I decided it was time to move on. I ordered my 2005 MCS new in June of 2004, and took delivery of one of the first Hyper Blue MINIs in the US in early August. It's been my daily driver for the last 10+ years and 143,000+ miles and I've loved every day of that car. Had my first son in 2007, the second in 2008, and they've both been in and out of the back seat countless times and they love the car, too.

But, unfortunately, they're getting a little big for that, especially on grocery store and Lowes runs. And I decided that I didn't want to have all of the family's cars with well over 100k on the odometer.

So with a heavy heart I sold the Mini on eBay, and the new owner comes to pick it up tomorrow. This is my last day, at least for a while, as a part of this community.

You all have been a great help to me over the years. I came here reasonably often for advice and instructions. It would have been much harder to replace engine mounts and power steering pumps and various other bits without this forum. So thank you.

I'll certainly enjoy my slightly used '14 Audi S4 that I bought a month ago, but I'm sure I'll fondly remember the Mini for as long as I drive. One day I may return!

 

Sorry to see you leaving. Enjoy the new car. Hope to see you back soon. Maybe you'll end up with 3 MINIs when the kids turn 16.

 

Sorry to see you go. I have exactly the same car. Black stripes? Sure is fun. An S4 is a sweet ride though.May you have many care-free miles!

 

Maybe! I know this isn't at all practical or safe or anything. But I have a devious thought in the back of my head that I'll by an old 1970s or 80s Mini and the boys and I can restore it and then it can become their daily driver when they get their licenses. Somehow I doubt the wife would buy off on that... but maybe a modern MINI.

 

Used to have black stripes, but after eight or nine years they got pretty pitted, so I took them off. I have some magnetic checkerboard stripes that I had on it most of the time after that.

This past winter I definitely pulled a few handbrake turns in the snow. No chance that's happening in the S4! Even if it had a real handbrake.

 

Good luck to you. As I've said many times: so many cars, so little time. Try as many as you can.

 

After owning a classic Mini I could not recommend one to your children if you value their life, lol.

Maybe if you can find one with disc brakes and decent horsepower, but our Mk 2 was terrifying on the road.

 

Yes, exactly! Or as many as makes sense, with budgets and wives and the like.

Before I was quite pleased with quick. The Mini is quick. But the S4, it's fast. Maybe fast isn't better than quick but it's pretty darned fun, too.

 

Yea, that's probably nuts. Maybe I'll get the classic Mini and get the boys something appropriately boring and uncool built like a tank for teenagers. Although I already told the wife to start planning for a 2026 or 2028 Cayman...