Well I have owned a 1959 Mini -Back in 1973 to 1976-Which means it was a 850 CC- but we changed that engine out for a Austim America 1098 engine - wow about 60 HP - but the whole car only weighed 1225 Lbs. - 4 speed / 3 syncros - Used to Autocross it a lot - then my children started to be born and out went the Mini - Cried the day we sold it - well the Kids are well grown now, one in her 30's - I'm 54 - I own a Harley Touring Motorcycle and have tattoos - the wild child has emerged - The wife wanted a Nissan 350Z - but got her to drive a 2005 Cooper S -she loved it - waiting for a Insurance settlement to get it - hope to be settled in 4 weeks - been 2 yearsthis November , so it won't be long - the dealer handels New sales BMW/Mercedes/Audi - all German - but doesn't like the restrictions a Mini dealership would impose. the Mini only has 15K on it , has every option you could get in 05 - except it has no JCW equipment on it. Looks good - hope it's still there when I get my settlement. But one way or the other a Mini is in my future.

Mike