So, how many days will it be before we see pictures of Tux's car? :) I expect he'll be out motoring for quite a while given the horrible wait he's been through!

Now that exams are over, I've started driving my MINI full time to get used to the manual transmission (this is my first manual car! i feel a bit sorry for it actually) and the extra handling. And, of course, to show the car off to my friends, since it hasn't really been living up here in Blacksburg until now. Spent a lot of time this evening in an abandoned office park learning parking lot driving - highway driving at speed is pretty straightforward, pick a gear and go! :cool:

Less than a week until the cross country drive begins. I can't wait!

Ben

Hey! I wondered what had happened to you. I looked your e-mail address up on the VT web site. I was going to e-mail you at the end of the week if I didn't see you here. I thought maybe you had departed for your west coast trip without saying goodbye to us all. :)

So, how's the driving going? Luckily, the MINI has a really easy transmission. It's quite smooth to drive. My best advice for learning how to drive a manual transmission is to turn the stereo down a bit, and learn to drive by sound. I learned on a 1979 Ford Bronco - 3 spd on the column. First I drove in a field. Then my dad took me to a big hill and wouldn't let me get my license until I could take off on the hill. Brutal, but I suppose it was worth it. That thing was a lot louder than the MINI, but with the stereo down or off, you can still hear. After that, you get used to how it feels and it starts to come natural. Some may disagree, but it helped me.

Have a good day,

Debbie

Ben: Good luck with the new stick shift. I have always thought that the best way to learn to drive a manual is to buy one. Then you hafta learn!

And now: The clock in Black Jack just ticked over to HAPPY HOUR! Plus, more pics! (http://photobucket.com/albums/v617/crazy4blues/Black%20Jack/) Several were snapped as I was driving.

Nice pics, Johhny L! Interesting license plate frame you got there... (Says "Murray" :D )

BTW: I'm having trouble dealing with the break-in period being finished: I developed a habit of short-shifting to prevent revving over 4500, and now it's ingrained! I feel myself cringing when the revs hit 5500, then realizing it's okay, then hittin' the gas! That does NOT make for smooth ridin'! :rolleyes: :D I'll get over it. It sure gets up to six grand quickly, once you let it, though... Mmmmm, Must develop new habits... DOH!

Thing is, there's plenty of oomph for me most of the time at the lower revs.

_Dave_

Ahem...

Those of you in CA or NV, or anyone who likes to drive their MINI, check out this run: http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91371

Ahem...

Those of you in CA or NV, or anyone who likes to drive their MINI, check out this run: http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91371

Can you provide us with an overview? I saw this thread yesterday, and got about three pages into it without it making sense.... It looks like a close-knit group of MINI drivers from Ireland planning a little jaunt on the US West Coast.

Are other MINI drivers being invited? I keep seeing references to limitations to only 10 -20 drivers...

_Dave_

Can you provide us with an overview? I saw this thread yesterday, and got about three pages into it without it making sense.... It looks like a close-knit group of MINI drivers from Ireland planning a little jaunt on the US West Coast.

Are other MINI drivers being invited? I keep seeing references to limitations to only 10 -20 drivers...

_Dave_

It is a wild free for all in that thread!

No limit on drivers, the original limit was because they thought only about 15 MINIs would be available to rent. Now they are going to rent Mustangs, etc, and drive along with the US MINI owners.

There was never a limit on US drivers. ;) I'll get Aiden to update the first post to reflect that. :)

Route is in the planning stages, but it's basically going to be a loop, San Diego to LA to SF to Vegas, then back to original airport.

I thought maybe you had departed for your west coast trip without saying goodbye to us all. :)

Heck no! I've just been taking exams. Thanks to people like Ken, many of us students disappear from the face of the earth for a few weeks in early May :)

I put a good 120 miles on the car in two days driving it around, showing it off and getting to know the transmission. Honestly, I think the Cooper S is an easier car to drive than many of the manual cars I'd tried before, since it has so much power available. There is enough power to recover when things go wrong, which adds a lot of confidence to the learning process.

As others have said, I've discovered I run out of speed limit a whole lot faster than I run out of power. I also run out of RPMs pretty quickly due to break-in, but in a few days that will be taken care of :) In two days of heavy driving of the car, i've gone from "not sure I really wanted a manual" to "wouldn't have it any other way". That said, I have nothing against an automatic in the Cooper S - but I would wholeheartedly recommend a manual to someone who is hesitating simply because they have no experience with one.

So for those of you interested, here's the route for the trip. I'll try to post pictures at each step of the way if I can get internet access. Anyone who can suggest good side roads that don't take too long or cool roadside attractions along this route, I'm all for it!

