Okay, I've got to admit it... I might be over an edge... But, I'm trying to keep my '03 MCS forever!!!! I'm almost 60. I love cars and try to keep them "dentless" forever. I've had many a great sports car and it has always been the same! My MCS birthday is 7/03 and "speck" only has 6703 miles. It just had its' last free inspection, including a flywheel replacement. I hate door dents and always park at the farthest end of a parkking lot. My wife is beginning to think that I'm over "several" edges and may need some kind of professional help.
Okay, to make a short story long and convince my wiff I'm not totally gone... Who has the least number of miles on the oldest car???

 

I'm with you on that, I have a 06 MCSa with 2,800 or so miles (I got the oil changed already), it's around 15 month old, after I took ownership, she hasn't seen rain. So I guess your not alone, as I plan on keping her forever!

 

Guys these cars were meant to be enjoyed! Ya got to drive more and worry less!
I guess I'll never be in this group...my 02 F250 Powerstroke has over 300,000 wonderful miles.

 

I have a 42 year old car and it get's beat when it on the road. You just fix what brakes! But buying and not using to "save" it doesn't make sense, as one must ask what you're saving it for. I surely hope it's to drive it. And if it is, why not drive it now?

Matt

 

I'm in complete agreement with BigSky (I'll hazard a guess you're in Montana, lucky SOB!). They're meant to be driven and enjoyed.
But in reply to your post, Emily is an '02 MCS, birthday of August/02 (I'll have to take her out for dinner in a couple of weeks). She is Chili Red, Black hat, charcoal leather interior, cold-weather package, nursing mouse on the dash, and completely stock.
She turned 26,000 moles about 2 weeks ago.
Hegira

 

My '03 MC bought in Sept of '03 has 9,700 miles. I too hate door dings, and park waaay out in parking lots. About 18 months ago I was parked way out in a lot , (and inside my Dr's office), when an unoccupied POS Eagle Talon rolled across the slightly sloping lot and into my driver's side door.

I drive my MC as much as I want to...it's fun, but a lot of the time I drive my beat-up 86 Madza pick-up so I don't have worry about door dings or anything else. I'm retired and the MC is a toy...it's a great toy though, and should last at least as long as I do. This works for me.

 

my 06 has 5278 miles on it...first Oil Change was at about 14 months. It will have about 3000 more very soon as it will be going on a cross country ride! Happy Motoring!

 

Hello, my name is wscruiser and I'm a recovering **** car owner. But, it wasn't just cars, it was with all of the "play toys" I had owned; 4-wheeler, motorcycle, boat. When I bought them, I would think; this (fill in the blank) cost me a lot of money. I need to take care of it so it lasts me a long time. I always kept _____ nice and clean, sheltered in the enclosed garage away from the elements and the neighborhood kids who may touch my toy and scratch the finish which I had worked so hard to keep flawless.

After a while, when the newness wore off, and I realized that _____ was working me to death trying to keep it spotless and protected from the oustside world, I would loose interest in it, sell it, and usually taking a loss.

After selling all of my toys, I realized just how **** I was about keeping them in perfect, mint condition. I spent all of my time worrying about them, cleaning/protecting them, but not enough time enjoying them.

When I bought my MCS a while back, I brought it home. The wife went out and started moving stuff around in the garage so I could park it in the protective shelter away from the outside world. I asked her, "What are you doing that for?" She replied, "So you can hide it away from the world inside the garage." I thought about that, and it made sense to me. Why have something if you can't let yourself enjoy it.

It was hard, but yes I see now just how foolish I had been in the past. I really enjoy my MCS, but its just a car. It sits outside 90% of the time. It gets dirty, because I actually drive it on a daily basis. I do keep it clean, and polished, but don't go overboard on it. I don't won't door dings, or scratches, but if it happens its no big deal, just call the local PDR guy and they can be fixed. Life is better that way.

Yes I still park way out in the parking lot, I need the exercise.

Oh, and by the way, the last "toy" I sold was 3 years old and had less than 800 miles on it. I've had the MCS 4 months and it has 4300 miles on it.

Drive it, enjoy it, don't pamper it. Its just a car.

 

Poor Minis, they need to be driven more, you guys need to get out and enjoy motoring more often. I plan on keeping mine forever too, and beleve me its going to have some stories to tell .

