RickBetterley

I just ordered a Mini Cooper S for use as a daily driver. It replaces a 1992 M-B 300E4Matic - how's that for a major change?
I had thought of another (used) 4 door AWD car with less complexity than a M-B, but didn't want to go the M-B or Audi route again. Considered a Volvo, but then had a flash of inspiration. I like performance cars, didn't really need a big car (I run a management consulting practice out of a home office so I don't have a commute and rarely if ever need to take clients somewhere in the car), and I have 2 sons that need to learn performance driving but not at the Porsche (cost) level (yet).
Hmm - if I get a Mini, I can have fun, maybe get them autocrossing and learn how to use a stick. Big grin here!
Took a long test drive at Mini of Peabody in MA; very impressed with the quality and performance of the car. Reminds me a bit of my long-ago 1972 BMW 2002 crossed with a 1980 Rabbit we owned once. More of the BMW than the Rabbit (:>}).
A major difference is FWD, of course, but I think I will get used to that.
Although there were a ton of cars on the lot to choose from (both new and used), I ordered new, as I just couldn't find a car with Limited Slip. Since we might try some casual autocrossing, LSD seemed like a good idea.
So - I am now officially in love with the Mini and can't wait to take delivery. Dark Silver with black roof and mirrors (went into the dealer thinking yellow, blue, or black, so thats another change; the Dark Silver is much prettier in the flesh than in the brochures, and I thought it might make a better Q-ship on the road).
Naturally, I went looking for a site like Rennlist, and came up with North American Motoring, which is a Mini-only site, I believe.
I wonder if anyone from our Porsche world is on there too.
Just what I need - a new enthusiasm and a forum on which to discuss it all day!

Bruce SEA 993

Bimmer forums

Bimmerfest

Beware...even on the E39 (5 series...old guys car) the age group is really low.

JDHertz11

I ordered a Smart!!! Hows that for a change. My current DD has 450HP and this one will have 70. That should help my "Carbon signature". Every option (only 2 of them!!) and only a $15K sticker price. The only issue is the 3 month wait.....

fast_freddy

There's one on a used car lot in my 'hood if you are so inclined.

techno99

My wife's daily driver is a 2006 Works car. She loves it but won't let me take it to the track I drove it on the Moroso go cart track. What a blast.

RJT

I Love my Mini S (R53). It's a 2006. Didn't quite like the 2007 (R56) as much, BUT since we test drove the EARLY 2007, we've been told that the suspension had been vastly improved by MY2008.

Matter of fact I love the Mini so much, we sold my CayenneS and kept the Mini since the Cayenne was just sitting in the garage gathering dust. I prefer driving the Mini daily.

We've already done mods to it.........


You'll love it. Lots of bang for very little buck....................


BTW: We are on North American Motoring = 'The Wheel'.

clinchy993

I just got a new mini its a 1997 ( a good year) 1 owner 10k and almost as clean as my P993,so 2 Icon cars now






Back to your topic the new mini is a very good car

TRINITONY

In Miami - ur a brave man! You know the surfboard is biggert than the car.

TRINITONY

My wife is threating divorce if I ever upgrade my pcar without first buying her a mini. That's all I hear every time I drive by one; look how cute blah blah blah

TRINITONY

Back in the 80's I drove around in real minis like this one, with the steering on the other side.

RJT

My MiniS is on a slippery Slope

The Day the Minicame home:



Cosmetic Surgery started with the White Top being painted Chili Red to match the body color and changing out to the Carbon Fiber mirror covers:


Continued with new wheels and tires (get rid of the run flats!!!!!!) a black out kit and NOS Pella fog light, and had the wind wing repainted black and installed on the rear and new black front grills, upper and lower. Only chrome left on this car are the gage rings and those will soon be red. This is the car in the garage about 5 minutes ago:


Next... once it's out of warranty we'll mess with the engine a bit..... MAYBE. I happy with it the way it is.

RickBetterley

Hi Ms. October (who'd have thought??) and everyone else that responded - my thanks.
I drove a 2007 and was impressed, so the 2008 may be even better? Alright!
Now, it may look from this thread that this is a ladies' car, but trust me, its a great handling car with good grunt. :>}
Oh, wait, ladies like those characteristics, too.
Yes, its cute, but it passed the Joanie/Chip/Jeremy test, that's for sure. I'll bet it passes a lot of other things, too. Lots of performance and quality for not a whole lot of bucks.
Still reminds me of my old 2002 (but of course, I last owned one of those in 1975).
Drove my 1986 cabriolet yesterday and it was kind of ancient-feeling.
What's happening to me?

RickBetterley

That's not a slippery slope, that's a freaking avalanche - and you're in the middle of it.
Nice color

RJT

I just added a few other options that we've done to the car that I forgot when I first posted.....

You probably drove a late build 2007 or one with the "Sports Suspension" which was offered later in the year.

U R Right! This is not a chick car! The Mini was initially Robert's idea and he loves driving it. BUT I prefer driving the Mini over the Tacoma and I ALWAYS get what I want so I claim it as MINE..... Around these parts the CayenneS is such a Mom's Taxi that Neither I nor Robert wanted to drive it much so bye bye it went! I think I saw it the other day at Costco and a Mom was driving it!!!

Nuff

Had a MCS from 2005 to 2007. JB/JB. Was on NAM (still am every now and then - same username).

Sold my MCS last year and it's now owned by Doug Whalen (inventor of the Whalen Shift Machine).

It was my DD for 2 years and I loved it. I only wish it was RWD.