Most liked posts in thread: This is probably a pretty common story here...

  1. jmc31100

    jmc31100 Member

    Nov 19, 2012
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    #9 jmc31100, Jan 19, 2013
    Thanks all for the warm welcome.

    I tell ya...once these things get under your skin it's hopeless. I guess I'm preaching to the choir aren't i. :)

    Jason, I have thought it over many times but unfortunately it's the one compromise I will have to make in order to make the MINI possible. My wife views driving a necessary evil and has no intention of learning a manual tranny. :sigh I even tried using the logic that I would be giving her the opportunity to conquer the one thing in life that defeated her. Immediate rejection. :(

    -John
     
  2. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #4 MCS02, Jan 19, 2013
    Welcome to MA. Theres plenty old farts around here like me and ^^^^^ :biggrin5::biggrin5::biggrin5::biggrin5:
    Sorry Jason I couldn't help myself.

    Enjoy the search its the funnest car I have had. :Thumbsup:
     
  3. jmc31100

    jmc31100 Member

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    #12 jmc31100, Jan 20, 2013
    Thanks for the moral support. I keep telling myself...

    An automatic MINI is much better than no MINI (or the marital alternative!).

    -John
     
  4. DryMartini

    DryMartini New Member

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    #15 DryMartini, Jan 21, 2013
    Welcome!

    We just picked up our new '13 "Justa" with a slushbox. (BRG with white top and stripes.) Like you are thinking, we went with the auto due to big city traffic and since this is technically "Herself's" car and she wanted the auto instead of shifting all the time. Here are my thoughts after only a couple of hundred miles. (It's brand new.)

    While I'm not wild about an auto in a small car that is this fun to drive, it was a requirement. So, I'm making due. The 6 speed Aisan unit in the "Justa" is pretty good so far. The only time I've had issue with it is if it's not in "sport" mode, on hills it holds high gear a little longer than I would like and feels to bog down and you have to push it a little harder to get the desired downshift. However, putting it in "sport" mode or manually shifting it takes care of that. And, it's only on hills. I really like the manual shift feature and will use that on twisties and hills areas. Otherwise, it's a pretty good unit. You know when it's shifting (it's tuned to be a little sporting even in regular mode so it's not Caddie smooth.) I prefer this to the "silky smooth GM feel" in a car that is sporty rather than a luxo-boat. :cornut:

    We're loving the Mini. Seats (we got sport cloth) are firm and comfortable, the ride is good and the driving experience is like my old 1st generation MR2 ie: Go Cart Fun! A great commuter car. Good luck with your decision! :cornut:
     
  5. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #2 Crashton, Jan 19, 2013
    Welcome to M/A. No mater what flavor of MINI you chose it will not be a boring appliance type car. Enjoy the search! :Thumbsup:
     
  6. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    #3 Jason Montague, Jan 19, 2013
    :cornut: Welcome to MA and good luck in your search. Margi is an 08 BRG R56 MCS/JCWm that I've had for 5yrs and have enjoyed every minute of our time together. I'm 60yo and have already been through what you're now going through. You're making the correct decision. You might thing twice about the auto trans though.:Thumbsup:

    Jason
     
  7. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    #5 Mr. Jim, Jan 19, 2013
    Welcome to M/A!
     
  8. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #6 Steve, Jan 19, 2013
    Fun daily driver? Yup, a MINI is a perfect fit. :Thumbsup:

    Welcome to M/A and thanks for joining.
     
  9. debscooper

    debscooper New Member

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    #7 debscooper, Jan 19, 2013
    John step a little closer and you'll never regret or look back . . . Come towards the light we are all anxiously waiting to see YOUR pictures of your new MCS . . . . welcome Mini Attic . . . Glad you found us :Thumbsup:
     
  10. papa-j

    papa-j Active Member
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    #8 papa-j, Jan 19, 2013
    Welcome! Hope you score a MINI soon.
    I wasn't able to wait for the kids to fully fledge so our 19 yr old daily driver is the 04 R53. We recently picked up the All4 S as a go-to vehicle for all of us (including the 16 yr old).

    All MINI's are great to look at, but I do like the look of those black tops quite a bit.
     
  11. rum4

    rum4 Club Coordinator
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    #10 rum4, Jan 19, 2013
    welcome to m/a
     
  12. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    #11 wmwny, Jan 20, 2013
    By the way, welcome to MA!

    I drove manual trannys all my life until I bought my first Cooper. It's a CVT...yeah, not a good choice due to its problems, the the auto had not come out yet. I still have the Cooper, though, and drive it to shows and occasionally to MOTD. I now drive an '06 MCSa that I bought new, love to death and will never go back to a manny for [yep...same problem as your's....wife won't drive a stick!].
     
  13. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #13 Dave.0, Jan 20, 2013
    Welcome to M/A the FUN Mini site.
     
  14. eMINIparts

    eMINIparts Well-Known Member
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    #14 eMINIparts, Jan 21, 2013
    Welcome to the ALLIANCE!!!
     
  15. jmc31100

    jmc31100 Member

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    #16 jmc31100, Jan 22, 2013
    Thanks DM for your observations. I am looking forward to the sportier feel. Much prefer the feel of driving a car rather that riding in a car.
     
  16. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #17 Nathan, Jan 22, 2013
    Welcome, thanks for joining Motoring Alliance, the FUN and Friendly MINI Community.