(edited to use quote boxes to make this somewhat readable...)


Roanoke, VA to Lexington, KY
I-81 S to US 460 W
(entering West Virginia)
US 460 W to I-77 N
I-77 N to I-64 W
(entering Kentucky)

Lexington, KY to Topeka, KS
I-64 W
(entering Illinois)
(entering Missouri)
I-64 W to I-70 W

(entering Kansas)

[B]Topeka, KS to Cheyenne, WY
I-70 W
(entering Colorado)

I-70 W to I-25 N
(entering Wyoming)

[B]Cheyenne, WY to Yellowstone
I-25 N to US-20 N
US-20 N to US-120 N
US-14 W into Yellowstone

Yellowstone to Spokane
[Sightseeing in Yellowstone]
US-89 N from Yellowstone
US-89 N to I-90 W

Spokane to Seattle
I-90 W to Redmond!

Ben

It is a wild free for all in that thread!
... There was never a limit on US drivers. ;) I'll get Aiden to update the first post to reflect that. :)

Route is in the planning stages, but it's basically going to be a loop, San Diego to LA to SF to Vegas, then back to original airport.


T H A N K Y O U ! ! ! :cool:

_Dave_

T H A N K Y O U ! ! ! :cool:

_Dave_

and my March baby says she would like to see all the other MINIs from the March litter there. :D

Magictux - your MINI is cool too! That red inside really pops off. I love that. It's a little odd seeing the steering wheel on a different side. Boy that would take some getting used to for me. Hope you're having fun with your MINI.

Debbie


Thanks Debbie. I've often wondered about driving on the 'right' side of the road instead of the 'correct' side. ;) I can't imagine changing gears with the right hand either. Boy, it's bad enough getting used to the indicator stalk being on the left. :(

My wife and I went out to a local cafe and parked the car across the street so we could look at it.. This is a sickness.. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: ;)

and my March baby says she would like to see all the other MINIs from the March litter there. :D
I'd be glad to send you a pic of me in the seat of our MINI and you can carry it around with you for fun, cuz that's a little too far for us. :D We'd LOVE to be there, trust me...but real life (i.e. work) has a way of getting in the way. Yanno?
We'll be there in spirit, howzat?

Uncle Taz

[QUOTE=AprilWhine]and my March baby says she would like to see all the other MINIs from the March litter there. :D[/QUOTE

AprilW: not so far for me to travel, of course. Sounds like a blast. I might like to try to be a part of at least some of it--well, maybe all. It's hard to know for sure how much time I'll be able to take off then. Should I let the fellas on that thread know I'm an enthusiastic maybe? Like Dave, I wasn't so sure if they wanted it to be just a Euro thing.

Yes, it would be fun to meet all the March folks. Won't be as fun without Taz :(

It won't be the same without Taz. :(

Crosebud, go ahead and post on the sign up thread!

This run started as drunken speculation on the MtM run in Ireland earlier this month. That is why it's mainly Euro posting for the first page or two. But one of the main points of the thread is to meet US MINI2ers and drive with them here. :)

Long time away, but right now looks like the Euro bunch will fly into LA and pick up cars. Then drive around and see some sights before heading up the coast. Turn at SF and down the back side to Vegas. From there, on to San Diego, then back to LA for the end. :)

I'm heading out from VA to do it, just not sure yet if I'll be in my MINI or part of the rental car brigade. :D

What a nice spot for morning coffee! Morning coffee for me is at my desk looking out the window at the train tracks across the street. Yuck! Anyway, cool photos! The bridge is nice too. :-) Debbie


Debbie, yes, well morning coffee isn't always so glorious. Today it is foggy. I am looking out onto an alley--well, not a bad alley, but still . . . would rather be out motoring, my MINI shining in the sun :(

AprilW: I see I'm already on the list of interested on the Calif/Nevada run. Cool.

Kellzir? Got the MINI?

Like my cool new sig? :cool:

Like my cool new sig? :cool:
I'm jealous :mad: :o :rolleyes: :D

Thanks Debbie. I've often wondered about driving on the 'right' side of the road instead of the 'correct' side. ;) I can't imagine changing gears with the right hand either. Boy, it's bad enough getting used to the indicator stalk being on the left. :(

My wife and I went out to a local cafe and parked the car across the street so we could look at it.. This is a sickness.. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: ;)

Isn't it funny what we get used to. I would like to try driving on the right side of the car and on the other side of the road one day though. It would definitely be different...and probably scary for the other drivers on the highway.

