Well said Herleman... I have #2 on the way... Due on my birthday... My son is going to be a big brother to a brother...

 

Good for you for taking responsibility for your debt and for getting credit counseling!

I agree with you. My '04 MINI was the most valuable asset we owned, and I was drowning in high interest credit card debt (it's amazing - you're out of work for six months due to pregnancy bedrest, you miss two payments, and your interest gets jacked to 30%), and the MINI was paid off. I sold the MINI to pay off the credit cards. And that was one of the saddest days of my life - watching my Indi Blue MINI S drive away...

Then it was decided tht we needed a more "family-friendly" car. I despite minivans and SUVs and crossovers, so we got a Honda Accord. Very nice sedan! If someone is looking for a sedan, I would recommend an Accord in a heartbeat. But if someone wants something like a MINI? There's NO replacement. Only a MINI is a MINI.

So now, here I am, back on my feet, traded in the Accord for a new 2010 MCS for just $75 more a month, and the realization that the cars are extremely safe and groceries and car seats fit just fine.

I'm getting my dreamcar back...you will have yours again one day!

I wish you best of luck in the service (thank you in advance) and in life!

ETA: I just saw your baby news! Congratulations!! I agree with the sentiment above that if you don't go for all the most expensive gear and clothes and all that, well, ok, I'll admit...yeah, it's expensive. Especially the daycare that we pay. And diapers kill us. But those truly are the biggest expenses.

 

I decided to revisit this topic. It is very encouraging!

I am currently a week out from shipping to basic training. The pregnancy is going well, and finances are very much in the positive.

I want to thank you all for the kind words; I don't think I did it well enough before. I am very happy to be getting ready to serve my country, and can't see my life going any other way. Sure, I'll miss the birth of my first child. Sure, I'll most likely miss a lot more of it. But this is for a bigger cause; something bigger than myself and my family. It will not only give my family the stability we deserve, but it will also give us a completely different look-out on life in general.

As for the future MINI-purchasing, I've been spending hours on the MINI generator (haha!) building my 'dream MINI'. I've come to the realization that I would rather have a MINI GP than a newer MINI. However, we will see a few years down the road, what MINI has to offer! That new Coupe looks amazing! Should be a lower price tag too.

Well, again, thank you all for the kind words. I'll be seeing you later, when I join the ranks once more!

 

Good luck with the Army, and the baby. Some good advice in this thread already...

I'm two weeks away from starting my terminal leave after over 4 1/2 years of active duty in the Navy. I'm glad you're in love with the Army, and it seems like your heart is in the right place. You'll need that to get through.

One thing to keep in mind for us family guys, though: Take care of your wife and your baby first. Whether you're in for 4 years or 30, the military is temporary for all of us. When the Army has chewed you up and spit you out, you'll be glad you invested in your family.

Stay safe, and keep saving for your MINI!

 

I wanted to update everyone, for those that care.

I am since out of the Army. We have moved out-of-state, and I am working while the wife is a stay-at-home mommy. Our little one is now a year and a half years old. My credit is awesome and we are doing okay.

Let's avoid the little bits of personal life and get to the MINI stuff.

Earlier today, I posted this topic asking how to track my previous car. Well, here's what happened.

First of all, HERE is how my MINI looked when I got rid of it. (first image) I thought I posted images on NAM, but I guess not...
(Not pictured is the last modification performed - JCW grille top and bottom.)

I texted my father and he still had the insurance records (it was his name on the loan for the vehicle). I got the VIN from him and figured, I'll just punch this into the old Google machine and see what pops up.

Well, THIS is what came up. A posting from 2010 for the auction of a totalled 2003 MINI Cooper S. Quite obviously, my MINI Cooper S. And I can guarantee you, I did not leave it in that condition!

Just look at it... Take your time.

I saw this on my lunch break. All day after that, I have felt sick. I was on the verge of tears (can't remember the last time I cried). I have felt like my lungs could not get enough air. I was yawning and practicing some meditation techniques. It worked a bit.

The only other time I have ever felt this horrible was when my wife miscarried with our daughter's twin. Yes, the MINI was that big of a deal. And I am not a materialistic person at all. Shoot, the only reason I have an iPhone (sans the data plan, mind you!) is because I love the app I use to track my mileage and my finances, and because the video camera is silent, as opposed to our digital camera who's motor permeates all videos.

Anyways...

I hope this serves as a testament to all those who are considering selling, trading in or otherwise getting rid of their dream car. DON'T DO IT!

 

Read your update and glad you and your family are doing okay. I can sure feel how sad it was, for you to see your poor MINI.

 

Ticks me right off. I bet they didn't even put 10,000 miles on it. :(

And I was not there for my MINI when it needed me.

My buddy said, "Your MINI just said, You're not my owner, GTFO!"

