It’s not a MINI … But driving it was so much fun in all the ways that MINI is fun, but hundreds of times more!

The Ferrari reacted to every tiny movement of hand on steering wheel or foot on pedal. It launched from slow to fast whenever asked, and stopped just as well. Thrilling on corners too.
But it’s not the car for me … No stereo system

More at Margaret & Ian

An early start to MINI of Peabody today, but lots of MINIs there when I got there!

There was even one classic Mini!

I’ve done lots of MINI rallies and this one heads right past work and then down Apple Street (more twisty than it looks on Google Maps!), so I headed off to park and take pictures as the other cars went by …

Soon, Brig passed by in a Coupe, leading the rally, and followed by many other MINIs …

I didn’t catch every MINI (Sony camera apparently has to rest regularly!), but there’s lots more in the Gallery; after a wait, I headed back to the dealership for breakfast and chats with friends (and to check out Ivan’s next MINI!) …

A few Hrach memories, too!

A fun morning – many thanks to MINI of Peabody, and my MINI friends!

Another “bonus” lovely November day, sunny but not hot – perfect for washing GPMINI ready for tomorrows rally …

I took pictures with both my Sony SLT-A55V and Nikon D200 camera; I expected the Nikon pictures to be much better but in fact I preferred the Sony more than half the time. The Nikon might be “truer” but with the lighting creating harsh shadows, the Sony did a better job of using it’s enhanced modes to get more detail in many pictures. The first picture above is Sony, the second is Nikon.

Here’s a couple more – or head over to the Gallery …

Sony:

Nikon:

Lovely car, lovely background!

(more pics at this location, over at M&I)

Be sure to contact MINI of Peabody and tell them you’ll be there next Sunday (early) morning for the second annual “Rally for Hrach”:

Customers should have received an email invite – and you need to RSVP; so if you didn’t get your invite, give them a call. And bring your best memories of Hrach, next weekend …

Meanwhile, check out a VERY YOUNG Hrach on this Top Gear clip that MINI friend Dave Newman found on YouTube:

(watch at the three minute mark)

MINI Coupe sales appear on October’s MINI USA sales figures, just over 400 so far – a record number of Countrymans sold too, though nowhere near the highest number of MINIs sold in one month …

Head over here to see the detailed numbers

Weather is changing fast here now! Just 2-1/2 weeks ago it was mid 80s, and now we had overnight snow (in Essex, where GPMINI was, though we did not get snow in Gloucester) …

Nice frost patterns (click for bigger view):

I think GP wants to go back to Florida!

We’re getting worse weather now – and GPMINI is wet!

Could be worse, they’re threatening overnight snow as the temperatures drop to freezing …

It’s Fall again and that means another pretty drive through the Fall colors of Massachusetts, following Sheena to George Hill Orchard and then on to ice cream! Even though it’s late October now, Fall colors also are late this year, and the weather was a comfortable mid-50s, bringing out 6 MINIs (and an Audi TT) – and one benefit of missing Mickey & MINI in Florida is that GPMINI is still up here to join in …

As always, Sheena led us down some beautiful twisty roads (including the obligatory “U-turn”) – which my GP seemed to really enjoy, increasing MPG during the day even while running at higher than normal RPMs

At George Hill Orchard, few Apples were picked – but we sampled the food (hot dogs, cider donuts …) and visited the “Pets”:

Found some Apples, but didn’t pick them!

Then back to the MINIs for a short trip to ice cream at Cold Stone – and Armen got to drive GPMINI!

Cold Stone ice-cream was excellent; my traditional sweet cream ice cream with caramel and banana – which I ate before taking the picture!

Great fun to run in the GP again, and enjoy the company of good friends – thanks Sheena, and everyone!

More pictures in the Gallery (previous years 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006)

After 2-1/2 years of ownership, my Q5 reached 20,000 today!

(closer view)

Interestingly in the same time, GPMINI has covered almost 20,000 miles, even though she spent a lot of time parked up in Florida – but driving coast to coast and back, as well as a few Florida to New Hampshire trips, help add the miles … My Q5 averages 21.3mpg (calculated, not the OBC) over that time (GPMINI averages 27.3mpg from new).

Last weekend I attended an Audi drive event where I got to test drive the latest A6 and A7 cars, more expensive than my Q5 (double the cost of my GP) – neither car was anywhere near as nice to drive as the Q5! And the BMW 5GT I tried a while back is not as good either … I wonder what else I should test drive, offering comfort, good steering, and excellent cabin tech?