Midlife Crisis!

[Mudnut]

Well I figure I'm having my midlife crisis, and plan to enjoy it. I reckon this comes out much cheaper than an affair, and will certainly last longer! I am keeping the Defender, and my wife's X5, but wanted something more economical to drive down to Victoria for work. Googled economical cars and a BMW Mini Cooper Diesel came up more efficient than a Toyota Prius! Did some research, and thought one might be fun. Only problem is there are none to test drive up in FNQ. Did have some BMW Mini Cooper Sport's around, and drove both the Auto and Manual versions. Both were so much fun, forgot all about economy, and drove this beast which was also located up near Cairns. It's a John Cooper Works version, and is a hoot to drive. Like a 155kw go cart! I'll pick it up on Saturday!

[jerryd]

Isn't that the quickest mini ever produced by the factory ?? and only a few built ??

My friend in the UK purchased a normal cooper s and then spent the extra $$ on the upgrade kit :) That was an awesome little fun car.


You lucky bugger ;)

[Homestar]

Nice one!

When I had a midlife crisis, I bought a 101...:D

[steveG]

Nice......

Think you're right - cheaper than an affair (probably less maintenance too), and you can use it when your wife's around ;)

Steve

[V8Ian]

Just the ticket for playing on the Gillies.

[Mudnut]

Isn't that the quickest mini ever produced by the factory ?? and only a few built ??

My friend in the UK purchased a normal cooper s and then spent the extra $$ on the upgrade kit :) That was an awesome little fun car.


You lucky bugger ;)

Yes it is one of the factory works cars. They certainly don't produce many, but are not rare. The John Cooper Works upgrades for the Cooper S don't have as much power due to different top end of the motor, pistons, and turbo's. The clutch, and LSD are also different. With either package, I will need to watch my license! ;)

[Mudnut]

Just the ticket for playing on the Gillies.

You are not wrong there. I pick the car up from Gordonvale, and I reckon I will head south, then turn Right at the Gilles Range. Up it (all 26k of windy mountain road), through Atherton, up to Mareeba, and then down the Kuranda Range. About 90k longer than the normal trip home, but hey it's a new car!! I might even beat my wife home, as she drives up the Cook Hwy. :D

[BMKal]

Looks great - brings back a few memories of the old original Cooper S that I had many years ago.

Would be good fun on that stretch of road that you're talking about too. I was up there not too long back looking at a job out at Mt Carbine and then we went from there to Cooktown to look at the old Collingwood tin mine processing plant. That Mini would definitely be more fun up there than the hired Nissan Patrol that we had ...............

[Gillie]

Just the ticket for playing on the Gillies.

:o Ease Up!

[Mick_Marsh]

Well done.
Aren't mid life crises fun.

[SPROVER]

Nice car....But unfortunately they are not so Mini anymore;)

[Cobber]

Way cheaper than a Porsche! :D

Very envious - I simply adore the JCW Minis - having being lucky enough to have steered one and a standard one, the JCW is the modern version of what made the original Cooper S cars so much better than the standard minis :cool:

[Chucaro]

Very nice toy :cool:
When I was in my midlife crisis I bought a BMW 1150GS. It is so nice be able to get something that you have been dreaming for a while :)

[Chops]

Nothing wrong with a midlife crisis,,

That's aparently why I have the Puma,, :D

[ramblingboy42]

mmmm, I don't think I've had my mid life crisis yet, am I too late? mmm , maybe I can fake it.....now what will appease this crisis?

[loanrangie]

What is the age these days for a mid life crisis ? I reckon i must be close :o.

[bob10]

I think I may have had one recently, and I'm 65 in September. Not sure I want to live 'till I'm 130. Bob :eek: :p

[Chucaro]

What is the age these days for a mid life crisis ? I reckon i must be close :o.
About mid forties when the children start leaving the nest :D
After 50 we are going backwards, our brain believe that we are 30 and our body does not want to know that nonsense :D
I just wonder that because I am 67+ I qualify for that definition :angel:

[Bess]

Nice!!!! Like I always say if ya got to drive it , at least it should make ya smile!!!!
Enjoy.

