by Mike Gulett –
My wife, Rebecca, bought this 2007 Mini Cooper S brand new almost twenty years ago. She ordered it and specified all the options. She could have bought anything she wanted and we did look at many other new cars but she chose the Mini Cooper S. She was motivated by our good friend Greg Paris who owned more than one Mini and let us know how much he loved them.
While we have bought and sold many cars over the years, this one is difficult to watch drive away, even though we have not driven it very much in recent years.
When she first bought the Mini, we had not intended it to become a long-term member of the family (at least I did not). Like most new car purchases, which are daily drivers, the assumption was that we would enjoy it for a few years and then move on to something else.
But the years rolled by.
The Mini proved to be everything we expected, quick, agile, economical, and very entertaining. Every drive reminded us why some automotive journalists described it as “go-kart handling.” It was always eager to go after the next corner, making an ordinary trip to town feel like a very fun event.
More importantly, it never asked for much, it was dependable, practical enough for everyday life, and just plain fun to drive.
As the years passed, the Mini became woven into the fabric of our lives. It went from Rebecca’s daily driver to our backup car and so was not driven much. Twenty years is a long time.
During that time, many other cars came through our garage. Some were rare. Some were exotic. Some were faster, more valuable, and certainly more collectible. A few stayed for only a short time. Others lasted several years before moving on to new homes. The little Mini simply stayed with us, until now.
Eventually, though, reality catches up with all of us. Cars age, we age and priorities change. We decided it was time for someone else to enjoy this Mini.
We are not sad but we realize that a chapter had ended.
Collector car enthusiasts often become attached to rare automobiles because of their history or beauty and how they make us feel. But sometimes the cars that leave the deepest impression may not be the rarest or the most valuable. Sometimes they’re simply the ones that accompany us through our lives on a daily basis.
Our Mini Cooper S never won awards. It never attracted crowds at car shows. It wasn’t purchased as an investment. It succeeded at something much more important. It made every routine drive just a little more enjoyable. It also put a big smile on Rebecca’s face every time.
One thought has stayed with me since watching it leave. We don’t really own special cars forever. We become temporary caretakers. Some remain with us for a season. Others, if we’re lucky, stay for decades. But eventually, every car begins a new chapter with someone else. I hope its new owner enjoys it as much as we did.
When that happens, then our little Mini Cooper S will continue doing what it has done so well for nearly twenty years; putting a smile on someone’s face every time they start it up.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
We listed it on consignment with Mohr Imports in Monterey and it is now on Bring a Trailer.
Research and some text by ChatGPT. Photos by Mohr Imports.
There is a real charm to the Mini. When the new revised version first came out, I looked at it carefully at the Detroit International Auto Show. I loved the exterior. You have to understand that I owned a Honda 600 sedan for four years, so small cars are things that I love. When I got inside, I was horrified by the instrument panel and thought I could never live with a car like this every day and face this when I drove it. So I didn’t get it. I continued on with my long string of Corvettes, but I was very tempted.
However, I see them now every once in a while driving around and there are several that I would really love to have. A dark brown convertible with a tan top and Minilight wheels. That one would be great, another convertible, red with a black top, don’t know about the wheels. Anyway, the charm lives on, and I am attracted to it.
The car comes from a great heritage, classic architecture, a downtown London speedster, real fun for four. I had one very interesting experience with a mini in Italy. While visiting relatives in Jesolo, my cousin who was just about to be married, ame back from the beach with her fiancé. She had a white mini that had been modified, a tuner car. My sons were about five and seven and she took us for a memorable ride. I neglected to say that she was wearing a white bikini and looked like a lobster as she was just returning from the beach. The whole experience is memorable for many different reasons, but the Mini responded wonderfully as she threw it around the city and took us for a very spirited ride.
There is nothing more fun than a small fast car., bikini or not
It would be nice if all cars brought their owners such joy and happiness.
Ooooohhhh… that last point… Someday we’re going to all agree that there were cars we owned that we regret parting ways with. All that “mojo” lost in the shuffle. Seems that if we’re careful, and especially since the internet makes it easier to track down “that special car”, a true match makes itself apparent pretty quickly. You took great care of the Mini, and you have the great photos still.
Doug Hoffman
If you still have this Mini, I would like to purchase it. I know it’s been well kept up. I like everything I see in the photos. My contact info is.
Email: dhoffman@dsine4u.com
Doug,
Our Mini is up for auction here – https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2007-mini-cooper-s-35/