well after growing up with minis in my family i became a very proud owner of my first mini when i learnt to drive (a red 87 city) she stayed in my family for 3 years and then i sold her as it was becoming too hard to keep her on the road 
......i only managed about 6 months before wanting another so then bought a mini 35 who stayed with me for 5 years. unfortunately i had to sell him when i split with my ex. i've never regretted anything more 
now nearly 2 years after been without a mini i really really want another 
to me, a mini isn't just a car,it's a hobby, a part of your life and i miss that....not just the owning a mini but all the fun that goes with it, being part of a club and going to shows/meets etc. i kind of thought it would go away after a while and i'd find something else to entertain myself with - but nope!
so what i wonder is....does the mini bug ever really go away? how can such a small car have such a huge influence on your life?? 
until i find another job, or a man with a mini (or both) i can't go out and buy another as i live alone and i couldn't afford the expense....so until that changes thankyou TMF for giving me a little bit of happiness when i log onto here and get to look at all the pretty cars and projects. it makes me realise my mini dream maybe isn't so far away after all 
