(Marks MINI was an auto too ... and there's nothing wrong with that!)

 

Condolences and congratulations.
Thanks for all your efforts hosting/helping with MINI Nav updates - you'll be missed!

edit: any details on your roof graphic? what does it say on there? I didn't see anything in the blog.

 

My roof graphic was the 'Flag of Honor'. US flag with the names of those that perished on 9/11.

 

Sounds like a "we can still be friends" speech intended for a jilted lover....lol...

One of the nice things about being broke, is that once you are broke the fear of going broke has been removed. Ditto for the fear of cars falling apart. Only those who can't afford another car can be truly free of the nagging question "should I dump it and get something else".... And then there is the "satisfaction of ownership" thing that goes along with having single handedly driven a car completely into the ground, the fond memories of years (not months or weeks) of transportation provided...,,

Is there anything more rewarding than looking at totally bald tires and saying to yourself, yeah, I'm the one who wore these babies out?

 

Yo Mark, ignore the naysayers ...

Take a look at this http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/061206/law067.html?.v=77

for 2006 cars, Lexus ranked SECOND (behind Toyota) in repeat buyers ... about 2 out of 3 Toyota/Lexus buyers buy another ... that's loyality to a brand

MINI? I won't say where MINI placed ... just read the reference because I am NOT bashing MINI. Its just another survey and most ppl here ignore CR or JD powers.

I KNOW your MINI was your baby.... You put a LOT of time, effort, and money into that car. Sad you couldn't keep both

 

Perhaps you've found this already: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...p?showforum=93

Looks like they are complaining about creaking sunroofs and expensive oil changes Some things never change

 

They're complaining about a $125 oil change Thats so funny.

 

I wonder if they get three years free maintenance like some cars come with

 

Too bad you dumped the MINI, but the Lexus is a very nice car. Congrats!

 

No hating. Enjoy your new ride! We let Chowsie hang out here still, so I guess you can stay and play.

 

I wonder why Chows doesn't hang around more the Porsche boards.....hmmmmm

 

Nice Lexota.

 

Best of luck to you. You sold a car with loads of soul for an ....well an appliance. A very nice one, but one just the same.

Someone will adopt your MINI & love it.

Edit.....Good luck with your new car. You WILL miss your MINI.

 

Actually, I do.

However, I just love your devout reverance to the HIgh Lords in Oxford so much ... I just can't miss it

Besides, if you believe JD Powers, you will be owningToyota soon!

 

You mean BMWs? Those cars that have the maintenaince built into the base price

 

Weren't you the one that posted that you would never sell your car and keep it forever? I replied to that post laughing and stating that everything changes including needs and tastes... well... guess I was right..

I had the IS on my short list when I was thinking of selling the mini.. It was the 335, G35 and the IS... The IS had the most comfortable ride out of all of them.. The usual fine execution and materials... I just found it lacking in feel and character. I guess it all depends on what you are after. None of those cars could match the feedback and feel of the mini... so my search continues.. not to mention the money saved by owning the mini...

Good luck and enjoy your new car..

 

Actually, I hate to break it to you Mark, but Kurt is right. Part of the requirement for registering as a non-profit social club this year is that we had to have something that makes us "special", i.e. different from any other social club. Ownership of a MINI therefore became a requirement, not optional, to be a member. I do believe we also accept having a MINI on order. This is a new change as of 2006.

All it basically means is that we can't accept your membership renewal when your current term expires.

BUT

That doesn't mean you can't still come and hang with us! All it really means (I think), once your current membership expires, is that:

1. You won't don't have a vote in board elections, etc.
2. If you want to join us for any driving events, you'll have to pay the $5 non-member fee.
3. You won't be able to "use" your membership for the discount at local dealers (like you'd care any more heh).

That's it! No reason we can't hang out, right?

 

Man, you guys are tight.

Hey Mark, do you own a scale model MINI?

Do the bylaws DEFINE what a MINI is, or that it must be full scale?

 

I traded my 04 Infiniti FX35 (which is a GREAT SUV) for my 05 PW/B MCS. I traded that for my 06 CR/B MCS/JCW. I'm done tradin'.(I think)

You'll learn this but its what every old guy eventually says" If only I would've kept my....insert car.
In my case, If only I would have kept my '69 Roadrunner, 383 Mag, Hurst 4 speed when the starter went out and I couldn't afford to fix it. If only I would have kept my '70 Challenger RT, 383 Mag, Hurst 4 speed..... when the alternator went out and I couldn't afford to fix it. I was 22 and 25 respectively. You'll learn my friend, you'll learn.

 

Yo C4 ... I was just checking out the RAV4 board which I frequent once in a while and then I remembered why I don't read it much anymore ...

Its SO boring ... all they talk about over there is all the awards Toyota wins for this and that and how Toyota has passed Ford as #2 and going to walk over GM next.

And then the individual forums are so BORING. All they talk about is option colors and how everything just .... works.

sigh ... its really boring when they get into "how many miles you got on your car" ... so tired of hearing 200K ... 300K and only changed the oil.

 

Sigh ... If only I had kept that Ferrari GTO ... and just couldn't afford the oil changes anymore ... had to let it go so cheap too

 

Hey congrats on the new car, enjoy it!

After some seat time let us know your thoughts on it, I'd be interested to hear about it (but whatever you do, do *not* post about the great service you get from Lexus, that's just salt in the wound ).

Nice pearly color by the way, what is the inside? Too bad about that drilled bumper with the plate, almost all cars look better with that darn front plate off/relocated :P

 

Edge, when was the board of DCMM going to tell it's members about this? Because my girlfriend and sister are both members and they don't have MINIs either.

 

That is part of the "Family" membership. I believe the club has just started a seperate price for "individual" and "family". When we joined, it was just one price for either. Now, if your GF gets a MINI, and pays for a "family" and she decides you are now family than you are back in.

 

Only a year and a half of ownership? This seems to me to be a bit like the Spears-Federline marriage. Too short and not so sweet. Hope ya like the Toyoxus. I hear they're nice old men's cars.