Today, five years ago, I first drove a MINI Cooper – a test drive from MINI of Peabody! My “Motoring Advisor” was Joel – and five years later he still works there 🙂
Within a week I had ordered an MCS, but by the end of May 2002 I had realized I couldn’t wait nine months, and had found, test drove and purchased the demo MINI Cooper from Herb Chambers MINI – GBMINI#1:
Back in those days, I had no website, no digital camera, and no MINI friends – I didn’t join MINICooperOnline (now NorthAmericanMotoring) till mid May 2002, and didn’t join MINI2 till the end of June … I was a total MINI newbie 🙂
Early days driving the MINI were lots of fun, and lots of looks (it was very rare back in mid 2002!), but I think I would have gone back to a more “normal” car if it wasn’t for the wonderful MINI community that I discovered … I simply can’t list all the great friends I now have, but people like Jason, Jayson & Gavin who were at my first ever MINI meet and are like me still driving MINIs, and Steve who left MINI (for Subaru) but couldn’t resist the pull of MINI world and recently rejoined us 🙂
Then there’s also Gary, Scott & Kevin who worked at MINI of Peabody and came on that first drive – and still work at the dealership too, who I also consider to be great friends 🙂
I hope everyone has as much MINI fun & friendship as I do – and THANKS to all my MINI friends for making the last five years such a fun time!
M&I / GBMINI 
Wow… it’s been a long time hasn’t it..!
Thanks for the mention – now I’m famous on the internet..! 🙂
You forgot to mention that Jason and I are still driving our first MINIs, whereas you’re on your 4th in 5 years..! 😉
Details 😉
Anyway Gavin, you’re not really driving your first MINI! I count the red one as your first 😉
OK… Technically that was my wife’s but I suppose between us we’ve owned 2.
Like you, we couldn’t wait for the S to arrive, and maybe like you could have been, she went back to a ‘normal’ car and didn’t get into the whole MINI community.
Ian,
It’s been that long?! A lot has happened in 5 years.
I’m glad to be counted amongst your friends.
Beware though….it means you are a potential target for having the MINI tagged in the wee hours……..
-Steve
Ian, nice write up. I too have met some wonderful folk through my association with the MINI community over the last 4 years. One of those of course is you Ian.
I haven’t owned as many MINI’ as you, 3, but if Twisty ever really makes any money a GP will be in my future. I don’t have the close personal relationships as you seem to have but it’s been an interesting time in my life.