After some small (accessories-related) frustrations at the dealership, Toby is finally home and ready to drive. This is my first Mini and so far I am enjoying the experience quite a bit. In a few weeks I'm going to move from Newport Beach, CA to Annapolis, MD. And I'm going to do it in Toby, which should be fun/interesting. Will try my best to post pictures of my adventure.


Plugs:

Johnny at Johnny's Auto Clinic installed the Valentine One radar detector and did a bang up job. That was my first experience with Johnny (who had come highly recommended) and I was very impressed. He is honest, very versed in the Minis, and has a great reputation. If you need any Mini work in the SoCal area, here is his info:

Johnny's Auto Clnic
717 W. Capitol Drive
San Pedro, CA 90731
310-521-0330
www.johnnysautoclinic.com

Also, I have to plug Sal from Perfect Window Tint. He did a great job installing the Huper Optik tint and I would absolutely recommend him:

Perfect Window Tint
3071 S. Harbor Blvd
Santa Ana, CA 92704
714-546-1001

 

Very nice!!!

 

Congrats. I've already got over 500 miles on mine. I guess you will catch up when you go cross country.

You gonna put all your worldly possessions on the roof rack when you move? A Grapes of Wrath MINI...

 

Great car ! Sounds like a great trip you have planned.I'd stop at the Dragon if I was headed that way.

 

Actually, I've paired down all my worldly possessions to the bare necessities: clothes, macbook pro, ipod (soon iphone too!) and mtn bike. So it will all fit in the Mini, which is both pitiful and incredibly liberating.

Nice job on 500 miles! I'm at 400 already, but most of that is from going back and forth to my dealer :( The cross country miles should be more interesting. Grapes of Wrath Mini for sure!

 

Beautiful MINI, congratz. Best of luck to you on your cross-country endeavor.

 

Congrats! What dealer did you order from? How long after the boat docked did you get your Mini?

Have a great trip across the country. What a cool memory to begin your life with the car.

 

Thanks. I ordered from South Bay Mini. My MA was Amanda White, she was very helpful. After the boat docked, it was about a week.

 

Good to know. We ordered from the same place. I thought the outside looked familiar.

Good luck with the car and your trip.'

 

Thanks. When did you order it?

 

what is the story on your wheel swap? One shot - S-winders, next looks like JCWs

 

Seems like we order three years ago. I think it was around mid April.

Update. I think it was more the beginning of April so don't feel bad rover

 

I ordered from Amanda at South Bay MINI also at the end of April.

Nui,
Which production week were you assigned?

 

Week 17

 

I ordered two weeks after you, same dealership, same MA and I'm looking at a week 23 production. I really haven't received an explanation other than I was bumped back.

 

I had ordered the R105's but took delivery of the car before the wheels had come in. The wheels finally came in and I went back to the dealer to have the R105s put on. (the s-winders I have since sold)

 

Acura NSX , damn

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of Mini!!! It really doesn't get much better Congrats!

 

Beautiful, love the interior! Enjoy, and drive safely.

 

great looking MINI! congrats and have a great x-country trip... i did it recently and was very impressed with the ride!

 

Like your JCW wheels. I, too, am considering them. Do you have the Sport Pkg? How's the ride? Even though I didn't get the Sport Pkg, I'm still afraid the 18" wheels might be too jarring. How do you feel about the ride?

Lloyd

 

coming from another PS owner.

On your trip east, be sure to try Colorado. We will give you some great roads to drive and if you time it right and give us notice, MINI5280 will get a group together for a ride.

Just let us know when....

Thanks,

Jonathan

 

I don't have the Sport Package, which is actually something that I'm regretting a little bit. The ride, to be honest, seems better with the 18" wheels than with the 16" wheels that came with the car. To my butt, it doesn't seem much stiffer at all, and in fact feels a little more composed (although it does dart to the left and right a little more when accelerating/going over irregularities, but that's more a tire thing: I have the Bridgestone RFs). It's honestly not quite stiff enough for me. Although my last ride was an Acura NSX, so I'm used to a stiff riding car, so I may not be the best person to ask.

Ultimately I'm glad I got them and can totally recommend them.

 

Thanks Jonathan, that's really great hospitality. I DEFINITELY am planning on hitting CO. I'm going to be driving from Newport Beach, CA to Syracuse, NY (then on to Annapolis, MD). I really want to hit CO and UT and all up for recommendations ...

As far as timing, I'm going to start driving June 5th.

 

Sure is purdy! The redwood red interior is a beaut and the 18's ain't bad either, congrats and enjoy!

But why did you ditch the NSX if you don't mind me asking?