I'm a car guy, there's no question about it. I've owned 50+ cars in my 19 years of driving and have driven absolutely everything. My current garage is a 500hp supercharged jaguar xkr, hummer h2(the big one), 6 liter turbodiesel excursion, corvette stringray, original beetle convertible, and my wife's fusion. And now I've bought a mini for my daughter.

And I'm green with envy.

I think it's the 6 speed manual gearbox paired with the peppy little supercharged engine and the gocart like size. The car is just silly. I could hop in the jag and go 170mph racing down the speedway, but the jag has a face that is "serious business". I could hop in the vette with the top down, but it's 4 speed tranmssion leaves a lot to be desired on the highway, and it's "mature". The hummer crawls off road tackling any terrain. The excursion will tow 12,000lbs without batting an eye. the fusion is sensible. But only one word comes to mind when driving the mini: Fun. It's not angry or aggressive. I feel connected to the road when I'm driving. I feel like it'll do whatever I want it to do, and won't ask any questions. Fast, stops on a dime, corners like it's on rails. It just fills a spot in my heart that isn't filled by any other vehicle.

That's why it's going to be difficult to hand over the keys when the time comes. But hopefully I'll make many great memories teaching her how to drive a manual transmission, and teaching her the joy of driving.

 

I hear you on that one. I got mine from the wife and really came to enjoy driving it despite the automatic, but the drop top helps.

Don't put Konis and sticky tires on it or you won't give it back to your daughter.

 

Here is what you need to know:
Many of us bought a Mini, then found they were life changing little monsters, then, all of a sudden, you find you have two, then you find two is not enough, I mean you have a hatch and it is serious fun, then you need a convertible , then you find that a John Cooper Works model make a huge difference..... and then on and on. Been there and done that and sounds like you are about ready for more medicine too!
My flock after 1 1/2 years of ownership of the first one, a 2005 MCS.
My flock:

 

I own two cars, a new Z06 Corvette and a 2005 Mini Cooper S. My two favorite cars.

 

 

I have a friend. He's never been one to scare easy in a car. The MINI is the only car I've owned that has scared him and it's because I was still using the skinny pedal when I "should have" been using the brake. I've never seen him grab the OS handle, but he did that day when I dove into a curve that no sane person would hit at that speed.

 

Haha and if your mini is old enough, there isn't even an OS handle! I love my mini. No regrets getting the vanity plate ♥2DRVIT

 

Don't give that one to her, take her out in it, see if she likes it, and buy another haha.

You guys in the U.S. have the lovely luxury of space, I'm so envious of you lot, you can lose twenty cars and still have room to build a second house haha. I have to master the art of storage and manoeuvring in my poor environment haha.

These R53's are the best next to the classic Mini. The model is lost since these, to frumpy styling and cosy looks rather than the rakish cheeky styling and performance becoming of the 'Mini'.

Altering things can become a slippery slope too, but Minis agree with it haha.




Missed a gear!

 

 

I feel ya brother. I bought one for my son and I am teaching him to drive a manual....Now My wife and I fight over who is going to drive it. It is just fun....period. No other car I have ever driven is so connected to the road and driver

 

We need to start a Mini anonymous club for addicted to Mini Cooper! addicts!
I am sure it would only get worse though!

 

I have a 91 Toyota MR2 I bought new in 1990. It is mint with 38K miles. I took it out last weekend for the first time in 3 years. The mini is so much more fun to drive. I would not mind one for a DD.