We used to have an '04 Cooper S named Earl (he was gray, of course) - we traded him in about '05 or so, but never really forgot about how fun that car was.

Then about 7 weeks ago, my wife got the Mini bug again and bought a new Countryman S. Awesome car.

About two weeks after that, I realized that I missed that little gray dude, too, so I traded off a few cars and brought home Alice, a new JCW Clubman in Chili Red. We were officially a two-Mini family.

So last night, we helped our daughter buy her first car - that's right, an Ice Blue Cooper. Completed the trifecta, so to speak.

So in less than two months we went from an ex-Mini family to a three Mini family and we couldn't be happier.

What is it about these cars that makes them so damn fun?!? None of us can stop grinning...

 

That's a great story! It goes without saying it's great to have you - and your whole family - back in the MINI fold again. Your car insurance company must think you're mad

I've had my MINI for not quite three years, and I smile every single time I see her in the garage or in her special parking spot at work. I still take the long way around to wherever I'm going, and sometimes drive just for the sake of driving. No other car has done that to, or for, me.

I think that with MINIs, you either "get it" or you don't. Clearly you, your wife, and now daughter are all the former

Happy Motoring to all!

PS: you gotta post a "family" pic when you can - would love to see all three MINIs together!

 

I have NOOOOOOOOO idea what you're talking about !!

 

Just signed on the newest one, Bradley...Ice Blue Cooper




Another shot of Alice, Bradley, and Sheldon


Bradley


Alice


Sheldon

 

By the way, this is Earl, who started all the insanity...

 

Very nice ! Liking the Ice Blue Justa !

Of all the MINIs I've owned and driven, still find it just as much, sometimes more, fun to drive a Justa. I'm thinking the JCW I get tomorrow may change all that though.

Very nice collection you have there though. Going to have to post pics of all ours pretty soon. Thanks for the motivation.

 

That's so cool!

 

Thanks for the kind comments!

CR - I know what you mean - when I drove my daughter's Justa for the first time, I kept sticking my foot into the go-pedal waiting for the boost to come on...and it never did!! But within about 5 miles, I adjusted and didn't mind the naturally aspirated engine at all. Of course, I wouldn't trade off the JCW quite yet, but I sure understand people who buy Justas - great cars, lots of fun, and a LOT cheaper to buy and insure...

Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper JCW - they're all a riot...but truth be told, I do kind of miss the old supercharger whine...

 

Yeah, I miss that about the 05 MCS Convertible we had. Gorgeous MINI and loads of fun ! Loved hearing that supercharge whine and it sure surprised a lot of Red Light Andrettis.

 

Great pics of your MINI family (and family of MINIs) all together! I don't think you can ever have too many MINIs in one photo. And of course, here's to Earl, the one who started it all!

 

I can certainly attest to the addictive quality of these cars. What got us started was my son's supercharged Tacoma was totaled by a hit and run and he fell upon a MINI. His mother and I picked up the 07 S while he was traveling and we had a 4-hour trip in it, trading off driving it. It hooked us. 07 and 08 S and an 11 FJCW.

 

Odd... I was calling in for the insurance on my new JCW the other day and the rep says, "Multiple MINIs in the same household, never saw that before". I'm thinking, how long has he worked there ? Seems there are a ton of us out there these days.

 

Thanks for reminding me - I need to call and add the new one!! They mentioned multis when I called in the second one. It'll be funny to hear what they say on the third one!!

 

Betting you get a similar reaction to the one I got.

 

Great story. After three years my mini still makes me smile. I love my car!

 

After 6 years with my chili red justa '05 it got totaled last month. I immediately went to the mini dealer, didn't think for a moment o getting anything else, and they had just brought in my dream car '08 cabrio s! Still first gen, still chili red. Love these cars and I will be very sad if I ever can't have at least one first gen in my garage.

 

Excellent, and what lovely MINi's you have