So, we're on our way to my inlaws and the highway road surface becomes a little rough. Having just installed a new suspension, my wife comments that, what we just drove through would have been awfully uncomfortable with the old setup. I replied that I couldn't be happier but in the back of my mind I was saying, if she only knew how much the new setup cost.
I then casually commented on how all the recent upgrades had improved the performance of the car and how I was looking forward to the next. Big mistake.
She then turned to me, and at that moment I felt that piercing stare on the back of my neck, she exclaimed that she didn't want to hear about any more upgrades until our Mini became a Bentley.
We didn't say much the rest of the trip.


Please feel free to add your significant others ponderances.

 

Two months ago I made the egregious tactical blunder of telling my dear wife that Gollum was in perfect working order, and would require no repairs to complete the 2011 autocross season. Now I need front wheel bearings.

Regrettably I wrote this statement on paper and signed and dated it at her request. Fortunately the paper was fairly thin, and can easily be digested...



a quote from my father's wife...

"How do I know what I think until I see what I say!".



a quote from my grandfather's wife (some context is required)...

He and Kay were arguing, and Kay was becoming increasingly emotional in the debate...

Grandfather: "Kay, you do understand that you are not persuading me by carrying on like this?".

Gramma: "Lovell, you seem to think that I do this on purpose!".

Kind regards,

Charlie

 

You might try the "Safety" upgrades.
When I started doing mods my wife was always concerned about the money issue.
I explained that all the mods were for her "Safety" when she was driveing.
I know she didn't buy that but at least she doesn't get on me as much.

 

LOL - God bless indulgent spouses.

 

I just don't say anything about my MINI anymore.
It's just easier that way.

 

+1
My wife is a very good person, probably better than I deserve, but does not get the 'car thing' at all.
Her thought is a car is a car and if it gets from point A to point B it is fine and you should leave it alone.

 

+1, easiest way.

 

When we forget how women react to 'guy stuff' it is always good to refresh our memory with a few episodes Cheers watching Sam deal with Diane. The idea of winning is irrelevant.

 

It's a gender thing....

Little girls like ponies (ie: My Little Pony). When they grow up, they seemd to be fascinated by movies where they are carried off by a knight in shiny armor, while riding a horse. Also, they like the Old Spice commercial.

Little boys like Hot Wheels, knows nothing about horses or horse power for that matter. When they become men, they like horse power, instead of the real thing. More horse power the better!!!

If I was you, keep it on the low down with all of your mods. It's difficult for them to get it. My other addiction is computers and laptops. Another long story there as well.

 

I must have gotten really lucky, cause my girlfriend has been asking about when I'm going to start modding the MINI ....still need to teach her how to drive stick though, or rather need to get her more seat time with the MINI to get her more comfortable with the manual tranny.

 

You must be in the select few. My girlfriend absolutely detests my MINI, though she has softened up a bit since I bought it. She absolutely hates the supercharger whine (Webb CAI + Craven 17% are the responsible parties for that ). Whenever I bring up purchasing another MINI in the future, she lets me know right then that there will be no other MINI's in my future. Oh well, I guess next it'll have to be a 135i or 335i .

 

In February, I desperately wanted to order a 2011 MCS. To afford this, I needed to trade-in my 2009 Clubman. When I couldn't get a fair price for my Clubman, MyWife suggested trading-in her Honda instead. Consequently, we are now a two-MINI family. She drives the Clubbie, and I drive the MCS. What a SuperKid she is!

 

When my wife makes a comment about a mod on my Mini or the cost of a mod, I just say " It would take many years of modding to catch up with money spent on all her shoes, purses, outfits, etc, etc, etc, etc,"
That ends the discussion every time. LOL

 

It's because she's still your GIRLFRIEND! Just you wait....

 

I just got rid of my black 7 series to thin the herd a bit. My wife doesn't really care for the Mini and replied that I can get the new 750Li I want now and trade the Mini in. We drove the Mini to the stealership. She saw the price tag. She's now in LOVE with the Mini. I have yet to figure out why everything has to be a tactical situation in our household. You're smart enough to drive a Mini, you're smart enough to pick your battles!

 

My girlfriend likes the car but doesn't like how much attention it gets, or the money I spend/plan to spend on it. As long as I set aside enough in the budget to go out to dinner and a movie and give her the occasional lift to work, she doesn't mind too much. She likes it better than my sport bike I sold when I got the Cooper!

 

I've made the horrible mistake of agreeing to 'if you get something for the mini I get a new purse' with my wife. Bad idea, but she's all for modding the mini now

 

We all need to take a lesson from another hobby. Guys that collect Farm Tractors, they have the right idea.

Rule #1 (Most Important) Only collect one brand of tractor. John Deer, Farmall, Ford, Case...the list could go on for ever. The reason being...each brand is a color. John Deer tractors are green, Farmal tractors are red and on and on.. And some of these guys have many tractors.

(This guy has over 50 Ford tractors, all the same model.)

Rule #2: Don't put them all out together! Never give a clue as to how many.

The idea is if a new one shows up and you get questioned....."I just moved it from over there..." A new one can show up a quickly disapear among the herd. If they are collecting John Deer tractors and a Farmall shows up...Look out!

Rule#3: "Plane Brown Wrappers" No labels.

Rule#4: "Money Orders" Don't leave a money trail. No credit cards.

The idea is you have to be smart about this and never, never, never divulge anything.

Don't try to change the subject or divert attention to the shoes that litter the closet floor or the purses that seem to come and go with the seasons. Your "wife/significant other" has been doing this for a long long time and you are just now coming to the game.

If you are not careful you might find yourself spending more time with the "In-laws" and less time at the track.

If she enjoys this as much as you do then great. I know quite a few couples that enjoy their MINI as much as any. And in a few cases it might be that it is the one activity that a couple can enjoy together and on an equal footing.

But....If you have to drag her along or "Convince" her to go along...well. Don't bother, just keep your mouth shut and what she don't know won't hurt you.

And for those of you that take umbrage with what I have had to say, well....what can I say. That is why my MINI is British Racing Green and White and Baskin Robbins sells 31 flavors.

That being said, we all have stories to tell......So I guess we can continue with the "therapy session"..

 

After driving my 2010 MCS 30K miles throughout the past year (and getting her to concede to a FMIC for long interstate road trips) I mentioned our family annual trip to the Outer Banks, NC...first one in a Mini.

She said, let's take my 2006 MCS, it has a sunroof, more beach-like. I agreed with her with the disclaimer: "Well, I think a CAI and a 15% pulley would be in order before the trip"

(I think she bought the logic! I am content to mod either hers or mine...lol)

to be continued, pac

 

Guess you haven't met any of us girls who are really into our MINI's. The argument in my house is who is going to get the next mod first... my JCW Clubbie or my husband's MCS!

 

Sometimes...it's the truth!

 

What does an FMIC have to do with a long interstate trip?

Or is that the point?

 

My husband won't let me lower my MINI :(

 

All I have to do is look at her purchase statements to know I am safe...

We have a good setup. Every month we both put in a checking account a set amount we need to run the house. We each have seperate personal checking accounts too for "other things" so, as long as the house account has money in it, the rest is disposable income. I should note we also both have money taken for retirement out of our checks, so left over really is just extra.

Anyway. For the last few months I have been on a diet, which means eating out less for lunch. All that saved money now resides in my signature. Wifey doesn't know, doesn't care.

 

My fiance loves my MINI!!

She gets excited anytime I purchase any accessories for it. She doesn't mind one bit when I tell her what my next purchase is going to be. We love all our cars and maintain them well.

I love this woman!!!