When I was in high school (I think), my Dad let me take his car to learn how to drive manual shift. It was a little stressful because his clutch was short and I wasn't too good with balancing the clutch and gas...let's just say there was a LOT of peeling out and jerking.
Then in college, I worked part-time for a rent-a-car company. We used to shuttle the cars from the airport to various Waikiki hotels for guests to rent.
It was a fun job, driving different cars (big Lincolns, small Sentras, etc), some automatic, some manual. The most challenging cars for me were the type that the seats would only move up so far, like Jeeps--I can remember having to sit at the very edge of the seat because my feet couldn't reach the pedals.
You may or may not know that I love the Mini Cooper...my first car was actually a manual shift Honda Civic, but I sold it before moving to Japan.
Anyway, we don't have a car here and don't plan to get one because public transportation is excellent, but if we were to get a car, it would be a Mini (with manual shift).
Here are some that I've oohed and aahed at on my walks.This blue one was "hiding" behind a red Ford station wagon...I wonder how they got the car in there...
At first, this dark green Mini was hiding behind a big delivery truck. Luckily when I got closer, the truck was leaving.
A couple of feet away, this red Mini sits in an open parking area. I like how they have the British flags on the roof and side mirrors.
This blue mini was in a parking lot near the DIY store, I felt a bit funny going into the parking area, but am glad I got a shot of it.
If you could get any car, what kind would you want?
I love Mini Coopers too!! You definitely need to buy one with the bonnet stripes on the hood. They're just not the same without them. Unfortunately, I'd have to pay extra for an automatic transmission. I never had the chance to learn manual shift. Everyone I knew had an automatic. It seems like most cars in the US nowadays are automatics.
ReplyDeleteWow that first car is sure wedged into that spot nicely. It always amazes me when people can maneuver their vehicles into tight spaces . . . I suck.
ReplyDeleteI had always wondered about all the Mini-Cooper photos! I took my driver's road exam in a '70 Cuda four speed......
ReplyDeleteIn a perfect world? Jaguar XJ :) I might buy a brand new Yaris this year if I get into uni... I like you don't own a car (and my husband can't drive), but it was costing too much and breaking so I sold it and have been carless (borrowing my mums once a fortnight for the big food shop) for six months and I've saved so much money! Unfortunately the university I've applied to is 45mins driving or 2hours on a bus away (with two changes) so if I do get in a car will be a must-have. For now though, i'm a stay at home mum, and school, preschool, parks and ballet class are all in our village :)
ReplyDeletePs, I know how you like seeing the plants and trees blossom and I spied this bush just starting to blossom (it smelled beautiful) and heard a buzzing. It was the first bee of the year!
ReplyDeletehttp://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q253/shadow_onthesun/photo-12.jpg
While I love the modern technology in the new Mini, my heart goes to the old classics that have been lovingly restored to pristine conditions. They are just so CUTE! MotH saw a frosted pale pink/mauve one yesterday with a black top. A little too demure for my taste, but something different. I'd have to get a 4WD if we had to do it all over again. Where we live, we'd be helpless without one.
ReplyDeletePocky, you need to find someone with a manual shift car that doesn't mind you grinding the gears a little :)
ReplyDeleteJalna, practice practice practice :)
Kirk, I actually took my road test in my mom's station wagon (automatic).
Katherine, that bee is HUGE! Good luck with your studies :)
Rowena, with all that snow where you are, I agree a 4WD is necessary. After seeing all the older Minis here, I like seeing those that have been fixed up too :)
Take care everyone!
Kat
Hi there Kat.
ReplyDeleteLike your photos.
I like mini coopers too. I also like most classic cars and porsches.
Like you I live in Japan so don't need a car.
If I did own one though it would probably be a carolla fielder or a subaru impreza.
TK
Haha! My first car was a red, manual shift Honda Civic! It was a 1972 model. I'm sure yours would have been a bit more up to date. I change my mind all the time, but at the moment I'm loving the Honda Civic Type R, unfortunately costing around $45,000!!
ReplyDeleteMinis are the cutest cars! ;-)
ReplyDeleteTK, There was a period when I wanted a Ghia or a Porsche.
ReplyDeleteWow 45,000 is a lot of $$ Momiji...
Cutie patootie Debinhawaii :)
Take care everyone!
Kat
I like the mini cooper also, but never bought one. I am hoping the Mini Countryman gets released here for 2011 because I will definitely get one of those!
ReplyDeleteRick, I looked online, the countryman looks cute!
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
Hi Kat! I LOVE the mini cooper! Have you ever seen the show Scrubs? They have an adorable mini convertible on there!
ReplyDeleteThanks Shirley Lou, sorry but I've never seen that show, nor have I seen many convertible Minis in Japan either. Must be nice to ride in on a sunny day :)
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
Thanks Kat!
ReplyDeleteAs I am in Honolulu, a mini convertible sounds just perfect for the beachin' days! ;)
:) have fun Shirley :)
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat