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> MARCH 2005 Group
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May 12th, 2005, 06:05 PM
| #2041 |
| MINI2 Regular  Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: East Coast - SC Local Time: 03:43 PM
Posts: 227
Offline | 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 |
 
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May 12th, 2005, 06:57 PM
| #2042 (permalink) |
| MINI2 Senior  Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: S.F. Bay Area Local Time: 12:43 PM
Posts: 404
Offline | Gallery 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! Several were snapped as I was driving. |
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May 12th, 2005, 07:08 PM
| #2043 (permalink) |
| the ZERO is silent!  Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Pedro, CA Local Time: 12:43 PM
Posts: 256
Offline | Nice pics, Johhny L! Interesting license plate frame you got there... (Says "Murray"  )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'!  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_ |
 
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May 12th, 2005, 07:13 PM
| #2044 (permalink) |
  Loves the Fuzzy One  Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gypsy Local Time: 01:43 PM
Posts: 16,078
Offline   | 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  Global Moderator |
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May 12th, 2005, 07:20 PM
| #2045 (permalink) |
| the ZERO is silent! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Pedro, CA Local Time: 12:43 PM
Posts: 256
Offline | 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_ |
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May 12th, 2005, 07:28 PM
| #2046 (permalink) |
| Loves the Fuzzy One Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gypsy Local Time: 01:43 PM
Posts: 16,078
Offline | 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. Global Moderator |
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May 12th, 2005, 09:48 PM
| #2047 (permalink) |
| Let's Motor!  Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Seattle/Bellevue, WA Local Time: 07:43 PM
Posts: 82
Offline | 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...) Ben Last edited by bandrews : May 12th, 2005 at 10:16 PM. |
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May 13th, 2005, 12:11 AM
| #2050 (permalink) |
| -Mr T-  Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Goulburn NSW Oz Local Time: 06:43 AM
Posts: 1,819
Offline | 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..  |
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May 13th, 2005, 02:42 AM
| #2051 (permalink) |
| 333...I'm only half evil  Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Illinois Local Time: 02:43 PM
Posts: 577
Offline | 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. 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 |
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May 13th, 2005, 06:26 AM
| #2052 (permalink) |
| MINI2 Regular  Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Francisco Local Time: 12:43 PM
Posts: 107
Offline | [quote=AprilWhine]and my March baby says she would like to see all the other MINIs from the March litter there. [/QUOTEAprilW: 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 |
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May 13th, 2005, 10:37 AM
| #2053 (permalink) |
| Loves the Fuzzy One Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gypsy Local Time: 01:43 PM
Posts: 16,078
Offline | 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. Global Moderator |
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May 13th, 2005, 03:21 PM
| #2054 (permalink) |
| MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Francisco Local Time: 12:43 PM
Posts: 107
Offline | 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? |
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May 13th, 2005, 05:37 PM
| #2057 (permalink) |
| MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: East Coast - SC Local Time: 03:43 PM
Posts: 227
Offline | 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! I'm almost half way through my break-in period! Hope everyone has a good weekend, Debbie |
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May 13th, 2005, 05:40 PM
| #2058 (permalink) |
| MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: East Coast - SC Local Time: 03:43 PM
Posts: 227
Offline | 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 |
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May 13th, 2005, 10:24 PM
| #2059 (permalink) |
| MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2005 Local Time: 02:43 PM
Posts: 137
Offline | 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. 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 |
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