I started off with an '05 Hot orange Convertible S. I had issues with the car about the dealer not disclosing certain items (or saying it had items it didn't)

Anyway, sent it back.

Bought an '06 Dark Gray Convertible S over a month ago. Put wheels, Dinan exhaust, pulley and air intake on it. I loved the car. Unfortunately last week, I took my wife and two girls (10 and 13) to the beach. I didn't realize how small the back seat was on a convertible.

So today, I introduce to you...



My new '08 Coupe S in laser blue.

There is 2" more room in the back seat and without being a convertible, it's MUCH wider from side to side.

I actually showed up at the Mini dealer this morning at 9am to buy a chili red clubman.

As much as the clubman would be more practical spacewise, I love the looks of the coupe...even more so than the convertible.

I hope the sunroofs will help compensate for not having a convertible but it's a trade-off I needed to make.

Soooo, hopefully this will be my final mini for a while.

Before I get flamed, I have to say I did change one more thing.

I bought an automatic. I would never have guess I would have ever bought an automatic but with the traffic in charlotte and the s being a six speed, the shifting was getting too much.

I took the automatic for a test drive on a whim and COULDN'T believe how quick the car responded. I thought, no way, but it's true, the automatic with the paddle shifters (or not) hauls butt.

I would have never guessed.

Anyway, guess ya'll stuck with me now.

Mark

It came with the JCW brakes and wheels. I refuse to pay almost 4K for wheels so I had them take them off and install a set of web spokes. (they're coming, they're not in right now) Piano black, leather, and ipod crap.

 

Congrats! Now a name change and new sig! I hope to see the MINI soon!

 

Lucky You! Congrats

 

Thanks Twist and Yaki, I was just so excited, I had to tell someone... lol.

I'm thrilled with the car, I wanted a coupe in the beginning and my wife reminded me that my last 5 cars had been convertibles and I'd be unhappy without one.

I loved the convertible, I just felt guilty when we went on the drive to the beach and my two girls were stuffed in the back seat. (they're used to my other daily driver before I bought the mini.... an H2)

Anyway, thanks guys, hope to do some runs here soon...


Mark

 

Congrats! I'm in Charlotte....was the Orange Crush the Bobcats car with blue top? Seen one around town a bit over the past two years.

And the traffic for a 6sp is not too bad for me (Porsche), but the freaking road conditions just knock your fillings out lately!

Drive safe.

 

Nope, not me.... the orangecrush name came from my lifted, supercharged H2 which was that burnt orange. I'm getting ready to sell it (errr. give it away ) cause I haven't driven it since I started driving the mini.

Charlotte's traffic isn't horrendous but my drive to the beach and getting stuck in traffic for hours on end made me realize how much easier an automatic is to drive.

And as well as it performs, (I'm still shocked) it was a no brainer for me.

We'll have to get together sometime. One of my bodyshops does all of Hendrick Acura's work so I have to make the u-turn at the mini dealership sometimes 3-4 times a day.... point is, I've never seen a dealership where satisfied customers hang out all the time...lol.

Mark

 

You're not done yet, a couple more trips to the beach and getting your kids (not quite, more like ALMOST teenagers) in and out of the back and you'll go for the Clubman. I went thru a few my first two years, one crashed by a city bus, replaced it then wanted to lower my payments and went for a leftover Cooper. I missed the S and I needed some room to actually haul my stuff around when I work or travel.

Everyone hated the harsh ride of the Generation 1's , except me of course. I said I'd look at the Clubman when it came around, and in March I JUMPED again from my other car and haven't looked back yet.

The ride is a lot more comfortable than the other ones, the mpg is better, I have room for storage in the back AND a suitcase and briefcase or groceries, and last but not least, it is a LOT easier getting my daughter in and out of her car seat (she is only 4). I also like the motor characteristics of the turbo more than the SC. I dare you to try one you will jump ship, and maybe for the last time. I hope I have...

...but then the JCW IS just around the corner, but the WIFE will KILL me if I changed cars again!

 

Congrats on the car!! I just bought my very first mini s last month. Chilli Red 08 dual sunroofs, black leather, piano black interior, sport and premium package. I LOVE IT!!! I had a jeep wrangler with a 4 inch lift before this and it was tons of fun but I actually dont miss it at all

 

Funny thing is, I actually went into the dealership to buy a chili red clubman. I found the coupe to be a happy medium. The clubman would have definitely been more practical but I'm hoping the this will work.



Congrats yourself, I'm sure you're as thrilled as I am. The ironic part is, I'm leaving in 10 minutes to go buy a new 4dr jeep wrangler for my wife...

She wants me to paint it pink and I'm sure I'll be putting a suspension lift on it within weeks of getting the paintjob done.

 

I promise it will not be as much fun buying the jeep as you had getting the cooper Bruce

 

I'm a huge fan of the sunroof, too -- as soon as I drove it, the convertible was not even an option for me. I'm pretty sure I'm going to start a whole collection of Minis...after I win the lottery of course.

Sorry you had problems with the first. Happy Motoring.

 

I enjoy my sunroof as much as I did my convertible with the jeep. it rides a whole lot better too

 

I agree.... no wonder ya'll hang out at the dealership so much.