

Of course, I am old school hot rod. The last few cars I have owned, included a 91 300ZX TT, a 95 Infiniti I30, a 2001 Volvo S60 and currently have a 2006 Lexus IS250.

In the last 25 to 30 years I have been a programmer in the computer industry, among other things.

As you can see, I have slowed down/mellowed a bit with age. :D However, I have been missing the fun of driving. The current Lexus IS reminded me of that. While a nice car and ok to drive. It's missing that element that makes you go "Ooooooohhh, that was fun!", when you get out of it.

So I have been looking hard at the Mini. Took a couple of test drives yesterday and that did it for me. Mine will be on order in about 3 weeks. Why 3 weeks? Well, they have a new color coming out of the Cooper (not the S), named "Nightfire Red Metallic". AND I WANT IT!

I liked the S. Peppy and fun. But I have a tendency to keep cars for around 10 years and log about 200,000 miles on them during that time. That figures to be at least 3 turbo replacements, and one engine rebuild (if all would go well).

So I am sticking to the regular Cooper. The fun factor is still high and I do like the gas mileage it gets. My commute is now only 1.2 miles to/from work so I need something to make that drive a bit fun.

So, nice to be here. Seems like a good crowd of knowledgeable folks.

 

Welcome to NAM & MINIs. Sounds like you might be able to contribute some expertise now and then. May the wait be short. BTW, I think the Nightfire Red Metallic is gonna be beautiful on a MINI.

 

The dealer had a 6" square plate painted with the new red. It is quite stunning. A very deep and rich red. I'll be ordering mine with the Tuscan leather interior.

I really wanted to get the cloth/checkered, but it is not availble with the Nightfire Red. You have to either get a leather ot leatherette interior.

I have turned a few wrenches in my day. I think I was the only kid in high school to outright own three cars. A 69 Road Runner 440 (started as a 383), good for 11 seconds (my daily hot rod driver), a 67 Mustang 289 good for 9 seconds (all out racer), and a 68 Falcon station wagon for hauling parts (289 + 4 speed top loader and Dana rear end).

Fun days.

 

welcome
nice bio

 

Welcome, Skuzzy.

Good to see another "youngster" interested in Minis. Of the zillions of new cars that I have driven, none matches the Fun Factor of the Mini.

No doubt, the Mini has better mpg ratings than the S, and much better than the JCW MCS! Trade off, of course, is acceleraton. During your next three weeks, you might also consider studying the suspension options carefully (and if possible, test-driving). Sounds like the '07 models have more OEM options w/greater lattitude of suspension feel. I like stiff and responsive, but you may find that too obnoxious for a commuter, even it the drive is only a couple miles...

Have fun and let us know your final choices.

 

Already test drove a couple of MC's and an MCS yesterday. I like both suspensions for different reasons. I posted a bit about it in the Cooper 07 forum.

However, I will probably do a bit of mixing and matching down the road. A littel stiffer sway bar in the rear and slightly firmer shocks up front would be a good balance between the two suspensions.

While I have already figured out the exterior and interior color schemes, I am still mulling over other options. Definately going to be a 6 speed standard though. Shifts ok for a front wheel drive car. Not too notchy.

I have ripped apart a number of Getrags. I may tear into this one to see how they chose to layout the synchronizers. In previous generations of Getrags, it was pretty easy to get the box to shift faster and smoother.

I'll know more once I get a tech ref manual for the car. One thing is for sure. The car will not stay stock very long. I just need time with it to get a feel for what it can and cannot do, then layout the game plan.

Pretty much how I have approached every car I have tuned up. Figure out where I am at, then set where I want to be, then go for it.

 

Welcome 2 NAM

 

Welcome to NAM!

 

Welcome to NAM

 

Welcome Skuzzy

1.2 mile commute I'm jealous . If I decide to look for another job again, it's gotta be down the street. That way, I'll have more time to cruise instead of commute

 

Hehe, there is a story behind that commute.

Last year, I came home and my Wife told me her company was thinking about relocating to another part of the area. It would have increased her commute by about 5 miles. She already has a 35 mile commute through abysmal traffic.

Meanwhile, I was working about 2.5 miles from home. One day the company I work for announced we were moving. The new location is 1.2 miles from home.

So, you can imagine the reaction I got from my Wife when I told her I was going to be driving less. Uh, there really was no way to put it to her. I thought she was gonna melt-down and go Chernobyl on my butt. But she calmly told me to, "Go to hell". And we are still together. LOL!.

She is a peach.

Thanks for the welcome guys.

 

Nice

My commute is only 10 miles each way now. used to be 10 miles round-trip. my wife has a 3 mile commute (one-way) so I can't complain too much. The best part of my drive is passing through a traffic circle everyday. Always an adventure there.

Thanks for sharing. Good luck with your MINI choice!