u/Gooses_Gooses

My parents and I always had land rovers, but I recently needed to replace mine with something more economical and fell in love with minis

I just bought mine a week ago (literally!) it’s a 2015 base f56 (auto) and my mechanic had it in for some checks to assure me everything was up to scratch. He was looking for a mini hatch (gen 3) for me for months and months, since my last car fell apart, but he never found anything. While I was down there, I saw an auto (gen 2) 2010 Camden.

When I bought mine, my mum ended up driving it home as I couldn’t afford to switch my insurance over yet. She fell in love with it on the ride home.

We were keeping a look out for a run-around for her. He had just got in this Camden mini hatch, gen 2. Not what I’d wanted anyway… but my mum fell in love with it. It’s a Camden model - and growing up she and I spent a lot of time in Camden. It was a sign :)

it’s low mileage for the age and has been serviced (almost) religiously, sometimes twice a year, skipping a year about 2015, and again during Covid. This doesn’t bother either of us as it was driven very little during that time and it’s long enough ago that any issues *should* have arisen — any the long history of kept receipts etc show that the car has been well cared for. The service history was mostly loose paperwork / invoices so it’s also possible that the Covid-year one has simply slipped out of the folder 🤷 either way — not a deal breaker!

We got it for a great price and it’s recently had some work done. She’s so thrilled.

Going for £4.5k, 70k miles. Worth it for a run around? Family member would want it to pop to shops / visit nearest town. Probably do about 6k miles a year tops.

Know they can be problematic. Going to check service history + ask about previous repairs, like timing chain etc.

Two MOTs ago it had some subframe rust which is no longer flagged, so I’ll get that checked too. Being sold by someone who I’ve bought off previously with really good results (car was an issue and he fixed it no hassle).

The Freelander 2 (2007) was my first car, gifted to me from my parents. I loved it. My parents only ever really drive land rovers and I absolutely loved my Freelander - until everything from electrics to the torque went - all at once, after having been very reliable and not needing any major repairs. It was all original parts - and then it died at just over 169k miles. Yikes.

I HAD to have an SUV. No one could talk me out of it. I love the way they drive and I didn’t want a “girly” car. I wanted something iconic and a bit more old-man. And a two door hatchback would have made me laugh.

I initially wanted another Land Rover but being a full time student I couldn’t afford one. I also couldn’t after shitty mpg or pricey repairs on the older examples. So, I wanted another compact suv.

Tried a Volvo, but at 5 foot 2 I couldn’t reach the pedals, reach the shift, and see over the bonnet without sitting dangerously close to the steering wheel. Hated it.

So, i thought about the mini countryman. I came close to buying one — but a horrible RAC report meant I couldn’t go for it. Another few came and went but got snatched up before I could view.

I even put a deposit on a paceman before noticing a horrible oil leak. With the n18/14/47 issues, I couldn’t stop worrying about possible problems. But I knew I wanted a mini.

So… I now have an f56. She’s really cute. I’m going to be adding a new radio at some point and possibly a few minor alterations. I love it so so much. It’s a base model lacks a lot of the stuff my high-spec Land Rover had, but I’m relieved to have less to go wrong (like faulty parking sensors, in built heated seats…) and it’s nice not having a useless in built sat nav.

Also, heated seat cover recs are the one thing I’m now needing if anyone knows of a good brand!

Warning - graphic detail

My rat has a tumour. I confided In my dad. I told him I’d have to spend my own money to pts my rat when it was time. He then kept shouting about me being stupid and wasting money when he could use a brick or a knife.

I’m so upset. I was being strong and hadn’t cried at all but now I’m sobbing.

It blew up overnight. First rat I bought (in a pair) when life was better. Her name is Boris.

I’m very sad but I’ve given her an awesome nine months with other rats and lots of good food. I won’t be operating - I don’t think I want her to go through that as the tumour will likely reoccur from what I read. I’ll most likely leave her as she is for a while until she seems to be hindered by it. I’ll be pts sooner rather than later, as I don’t want her quality of life to drop.

I worry this is the wrong choice, but operating doesn’t seem fair on her. I think it would only be for me (to operate). Right now she’s very happy and playful.

Am I being horrible? I don’t want her to suffer for a moment I fear an operation would only create more suffering (and likely have reoccurrence, it’s also grown so quickly).