On the way home from MINIsOnTop this past Sunday, my MINI finally hit 100,000 miles! (You may have spotted it at the end of the MOT video) It’s hard to believe that I’ve owned it for over six years. The MINI was my daily driver for the majority of that time, through every season and condition. It’s been very reliable for the most part. In fact, if I can ever get the time to give it its yearly polish and wax, it’s still looking pretty much like new. Not many other cars can say that. And of course no other car has offered so many smiles over 100,000 miles.
If I had not slowed to driving the MINI for two days a week after getting the 1-Series, I probably would have hit 100,000 back in November. After so many long commutes building the majority of the miles over just the last three years, I had to give the MINI some rest. It is still in good shape for the most part, and once I can afford to do some maintenance, hopefully I can get it back to better-than-new condition (probably due for new suspension, better brakes, etc). Sadly what is feeling even older is the MINI community in general. The forums have died down, the twice-monthly drives have disappeared, and my own spare time has vanished. I wish I could go back to washing it every weekend as I did in the fist few years. But what a great time it has been over these years and miles, so much fun was had, and I did not regret a single thing with my MINI. More significantly were the many great friends made because of it. I only hope it continues for years to come.
Pretty cool your having hit the big numbers.
I also feel a tad sad I don’t have the time to go on more SCMM club events, but I must say membership is at a all time high for the club and events are full. As far as forums they sure have died down. I RSS some 20 MINI blogs, there used to be a post daily, then once a week, then once a month and now many never post at all. The blogs are still there but no ones at home. Sad. The wave seems to have vanished.
I’m thinking the Fiat 500 will be that next rush for many people including MINI owners. I’m surely looking at one.
I hope the weather doesn’t spoil my drive in Ian’s GP to Ca..
Comment by robert — June 30, 2010 @ 1:43 am
Welcome to the 100k club, Josh! I agree, I don’t have the sense (any sense these days) of being part of a community, I cringe every time I open MotoringFile for instance. Having said that, almost 5 years on my MINI still gets “nice looking car” comments from people, just not other MINI owners.
Robert – I’m sad my location makes it pretty much impossible to come to SCMM events, did try twice to have them come out my way but them city folk don’t much care for us desert rats, I guess. Enjoy your drivein the GP.
Comment by Paul — June 30, 2010 @ 10:50 am