How many people plan on keeping their MINIs for the rest of their lives?

The reason I ask this question is that I would like to be able to do that. I think the car is awesome, and my Grandfather who helped me to get the car passed away yesterday (87 years of age). I want to keep it because not only do I love it, but so did he. As far as material possesions go there is nothing I have ever had that comes anywhere close to as cool as the MINI is.

But there are certain obstacles that I face, like the recent crash, the fact that it is my everyday driver (which I understand may not last forever) and I park outside in the Chicago weather.

Any advice in battling these obstacles and others unforeseen?

Thanks.

 

I will be keeping mine FOREVER! I seriously thought of selling it when it was broken into for the Radar Detector I left in the window. But when I got it back I said NO WAY. You will feel the same I'm sure.

I'm just going to do the mods slowly, and the big ones will go in when the warantee is up. Exhaust is next as intake and wheels are already on. Then suspension, headers, intercooler, pulley, ECU, and what ever else I can afford.

 

I think it's a nice idea, but as I found out, don't plan on it.

I had a Jeep wrangler that I was going to keep forever. I did a ton of mods on it and had it about five years when I rolled it. It was totalled and there was nothing I could do. I was so very depressed.

Now I am getting a MCS and though I want to keep it forever, I am not making plans for that and I'm not spending money banking on keeping it forever.

I think it's a nice idea, but things happen out of your control so don't get your heart set on it. I think just enjoy it and hope for the best.

emerika

 

skokiedude,

Condolences on the loss of your grandfather.

Forever is a long time! The MINI is a great car but I don't think it has the kind of reliability that would make it practical to hang on to it "forever" - I think it will simply be too costly to keep fixing things after the warranty runs out.

I plan to enjoy mine for a couple years. I'll sell it with some warranty left over for the next person. Then I'll probably buy another MINI with a fresh warranty.

 

That's my plan I'm fortunate to have another commuter vehicle so my Mini's in the garage during the winter season. I don't drive it in the rain or dirty roads. My only problem is to have the restraint to put too many miles on her. But that defeats the purpose of having her.

Mine's heavily modded and probably will get more. Tried to sell the original parts that are practically new but am finding that the market is saturated and would have to practically pay someone to take them. I think I'm going to just keep the original parts so to increase it's value. I have all the parts to restore it to original specs if needed. But I don't forsee a day that we'll be parting company.

 

Skokie,

Sorry to hear about the loss of your grandfather. It is always tough to say goodbye to someone who has shared in your life in a significant way. I keep some "things" that remind me of my grandparents too. None as "large" as a car. Memories of your car can last forever, and as long as you have your MINI it will be a part of your memories of him. Don't get so attached that if or when you need to part with it you are overcome with guilt feelings. Maybe you can think of a piece of your car that you can keep that is easier to manage over a long period of time. Perhaps a badge, or a licence plate, or something like that.

Enjoy your car as long as is practical, and keep a part of it forever.

Andy

_________________


03 MC CR/B. Rogue exhaust, Pipercross induction intake.

 

Unless I get into dire financial straits, I don't see a reason for getting rid of mine. Will always be nice to have to goof around with. I'm looking at getting a Jetta or a Mazda 3 in a couple years and let the Mini rest except for racing and nice days.

 

There aren't many cars made that can trully become part of the family, but I think a Mini is definitely one of them. I hope to keep mine forever. We always end up regretting getting rid of the cars we loved. I would give anything to still have my first car which was a 1969 Mach 1 Mustang. I don't want to make that mistake again. I didn't trade my '96 cherokee to buy the mini. I kept the Jeep so that the Mini wouldn't be my only transportation which I hope will extend its life.

 

I plan on doing the same, but I dont drive in the the real bad weather. Today is real snowy, and the cooper is in the warm garage. I take real good care of this car, more than any other car, pretty suprising considering i have owned this car for almost two years, and I have yet to get bored. It is so much fun, and I really look forward to making it even better over time. As parts wear out and get old, I will replace with bigger, lighter and better, like brakes, turbo, body, wheels. I do not treat the car as a museum piece, but I drive her hard, and take care at the same time. If you can try and get a garage to park your car in during bad weather, and keep her real clean and tidy, that is all you can really do!

cheer, jason[img]null[/img]

 

probably not forever for me.. when my morgage is finished when im 45,
im going to seriously start looking for my car. right now im just 'playing around'
and learning wat different manufacturers have to offer. i buy one car each year
and keep rotating cars. i will keep it for max 4-5 years if i like it a lot.

 

hi there~ well, we planned on keeping our first mini forever, she was a silk green with white top fully loaded (they discontinued the color), we had her for about 8 months (5500 miles) when i got hit by a 14 year old kid in a '84 mercury cougar and it totalled G MINI.
i am fine, all things considered, the car saved my life, no broken bones or cuts, but no more MINI.... we have ordered another one, she is waiting on the dock in Oxford for a ship. she won't be the same and that makes me sad ( i really really loved G MINI), but i plan on keeping GHOST MINI forever too (however long that really is)

 

>>There aren't many cars made that can trully become part of the family, but I think a Mini is definitely one of them. I hope to keep mine forever. We always end up regretting getting rid of the cars we loved. I would give anything to still have my first car which was a 1969 Mach 1 Mustang. I don't want to make that mistake again. I didn't trade my '96 cherokee to buy the mini. I kept the Jeep so that the Mini wouldn't be my only transportation which I hope will extend its life.

I have to agree about the 'part of the family' thing. I've had a PS/B MC for a year, and now I'm upgrading to a CR/W JCW MCS, but I feel more attached to my MINI now than ever. As much as I've loved it, I can't afford to have two, so it will be sold. It's going to be very difficult to see it go, even w/ a new model taking its place. The new one will hopefully be a lifelong purchase, if it holds up. I'd certainly prefer it that way.

