Hello all, I just went up to my dealership hoping to test drive a mini. I've had very limited experience with a manual, but he offered to teach me. He drove me to a parking lot where I got the hang of starting and stopping...first gear is a pain in the butt. From there he let me drive around a neighborhood and try some hills, all on a car that had 2 miles on it! I hope I'll be able to make it home once my car comes.

 

wow that is awesome for you, sounds like you found a great dealer

have fun with the manual, i know i do

 

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All the more reason to custom order your MINI. Nobody learning to drive stick on the 2 week old clutch .

Glad you found a great dealer

 

sweet...
deffinitly worth getting a stick....
my mini was my learner...or improver....

 

That is cool that the dealer taught you. My mini will be my first car, I can drive a stick, but I need to get better at it.

 

Now there's a Salesman that understands how to connect with a customer and close the sale! It's great to know they are out there

 

For anyone in the Houston area, Mini of the woodlands is the place to go. Aka was the guy who helped me out. Tell him "The Moose" appreciates his help.

 

Congrats! 4 me Sticks are much more fun then Auto's

 

MOOSE, did you decide on a name for your MINI? I still think "Bullwinkle" is the way to go...a name fitting for any moose of a mini!

 

My wife and I look forward to doing business with Mini of the Woodlands. Hearing this sure makes me feel like we have a good dealership.
Thanks!
Remember, your foot only goes on the clutch pedal while your shifting.

 

Yea, it's either going to be Rocky or Bullwinkle. Still not sure, I'll have to wait till it gets here

 

Good service from the dealer by the sound of it.

 

Very cool! My MA also offered to teach me when I took my test drive. I didn't need to be taught because I knew how things worked, just needed to get in there and practice. He also said that he taught someone how to drive a manual so they could get their MINI home!

 

this should be a very pleasent experence... hard to find a nice dealer these days..

 

I live in Houston too What dealer did u go to??

 

MINI of the Woodlands.

 

Or the MINI's name could be "Squirrel" for the whole "Moose and squirrel" thing.

 

Welcome to NAM. That's one terrific dealer you found. And to teach you on a new Mini w/hardly any miles on it....whoa. I'm going to Texas when I buy another Mini!!!

 

What color was the car you learned on? Please remind me to NOT buy that car!

I learned on a Jeep CJ3A (can you say "corncob transmission"?) I taught my kids on lawn tractors. I've only had one vehicle w/ an auto (my Dakota truck). I don't really like ATs.

What a luxury! But yes - it's a credit to the dealership.

Enjoy!

 

Aka rules!

Great to hear he is doing well in Houston.

He used to be an MA at MINI of Hawaii where he was popular.

After you learn don't forget to keep practicing. Hit all the dealerships and ask to drive a stick.:impatient

 

Just a bit of advice: I would buy something cheap to learn to drive a manual transmission. A begginer can burn out a clutch in a matter of days. I am sure with a Mini it is not going to be cheap. $$$