[Jungtony]

Many congratulations Houston Mini

The wait has been worthwhile, now you have your hands on Audrey

Really like Pepper White, but have opted for all black, got about 5weeks to go .

Let us all know how your getting on.

Tony

[Jim Ray]

Beautiful car, great pictures. I think that color combo is clean, and the bonnet stripes really set it off.

Two more weeks till predicted delivery of ours. Can't wait..

Jim

[HoustonMini]

thanks for the great replies guys...I've been gone (well atleast not online) since I made that last post. I've been out of town and when home to busy motoring.

I LOVE THIS CAR!!

I'm a little past 500 miles and plan on writing a review later tonight. One of these days I'll be getting a membership to MINI2 (just need some more money rolling in) to transfer my Blog with the rest of them. Look for it late tonight, early tomorrow.

Ciao,
HoustonMini

[HoustonMini]

Apr. 14th, 2005
WOW WHAT A CAR!!! I've had Audrey for a little over 2 weeks now and have loved every second I've had to drive her. (hence my disappearance from MINI2) Having to go out of town was good, specially since I had to drive a Grand AM (boo hiss!) instead of my MINI. Now remember I'm still in the breakin period so I'm doing my best to stay under the 4500rpm (though I'll admit I've gotten close a few times, but only close). I'm currently around 550 miles. Currently I'm getting around 21-22 miles per gallon, so I was a bit bummed about that since I was told its 26/32. I figured with my driving I should be around 28, guess I was wrong. Last night on my way home from my fiance's house I got stuck in traffic and shifted back to regular automatic. Two motocycles soon caught up to me (while stuck in draft) but the light was close, we were almost through the slow part where we could speed back up. I shifted back into auto-manual (someone else called it that on MINI2 and I liked it so I'm going with that too) and the three of us took off. The two motocycles in front and me just trailing far enough behind to not be on their rear. From the look I got from their afterwards they were surprised I was keeping up with them. Granted they didn't gun it from the started (since I didn't want to go over my 4500 rpms), but I got her up to 100mph/160kpm on Highway 59. Good fun! She handles super well, even considering the new car stage where most every car handles well. Its hard not to zip around and drive her like a go-kart, because that's just how she handles. The Mini is clearly in a class above by itself. Not sure if I've mentioned this but I was told "you will feel every bumb you drive over in the Mini" - not so, well not more then any other car. The best part about the auto-manual has to be paddles. Gives us a thrill to drive it like a race car, specially going 100 last night. And I felt very safe doing so, like I was in control of the car. I can really see how and why people race Mini's. I get so many smiles and nods while driving around town. And the secretary at works loves Audrey, she keeps saying how beautiful it is, etc. etc. She's getting annoying, but I love to see people smile and look at her (Audrey). I'm still looking for the right road to enjoy her the most as there are not many slopes or turns around here. As of right now, I'm so stoked about my Mini, and I wash her weekly. I still have to get the inisishield installed and will do so next weekend. I'm having to be a little careful as I don't want to get any small dents or whatnot due to little pebbles the the invisishield would protect against. He was booked up for this weekend and I was out of the town prior to last weekend. But they will give me a loaner car while Audrey's in the shop...I just hope its another Mini. A few days ago I passed a red MINI with black top and stripes so I waived but didn't get a reply. I've yet to have a Mini driver waver back, but oh well. Maybe I'll come see one of you guys just to have someone wave back.

EDIT - I take it back. On my way to work today I almost missed the pure silver Mini waiting at the light. I glanced over in just enough time to see him wave as I waved back. Guess there are a few nice Mini drivers here in Houston.

to be continued...

[HoustonMini]

Apr. 25th, 2005
Well Audrey got a nice bath yesterday...almost looked as sharp as when I picked her up at the dealer. And then what happens? It rained last night, and even though I park under something, it still got to her a little. Everything has been great with the Mini. My Fiance and I enjoy taking her out on the town, even if we have nowhere to go. I recently read the thread about the service engine soon light coming on in MCSa's and was hoping I'd be one of the few not to get it, but on the way to work this morning. Sure enough, it came on. So I've got a call in to the dealer this morning to see about it. I'm trying to be more careful just incase its not the glitch. But I'll keep you updated as I find out more on it.
My first complaint: My invisishield has yet to be installed. Now I wish I would have waited a week to pick her up to have them install it. Oh well, my mistake I guess. I was hoping to have it done one weekend, but he was booked up, so I scheduled for the next weekend. I called later in the week to get directions (as it wasn't going to be done at the MINI dealership, but still by a MINI employee (or rather a BMW guy). Well when I called, he said he couldn't do it that weekend. Why? Because the guy from last weekend didn't show and was suppose to go this weekend. So I got bumped. You'd think I'd just get bumped a week (as I have to do it on the weekend), but no. He gave me no idea of when its going to be done. I wish he would have called me last weekend to take his place, I would have driven out there in no time flat. I almost just feel like getting a refund on it and going without the invisishield, but I know in the long run (if I can get it installed) it will be better for the car. And since this is my first new car, I'm really trying to take good care of it. So I guess this is something else I'll have to keep you updated on.


to be continued...