It seems that I overreacted & I apologize.
Simple test:
X) - drove my Mini, from my driveway to church and back. Roundtrip = 5.1 miles.
Y)- drove my Honda Odyssey minivan, driveway/church/back, same lane & same exact route.
Roundtrip = 5.1 miles.
BAD NEWS: I obviously miscalculated the distances that I've covered (shopping mall, pizza place, etc.) in my original post.
GOOD NEWS: I was having so much fun driving my Mini that it rendered me "dazed & confuzed" relative to the distances that I've covered.
CONCLUSION: My grin to grin factor is still up there. It truly is a FUN car to drive. So far so good.... time flies when you're having fun (or should I say: miles accumulate when you're having fun...)