Hi Guys and Gals:

I just wanted to introduce myself. My wife and I are proud owners of a "new/used" 2005 Mini Cooper S convertible. 7000 miles is all, don't know what the previous owner was doing with it. Must have been mesmorized by the color.

I traded in my trusty 99 Miata, so that we could take our two boys out and enjoy the fun and the sun together as a family. Not quite the same driving experience, but very enjoyable so far.

Anything I HAVE to know about this little beastie?

Cheers!
Lee

 

Welcome to NAM!!
But stop reading posts on this site right now, turn off the computer, and walk away never to return.
Otherwise, you'll read posts by fellow HO owners, like ImagoX and you'll start seeing things that you want to do to your car, you will start with small modifications (hey, it's only a few dollars and it looks great), then you'll slowly start justifying slightly bigger and bigger mods (hey, for only a little more dough, I can get more horses/handling out of this car) . . . and then your garage will start turning into your living room and your wife and kids will wonder where daddy went and . . . . . .

 

Welcome to the HO family!

ken

 

Isnover,
Welcome to NAM and congrats on the HO...It's a great car and even better now that they color has been dis-continued, as your car (and mine) become more and more minique..

 

Agreed. Welcome to the group!

Now get out and motor!

 

WOOT!!!

 

Congrats! on your new baby! From one "INspirit" HO owner

 

Thanks for the welcome folks. We've named the car "Oby" as in "OB" for Orange Bullet. LOL.

Need some racing stripes and a few other goodies to take the "cute" factor down a notch, and take the "sporty" factor up a notch.

Mine has the HK Sound system, 16" Rims, Trip Computer, DTC, Backup Assistance, 6SPEED, Cold Weather Pack (heated seats). Love the color. All of our cars were silver before this. My wife said, "no more silver cars", so I got even! Actually she loves the color too. I think this is the first car we both fell in love with on first sight. The problems is I'm going to have to "share" this one more, and since the kids can go in the back, I have less excuses to not let her "borrow" my car.

One annoying thing, hoping someone can help. The stupid door locks to do not unlock when you turn the ignition off. Can this be "reporgrammed"? It's a pita to have to hit the unlock button all the time.

Regards,
Lee

 

Congrats!
Thanks for the huge sense of Deja vu! Last month, I traded in my suv and a 99 Miata for a 2005 Cabrio too! You're going to love it....and there's sooooo much more room in the MINI! And the gas mileage is better too!

 

lsnover, you can get the dealer to reprogram the locks so they all unlock when you turn off the ignition. It is not 'owner servicable'.

k

 

Don't know about the mileage, but there's more room. My little Miata got pretty good mileage. Course I can't keep my foot out of this dang Supercharger thang, and that's not helping much.

I had an 93 RX-7 with Twin-turbos. Had the same problem. THAT only got 13MPG though, so the mini makes those nice little noises and does considerably better. I was on the fence with putting a turbo on the Miata, but the xtra seats and a warranty (and the hot orange paint), made the Mini irresisitable.


Cheers!
Lee

 

Congrats, you'll love it!

 

Wooo Hooo - Congrats - nothing like that top down feeling... Welcome...

Donna

 

Welcome to the HO world Lee.

Please post some photos of your car. we would love to see them.

Have you decided on the color of the stripes yet?

Lori and Don

 

Wlecome, and as you look through the site you will see all kinds stripe/looks to choose from and add too..Take a look at my gallery to see my car. I have sold some of my "Flying Checkers" in the classified area.

 

Hi Lori and Don:

I'll get some pics up in the next day or so. OB is pretty basic at the moment. I'm thinking a single 3 wide black checker on silver on the bonnet and boot. Nothing too radical. Was actually thinking of some "spiderman" web graphics on the rear quarters. (I am a Spiderman fan, maybe too tacky, I don't know, but different).

Thanks,
Lee

 

Like those "Flying Checkers" will have to mull those over. Might work well with my "Spiderweb" idea for the sides. Do you have them in silver, or just white?

Regards,
Lee

 

Here's a picture of Oby on the lot.

 

Ahhhhh nothing like Hot Orange in pristine state

Beautiful!!!!!!!

Don and Lori

 

Yes, but it's "too cute" in stock form. I want a little more "boy racer" look so the guys don't pick on me. LOL. I used to get this with my Miata all the time ("yo, that's nice, but it's kind of a girls car.") to which I reply ("yep, but I prefer haveing the girls talk to me then the guys, but if you like guys better, more power to you. LOL"). Obviously with a mini, as a guy, it means you must NOT have anything you need to compensate for.

I like what I like, which is usually something a little different. There are not many minis in my area, especially Orange ones. ;-)


Cheers!
Lee

 

Mine are actually reflective black vinyl. They are black during the day and at night when light hits then they light up a white/silver color. Think of a stop sign at night. It's Red reflective vinyl on it. Yes I can cut them out of a silver metallic vinyl 3m brand..

 

OK, now I see. Very cool. Is the silver metallic reflective as well? Do you have a design that continues on the boot/trunk? Would be nice from a safety stand point in the back. Also something on the rear quarters. Can you please let me know the costs of a kit? May go with the black reflective, as it's subtle during the day. ;-)

Thanks,
Lee

 

Woo Hoo - HO rules :-)

 

Welcome to MINI Ownership and congrats on getting the Hot Orange! Be sure to click the link in my sig and put yourself on the Hot Orange Owners Map.

I've never seen a reflective silver(but I also haven't done any shopping for that color). FWIW, if you go with the reflective black, you probably wouldn't want the silver to be reflective. The two will have a similar reflective color and you will not be able to see the checkered design when light reflects off it.

 

There is a reflective white vinyl. It is pretty much a silver color during the day time. It turns a white color at night with the light. Pretty much ALL the reflective vinyl looks the same at night. Just beware, reflective vinyl is almost 3 times the cost of regular 3m vinyl.. I love the stuff myself as you can see from my car. Bonnet onto the mirrors, roof line, and side skirts, even wheel centers..