Hi folks. Just ordered an S convertible, laser blue, with a decent number of options.

I noticed that everyone here seems to give their cars female names. Traditionally, I've named all my convertibles "Kenmobile." This will be the "Kenmobile Mark VII." Is that okay? Or will the MINI community shun me if I don't come up with a girl's name? I don't want to be shunned. I want to learn the secret handshake and the special Morse code MINI owners use to communicate with their headlights!

 

You always name them "Kenmobile"? After yourself?

You do not have to have a female car to belong... although it might be nice to put forth some real effort to think of a name that's different from EVERY other car you've had. Not trying to be brutal... but a Cooper is not just another car. You will surely figure that out after being here for awhile.

Sometimes it takes awhile to really come up with a name... sometimes the name changes after the personality develops. If "Kenmobile Mark VII" really tugs at your heartstrings, then go with it... you won't be shunned. Just think about that before you put it on the birth certificate.

Good luck and congrats on your order.

For some reason, I'm thinking "Bob". I don't know why.

 

Hi Ken,

2 weeks ago, I also ordered a laser blue S convertible. I have never named any car or bike I have had, so I may be in trouble with you. If anything I would like to name it "BluByU" but I think that's already taken. As to the handshake and light code, maybe they will tell us when we pick up our Minis.

And now we hear there is a "birth certificate?"

The picture of mine in my signature is from the Mini configurator.

 

I wanted my MINI to be a girl (thought I would enjoy being in a girl rather than a guy but hey whatev). But my MINI decided it was a guy anyway and the name Oblio from Harry Neilson's "The Point" became his name.

 

To some of us, a MINI is just another car. We name them accordingly, oftentimes after we have an experience or three in them. Some of us go boy names, some go girl names...it's more a matter of the feeling you get while being in the car.

Me, I chose a male name, but it's a name rarely actually used--more an occasional sign of affection. As is so often the case, your mileage may vary.

 

I am not totally comfortable with the whole "naming one's car" thing. I am giving it a shot, though. You could go with "He Who Shall Not Be Named", I suppose.

 

My coming '09 MINI Cabrio is 'Faust'...



Honestly though, I've used 'Faust' on a few ordered German cars in the past (even euro delivery).

My BMW motorcycles usually have names to, like Schnellzug.

 

We will tell you these additional secrets, but first you must tell us where the secret compartment is. Once you do, then we'll know that you know "the secret of secrets", thus unlocking the door to all the other secrets!

_

 

Faustus, Faustus. Classic, but damned.

 

How 'bout the ever popular "Formerly known as _________" ?

 

Mr. Nobody? Madame X?

 

I usually only use the name "Kenmobile" when asking friends if they want a ride, as in, "Do you want to ride in the Kenmobile?" When I refer to the car itself, I usually call it "Baby," as in, "Hear me, Baby? Hold together!"

Hey, there's a name: The Post-Millennium Falcon!

As for a woman's name... It would have to be one not attached to anyone I've ever known.

Oooh! "Mad Marge," because it's blue!

 

There's a secret compartment????

 

"MAD MARGE"! That's SWEET! Quick... take it before anyone else does!

But then... it's a "girl" name. I must say though... never underestimate the power of a little woman! Maybe that's why I'm partial to girl names (pretty much only have named my MINIs)... they're SO cute... but totally underestimated.

 

Oh no! I have to reserve the name??? Are the instructions for that in the secret compartment???

 

"Whatever you do, don't call it Shirley." I'd wait until you've driven the car a few miles. My car pretty much telepathed his name (Capt'n Jack) to me on the drive home from the dealer.

 

PS: Welcome to NAM-land; you will find clues to the secret compartment in the mini manual.

 

Hmmm. Is the secret compartment the one where you press the glove box button twice, and the little top part opens up? Or is it the one there you press your thumb on the center of the speedo and a disco ball pops up out of the dash (do not use while driving?)

 

My disco ball (first Gen) experienced reflective surface issues at 20k so I blacked it out. Looks sweet.

 

Oooooooh... Ahhhhhhhh... a DISCO BALL!

Hey Stanislaus- LOVE that faucet face.

Ken- How's Mad Marge working for ya'? I was thinking about "Large Marge" the other day... was that Pee Wee Herman or Amazing Stories? Anyone remember?

 

Yeah, Large Marge was the ghost trucker from Pee Wee, I think.

I suppose if I had gone with yellow, I could have had a whole Simpsons theme going on. But I'll stick to just Mad Marge and my custom plate:

R D R R

 

"...Along this very stretch of road..." Yes, that was Large Marge.
Miniola, thank you for the compliment on the sink pic, but I ganked it. I went looking for examples of pareidolia on the web and that popped up.

 

The sink is obviously Emo Phillips (http://www.emophilips.com/pictures/202) in plumbing form.

 

I missed business hours, but the automated fellow at ASK-MINI says Mad Marge is already in the body shop! Woot!

 

Kenmobile is OK as long as you don't have a significant other naming her car "Barbiemobile." I'd have to do a drive by if you two did that.


My license plate has my MINI's name, not a boy or girl, it's a combo of a bug and a kapoot business entity: "Gnatstr"