 

urabbit... hang in there. I am 42 years old and have walked many a mile in your shoes. In my early 20s I was waist deep in debt but with determination you can turn it around. I have wanted a mini since 2003, but back then all they had was the two door model and I did not think that would make a good 'family car' I am happy to say that now have very little debt, an outstanding credit rating, a home and as of 6 weeks ago a 2009 hot chocolate clubman.

 

Congrats, good sir!

We were just offered an auto loan through our credit union for $20,000 at 3.49%. Not bad! Not going to do it, but not bad. Only debt besides our current vehicle is $800 on a credit card that we used to move over here to WA for work.

 

uRabbit sounds like being in the army helped you somewhat. Congrats on the youngster and keep working at it.

 

My buddy said, "Your MINI just said, You're not my owner, GTFO!" [/QUOTE


Buddies can be so kind.

 

What a story! My god...

You should go and buy it off the lot for the $200 they'll probably want for it.. and do your best to restore that puppy. /THAT/ would be a remarkable ending to this tragedy.

EDIT: HELL.. i'd even back it up on a Kickstarter... That definitely classifies as a project.

 

Eh. It helped me in the way that most people would not understand. Haha.

And thank goodness for that!

It sold. :(

 

What a story! :(

Congratulations on your life though!
You did what you had to do at the time.
There are lots of MINIs out there looking for someone to love them.
Maybe you will want to find another Gen 1 to care for.
It's going to be the new classic.

Kinda O/T -
This reminds me of my Dad.
He was a USMC fighter pilot and squadron leader in Cherry Point in the 60's.
He loved his airplane.
Anyway, he was transferred and left the plane behind.
Fast forward to 2002 and he buys a computer and gets on-line.
I help him search for the plane.
We find that it was sent to Vietnam a year after he left, shot down, pilot killed.
He sat down and sobbed and he was a tough guy.
It gives me chills to type this.

 

LittleWing,

Not off topic at all! That is a lovely/sad story. Got to love the Internet.

I definitely want a first gen. Want one with low miles though. 50,000 to me is probably the limit. Might have to get a GP.

 

Surely you should be able to track down where the car went from that auction. If they haven't started parting it out, see what they want for it. I'll kickstarter a $20; probably many of us here will or might put up even more. Pay us back when you can!

Where in Washington did you move to? I'll assume Washington State. The PSMINI club is here for you when you get your MINI back or another MINI.

http://www.psmini.org

Val

 

Honestly, for this story.. I'd throw up $200 on a kickstarter and not even request it back. I think this car needs to return back home. It's like the Prodigal MINI! For reward levels, you can send us pictures of the restoration process, pieces of the damaged car, a plaque in the car that might list the names of people who donated to support the cause.. etc etc. Postcards of where the car has gone, is and will be going.. etc...

 

What did you do, you weren't in the Army for even 2 years?

 

I recently traded in my '05 MCc after 7 years together and I keep wondering where it is and who it will end up with. I'd be so upset to see it beat down like that. I guess you can hope it goes to a car enthusiast who can restore it. Worse case it's used as an "organ donar" I don't like to think of it as being chopped up for parts. Seems so silly to be so emotionally attached to a car but I or a lot of here just can't help it.

 

Thank you both! That seriously means to lot to me.

Unfortunately, one cannot create an account on that web site without first making a deposit. Just something I cannot afford to do as of currently. Not on a whim, at least.

If I were to get it back, that would sure be a feat deserving of great remark!

A plaque, as you suggested, sure would be awesome! I would also drive to each person and collect their signatures to put into the car somewhere.

 

I did not see that, now I know a little more on how it helped him. he must of got kicked out

 

I got out on my own accord. That's all that needs to be said about that.

 

I just sold a 1st Gen R53, and now wish I had not read this thread.

Mine was a low mileage, only minor mods, in great condition. It was loyal, dependable, and fun to drive the entire 10 years I owned it. The only major repairs was a power steering pump (a common 1st gen problem), and control arm bushings (poorly maintained roads on my commute route).

But I had to make garage space for my new CM, and sold my old MCS to a guy who had been looking all over SoCal for one like it. We completed the transaction at a shopping mall. The buyer had to go home in the car he came in on to get another driver to take the MCS home, while I waited for my wife to pick me up.

As I waited, I stared long and hard at the car that had served me so well for the last 10 years. I started to take a picture when my wife showed up, and decided that it was silly to get emotional over an automobile, and left. But the image of the car I left behind in that parking lot is burned in my brain.

 

There is absolutely nothing like the R53, even today. They handle cleaner, ride lower, and perform better (imo) than an R56 any day. I cannot say for an R60, but that is in another league.

--

I think I am going to start saving all my pennies to find another MINI, or to find the old one... I have yet to get a CARFAX to find out who purchased the vehicle, but even that won't tell me who to contact.