Well, I bought my first Mini last week, friday actually. A "left over", new 2007 Cooper S, manual, in Sparkling Silver with a white hardtop and white bonnet stripes, 17" webspokes with Dunlop run flats. Interior is lounge leather in Redwood Red.

This car is flat out quick. I've put over 500,000 miles on turbocharged cars and motorcycles over the years, and this car lacks for nothing in the turbo department. Very nice package. There is still some "lag", but once I find the shifting sweetspots all will be well. The feel of the turbo and engine in stop and go traffic is much better than my Saab 900SE, especially a roll and go stop.

Picked up some great info from this site in the last week. Thanks for the site!
Ordered Winter tires and wheels from Alex at Tire Rack, and I'll be changing out the brake pads, man are they messy. I thought about drum covers, but the discussion on the board here steered me to new pads as a solution to the brake dust issue.
Now I gotta find a front license plate holder, Connecticut requires a front plate. I followed the discussion threads to a few options, so thanks again.

Thanks for the all tips and help so far. I'm sure I'll be visiting often.

 

Welcome! I am a fairly new mini owner myself. This is a great site with a wealth of good stuff. Enjoy the new car!!

 

Welcome silkcut! I'm sure you'll find you're in lots of good company here!

 

Welcome to the MINIverse! New to them myself, having just picked up mine on Saturday. Can't wait to throw some real miles on.

 

I just ordered mine last week! So I'm new to this also!

 

Congrats and welcome! Left over '07....I think that's a rarity.

 

I am switching from a '02 9-5 Aero to a MCS. My only worry is that the 40-70mph time in the MINI will not be as fun as it was in the Saab. But I am sure that it will make up for it in the corners.

 

Welcome to NAM from Middle Georgia Minis!! Not sure where your located,
but if your ever in central Ga. look us up, it's always nice to meet people from other area's. Hope you have many trouble free miles and great adventures along the way.

 

Thanks for the welcome foks.

Silverbullit.
I'm in Connecticut, but St Patrick's day in Savannah is a definite possibilty some day.

EMY-RDL.

No worries about the 40-70mph time. These cars have some serious jump. 80-115mph is a nice jump too. There is less turbo lag than a Saab.
I blew the engine, valves, on my Saab a week ago saturday after 341,000 miles. I'd been looking at the Mini's off and on since they came to the US. I had one located in about three days and bought it a week after my Saab blew up.
I'm actually worried about clutch wear performance. I replaced the Saab's clutch for the first time at 280,000 miles. I hope to get that much clutch life from the Mini. Time will tell.

swflaboy

I found the car on a lot in Pittsburgh(91 total miles). Total savings for me was fairly substantial by buying this one, versus ordering a new '09, about $4K.
I can live with a car that is one year old, or two model years old, for the cost savings. I tend to keep my vehicles a long time 14 years for my Saab, 13 years for my truck, (7 years on the current truck). So depreciation has never been a really big concern for me.

 

Congrats and Welcome from North Carolina.

 

I just got my first Mini October 27th. The more I drive it the better I like it. The big problem is I always take the longest route to where I need to go. I also take the long way home again. I guess I won't be saving any gas but I'm sure statring to like driving again.
Ronnie948

 

Welcome from RI!
Nice find!!

 

Good, looks like I will have an even harder time keeping myself out of trouble.