ONE WEEK BEFORE - Valerie has had her heart set on getting a MINI Cooper convertible for many years, but Khanh and I suggest she at least sees the Audi TT before making her final decision. She did not realize the TT has been updated since it was introduced more than a decade ago.

The dealership does NOT have any in stock. Apparently the TT is not a high demand model. They do have a pair of R8 spyders (pictured), but Valerie and I are not too keen on how it looks especially when compared to its superior hardtop companion. If I was ever to pick up an Audi, it would have to be an R8-GT.

Valerie sits inside her dream MINI Cooper S convertible....and it fits her like a glove. This one does not have the exact configuration of packages she is interested in, but it is the color she likes

PURCHASE DAY - After visiting CARMAX to learn how much Valerie's 2001 Lexus IS 300 is worth, we head over to South Bay MINI

As was the case last week, Valerie's exact configuration is not available. A conversation with the guy in charge of inventory leads to a few online searches that determine there are no such MINIs located anywhere on the West Coast...or even in production! Before we custom order a MINI to meet Valerie's specifications, the inventory guy asks why she wants each specific package. As we go over each item, Valerie starts to question the necessity of her choices.

And, by the time we are done, we end up spending much less than we originally planned.

Out with the old

In with the new

She has wanted a convertible for many years, but is not a fan of canvas topped models when their tops are up. My guess is that you will see her Cooper like this more often than not.

I could convince her to get the turbocharged model, but not the manual tranny

Valerie's new convertible 2013 MINI Cooper S replaces her 12 year old Lexus IS 300

Apparently my smartphone comes equiped with a JJ Abrams filter

This is the first picture of Valerie's new car that we shared with our friends on Facebook, taken and uploaded from my Galaxy S3 (but processed differently for inclusion within this gallery)

DAY 1 - Off to yoga!

For some reason, Valerie now quickly volunteers to drive

JUNE - When Valerie sold her '01 Lexus IS 300, we became a Toyota-free family. Last time we were Toyota-free lasted a little more than a year... when I sold my '88 Celica after buying my NSX.

The original Mini was a car produced by the British Motor Corporation, but the MINI brand is now owned by BMW...so you could say this is our first Bimmer

Meet the newest addition to our family

This is Valerie's MINI Cooper S...and the first car we have owned that sports German engineering

I have aligned the back bumpers, so you can see the difference in length

The NSX is nearly as long as the Pilot, but significantly shorter than the MINI

Behind the wheel of the MINI

Both Valerie and I thought this was the Cooper's only speedometer, until she went for her first test drive a few weeks ago