Ok...this is just a general post about what has transpired over the last 1.5 months. I'm 45 years old and have always worked for myself. Started 3 companies and all 3 turned out very successful. I may be 45 but everyone tells me I'm a 25 yr old trapped in a 45 yr old body. Anyway, I have been married to the same woman for 26 yrs and through those years I have been the car buyer for all 27 vehicles I have owned. A couple years ago, my wife started talking about a MINI. I kept blowing it off due to fact that dealerships were scarce, too far away and I didn't like the stigma of owning a British car....lets face it, Brit cars are not known for reliability. MGs come to mind. So last month I was trolling around on Ebay and came across an R57. I mentioned to my wife I found a MINI in OK City. We live 10 hours away...she took one look and wanted it. Within 1 min I bid on car. Lost the auction a couple days later due to reserve not being met. Called dealership that posted it next a.m. at 8. Within 10 min my wife and I were in our 350Z headed to OK. By 7 pm we owned the MINI.
Here's the fun part......I became fascinated by the MINI. I started researching the history, heritage and everything I could find out about these damn things. I now have become obssessed by them, so much in fact, last week I went and bought a Salvage R56 just so I could tear it apart to understand the whole car and learn all that I can about them. I'm now enrolling in a body shop class at local Community college just for my new hobby. My wife has been tickled at how I have sunk myself into this. Its kinda crazy.....I cant seem to break myself of the addiction. I now want one of each model made so I can be knowledgeable on all designs...is everyone this smitten with these cars? I think Im losing my mind.....in a fun kinda way!

 

Welcome!

You have been bit into the world of MINI!

Since you can drive 10 hours to "OK" to find a MINI, one of your first road trips should be to the Dragon for MOTD 2011~!!

With the successful companies you have, you deserve a break. April 28, 29, 30, and May1.

Hope to see you their!

Again, enjoy your new MINI!

 

Wow...I thought my obsession was bad! You actually bought a salvaged MINI for the purposes of learning about them! That's impressive. From one new member to the next...WELCOME!

 

Yes, welcome to NAM

Just about everyone on here are obsessed with Mini's, a lot of us just with cars. The fact you bought a salvage car JUST TO LEARN ABOUT IT! Oh i really idol you... That is absolutely brilliant What you need to do now is get some pictures of the mini/minis and post them up here!

Welcome

 

Great story! We are all obsessed here. Welcome to the club!

 

I think we are close to the same age, I'm 68 with a 25 year old brain. Of course my GF Say's I have a 14 year old brain.

 

Ok, so, my first car was a TR. Traded that for a XK-E roadster. That helped snag my bride. Still have her but not the Jag and 30 some odd years driving several tons of Detroit family iron later, we now have a MINI. I'm 65 and am completely OCD about it. You just discovered the illness and want us to be impressed. No way buddy, we'll just move over and give you room to settle in to 'The Home'. They have wonderful programs for us. Educational presentations are every day and you don't have to sign up, just show up. Each afternoon there is group therapy but nobody can settle on the 11th step of the 12 step program which is still in committee. It has something to do with calling all the people you've offended with your obsession to apologize but nobody sees it as a problem. I've never gotten past No. 2, entering a state of Zen Motoring. It's out there somewhere just around the next bend in the road or over the next rise. The search is the thing.

 

Welcome!
The MINI is an awesome car. Every time I try to drive I really have to restrain myself because mine just taunts me, begging me to zig and zag around corners and zip around town.

 

Just make sure you never mod the car. Modifying cars is the "new" crack.

 

I guess I got carried away on my initial post. I bought an R53 salvage from Way Motor Works in Atlanta. Waylen was very accomodating. He has been nothing but helpful about the R53....willing to dispense any info I needed about the salvage vehicle. Just drove it to my friend who owns a body shop and after I tear it apart and examine all the items I want to check out he is going to help me rebuild it all. It appears that its gonna cost me about $1800 in parts with a little labor time that I spiff him for helping me out. I got the car for $4500 plus the approx $2000 in rebuild parts. I think its gonna be a real nice R53 when I get her back together. Whomever owned her before must have treated her very kindly. The interior is practically showroom condition and the mechanicals all work except the passenger door lock actuator. Im really confused how such a car could be totalled. I got her up to 100 mph on the way to the shop and she drove sraight and smooth. Its gonna be my daily drver when done so dont really care that it has salvage title. Looking around for an R56 rebuild/salvage to work on also. If anyone knows of one out in the wild be sure to let me know. Got my trusty Benteley manual today so Ill start posting pics of the rebuild.
thanks for all the encouragement I have received, hopefully I bought a solid car. In the mean time, Ill just have to steal my wifes R57 to tie me over.

 

Yep! about 95% of us are hooked through the nose.

If you don't mind traveling do a search on AMVIV (A Mini Vacation In Vegas)
AMVIV8 is May/19-22/2011. http://www.amviv.com/

 

Welcome! I'm 47/25 in MINI and drumming years. You're not alone in your obsession.

 

Fly n Brick,

Hilarious!!!! I love the "Step 2-Zen Motoring"!!!!!