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| General Discussion Use this forum to discuss MINI topics which are not related to other forums. Posts may be moved from here to alternative forums by the moderators without notice |
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Mar 28th, 2004, 07:32 AM
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| Hi! / Question / Rant Hi! Just found and joined this forum, and since it's 2 in the morning and I'm slightly drunk, I figured I'd introduce myself. I'm seriously considering selling my fairly-new-to-me car and purchasing a MINI. A bit about myself is in order first. I'm currently enlisted in the US Navy and was stationed in England for two years. I absolutely LOVED it! Eventually, I'd like to move there permenantly. Anyway, while there, I needed a car. Being back in 2000, the MINI of today didn't exist yet. But I did settle on a '93 K-reg Nissan Micra. About all of my US friends (and most of my British ones, too) laughed at me. Didn't care though. I loved the silly little car. It was just so much fun to drive! In a year and a half, I managed to put 35,000 miles on it (the looks I got from the shop where I got it serviced every 10,000 miles were priceless). And it didn't fail me once. Heck, I was in tears when I sold it. Even now I still have a picture of it next to my computer. But, all good things must come to an end, and I started a tour in the states (DC). Now being back in the US, I figured I might as well get a nice big car with a nice big engine (or so everyone told me), so I settled on a 2000 Nissan Maxima GLE. I still have it now. It's a nice car. It's a big car. It takes 35 frickin' dollars to fill its tank. And even though I had it for just a year, I'm tired of it. Although it practically flies down a highway, it's like driving a tank. It never really brought a smile to my face like the Micra did. I missed the go-kart feel and fun of the Micra. Big cars just are not for me. So, on a whim, I test drove a MINI just for grins. It was love at first push of the pedal. It brought back so many fond memories of me careening down Snake Pass (between Manchester and Sheffield) with anyone brave enough to sit in my passanger seat clawing at the dash shrieking like a banshee. I instantly decided I gotta have one! So here I am now. I've looked into selling my Maxima, which is easy enough to do, but I'm going to lose about $4,500 on the sale (from my buying price). The sale price covers my current loan though, and leaves a bit left over for a down payment on a new MINI. *Everyone* I know though thinks that I'm crazy. Crazy to get rid of a good car that I had for just about a year, crazier to take a $4,500 loss on it, and downright certifiable for wanting a MINI in the first place. In fact, I think my father is going to disown me if I go through with it!  Still though, I simply love the car, and that's really all there is to it. Why settle for something that doesn't make me grin like a five year old on Christmas morning if I don't have to?Anyway, (good lord, is anyone still reading this?!) here's the question part. How do I convice family and friends of the greatness of the MINI? Is it even possible to convince people of it? Or is it something you just feel and understand? I tried explaining all of what I have written above to folks, but I usually just get a dead stare followed by their walking off while shaking their head. My brother wants me to test drive about every other car in the country before I get a MINI. I'm just not interested though. In my eyes, no other car compares. Well, my Jameson buzz is wearing thin, so I'll stop typing already and post the massage. Just wanted to give a (not-so) quick hello! -Paul! Last edited by Paul!; Aug 16th, 2004 at 01:46 AM. Reason: Can't spell!  |
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Mar 28th, 2004, 08:21 AM
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| Exactly, and who really cares what others think. The only real way to convince doubters I've discovered, is to wait until you have the car, then take them for a drive down a road with corners and bends. Either scares them so much they daren't say anything, or impresses them so much they cant stop talking about it.  |
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Mar 28th, 2004, 09:29 AM
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| Well you're only put on this earth once (unless you believe in reincarnation of course) so there's no point in living it relying on the approval of others for your choices. Buy your MINI, don't explain or justify it to others, just enjoy the inner satisfaction of owning a car that you love driving. They are the ones that are going to miss out. "Do try to keep up Nigel!" |
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Mar 28th, 2004, 10:23 AM
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| welcome to mini2 paul! congrats for the biggest 1st post ever. i agree with mr mullett about getting it and giving people a ride, they'll soon understand what it's all about  have fun. j '06' Cooper S Convertible - Astro Black, '04' Mazda RX8 231 - Black |
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Mar 28th, 2004, 10:23 AM
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| It sure is Best of luck to you Paul go with your heart you'll absolutely love the MINI and if everyone else has a sense of fun then they will too when they're seen it and ridden in it |
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Mar 28th, 2004, 10:36 AM
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| Nice 1st post! I reckon you should take any doubters down to the dealership just to look at the car. The first time I sat in one I knew I had to have it - hopefully they will do the same. If that doesn't work use the phrase - "screw you guys" and go and buy one anyway |
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Mar 28th, 2004, 11:05 AM
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| Sympathy! Paul!, I can sympathise with you. You see I am in kind of the same situation. Ive had a couple of Sables and other "nice big" cars until financial problems put me behind the wheel of a Ford Festiva. Man I loved that car, the way I could throw it around and how light it felt (and was)! My friends, most of who drive trucks and SUV's, and other people I met just made fun of my little piece of $(-)!+ but I didn't care. It actually made me felt more privilaged. I started to feel superior to everyone else because it was like a special club for those few people that loved zipping around in one of these little beasts. I am looking to buy a MINI in a year or to but I hear comments about the car like "thats the ugly little British car", "that thing is hideous", "why would you want that thing" and "at least it looks ok in that gray color"! Oh well at least I will be the one having fun instead of just making fun! Erik, P.S. Little fun fact: You can fit a full sized Maytag washing machine in a Festiva and still close the hatch with the seats moved ALMOST all the way up! Hurricane Isabel tought me that as my little car was being junked. |
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Mar 28th, 2004, 11:10 AM
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| There were many doubters among my family/friend circle - until I took my father with me to take a test drive. I currently drive a VW Golf, and at 5'4" hit my head on the roof...He's 6'3" and figured there was no way he'd fit comfortably in this car. Or that it was a great as I kept saying it was. Or that it was worth the $$ I was putting into it... Well... One test drive and a climb into the rear seat later, he loved it too. He was amazed at all the room, the pick-up, the handling, etc... and the fact that he could sit behind the driver and still have leg room... (how did they fit all of that space into such a tiny car???) He has relieved all of the group's doubts and can't wait for me to get it home so he can take it out... And I'm 29. I basically took him with me just to prove I knew what I was doing - go figure! Just take one person on a test drive that the rest respect, and you're golden. Enjoy your new mini! Hmmmmm |
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Mar 28th, 2004, 02:43 PM
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| Thanks everyone for the words of welcome and support! Hehehe... if you couldn't tell, I'm one of those 'drunks' that doesn't shut up! My brother actually went with me for a test drive, and he did like the car, but didn't feel the same love that I did. He wasn't driving though! And I have always danced to the beat of a different drummer (and sometimes to a different band altogether!) so I'm not too concerned with what other people think. I'm 99.9% decided on getting this car. I just don't understand why the whole world isn't in love with the MINI!! Oh well, the worlds' loss! -Paul! |
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