Tag Archives: mini

The C&O Canal in winter

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I still remember fondly one occasion back in 2005 when, after copious snowfall, we took our MINI out for a drive with our new Michelin winter tires. We lived in the DC area at the time, and those of you who live there know we only get about one serious snowfall every year, usually toward the end of January or start of February. Well, that day, we had our annual big snowfall, and we wanted to make the best of it.

We took the car out on River Drive (it runs parallel to the Potomac River) and turned onto an access road that took us downhill, toward Lock 21 of the C&O Canal. It was quite possible that we wouldn’t be able to get back up onto the main road, but we didn’t care at the time. We were thoroughly enjoying ourselves.

Our MINI handled itself beautifully thanks to the winter tires, and we drove uphill through the thick snow without a hitch. Soon we were back home, sipping on hot tea and warming ourselves after the wonderful outing. We had so much fun!

Premium gasoline dips below $3 per gallon

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As I filled up my MINI a couple of days ago, I glanced at the pump and noticed the price of the premium gasoline: $2.77 per gallon. I couldn’t believe it. I left the pump running and ran toward the street sign to take a photo.

I just didn’t think I’d ever see premium gas dipping below $3 again. While I’m sure others welcome the change — and I can’t say I disagree when you consider the issue solely from the point of view of one’s bank account — I still say gasoline needs to stay above $3 at the pump, in order to encourage proper driving behavior and to make research into alternative fuels and technologies viable.

It wasn’t that long ago that I paid $4.45 at the pump to buy premium gasoline for my MINI. There’s a huge difference between $4.45 and $2.77, and I don’t like this sort of yo-yo behavior when it comes to gas prices. First it was too high, and now it’s too low. It’s not right. It needs to stabilize somewhere between $3-4 dollars per gallon, preferably somewhere between $3.00 and $3.50.

If you’d like to read more about my thoughts on a gasoline tax (which isn’t a new idea, but already in use in Europe), see this post from March of 2005.

I took the photo above with my Nokia N95.

A clever bit of marketing

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I was driving to work a couple of days ago, and as a MINI passed me from the opposite direction, the owner stuck his hand out the window, making the victory sign at me. I smiled, and responded by raising my hand. This sort of thing has happened countless times since I bought my MINI.

Why do MINI owners do this? Because it’s in the MINI literature. The pamphlets that come with our cars will tell you just how to salute other MINI owners. The victory sign was one of the recommended gestures.

MINI’s marketing stood out from the start. It was different, it was likable, and it was fun. The salutes were one of the things that really stood out. After all, saluting other MINI owners is a nice and friendly thing to do, and on some level, it makes one feel like they’re part of a club that’s not open to everyone — which, incidentally, is another notion taught in the MINI literature and reinforced on the MINI website, where the owner section is called the Owner Lounge.

Let’s face it though, the club isn’t that exclusive. You can get in if you have the money to buy a MINI. And this club’s membership is growing. In 2003, when I bought my MINI, there weren’t that many on the roads. Now, five years later, I see a lot more, particularly in the DC area, where I currently live. If you want to talk about an exclusive car club, take the classic MINI owners. You can’t make those cars any more, and there are very few of them here in the States.

Since there are only going to be more MINI cars on the roads, it begs the question: at what point do you stop waving at other MINI owners? I’m not asking this because it bothers me to wave back, or even to start a salute; I enjoy doing it. It’s the nice and sociable thing to do. It puts a smile on my face, and that’s always a good thing.

But I see plenty of other MINI owners that aren’t interested in it. I look at them as I pass by, hoping for some sort of little wave (after all, I’ve gotten used to this clever bit of marketing), and I see nothing. Then I wonder, did they read the pamphlets? Don’t they agree with the marketing? What could make them so uninterested in being nice to other people? How could they be glum while they’re driving a MINI?

Then I catch myself, and I chuckle. Because let’s face it, it’s the marketing that makes me think and do those things. It’s powerful stuff, because it appeals to the basic human need for company, for social interaction. It’s good stuff.

Don't tie your ponytail in the middle of the street

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A couple of hours ago, I was almost home. As I came down a hill close to our neighborhood, on a road where the speed limit is 45 mph, I saw a woman crossing the street in front of me, at an intersection about 30 yards away. She popped into my field of view from behind a stopped car. I glanced at the traffic light; it was green.

I looked at her in disbelief. Dressed in a jogging suit and overweight, she was waddling through the intersection at her own pace, tying up her ponytail.

20 yards. I looked at the light; yup, green. Meanwhile, I’m barreling down the hill. I honked. She turned her head and gave me a bored look, like a fat cow chewing the cud in a pasture somewhere, without a care in the world, then went back to tying her ponytail while also slowing her pace.

10 yards. I checked the light again; still green. Not red, not yellow; green. This woman was insane. She’s crossing on red, has seen me, and doesn’t give a crap about her impending death.

5 yards. I slammed on my brakes and veered sharply around her. My wheels squealed and the people in the other cars looked at me with wide eyes, expecting some sort of disaster.

Thankfully, my MINI held the curve tightly. I got past her and looked in my rear view mirror. She was still tying her ponytail, and only then looked up at the light and around her, half-incredulous, with the sort of dumb look that deserved a slap in the face.

She was inches from death. And she didn’t care. Is someone like that worth going to court and to jail for? I don’t think so. Furthermore, I think they deserve all that’s coming to them.

People, please don’t be as stupid as she was, and still is. If not for your sakes, then do it for the sakes of your families, and for the sanity (and freedom) of the drivers who have to avoid running you over. If you’re looking for certain death, go jump off a cliff. Don’t cause innocent people to run over you.

The Virginia countryside

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I posted a video Ligia and I took more than 2 years ago to YouTube. We shot it as we drove through the Virginia countryside, from our MINI. It’s unusual because in it, you’ll not only see what you normally expect to see in the country, such as roads, fields and towns, but you’ll also see llamas, and an ostrich. Oh yes, and a wild turkey, but it’s not as unusual as the ostrich. Enjoy!

A side by side comparison of the 2003 MINI Cooper S and the new 2007 MINI Cooper S

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I posted a couple of days ago about the launch of the new 2007 MINI Cooper S, and I said I wasn’t too crazy about the exterior. I still hold that opinion, and to prove it, here are some photos of my very own 2003 Cooper S, alongside a couple of photos of the 2007 Cooper S.

Now, can you honestly admit the new 2007 MINI looks better? They did away with the aggressive, sexy curves on the hood! Where’s that nice, aggressive hood? They pinched it and made it thin. They also made the lights rounder and smaller, and they did away with the extra air scoop on the bumper. But in doing so, they didn’t compensate, and the MINI’s now lost its flair.

Sure, the new one is slightly more sculpted, and it looks like they did away with some of the fat, plus they added two fog lights instead of the single red one you see on the 2004-2006 MINIs, but still, I prefer the back of my 2003 MINI. It’s nicer.

The 2007 MINI has just been unleashed

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Holy mackerel! BMW’s just released photos and updated specs for the 2007 MINI Cooper. As I write this, the MINI website hasn’t been updated with photos or specs. You can’t build a 2007 MINI yet, although that’ll soon change. Call me crazy, but I think the exterior of my 2003 MINI Cooper S looks much better than the new 2007 MINI Cooper S. However, the new interior blows me away. Wow! What amazing changes, and how much cooler it looks now! I’m jealous, and in love. Now I’m torn. Should I get a new MINI at some point, or stick with old and true, though finicky and rattling friend?