So, thanks to the 2020 stimulus checks to help jumpstart the economy, I went out and bought a new car today.
I had a 2007 Mustang GT, which, while a fun car, it wasn't very practical in getting planes out to the field. I could either fit my Sea Duck in, or a UMX plane and a couple of drones, or some Versa Wings, but I couldn't really get more than that out there. Plus, the gas mileage in the Mustang was starting to go downhill, and it was starting to have problems - I had check engine lights coming on and off over the past year, and because of that I was afraid I wasn't going to get it to pass smog.
So, I bit the bullet and went out shopping today.
I had been looking at some used Mini Countryman S cars, and figured that I'd get good gas mileage plus performance out of the car; I'd had a 2013 that I was in a wreck on the freeway with a few years ago, and both my wife and I, as well as our dog, walked away from it with only a few bruises and a scraped knuckle.
Because of that, I'd really wanted to consider another Mini - so I went down to the dealership today, talked to them, and came away with a 2016 Mini Countryman S, with some nice features - heated seats, automatic a/c, upgraded headlights, and paddle shifters.
What's hilarious is that I showed up with my P-38 Lightning in the trunk of my car, and I told the salesperson, "I have two requirements - 1) It must have the S package for the power, and 2) I have to be able to fit my plane in the car."
The look on his face was PRICELESS.
"Uhm...A...plane?"
"Yep! I fly RC planes, and I brought my biggest plane with me. I need to make sure it'll fit in the car, or else it's a no go."
The guy was a complete deer in the headlights, and it was perhaps the best thing I've EVER seen on a car salesperson's face when they're trying to hard sell someone on a car - he didn't know where to go with my comment.
I popped the trunk of the Mustang, pulled the P-38 out, and the guy was absolutely astonished at how I managed to get the plane in the Mustang itself. I slid it into the Mini Countryman (I had to lay the back seats down completely, but that's not a problem - I figured I'd have to do that anyway) and the plane slid right in, really nicely. The wingtips reached right to the back of the center console, and I was able to shut the door without damaging the wingtip and have some space.. So, if anyone's wondering, a Mini Countryman will fit a 60" wingspan from the back door to the end of the console, but just barely.
I had a 2007 Mustang GT, which, while a fun car, it wasn't very practical in getting planes out to the field. I could either fit my Sea Duck in, or a UMX plane and a couple of drones, or some Versa Wings, but I couldn't really get more than that out there. Plus, the gas mileage in the Mustang was starting to go downhill, and it was starting to have problems - I had check engine lights coming on and off over the past year, and because of that I was afraid I wasn't going to get it to pass smog.
So, I bit the bullet and went out shopping today.
I had been looking at some used Mini Countryman S cars, and figured that I'd get good gas mileage plus performance out of the car; I'd had a 2013 that I was in a wreck on the freeway with a few years ago, and both my wife and I, as well as our dog, walked away from it with only a few bruises and a scraped knuckle.
Because of that, I'd really wanted to consider another Mini - so I went down to the dealership today, talked to them, and came away with a 2016 Mini Countryman S, with some nice features - heated seats, automatic a/c, upgraded headlights, and paddle shifters.
What's hilarious is that I showed up with my P-38 Lightning in the trunk of my car, and I told the salesperson, "I have two requirements - 1) It must have the S package for the power, and 2) I have to be able to fit my plane in the car."
The look on his face was PRICELESS.
"Uhm...A...plane?"
"Yep! I fly RC planes, and I brought my biggest plane with me. I need to make sure it'll fit in the car, or else it's a no go."
The guy was a complete deer in the headlights, and it was perhaps the best thing I've EVER seen on a car salesperson's face when they're trying to hard sell someone on a car - he didn't know where to go with my comment.
I popped the trunk of the Mustang, pulled the P-38 out, and the guy was absolutely astonished at how I managed to get the plane in the Mustang itself. I slid it into the Mini Countryman (I had to lay the back seats down completely, but that's not a problem - I figured I'd have to do that anyway) and the plane slid right in, really nicely. The wingtips reached right to the back of the center console, and I was able to shut the door without damaging the wingtip and have some space.. So, if anyone's wondering, a Mini Countryman will fit a 60" wingspan from the back door to the end of the console, but just barely.