 

I plan on keeping my MINI for as long as I can. "Forever" is such an ambitious goal, but, being on the wrong side of the half century mark, makes it more feasible!

You can never tell what the future may bring, though. If someone comes out with a car that has the style, class, and drivability to match, or surpass the MINI, I may consider trading her in.

Sadly, I don't see staying with MINI, if I do change up. I've a sinking feeling that the first 3 or 4 years are going to be the best ones for this car. I can see it getting tailored more and more for the mainstream market and I fear it'll evolve into something that'll be only a shadow of it's former self. Time will tell.

 

>>I think it's a nice idea, but as I found out, don't plan on it.
>>
i agree. forever is such a long time and it is a nice thought. i said the same when i bought my miata. sold it after seven years and bought a lexus rx300. and my deepest condolences to the death of your grandfather. i know it is painful to lose someone dear. i lost both sets of grandparents when i was very young. didn't get to know them in my adulthood

 

No I will not keep it forever :smile:

I'm now 50 and have owned in excess of 20+ vehicles.... in the past 30+ years....

For me personally.... the future will always present a new and exciting vehicle..... to enjoy :smile:


Peace,
D

 

I will keep mine forever.

I have owned my car for exactly 1 year and put just over 31k miles on it. :smile: Yeah I drive allot.

 

Someone mentioned not getting so attached that you feel guilty if something happens and, as a person with a non-functional 86 Omni in my driveway for just that very reason, I must agree. My dad and I did all the maintenance/repairs on it. He died a little over a year ago, Goldie died shortly thereafter, and I cannot stand the thought of sending her to the trash heap.

Seems I'll also have the same issues with the MINI so yes, I plan on keeping it forever. Even if it's non-functional.

 

I'm pretty sure I will have mine for a while, but probably not forever. It's a really fun car, I intend to keep it long after it's paid for. But it's a little trying sometimes as my daily driver. But with a 90 mile a day commute, and it being the only vehicle I own out of 4 that gets over 20mpg it gets driven a lot.I nned to pay either it or my 4 runner off soon so I can get another "appliance" car to drive daily. My 1979 landcruiser, which is currently in about 1000 pieces undergoing a full ground up restoration, will be kept forever without question.But it's already a collectors item.

 

>>
>>Any advice in battling these obstacles and others unforeseen?
>>
>>Thanks.

Wow, Lots of thoughtful and cool sentiments here...

I just spent massive time thinking/typing/backspacing, when really all i mean to say is that Friends and Family MATTER.

It's not always obvious, but it IS always about a handful of SIMPLE things, like gratitude and respect, and keeping faithful to the connectedness (yikes is that good grammar?) that adds the color, flavor, texture, sort of a "richness" to our too-damned-short lives.

Skokie I hope your car does last a good long FUN time, and I'm sorry to hear about your grampa.

Keep Practicing Good CARma, and get back to the VI some time ok,
Tatt

 

18K, April 03 build, got it early June 03. do the math , I want to be in this when it hits 100K .

 

Hmmmm. I have had awful problems with the idle of my MINI. Soon will come the 5th software fix, (fix? well...). I re-aquiaint myself with Service every few months @ oil change time. Am at the end of my rope, and may ask that M-USA buy back the car. That said, I expect, (IF that happens, not sure how it will play out), I will just get another. I would be more than happy to drive one for good, I guess I could have fun "upgrading" to whatever they might come up with? In the 60s Mini made tiny "panel trucks" there was even a "woodie" station wagon, wonder if they'll go there. But no convertibles, please.

 

Yes, I too want to keep my MINI forever. I will either keep this one or get the next generation MINI with the new engine and then keep that one forever. I'm leaning towards keeping this one. If I keep my current MINI, I will mod the heck out of it (over time). Then, when I retire in 10 years, I will get another car as a regular driver, and keep the MINI as my sports car to be driven part time. This car is an instant classic. I think there will be plenty of aftermarket parts to choose from to keep it running and to keep it running in style. Imagine going to MINI events years down the road in your older MINI. Real cool! I look forward to seeing others' MINIs too and what they've done with them.

 

>>Yes, I too want to keep my MINI forever. I will either keep this one or get the next generation MINI with the new engine and then keep that one forever. I'm leaning towards keeping this one. If I keep my current MINI, I will mod the heck out of it (over time). Then, when I retire in 10 years, I will get another car as a regular driver, and keep the MINI as my sports car to be driven part time. This car is an instant classic. I think there will be plenty of aftermarket parts to choose from to keep it running and to keep it running in style. Imagine going to MINI events years down the road in your older MINI. Real cool! I look forward to seeing others' MINIs too and what they've done with them.


You will definitely see me at those MINI rallys with my old MINI! I love this thing, and think that it deserves a place in the house, maybe on a drive up rotating pedestal with a glass enclosure bubble that rotates? Is that asking too much?! LOL.

 

My kids (high school and college) keep wandering off with my cars, so I don't expect I can keep my MINI forever. I wouldn't mind driving MINI's way into the future though, or something else MINI-esque if the brand goes away. For now I think I'd definitely get another, newer MINI in a few years.

 

Sorry about your grandfather! You know he's with you when you drive!!

and yes, there is a lady in my neighborhood who drives a well kept up 64 Beetle van. It's aqua. I grew up with her kids. When I see it, I know it's her!!

and I will keep my MCS forever. I will buy other cars once the MINI is paid for, infact, I want a 2nd MINI to put the miles on so I can keep Mr Bridger in the garage and bring him out on weekends. So yes! 25 years from now I'll be that little old lady driving this fine little car and all the neighbor kids will be living back in the area - like I do - and will know me when they see me.