My wife and I met Client Advisor Roger Bader at MINI of Monrovia late Friday morning as we had been alerted the evening before that our car had arrived. A thorough review, inside and out, followed with the able assistance of Client Advisor Leon Levy. These gents we’ll no doubt be getting to know better as the trial continues.

A short visit with the financial department followed – then out the doors of the showroom (literally) and onto the 210 for the 15 minute drive back to Pasadena. That first drive was, in a word, exhilarating – and I now have a complete appreciation for the comments from some fellow pioneers about resisting the urge to put the occasional heavy pedal to the metal as this car, especially when up to speed, wants to GO!

As for those automotive journalists who say that this MINI has lost the sporty soul and sheer driving fun of it’s combustion driven cousins, I say you need to get back behind the wheel and get to know what this ultimate green driving machine is all about.