Hello, I've been a car buff since adolescence and have owned many , many cars over the past fifty years. In 2007 I ordered an MC-S, R56, in Sparkling Silver and the new love affair began. I became a "Miniac"! I take pride in a clean car which has subtle personalizations. My friends were really suprised when I ordered a 2011 Countryman; it's Light Coffee, R60, MC-S named "Java". I recently joined the Tarheel Mini Motoring Club; that's where I heard about the Motoring Alliance. My wife, Sue and I, live in So. Florida. My in-laws have a place in the mountains of NW No. Carolina which we travel to several times a year. We've done the "Dragon" in both Minis and always enjoy the Blue Ridge Parkway. I love to drive and consider myself a "DRIVER", not a tourist, not one who steers around; but someone who understands that driving is a skill and like a good knife, needs to be honed from time to time to keep the edge.:crazy: