Hello!

Former TT driver now stay at home mom driving around San Francisco in a 2001 VW Golf and lusting after every Mini I see. Hoping to buy a nice condition 2008 or 2009 soon.

Dumb question first: my mom has a 2010 base and I checked out her interior carefully for the first time today. What's that black plastic thing in the very front part of the armrest console? An option she doesn't have?

Any kid/Mini feedback for me? She's 18 months old and still in a rear-facing carseat. My mom just installed a new forward facing carseat in her Mini and the kid tried it out for the first time today and looked thrilled. Suggestions on carseats for my future Mini? Anyone have one they (and their kid) really likes that fits well and looks good?

Thanks for any info or advice & nice to meet y'all!

Cynthia