Okay, last week, I've had my mini for a year. I've got almost 26K miles on it and love to drive it as much (well, actually more now) than the day I got it.

This weekend I'm leaving NC to go to FL to visit my mother. I haven't seen her in a few months and she'll be joining my family to go on a cruise in a month but gotta keep mom happy. Since dad passed away, I try to keep an eye on her even more.

So she says she wants to see me and though my shop closes at noon on Fridays, I rarely get out before 3-4. By the time I get on the road, I don't arrive in Tampa till the wee hours of the morning.

I'll spend Saturday with her and drive back Sunday morning.

This time, she said for met to fly down and she'll even pay for the flight.

I can't find a flight for less (too short of a notice) for under 400-500 bucks which I think is ridiculous so I'll drive.

As ridiculous as I think it is, I think I'm using it more as an excuse for me to cruise down there by myself, windows rolled down, tunes cranked up and enjoy driving my cars.

And now with the Recaros installed, the ride will be that much more comfortable.

Ahhhh, flying to FL in less than 2 hours ..... 400 bucks.

Flying in my mini in 10 hours.... priceless.



Mark


PS. I routinely make that trip in under 7 1/2 hours but after my ticket, driving closer to the speed limit is easier on my wallet.

 

Yeah, fly or drive? Well I can fly for free (wife retired Delta Airlines) but I choose to drive whenever it's reasonable and I have the time. No checkin lines, no TSA, no sitting around boarding area for an hour or two, no knees under my chin for 3 hours, no waiting for luggage, no high priced airport food, and this is if every thing goes right with no delays or cancellations. Just me, my MINI, and my trusty V1 to avoid roadside visits with LEO.

 

I never fly if if I'm going home. Like you, I can never find a ticket under $400 from from FL to VA. It's ridiculous how much tickets cost to fly, but I LOVE to drive long distances, so it works out for me!!!!! Have fun!!

 

No, you're not driving it too much; that's perfectly normal behavior!

I've owned my latest MINI a little over a year, and I've got 23K on it.
I had it about two months, when I drove it 14 hours straight out to Denver, to go see my son's new home and help him with some painting and fixing.
Got back to my place on a Wednesday afternoon; 24 hours later I was back in the MINI, driving my other son out to Denver so he could visit his brother for a week and help him with some landscaping.

Two weeks later, my wife and I were back in the car heading to Denver for a wedding.
Two weeks after that, it was back out to CO for MITM.

If I didn't own a MINI, I would probably have flown, for at least a couple of those trips.

No, you're not driving too much!

 

What is your route Mark? And what days are you coming down because I live in Jax and would really like to see your seats. Not saying you have to stop for more then 20 minutes, if your willing.

 

I don't mind stopping but it might be better to meet on my way back on Sunday. Depending on when I leave here, I'll either getting into FL around rush hour or the wee hours of the morning.

However, on the way back, I'll leave Sunday no later than noon. PM your phone number and I'll call you on the way back.

Mark