I thought I'd share an amusing story or two. Or three.

I bought Penny, my 2005 HO MCCa, only months ago and already she's turning heads and earning all sorts of compliments!

--- A coworker of mine builds monster trucks as a hobby - tough guy; into volunteer firefighting, search and rescue, EMS, loud cars, crushing things, etc. He thought my "clown car" was a joke and laughed as we walked out the building and to the parking lot. He test drove Penny, and once the initial shock of "Wow - I can fit in this car?!" wore off, he was thoroughly impressed with her handling and safety features. A month later, he still IMs me to rave about how impressed he was with Penny. Come to find out, he has been perusing the MINI market for his teenage daughter's first car!

--- My best friend Shaun (some may remember him from the "MINIs by the Bay" cruise) has fallen head-over-heels for Penny, the MINI community, and all-things-Cooper! I stumbled upon a shockingly low-priced, gently used MCCa yesterday, test drove it on his behalf last night, and I'm driving him to the dealership tonight to pick it up! He's smitten!

--- Every... single... kid... adores Penny! She's like an oversized Hot Wheels car to them or something! My nephews each have huge smiles on their faces just by sitting in her sporty seats, but oh if I let them open/close her ragtop... what sweet, sweet heaven that is to a seven year-old! Now every time they play "cars" with each other, they want to be "Penny"!

In addition to those off-the-top-of-my-head examples, take into account all the random compliments, horn honking, waving (mostly from non-MINI drivers. Fellow motorers, what's up? Can I get a wave?! ), and other idle chat at the car wash, in the grocery store parking lot, or even at work. It's amazing what a conversation starter my Penny has become!

Maybe I should give her some sort of medallion: "Ambassador of MINI Motoring". Now if only I could get wide orange ribbon and a chrome emblem, I'd be all set! Lol!

 

i seem to have conversations driving home from work on 95 with people who like my MINI. a guy was flying down 95 in his chevy malibu, and instead of flying by me like everyone else he slowed down to my speed. then he said i had a nice car, and asked me if it was fast. i gave him a grin and a nod. then he tore off.

 

Hmmmm... I do believe I may have seen Penny..... I don't see many HOs. Well, not that kind, anyway.

 

i would like one of those ambassador medals too... i have convinced every one that i work with- and i mean EVERY ONE ! that the mini is the coolest car around- now when we go out for lunch or go climbing after work every one wants to car pool with me! and they fight over shot gun ! hahaha!
a couple of the girls decided that someday they would open a design buisness and only allow mini owners to work there... just so when they look out the window at the parking lot its all minis! hahaha- crazy artists, its all about the asthetics

 

You should wave next time! From what I've read, Hot Orange is the most rare stock color in MINIs (although I think purple may be close), so if you've seen one, it was most likely me! I haven't seen any others in Laurel, but my best friend in WV will have one tonight! I plan on sneaking over to his workplace and slapping a spotter card on his windscreen later this week! :-D

 

I was walking and you weren't looking my direction (if it was you). But, next time, I'll wave. If you happen to see an all Ligthning Blue S, it could be me. LB isn't rare, but I haven't seen another one around here with the blue roof.

 

Were you in the Laurel area or in NoVa? I commute back/forth every day, then have been in WV on the weekends! What a drag THAT would be without Penny to keep things interesting!

 

It was during the week, so not in VA, but I don't remember where. It wasn't a rural type setting, though.

 

Thank you for the nice "toss" there!!!

I do think that ragtop HO's do look hot!

....of course, not quite as hot as a BEP one!

 

Minifiddler-do you climb at the Earth Treks gym in Rockville? I see a yellow (don't know the official color) Mini there every time I go...I keep wondering who it might be. I even got to park right next to it one time . Mine is a chili red convert. (black top).

Christine

 

I get a lot of comments on the MINI. But even much more often when up in PA visiting family. MINI's aren't as common there and people are a little friendlier and more open.

I also note that here at home the car is a real 'chick magnet'. Unfortunately they usually chat for a moment then call their husband over. Seems to attract mostly 'married chicks'.

 

well who would want baby chickens in their car anyway? They'd just poop all over and scratch your seat covers...

 

That ring on their legs don't mean they are married! That's the farmer's tag!

 

...and I really need to start following up with the question "Happily?" when finding a ladies' married... Hey, around here they've got rings though their nose, ears, lips and other unmentionables.

Sorry for the off topic.

 

I think on how many produced, but I think the most rare color on the road now is Silk Green, only produced in 2002. But thats just my opinion

 

Either that or Velvet Red, another very rare color! Solid Gold is pretty rare too.

 

And if they weren't using clear bra, you wouldn't know that.

 

I work in an office where everyone drives either an SUV or a large luxury car. The resident Lexus owner gave me a hard time about having a "completely impractical" car until I told him my MCS feels like a rocket and still averages 32mpg. Now he just complains about how much gas costs.

 

You're right - not a lot of Solid Gold around. I haven't even heard of Velvet Red. Sounds lovely!

Good news is: My best friend ended up taking delivery on Decker, a 2005 HO MCCa with black bonnet stripes, last night! He registered here on NAM today and I expect him to join DCMM later this weekend! Hooray for recruitment! Are we the only two HO coops in DCMM?

 

Velvet Red is a nice dark Maroon, umm how to explain it...Nitefire Red is to Velvet Red as Lightning Blue is to Electric Blue

 

Velvet Red... My vote for the best color ever! Wish they still had it... I would have bought it.

Pic Here

 

Nasty little dent on the bonnet of that VR :(