Happy 4th of July. :smile:
As a treat for my son I gave him his 1st driving lesson today on the 4th of July...in my 2005, MC S ! His first time behind the wheel. Although he stalled it a few times, he got the hang of it. Watching someone grind your gears is painful, however, it was great knowing he can now say .."the first car I ever drove was a MS S on the 4th of July!"

I have two other kids coming up. I think this will be our tradition. I'll put a photo in my gallery one day soon.

Happy 4th.
Come visit us at the MINI Cooper register on the Home page of NAM. 160 members and over 500 pictures now from around the world. (Blue Marble Yearbook).

 

Maybe in a few years he will be saying, "The best car I ever drove was a MCS" Nothing like passing on a great feeling for a great car!!

Earl

 

he will remember today forever

 

he is one lucky young man!

 

Now that he's driven an MCS, he's not going to be happy with any other car, methinks...

 

Way to go! How young/old is your son?

M.Jr. does great with the clutch on my MINI, but I am deathly paranoid of him scrubbing a curb and giving my JCW rims curb rash!

 

I remember those days, last week when I got the MCS, I just handed my son the keys and told him to take it easy cause of break-in. He came back and said it fun. He liked it but I think its not quick enough for what he's used to..

 

I have the same question ... :smile:
Funny, my son (14) and I did this same thing on this same day, .... but it was in my Ford Expidition!

He ain't gettin anywhere close to my S ....

 

02blues,

Great to hear about you. A new MINI tradition for your family!

Is your MCS an automatic or 6 speed? If manual, then try learning the 1st and second gear transition on a slightly downhill straight road. I found this helps greatly. Next try the same, from a stop get into first then from first into second on a flat road then on a slightly uphill grade road.

I taught my oldest daughter in my MCS this way.

For the 4th I was out practice driving with my 2nd daughter in my old Maxima with auto transmission. Her test is in 2 days and she hasn't been out in the MCS yet. She's off to school in about a month.

 

That is an awesome tradition to start. I can't think of a better car to leave a lasting memory in your child.

My daughter starts driving soon. I would like to have a similar tradition, but I'm not sure I can stomach letting her learn on my clutch.

Maybe we'll get a rental to start?

 

LOL...I can hardly stomach my dad driving our/mine /his MCS and he's been driving manuals all his life . I'm counting down the days until it's turned over to me for good.

My best friend and I have driven each other's cars ('89 MR2 and '02 MCS). After a few more mods to each, we're the only two people that either of us would trust driving them.

 

Thanks all. That was a fun thread. I printed the whole thing and will pass it on to my son with a few pictures from the drive. He is 7 years old....Just kidding. He is 14. I want him to have TONS of seat time and maybe some driving school time before he gets on the road. I might have to buy another Cooper so I can have a fresh one.

PS; minihune... it is a 6 speed. My wife wanted him to drive the tahoe automatic....I am pretty easygoing...but this one was not on the table .
Thanks again all.