Obviously we just feel differently; however, I refuse to feel bad about having a soft spot for my car. You love what you love, we love what we love. And just because I love my car doesn't mean I don't value relationships - that's just ridiculous.

 

you know when you were younger you saw these grammer
school/high school classmates that were subpar in grades or
hand/eye coordination, or had no sense of timing what so ever, etc.

well, those are now driving the same roads you are... there are no
surprises.

 

Oh man, I know. And the aesthetics of cars aside, people get in wrecks every day! It's just scary.

 

Didn't say anything negative about you or yours, my experience is cars are just that. I can't have a relationship with an inanimate object, maybe others think they can. I did say have FUN with it, my first one got crashed of no fault of mine, sitting at a red light, and I was in another 3 weeks later, it helps to not be tied to any one thing because s*** happens, I am only glad my daughter and I were OK, to h** with the car. Turned out to be a pretty SAFE little ride, so I bought another one.

 

I understand that, and if my car were wrecked, I would be sad, but of course grateful that I was safe. I just want to take care of my $23,000 investment. I know things/dents/scrapes/bumps will happen, but until they do, I want to try to prevent them. That's all.

 

I think we're in different worlds...I have fond memories of all the car's I've known in my life. From my mom & dad's old Ford station wagon that used to flood and leave us stranded at the grocery store, to the 67 Chevy Caprice my dad handed down to my oldest brother, to the 1970 something grand prix my other brother had with the small block 400 engine that was just scary, to the green '77 Impala station wagon I drove to school in high school to, oh the list goes on...how 'bout the first car you worked on? Or the car you took to prom? Or the car you drove your children from the hospital in? Car's have lots of memories in our lives...I know they do to me...they're not "just cars" to me.

 

Thank you for sharing! Ugh "just a car" some folks just have no joy in their lives. Yes we understand! Your NAM and fellow Mini owners are here for you! (Group hug!)

When I drive my Mini on the highway I feel very nervous because it seems everyone around me is driving like it's a demolition derby or something...I'm wondering if it's our nation's love affair with NASCAR? I mean do folks think they will just rub into your lane and bump you to go faster and, argh!!!

I'm always trying to get away from them! My Mini seems to have the same opinion because it sure zips along whenever called upon!

 

Cars represent transportation, freedom to go where and when you want. To me that equates to being different than just some object. People love all kinds of things that give them pleasure and are useful, a car can be one of those kind of things ... that is unless it has no soul, which most cars don't. To me a Mini has a personality beyond what it really is, my wife can't stop saying "it's cute" in her girly voice, but to me it 's just a "blast to drive and own". Anyway thats my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

Hooray! The joy of motoring. Thanks guys.

PS > My gas guage was showing exactly half a tank a few days ago and I had gone 250 miles (on ONE tank of gas, mind you) - whoa!

 

Just a car? Hmmm. . . if I line up, in my mind, all the people I have been close to in my life - - - and across some non-dimensional line in my mind, all the cars I have had or been close to (girlfriend's cars) in my life . . . Which group would prove out in direct comparison to have had more of my passion, time, interest. Which group would have been more reliable, dependable or supportive. Would I remember the last parting of the line of human relationships as well as the last parting with the vehicles?

Interesting to me. Sounds like I have my mind entertainment all arranged for my next Interstate Highway trip.

Every one of these cars had their bad driving days, dings, dints and breakdowns. And I've had bad days with all the people too. But so many more good days with both.

 

I remember once i got 420 miles on a tank of gas.
Now i'm lucky if i get 290 But atleast it only takes 18$ to fill it up completely! The mini was hitting about 40$ a fill up, although it was less often.

And you're doing city driving too!

 

Wow, Katherine, I'm sorry about your bad day! People just don't care anymore, no pride in ownership, no customer service... very sad.

When I first bought my Harley truck a huge hunk of cement came flying off a truck and right into my windshield! I nearly got in an accident because of it. Of course it chipped my very expensive windshield (I was told it would be over $800 to replace). Fortunately it never ran but it was upsetting!

 

Vent if it makes you feel better I can understand your anger. As you can see, there are quite a few good listeners out here which is great.

I dropped my daughter off at school this morning and started going to work when I needed to make a left turn. I had my signal going and couldn't see around a school bus facing me. I look up and the bus driver is waving and pointing at me then she gestures at my turn signal as though it wasn't working... After I make the turn, I pull up behind an SUV and check my signal (SUV's make nice mirrors ) they were working just fine. I guess that bus driver isn't used to seeing turn signals?

