OT Opinions about the Mini
07-24-2002, 11:01 AM
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OT Opinions about the Mini
Sorry to have posted here about another car but the OT lounge does not seem to be too well attended.
If any of you own or have had any experience with the new Cooper S won't you please post your opinion ? I plan to purchase one but wouldn't mind hearing from anyone with first hand knowledge of those cars. And no, this isn't meant be a comparison between my 944 and the Mini. I'm not buying the Mini to replace the 944, however I do want to buy a new car with some measure of performance without having to spend a fortune.
Tia,
Jma
If any of you own or have had any experience with the new Cooper S won't you please post your opinion ? I plan to purchase one but wouldn't mind hearing from anyone with first hand knowledge of those cars. And no, this isn't meant be a comparison between my 944 and the Mini. I'm not buying the Mini to replace the 944, however I do want to buy a new car with some measure of performance without having to spend a fortune.
Tia,
Jma
07-24-2002, 01:02 PM
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Burning Brakes
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[quote]Originally posted by my944:
<strong>Too much $$$ for too little of a car</strong><hr></blockquote>
Are you crazy? The base price for a Cooper S is under $20k, and if you measure how much car you're getting by how big it is, you're missing the whole point. The Mini is a lot of car, even though it's small. I've only driven one on test drives, but I was very very impressed. And from everything I've heard, they are kicking serious *** in their autoX classes.
I don't think there's a better value out there in new cars.
<strong>Too much $$$ for too little of a car</strong><hr></blockquote>
Are you crazy? The base price for a Cooper S is under $20k, and if you measure how much car you're getting by how big it is, you're missing the whole point. The Mini is a lot of car, even though it's small. I've only driven one on test drives, but I was very very impressed. And from everything I've heard, they are kicking serious *** in their autoX classes.
I don't think there's a better value out there in new cars.
07-24-2002, 01:16 PM
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I've heard really good things about the mini's as well. I think that they look sharp, very competitively priced.
Just look at any American competition... That'll help you make a decision!!!
You could get yourself a Ford Focus...
You could get yourself a Dodge Neon...
or even better yet, you could get yourself a Chevy Cavalier...
Personally I would take the Mini. Very nice paint schemes, fast, small, fuel efficient besides nobody has one!! I could go on..
Just look at any American competition... That'll help you make a decision!!!
You could get yourself a Ford Focus...
You could get yourself a Dodge Neon...
or even better yet, you could get yourself a Chevy Cavalier...
Personally I would take the Mini. Very nice paint schemes, fast, small, fuel efficient besides nobody has one!! I could go on..
07-24-2002, 01:57 PM
#5
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Mini S - looks nice. There is a lot of heritage/nostalgia behind it. Similar to the VW Bug (but I think the Mini will hold its image/looks overtime better than the beetle).
Me, I prefer the VW GTI (1.8Turbo??)
Me, I prefer the VW GTI (1.8Turbo??)
07-24-2002, 02:01 PM
#6
My son has a new MINI Cooper (not an 'S'). He got about 2600 miles on it and he (and I) absolutely love it. I am 6'1" and find it very comfortable to drive. Compared to my 83 944na it has similar power, with less low-end torque. It may not have the overall handling capability of the 944 (mostly due to the front wheel drive), but in transitions it is much more nimble. It really is like a go-kart, very quick steering. It is a real blast to drive. I can only imagine how much better the 'S' is. He ran it in a PCA autocross last month and did quite respectable considering he's only done one. He beat a couple of novice Boxsters, 944's and 911's and embarassed a guy in a new Mustang GT.
I don't think you'd be disappointed
I don't think you'd be disappointed
07-25-2002, 01:42 AM
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[quote]Originally posted by Jaime Diaz:
Me, I prefer the VW GTI (1.8Turbo??)[/QB]<hr></blockquote>
Jaime,
The GTI turbo is the other car also in the running, I like a it lot and I'm very familiar with VWs having owned quite a few over the years. VWs are something a of known quality to me whereas the MINI is so new I need all the info I can get. They are pretty close in price, the GTI has a bit more power but at the expense of more weight so I suspect the performance numbers will be similar. One thing that is in favor of the VW is availability, the MINI is another story, talked to my local dealer today and bad news: 6 to 10 month wait, ouch !
Me, I prefer the VW GTI (1.8Turbo??)[/QB]<hr></blockquote>
Jaime,
The GTI turbo is the other car also in the running, I like a it lot and I'm very familiar with VWs having owned quite a few over the years. VWs are something a of known quality to me whereas the MINI is so new I need all the info I can get. They are pretty close in price, the GTI has a bit more power but at the expense of more weight so I suspect the performance numbers will be similar. One thing that is in favor of the VW is availability, the MINI is another story, talked to my local dealer today and bad news: 6 to 10 month wait, ouch !
Trending Topics
07-25-2002, 02:31 AM
#8
My cousin just bought a new Cooper S. I have driven it, must say it's very nice.Totally different comparing to my cousin's original '68 Cooper, which he has own since new.Can still remeber back to mid 60's when Flying Finns (Timo Makinen & Rauno Aaltonen) won all of the rallyes with Mini's.
Olli
'88 951
Olli
'88 951
07-25-2002, 05:00 AM
#9
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I'm very, very fortunate to say I just took delivery of a Cooper S, and I am blown away. This car is a total street legal go-cart. The gizmos are so right, it all fits. From the DSC to the fridge-glove box, It is a pleasure to be in, and corners like stink, and I like the looks. My wife will be doing her first D/E in it next year, and I look forward to tracking it too. I've got a few small complaints, but I got one fully loaded..at 26K nothing comes close. 6'4" and tons of room, 35 MPG highway, darts thru traffic and will be an Auto-X ace.. I'm in Love. Soon, I'll put up pics of the P-car with it. I'm in a motel so my resources are limited, maybe I'll get a pic up here..
