First drive with MINIs of Kissimmee

Posted on by Ian C.

We learned today of a MINI drive nearby, so I washed my car and we headed down to Championsgate to meet everyone – and there was a good turnout of 15+ MINIs there!

 

I took a photo of each MINI individually, just like the old days!

 

Once everyone had arrived, we set off on a maybe 20 minute drive, over to food trucks in Kissimmee – complete with reserved parking for our group!

 

Good fun to join some MINIs again! Thanks to Joey for organizing 🙂

 

Pro Bowl 2017

Posted on by Ian C.

America’s big annual sports event is the Super Bowl, happening in Texas next weekend and hopefully bringing the New England Patriots to another win! Last night however was the “Pro Bowl” which is supposed to be a “best of the rest” game – and since it came to the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, we decided to watch a real live NFL game there!
A short twenty minute drive to the highway exit got converted to an hour by the time we parked (it’s a big stadium and a popular event!) but after that an easy walk into the stadium and to our great seats – in fact a big part of the entertainment was where we sat, surrounded by fans and close enough to the field to interact with some of the performers.

During the game I mostly watched the action, but here’s a few photos and videos I took early on, including the first touchdown right in front of our seats:

Countryman / Clubman

Posted on by Ian C.

I have no interest in going back to a Countryman – my Clubman is a very fine MINI; but it’s interesting to compare the newest vehicle. I’ve not seen the new Countryman, but comparing dimensions on the MINIUSA website indicates that it’s built on the same chassis / wheelbase, and that it’s almost 5″ taller – but even with that extra height, front head and shoulder space is basically identical; and the Countryman has taken away an inch of front legroom, to provide more rear space!

Countryman Clubman comparison

(new Countryman on the left, 2016 Clubman on the right)

So the Countryman is a better choice if you need the rear space – but the Clubman is a better choice for no more than one passenger. Interesting too to note that the Countryman S now includes automatic transmission (only the ALL4 S can have manual transmission).

UPDATE: MotoringFile can written about this too; it’s interesting how they favor the Countryman, only writing what’s “more” …