I understand about the sickness too. I've only been driving my MINI to work on the days when the sun is shining. He hasn't been driven in the rain yet. When I sell my car, I will have to quickly find a replacement second car so that my MINI doesn't have to go out in undesirable weather. I just haven't been able to do it to him! He's so cute that I don't want to get him dirty if I don't have to! :rolleyes:

I'm almost half way through my break-in period!

Hope everyone has a good weekend,

Debbie

Heck no! I've just been taking exams. Thanks to people like Ken, many of us students disappear from the face of the earth for a few weeks in early May :)

Ben

Well, glad you got those exams over. I miss college, but not studying for exams. I must say, I'm really jealous about Days 3, 4, and 5 of your trip. There are going to be lots of nice places to motor there.

Debbie

Isn't it funny what we get used to. I would like to try driving on the right side of the car and on the other side of the road one day though. It would definitely be different...and probably scary for the other drivers on the highway.Debbie

A few years ago when I went to visit friends in Manchester, I got rental car when I got off the plane at the airport. All I had to do was show the girl at the counter my driver's license, sign a couple of forms, and she handed me the keys to a(n almost) new car.

I found this rather puzzling, not to mention amazing, as my license clearly shows I'm from the U.S. (it says '_New_ York,' not 'York,') and therefore drive on the right (meaning direction, and not necessarily correctness) side of the road. I knew I was in trouble when I found the car in its stall, and proceeded to the left side to attempt to get in to drive it. :rolleyes:

It required a bit of concentration at first, but for the 10 days I was there I only made one boo-boo when I made a right turn (equivalent of a left turn here) onto the wrong side of the side street. Luckily, there was no car there. Or actually, if someone had been there, I definitely would have turned onto the proper side of the street.

Zip

When I sell my car, I will have to quickly find a replacement second car so that my MINI doesn't have to go out in undesirable weather. Debbie

Why don't you just keep the car you're trying to sell?

Zip

Why don't you just keep the car you're trying to sell?

Zip

I have to two sets of bunnies (four bunnies total). I need something that I can carry my bunnies and their travel condo in when I have to take them to the kennel. Before I got the MINI, I was planning on getting an SUV and selling the car. After driving the MINI, the SUV was never given a second thought. Now that I have the MINI, I have to sell the car and buy a much cheaper SUV. It will serve two purposes - hauling the bunnies (and anything else that needs to be hauled) and allowing my little MINI to stay in the carport when the weather is yucky. :rolleyes: It's okay - go ahead - you can laugh at me - I do.

I was surprised at your story too. I always wondered if you could just go drive somewhere else like that or if you had to have some kind of special permit. I would think it would be dangerous to let some people drive in such different circumstances as that.

Debbie

I -- and allowing my little MINI to stay in the carport when the weather is yucky. :rolleyes: It's okay - go ahead - you can laugh at me - I do.Debbie

Debbie, I've been unable to bare the thought of getting my MINI wet either . The day after I got it, it was raining so I drove my old (1991--soon to be sold) Honda to work and left the MINI tucked in the garage. I finallly took the MINI out during some sprinkles but regretted it afterwards. Now I've got to buy nonscratching rags to wipe it down and bring it back to its original luster. I feel pretty wacky, pretty nutso, but oh well. I know I'm going to have to change my tune soon. Got to sell that Honda. Need the cash, have no where to park the thing--bought the MINI so I could say goodbye to that old jalopy! But maybe you can keep your MINI dry and pristine forever! I certainly understand the desire to do so!

Getting over the "oh no, can't drive the MINI, there's traffic | a lousy parking lot | weather | other drivers in the world | birds | deer | rocks | salt" syndrome is really difficult :) I'm working on it, but I still am not quite there yet!

I'm attaching the wallpaper I'm using now - it's a shot of my MINI from my apartment balcony I took today. I'm going to reshoot it eventually in better lighting conditions, but this will do nicely for now :) I have a 1400x1050 version, but of course mini2 resizes uploads to something much smaller I'm afraid :mad:

Ben

Wow - thanks you two. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one obsessing over these things. These little cars are so easy to love though - it's only natural to me to not want anything at all to happen to them. I also find that when I drive my other car for a day or two that I have even more fun when I hop back in my MINI. After all, absence does make the heart grow fonder, right?

Ben - cute pic of your MINI from up above. I need to find a high place to take some of mine. Not sure where that's going to be...unless I figure out how to climb on the roof at work. :D

Debbie

Getting over the "oh no, can't drive the MINI, there's traffic | a lousy parking lot | weather | other drivers in the world | birds | deer | rocks | salt" syndrome is really difficult :) I'm working on it, but I still am not quite there yet!

