Dateline: Baltimore: Empty Nesters... daughter lives in Japan... we've got the winter blahs... SO... We hit the MINI dealership!!!!!

AND... wife is on a diet so she'll look hot in her red convertible... we named the new girl Maggie (Spicey Edition) :-)

2009 MINI Convertible S
Red with black stripes
Checkered mirrors
Cold Weather Pkg
Sport Pkg
Auto
Tuscan leather
Blue tooth & I-pod
Wind Screen
Chrome line trim
17" wheels

We just got production number. The two labs are getting used to their doggles.

 

Chili Red... black stripes... checkered mirrors.... that is going to be one HOT lookin' MINI !!!

 

Sounds beautiful! Red with Tuscan (tan) leather was my original build.

 

Congrats, can't wait for pics!!!

 

almost.... got.... buyer's.... remorse.... A co-worker has a "99 Boxter for sale. I stayed the course with Maggie. If funds were better, there would be two topless girls, Maggie and Jezie, in the garage. But Jezie will have to await another day.

OK Seriously folks... I've wanted a Boxter since the first day I saw on in Motor Trend in the 90's. Being a working-class guy, I just kept wishing. So, I signed up for a Cooper Convertible S during a recession... then along comes the Boxter. My credit rating is good enough to go for the German girl... but i just can't over extend myself... Good looking high-maintenance girls have nearly killed me before. So the Boxter will have to wait another day.

 

I love the Boxster, too. So I can understand your trepidation.

But 10-year old Porsche vs Brand New MINI.... I'd pick the MINI.

 

Serious, the MINI is the better choice. And it feels better from 0-60 mph according to the my friends at work that have driven both.

 

Thanks for the support. I'm sure the MINI will be great. The bride can't wait for it to get here. She checks the status every day. And so do I.

While I could have gone for both a new MINI and a 10-year old Boxter, I didn't want to over extend myself. I'm really a motorcycle guy, with three in the garage. It will be time to swap one of them out when the 2010s arrive. So a Boxter will have to wait until the MINI is paid off... and I build a bigger garage.

 

Between used vs new I'd take new 99.9% of the time.
I'm the guy that bought new VWs when his friends were buying used MBs and BMWs.
Nothing like that new car smell, warranty, ect

I love two wheels as well, and have restored 8 vintage BMWs.
Currently have a 67 BMW + sidecar and a 08 Vespa GTS (250).
Hoping for a GS Adventure one day.

 

That's a really sweet '61 Beemer. My garage is all current stuff. A Yamaha FJR1300, a KTM 530 dual-sport and a KTM-300XCW(e) enduro bike. I hope to add a Yamaha 400 Majesty or a 250 Vespa to the litter.

The MINI will be my first convertible. My wife thinks I should sell the FJR and go helmet-less. But those 0-60s in 3.8 ... and the 11.0 sec 1/4 miles... are just too much fun. A big-bore metric bike is the cheapest thrill you can have (with you cloths on).

 

congarts..

 

Maggie has made it through the birth canal and awaits transport across the pond. It won't be long and the spicey red head will be in America.

 

My little redhead is at the dealer... delivery is this Friday. Yaa Hoo!!! Sadly, it snowed today in Maryland. But Sunday should be 60 degrees. That's topless weather.... as long as it isn't raining.

 

Congrats!!!

I wish I could say the same. Where is this damn car?!?! Mine arrived this past friday and I still don't have any info. We aren't even far from the port, plus I didn't get many options.

Enjoy the sweet spring weather with the top down for me!

 

If we get our cars after Friday, then it will have taken as long after getting off the ship as it did getting across the pond.

 

And if BikerBanker is in Maryland, then we've got to be getting ours to the dealer today. We're closer!

 

I'm so annoyed by this wait.....

 

We took delivery last Saturday. It was a rainy day in Baltimore, but the sun did come out late afternoon. My lovely bride, Brenda, cried when Mini of Towson rolled it out "Maggie" for the very first time. We did about 100 miles Saturday and another 50 or so on Sunday. The weather was cool... low 50s... but the top was down the entire time.

Overall impression of the car is good. The motor has a bit of off-idle turbo-lag, but otherwise, runs strong. At idle, there is a bit more engine noise than most cars, but not significant. On the throttle with the top down, there is just enough "song" to tell you she's running well.

But the best part is that EVERYBODY who sees it, loves it. The "cool" factor can not be over estimated.

 

Congratulations Bikerbanker and Brenda!!

you know the "rules"...you have to post some pictures of the car outside and inside...I'm especially curious to see that tuscan leather on the R57 since I was so tempted to get that instead of the punch black. I still have to wait a few more weeks to pick up our Chili Red convertible S...

So, Hope to see those pics soon! Congrats again!!