[digger]

About mid forties when the children start leaving the nest :D
:

What??? Im slightly on older side mid forties, my kids are 14, 10, 7 !!!???
so when Im in my mid-late 50's I can have my MLC ???

[Pickles2]

Glad you've got the "Works" version....a bit more power & "character" there.
I remember the "original" Cooper S....75 HORSEPOWER!!!...and a mate of mine used to race one....he had around 120HP...Peter Manton had 126..Horse Power!!
Cheers, Pickles.

[Naviguesser]

I'm mid fifties and my mid life crisis has been going on for a few years now.
The toys are growing in number.
Will it stop soon, or will it go on until I run out of money (or the wife's patience) ? :eek:

[Chucaro]

What??? Im slightly on older side mid forties, my kids are 14, 10, 7 !!!???
so when Im in my mid-late 50's I can have my MLC ???

I was an early starter, when I was 43 my boys left the nest at the age of 20, at 47 I was grandfather :D

[Sitec]

Fantastic work! Reminds me of Ag College.. There were a pair if orange Minis with the 1380 engines out of the more recent Maxi or something... Both had been cammed, ported and ran decent carbys. Both had later Montego Alloys and very handy tin work where they had decent large spotties sunk into the grille between the headlights. Sounded good, looked great and went like a bat out of hell!! I did the same as Gav... Bought another 101!!!! Now what to do with it.... Oh yeah, 200 hp Cummins... There's a good start! Defo a mid life crisis and I'm not yet 40!! :D

[George130]

Congrats
This is my midlife

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/1002.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/app/showphoto.php/photo/21391/title/img015-2-/cat/500)

[Mudnut]

What??? Im slightly on older side mid forties, my kids are 14, 10, 7 !!!???
so when Im in my mid-late 50's I can have my MLC ???

Yes, I am 50, with a son who is turning 12 in a few days. I figure I can call it at any age.

[Mudnut]

Well it has been a week since my official Midlife Crisis has begun! This photo was taken at the lookout over Cairns, on the Lake Morris Road. 17k of pure Mini driving pleasure! Have put 600k on the clock in 7 days, and it has just turned over 11,000k's Goes like a scalded cat, and corners like a go cart. It is a big difference between it, and hopping back in the Defender. My only disappointment is that I don't get a Mini wave, like I do with the Defender. I'm starting to enjoy this mid life stuff. :D

[V8Ian]

I hope you had a sticky date pudding at Lake Morris, it's to die for. :ohyes:

[loanrangie]

Congrats
This is my midlife

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/1002.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/app/showphoto.php/photo/21391/title/img015-2-/cat/500)

A Fix It Again Tony X19 :D.

[Mudnut]

I hope you had a sticky date pudding at Lake Morris, it's to die for. :ohyes:

I haven't seen the cafe open since cyclone Yasi. They still have coffee, and tea facilities though.

[V8Ian]

I haven't seen the cafe open since cyclone Yasi. They still have coffee, and tea facilities though.
:oops2: I haven't been up there since pre Yasi, it took them a while to open after Larry too.

[The Cone of Silence]

I had my first mid-life crisis after crashing my Ducati and breaking rather too many bones. Bought an Austin Healey 3000 Mk III which I just love cruising around in of a weekend.

I'm not planning on any more mid-life crises but if I do have another one I imagine that it'll be another motorcycle....maybe a tourer like the GS. Or an Aston DBS...a lot depends upon NSW Lotteries to be honest.

My girlfriend just bought the JCW Mini Cooper convertible in orange with black wheels.....she mentioned to my mate and me that she wanted a mini cooper and after two bottles of wine and about 3 hours of checking them all out, we'd convinced her to get the JCW and had designed all the colour options for her too.

It goes like stink and looks fantastic. Corners like it's on rails. You know Minis might be heavier than they were but they're still fast...at least ths one is. I don't like driving it because I'm sure that I'll lose my licence...blink and you can be speeding without knowing it.....but when I do drive it, I really love it....the gargling and popping noise that the exhaust makes on the overrun is delightful....thoroughly enjoyable.
Great track car too.