I'm attaching the wallpaper I'm using now - it's a shot of my MINI from my apartment balcony I took today. I'm going to reshoot it eventually in better lighting conditions, but this will do nicely for now :) I have a 1400x1050 version, but of course mini2 resizes uploads to something much smaller I'm afraid :mad:

Ben

Ben, love the pic mate! I've got to find a high rise to park out front and get one of Magic! Boy I like the colour of your car. Wish I'd have gotten that! Oh, that's right. I DID!!! :D

Yes, I know what you're saying. At least yours is white! Black Jack simply cannot stay cleant! I've washed Black Jack 3 times already in between all of this crazy NorCal rain.

But I believe I'm starting to get philosophical abuot this. I justify having a dirty MINI by pondering all of those great rally victories by the late 60s Minis. You think that John Cooper was ever worried about a little dirt and mud? I'm guessing "no." :cool:

Oh well, I guess a once-a-week wash will have to do . . .

Good luck, Crose'!

Debbie, I've been unable to bare the thought of getting my MINI wet either . The day after I got it, it was raining so I drove my old (1991--soon to be sold) Honda to work and left the MINI tucked in the garage. I finallly took the MINI out during some sprinkles but regretted it afterwards. Now I've got to buy nonscratching rags to wipe it down and bring it back to its original luster. I feel pretty wacky, pretty nutso, but oh well. I know I'm going to have to change my tune soon. Got to sell that Honda. Need the cash, have no where to park the thing--bought the MINI so I could say goodbye to that old jalopy! But maybe you can keep your MINI dry and pristine forever! I certainly understand the desire to do so!

Yes, I know what you're saying. At least yours is white! Black Jack simply cannot stay cleant! I've washed Black Jack 3 times already in between all of this crazy NorCal rain.

But I believe I'm starting to get philosophical abuot this. I justify having a dirty MINI by pondering all of those great rally victories by the late 60s Minis. You think that John Cooper was ever worried about a little dirt and mud? I'm guessing "no." :cool:

Oh well, I guess a once-a-week wash will have to do . . .

Good luck, Crose'!

Yeah, Obie is all black, and I drove him home from dealer pickup in the rain.

I hosed him down yesterday, but haven't washed him yet because I'm trying to find some time to pick up the Mr Clean car wash kit - the one that works right off the hose. It was actually recommended by some people I know. It seems that no matter what you touch a black car with will eventually cause swirls or worse.

Zip

But I believe I'm starting to get philosophical abuot this. I justify having a dirty MINI by pondering all of those great rally victories by the late 60s Minis. You think that John Cooper was ever worried about a little dirt and mud? I'm guessing "no." :cool:



Johnny L, I like your idea of getting philosophical about this dirty car matter . . . I do need to find some new ways of thinking. I mean for one, I'm kind of having a moral crisis over all this . . . I'll explain.

(Well, I guess this is more about the MINI getting dinged up rather than dirty, but it's all part of this larger overprotecting the MINI problem I'm having . . .)

Of course, it's all about parallel parking here in the city--and parking spots are at a premium. So anyway, I've always been someone who , if I came upon a space on the street that seemed big enough for two cars, would make sure I parked so that there was room for that other car, too. I didn't believe in being a parking space hog, and it was a behavior that when I saw others engage in, shocked and dismayed me. Okay, now the confession----the other day, I actually situated my MINI so as to boldly ,glaringly take up two spots. You know how there's that thread on MINI2 about, "do you look back at your MINI as you walk away"? Well, as I looked back at my MINI swimming there in the middle of that enormous parking spot so made for two, I felt, well, bad.

And I am also having an identity crisis. I am known in these parts, for my excellent parallel parking skills. Pre-MINI--when I'd be driving around with friends, I'd start to back into a spot, and often the friend would say--"Are you sure you can fit into that space--it's *really* small?" And I'd flash a big smile and say "No parking space is too small for [my first and last name]!!", then squeeze my way in without ever bumping the car in front or back of me.

And then there's the time my ex-boyfriend, when we 'd gotten back together after some months apart, said to me wistfully as I backed into one of my tiny parking spaces, "I missed your parallel parking . . . " So you see, this skillful/ethical parking, it's one of my trademarks, it's who I am. Now, as I guard my MINI at all costs, hogging spaces all over town with no regard for my fellow man, (okay, I've only done it once so far), I feel so, well . . . dirty. :eek: ;) :( :confused:

I got the MINI. Here are some photos. :D

In the 4th photo, you can see my plates and my new antenna :p

Ah, Finally! Looks great! Wonderful choice of wheels! :cool: Can't wait to hear of your earliest motoring experiences. Enjoy!