Nik

 

i have an 04' MCS it has 19k miles on it, and for so cal I think that is pretty good. that will change though, since my new job requires me to travel.

 

I plan to keep mine forever too. She's an 06 MCSI drove off the lot in the middle of June last year. 29,300 miles so far.

 

Wow! I kind of envy you guys. My 7/03 MCS has 85,000+ miles. I won't begrudge you pride of ownership, especially since your babies are still practically new after four years, but I'll bet I've had a lot more fun with mine.

 

People,
I'm honored to have some great replies... Matt, I love your articles and I respect everyone's thoughts. Speck (because she came with a wierd spot of something in the bonnet paint) is a TOTAL toy. I've done a few mods and love the car. As a retired person, I don't think I'll ever be able to afford to replace the car. Part of the whole issue is, I just love seeing old cars that have been "loved!" I'm a total car freak and yes I'm ****! People have been blown away by my '67 Nova SS, '69 396 Nova, several MGs, a 68 Chevy PU rod, a TR-6, a 92 Miata, a '99 M3, the Liquid Yellow (top and body) MCS and how pampered/new they have looked after years of "love?" It is just part of being me and enjoying what looks like a beautifully cared for piece of machinery. You guys ROCK!!!!
Thanks for your ideas... Motor on!

 

My 03 MCS has 11K on it. One ding...right on the hood from a hand pushing down to hard. I was thinking about using a s-cup to get it out. Any tips?

 

Now you're talking. I have always wanted a 63 Nova coupe, but I don't guess it will ever happen. My first real car was a 1970 Nova SS, 4-speed trans, 350 with a 2 barrel carb, 3.73 rear end. I never understood why GM put a 2 barrel carb on such an awesome car.

I'd love to see pics if you have any.

 

and we have already logged over 7,000 miles. It's way to fun to keep under wraps.

PS...I don't drive her to work. I ride in a vanpool. Those are just fun miles

 

Do I really have the least amount of MOTORING miles? Someone else has to have stuffed a MINI away in a closet and is waiting to __________ .

"wscruiser"
My first car was a 57 chevy wagon. My 2nd a 60 Corvair. My 3rd a '60 Falcon (that I put a 289 in). My 4th a 63 Nova Hardtop that I put a 327 in! They were all way to fun. Wish I had one or two of them now, but really Speck the '03 MCS is awesome.

 

Oh so sad.. :( Please turn in the keys to your Mini and let someone really go out and enjoy them!
As for the dents... I"m equally as **** as the OP, with the exception of having a paintless dent guy on speed dial. I use him probalby once a year between the three cars. Well worth the $50 he charges. He hasn't met a door ding he could'nt fix perfectly.
That said... please...oh please... motor on!!!!

 

Picked up my MINI 12/03 and it has just turned over 25,000 miles and this is my daily driver. My 3 mile commute to work is a biatch ! ! LOL

 

Several of you in this thread should walk away from your computers with your heads hanging in shame.

Around a thousand miles a YEAR ? Geez, if it gets a ding, get it fixed !

Owning a MINI and not MOTORING in it is a lot like kissing your sister. I mean... what's the point ?

 

wow..to the original post..that's is VERY little miles. i have about that many miles and my car is about 6 months old!! i say. if you have another car to drive daily. drive that.
and when you want to enjoy the mini on weekends or on special occasions. ENJOY it!!
but me...i only have one car..being the mini so i drive it and enjoy every second of it.

 

I have a bit over a thousand miles a year 15 month around 2,800 miles!

 

who's owned a Triumph and will admit it to others can do whatever they like with a car! I guess you've kind of earned it....

Actually, I'm glad that there are those that keep things pristene. Then I don't have to feel bad when I don't! I was next to a paint-daub correct 65 Mustang convertable at a show, with my heavily modded car. Mine got more interest from drivers, the correct one from judges..... I log more miles on it, and it doesn't overflow the radiator surge tank, but you sure can't learn too much about what a Mustang was like when it was new....

Matt

ps, thanks for the kind words!

 

geeze, but with all of those other cars, i guess i could see that (Tmitty) I average about 13,000 a year on my 03mc.

 

Sorry, I didn't mean to mislead anyone...Those were cars that I have owned. Now Speck and a '99 Cherokee Sport fill up my garage.