Why Is This Car Different?

It’s Passover; a time of celebration and questions. As BMW tries to play Moses and lead the Mini E’s out of storage, I thought I’d answer a few questions that others have been asking about my participation in the field trial.

Why is this car different from all other cars?

Other cars use gasoline or a combination of gas and electric. The Mini E is all electric. I’ve been curious about electric cars for some time. One of my other vehicles is an electric box cab locomotive. It’s called a Generic Electric, uses two batteries and works very much like the Mini E. It has no brakes. You push the throttle forward to go and ease it back to slow down and stop. I love running it and thought that a car that ran like that would also be fun. From what I’ve been hearing, if you look up “driving fun” in a dictionary, you’ll find a picture of a Mini Cooper. So, I couldn’t resist entering the lottery to drive the Mini E for a year.

Why did you jump at an $850/month lease for the Mini E?

Other drivers seek a lease deal around $199 yet I’m willing to jump right into an $850/month closed-end lease for a car I haven’t seen nor test driven. To answer that question I have to go back a few years to September 11, 2001. On that day, some maniacs decided to fly a jet plane into my office. Yes, I was there and I consider myself very lucky to be alive. That day made me reconsider the things I’d put off till later and never done. It led me to buy my first large scale locomotive, a $14,000 investment. I could barely afford it at the time but the fact is I could afford it. Since then I’ve bought a few cars to go with it and the Generic Electric mentioned earlier. I’ve had a lot of fun with them and realized that I would never have had that fun if I didn’t stop dreaming that I could build my own locomotive some day. Here is a chance to do something that not everyone can do. Something I’m sure I’ll enjoy. If I wait for a real electric car to hit the market and wait till I can afford to really buy it, I could be too old to drive or, worse yet, motoring around heaven. So, I have the opportunity and the ability and I’m going for it.

With thousands of applicants to choose from why did Mini pick you?

It’s funny that no other blog spoke about the application process. About half-way through the questions the program has a meltdown. It tells you that all data was lost and you have to start again. You are presented with three choices and I’m paraphrasing here:

1. That’s Ok… These things happen. I’ll re-enter my info.
2. I’ll reenter my info but I’m really pissed off.
3. Forget it. I don’t have time for this nonsense.

I chose number one and was congratulated on being patient because that’s the type of person they want for the field trial. Of couse, the data was never lost. It was the first test applicants had to pass and I did. I suppose I met many of their qualifications for a good candidate. I’m single so a two seater is not so much of a problem. Most of my friends are couples, though. This makes it difficult to be the driver when we go someplace but you can’t have everything. I have a 2 hour each-way commute but only the first 15 miles or so are by car. The Mini E is the perfect commuter car for my kind of commute. Last but not least, I have a garage. This is a must according to the Mini E Field Trial website. I’m not sure why it’s required but now I’m glad I didn’t buy the condo I was considering in 1989 that didn’t have one.

 So, you’ve told your friends and family this story and they still think you’re nuts?

Some do. Some don’t. But they all want a ride! There are times when you have to march to the beat of your own drum. Unfortunately, sometimes you have to pay an arm and a leg for the drumsticks. I know I’ve made the right decision. I’ve been blessed with long-term luck. Things tend to work out for me over time. I can’t win this week’s Lotto but I can buy a house with a garage I’ll need twenty years later. I’m sure I’ll enjoy my Mini E and expect tears when I have to give it back.

So to all: Happy Passover and Easter. May you all be blessed with the things that make you happy. Next year in the Mini E!

Any questions?