Though I graduated in Civil Engr'ing, I've been in the bodyshop business for 25 years. I've been around every type of car and though we work on a ton of euro cars, I've never been fond of them.

I've always felt that german engineers over-engineer everything. I personally am a GM kind of guy but appreciate the way the Japanese "think" about what they produce. If you ever pull apart a dash for instance and the bolt is not accessible, the Japanese will have a hole cut out for it making it easily accessible.

BMW's, porsches and the such remind me of a Corvette... they manufacture it like it'll never break and won't ever need to be repaired by a human again.

I appreciate the engineering and thought behind them but too many bells and whistles always make me call BMW... Bring Momma's Wallet.

Having said all that, I absolutely LOVE my mini. Until coming to this board, I had no idea how many mini owners were previous BMW, Porsche, Audi and the like owners.

I now realize how much smarter those car owners are than I. For years they have understood the performance and driving ability of European cars.

So I stand in front of you Euro owners humbled in knowing that I have indeed been behind the 8 ball and it's taking me this long to find out how much fun a Euro car can be.

I love driving the mini.... I appreciate it's ability more and more everyday.

Mark

 

Well said.

Former Subaru owner here.

 

A lot can be said for the MINI, practically all of it good. Welcome aboard, you'll fit right in with the MINIverse. I've never felt this way about any car I had, from the handling to its solidity to its sheer exhilaration.

CROC 411

 

 

Since you're also from Charlotte and based on the thread title, I can only assume you came to this realization after driving behind my 8-Ball

 

Mark,
Do you know Dan in Charlotte? He is like you. Got a degree (geology) about 25 years ago and started a body shop. He likes working on German cars and paints beautifully.

 

Mark, epiphanys come at all ages and times. I've seen it happen to a couple of friends who got the privelege of driving my MINI. It's fun to watch. Welcome, welcome, welcome.

 

Amen, Mark.

I came from a different point of view, but had a similar epiphany with the MINI. Lots of my friends owned BMWs and I never "got" it.... just an overpriced yuppie car, was my old opinion. I HATED the cheapo plastic feel of most things American, but thought the Japanese cars did it right (I was a big Honda fan).

The MINI has re-educated me on how REAL cars perform and handle... and on the tremendous difference between cars built to go 60mph in a straight line (most American and many Asian cars) and those built to go much faster on the autobahn and around the 'Ring. I finally "get it"... and am similarly humbled by what this tiny little clown car can do, and how much it has improved my driving skills (and enjoyment) in less than two years. It's a whole other world.

 

I too have been in the vehicle customizing business for the past 15 or so years. i have built and restored 90% american hot rods and muscle cars, never looked at any other type of car, that is until i was looking at a Jeep TJ and saw my future mini parked next to it. i thought it was cool all lowered, racing stripes, etc. so I asked the dealer if i could drive it. drove it back and it's been mine ever since. It's funny, now when I look at an old American car, all I think of is, "whatever" go ahead and try to make a turn over 25mph!
try to get 30mpg!
go ahead and try to get the same driver/car connection that you get while driving a mini.
to most other cars out there, you "drive" them. with a mini, you "experience" it.
I'll never by an american vehicle again.