 

Bus drivers can be really nuts. My elementary school bus driver still haunts me - the bus driver on "South Park" reminds me of her They should really be more careful in that a) they are driving huge yellow vehicles that are roughly the size of a house and b) have children on board. But then again, if I had 50 screaming kids behind me while I was trying to drive in terrible traffic, who knows what I'd do.

 

Katherine i'm sure your parents are not only proud,but are happy you are able to purchase your own car.Q

 

Katherine, I have had my days similar to yours, so I know the feeling

If you think you have it bad up there in Richmond, one day you should make the drive to Miami People here are CRAZY, INSANE, LOCOS, whatever you wanna call it.

I have driven in Richmond and I agree the streets are in pretty bad shape, but the drivers, believe it or not, are light years away in competency to the crop of idiots we have to deal with here day in and day out.

I agree with CDMINI to an extent. Don't tie your life and emotions around a car. You are going to develop a panic attack..... Not worth it. I also love my car to bits and take obsessive care of it, but sometimes the stress takes away from the enjoyment.

 

My 03 MC is not, "just a car".

In January this year it was parked in the parking lot of a medical clinic.....far away from the other cars. I was inside waiting to get a prostate exam. I got paged to the desk in the clinic and a female voice said, "my car hit your MINI Cooper". Her POS 80 something Eagle Talon had rolled down a slight grade and bashed into the door of my MC. I went back into the clinic for my appointment, after I talked to the cop and got the Talon owners insurance information. Told the nurse what happened and she said, "it's just a car".

And then I had my prostate exam....talk about a bad day.

 

was todays driving better?

 

Today was actually much better. I was stressed for different reasons this morning - I misplaced my hair brush (genius), didn't have a lint roller for my black pants, ended up doing a horrible job ironing my sweater, etc. I guess that's what happens when you're a blonde - it's always something! But my commute was much better. Not exactly enjoyable, mind you, but not tortuous either.

 

That's good to hear! Hoping the rest of your day goes better

 

Excellent !! And since you were in Stella, it didn't matter that your black pants had lint, your sweater was not properly ironed to perfection, and your missing hair brush meant your "do" was not all the way "done". In Stella, you always will look great !

Now... in the office, that's a different story.

 

I just got my hair done last night to FIX my hair, and the color didn't take my hair... at all. I was going for a dark red/brown with blonde highlights, cause i'm getting tired of being blonde, but instead it came out a strawberry blonde. so i have to go BACK Saturday after the mini meet in Nova to not only color my hair to fix THIS one, but get the hair cut i paid for but we didn't have time to finish.

I took a shower last night, so this morning i could just wake up and get ready quick and go. I even had to get gas but i was on time... then I sat in traffic on 295 for a half hour this morning Good thing my boyfriend washed our clothes last night, and they were hung up neatly and ready to go... and i can't misplace anything with Mr. Perfectionist Organizer

I guess my day was just opposite of your day today :(

 

I'm sorry, Short Bus! :( I've had a few less-than-stellar hair experiences here recently too - my hair is this really unique color blonde, it's not really white, it's a very light gold color (I'm too fair for platinum, I'd be all the same color!). I recently had to switch stylists because with my 8:30-9:30 job as a paralegal + studying for the LSATs, Saturdays are really the only time I have available. My hair stylists only works weekdays - ugh! Needless to say it took my NEW stylist a few tries to get the color right - :(

I have to get on 64 past Old Mechanicsville, up past Laburnum, etc. - usually the line is atrocious and this one stoplight doesn't always work (awesome). I feel your pain; luckily today it wasn't too terrible.

And yes, MINIs do improve one's appearance - people stare whether I look great or terrible!

 

Glad to hear your car came out okay. And dont feel bad about wanting to keep your car looking good. My Mini is the first nice new car I've owned, and
I totally baby it.
Hey short bus, Itsays in your icons your looking to get a pepper white. Did you know that rcoopers (richard) Mini is for sale at saturn of west broad?
Didn't know if you were looking to buy new or used. You definatley cant go wrong with buying his Mini.

 

Some people should learn how to drive!!

And if someone is going to smoke cigarettes in his or her car, why can't he or she uses the ashtray?

but, in the end, you survived that trip home!