Try this
<a href="http://home.earthlink.net/~944fest/MGminiSm.jpg" target="_blank">http://home.earthlink.net/~944fest/MGminiSm.jpg</a>
Anyway, I love mine..I waited a year for it, but just paid sticker. NOTHING even comes close!!
Add a 2002 Mini S to my sig..
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
Try this
<a href="http://home.earthlink.net/~944fest/MGminiSm.jpg" target="_blank">http://home.earthlink.net/~944fest/MGminiSm.jpg</a>
Anyway, I love mine..I waited a year for it, but just paid sticker. NOTHING even comes close!!
Add a 2002 Mini S to my sig..
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
07-27-2002, 11:03 PM
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Very nice Dan !
Well, today one last test drive with a forgiving and enthusiastic salesman made me a convert. 8-10 months from now I hope to be as satisfied as you are. Not one person I've spoken to who has had any contact with these cars, has said anything negative about them, well.... nitpicking aside of course. It'll be a long wait....
Well, today one last test drive with a forgiving and enthusiastic salesman made me a convert. 8-10 months from now I hope to be as satisfied as you are. Not one person I've spoken to who has had any contact with these cars, has said anything negative about them, well.... nitpicking aside of course. It'll be a long wait....
07-28-2002, 12:55 AM
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i picked up a copy of 'bmw car' magazine for about $8.50 or £3.50.. inside there is a aricle about a MINI that has an M3 engine (E36) and puts out 365Hp (295 lb/ft torque). it's rear wheel driven (10x18), has ride height of 70mm, uses shocks that are mounted on the inside (Techno-Flex), has a an engine displacment of 3,0 l and weighs 1025kg (has carbon/kevlar body)!
One awesome BMW! i love bimmers (next to my p-car of course)!
One awesome BMW! i love bimmers (next to my p-car of course)!
07-28-2002, 12:58 AM
#12
Race Car
[quote]Originally posted by DangerIsland:
<strong>Are you crazy?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yes, he is. Remember he even had a Fiberworks front bumper.
Minis are awesome, I want one. The Cooper S with sport package is cool as all hell and the interior is one of the coolest I've seen.
<strong>Are you crazy?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yes, he is. Remember he even had a Fiberworks front bumper.
Minis are awesome, I want one. The Cooper S with sport package is cool as all hell and the interior is one of the coolest I've seen.
07-28-2002, 04:09 AM
#13
Burning Brakes
I've driven a Cooper and a Cooper S. The Cooper feels too slow in the modern context. It won't keep up with most traffic. The S is a completely different story. The S corners very hard. It also rides very hard. The one I drove had optional 18 inchers. My guess is that both aspects would improve with non-run flat tires.
That's the one thing that bugs me about this car the most - no spare.
The 6 speed in the S feels like you're shifting a Formula Ford. It's almost worth buying this car just so you can shift it.
I've seen some posts on the forum by know-nothings that deride front-wheel drive handling. A lap in the right seat around an autocross course would have their jaws on the floor. Compared to 944 n/a performance, it will blow it away, imo, except for top speed.
That's the one thing that bugs me about this car the most - no spare.
The 6 speed in the S feels like you're shifting a Formula Ford. It's almost worth buying this car just so you can shift it.
I've seen some posts on the forum by know-nothings that deride front-wheel drive handling. A lap in the right seat around an autocross course would have their jaws on the floor. Compared to 944 n/a performance, it will blow it away, imo, except for top speed.
07-28-2002, 07:11 AM
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i almost forgot: (in san francisco) i was going from Marin County to the City and happened to be passed by a yellow MINI with a black top with New Jersey plates. I was shocked because evidently this was before they were available.
Don't remember if it was a S or not, but I attempted to keep up. No dice. The car was kicking some serious ***, although i wanted to try, I am familar with that particular section of the 101 and was't looking for a ticket -especially one for reckless driving trying to keep up with that that damn car (plus I drive an NA!! doh!). Anyhow I soon lost track of the car and thought nothing of it.
Either that day or the day after, I remember going down to candlestick park (3com park) on a whim and happened to see 50 MINIs of all colors parked in the closed off parking lot, with checkered and MINI logoed flags everywhere like it was some corporate event.
I put two and two together after picked up a copy of Bimmer magazine (located in Novato, same company who does Excellence), and lo and behold, guess which MINI was in the mag? That yellow one with the black top. If i remember correctly there was picture of the car overlooking the golden gate bridge from the right, outside the span. Some editor dude must have having a good time.
Don't remember if it was a S or not, but I attempted to keep up. No dice. The car was kicking some serious ***, although i wanted to try, I am familar with that particular section of the 101 and was't looking for a ticket -especially one for reckless driving trying to keep up with that that damn car (plus I drive an NA!! doh!). Anyhow I soon lost track of the car and thought nothing of it.
Either that day or the day after, I remember going down to candlestick park (3com park) on a whim and happened to see 50 MINIs of all colors parked in the closed off parking lot, with checkered and MINI logoed flags everywhere like it was some corporate event.
I put two and two together after picked up a copy of Bimmer magazine (located in Novato, same company who does Excellence), and lo and behold, guess which MINI was in the mag? That yellow one with the black top. If i remember correctly there was picture of the car overlooking the golden gate bridge from the right, outside the span. Some editor dude must have having a good time.
