The 4S becomes a weekend car... even more impressive
09-25-2010, 12:33 PM
#1
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The 4S becomes a weekend car... even more impressive
Fellow Rennlisters,
For the last 3 years I have used my 4S as my sole vehicle - DD / DE / whatever... and it performed flawlessly!
However, I recently acquired a new 2010 Mini Cooper S for a daily driver since my new duties had me filling up the 4S every other day (I have a hard time keeping away from the go-pedal)! The Mini is a great little beast. Very fast - all things considered... handling is very fun, and Im getting 32mpg without driving conservatively.
However - as the 4S had been sitting in the garage for a couple of weeks... I decided to take it to work yesterday... I was adjusting my rear-view mirror when I noticed my ****-eating permagrin.
In love again!
In just a 15 minute drive I reminded myself what a great car the 996 is... the sound, the power, the steering feel... I wish i could afford the gas bills because there is no better way to start your day! And just as I was nearing work, a modded 928 pulled up next to me, and then behind him another '6 4S... like I was being welcomed back.
Happy motoring
~J
For the last 3 years I have used my 4S as my sole vehicle - DD / DE / whatever... and it performed flawlessly!
However, I recently acquired a new 2010 Mini Cooper S for a daily driver since my new duties had me filling up the 4S every other day (I have a hard time keeping away from the go-pedal)! The Mini is a great little beast. Very fast - all things considered... handling is very fun, and Im getting 32mpg without driving conservatively.
However - as the 4S had been sitting in the garage for a couple of weeks... I decided to take it to work yesterday... I was adjusting my rear-view mirror when I noticed my ****-eating permagrin.
In love again! In just a 15 minute drive I reminded myself what a great car the 996 is... the sound, the power, the steering feel... I wish i could afford the gas bills because there is no better way to start your day! And just as I was nearing work, a modded 928 pulled up next to me, and then behind him another '6 4S... like I was being welcomed back.
Happy motoring
~J
09-25-2010, 01:24 PM
#2
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special cars for sure.
when I get in mine after not driving it for a spell it brings it all back.
what is it they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder....
nice post.
when I get in mine after not driving it for a spell it brings it all back.
what is it they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder....
nice post.
09-25-2010, 04:13 PM
#3
Both are great vehicles and a blast to drive; you have to pick your poison....but I'm sure the Mini could sit idle for alot longer than the 4S. my C2 gets 14-16 mpg; mostly city, but my commutes are usually 30mins or less.
09-25-2010, 04:27 PM
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I get the same feeling in my base '01 - I can't imagine an S. Enjoy it when you can.
Is the MINI a company car? I ask because if you do want to drive the 4S everyday, I can't quite figure out the economy behind a $20k car + insurance to save less than 15 mpg - at 20k miles a year that's under $2 grand/year, right? Even with the increased maintenance costs on the 4S it'd take take years to break even, I would think.
But I am often wrong.
Either way, it doesn't matter. Enjoy the 4S every chance you get, I say.
Is the MINI a company car? I ask because if you do want to drive the 4S everyday, I can't quite figure out the economy behind a $20k car + insurance to save less than 15 mpg - at 20k miles a year that's under $2 grand/year, right? Even with the increased maintenance costs on the 4S it'd take take years to break even, I would think.
But I am often wrong.
Either way, it doesn't matter. Enjoy the 4S every chance you get, I say.
09-25-2010, 04:44 PM
#5
Nordschleife Master
I get the same feeling in my base '01 - I can't imagine an S. Enjoy it when you can.
Is the MINI a company car? I ask because if you do want to drive the 4S everyday, I can't quite figure out the economy behind a $20k car + insurance to save less than 15 mpg - at 20k miles a year that's under $2 grand/year, right? Even with the increased maintenance costs on the 4S it'd take take years to break even, I would think.
But I am often wrong.
Either way, it doesn't matter. Enjoy the 4S every chance you get, I say.
Is the MINI a company car? I ask because if you do want to drive the 4S everyday, I can't quite figure out the economy behind a $20k car + insurance to save less than 15 mpg - at 20k miles a year that's under $2 grand/year, right? Even with the increased maintenance costs on the 4S it'd take take years to break even, I would think.
But I am often wrong.
Either way, it doesn't matter. Enjoy the 4S every chance you get, I say.
His wife might be reading. Makes perfect sense to me to own two fun cars.
09-26-2010, 01:29 PM
#6
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Thread Starter
Is the MINI a company car? I ask because if you do want to drive the 4S everyday, I can't quite figure out the economy behind a $20k car + insurance to save less than 15 mpg - at 20k miles a year that's under $2 grand/year, right? Even with the increased maintenance costs on the 4S it'd take take years to break even, I would think.
Actually I did buy it as a company car... per my accountant's rec. But there were other reasons I didn't want to drive the 4S every day besides gas. I will be putting 15K+ a year on the Mini, and I didn't want that kind of annual mileage on the 4S (wear and depreciation). Also, there is no covered parking where my new offices are... which means the Orient Red metallic will bake every day under the Texan sun. Suboptimal IMO.
Most importantly, we have a 2.5 year old... which means we needed two cars with back seat car-seat capability. Now that we have another 4 seater (the Mini will take 2 car seats in the back) the 4S is relieved of duties.
This means... I can start to seriously look for a GT3, or pull the rear seats out of the 4S, put in a half cage and race seats + harnesses for the track.
Its all part of the master plan...
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09-26-2010, 06:26 PM
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Good plan! I should have taken Homer's advice above.
Those MINIs are a blast and have so much more room in them than I thought they would - when I first sat in one I thought it pulled some kind of a magic trick, as it looks so compact from the outside and then feels so comfortable and airy from the inside. I couldn't believe the amount of headroom.
A GT3 or a half cage sounds like a great track upgrade from rear child seats, too.
Enjoy them both and drive them in good health.
Those MINIs are a blast and have so much more room in them than I thought they would - when I first sat in one I thought it pulled some kind of a magic trick, as it looks so compact from the outside and then feels so comfortable and airy from the inside. I couldn't believe the amount of headroom.
A GT3 or a half cage sounds like a great track upgrade from rear child seats, too.
Enjoy them both and drive them in good health.
09-27-2010, 01:16 PM
#9
"I wish i could afford the gas bills because there is no better way to start your day!"
That's funny...cause this morning one of my co-workers asked me why I was in such a good mood today....and I told her it was because I drove a Porsche. That might have sounded pretentious, but really, some days just the drive into work can change my mood! Never experienced that with any other car I've ever owned.
sean
That's funny...cause this morning one of my co-workers asked me why I was in such a good mood today....and I told her it was because I drove a Porsche. That might have sounded pretentious, but really, some days just the drive into work can change my mood! Never experienced that with any other car I've ever owned.
sean
09-28-2010, 12:21 AM
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Thread Starter
Those MINIs are a blast and have so much more room in them than I thought they would - when I first sat in one I thought it pulled some kind of a magic trick, as it looks so compact from the outside and then feels so comfortable and airy from the inside. I couldn't believe the amount of headroom.
Enjoy them both and drive them in good health.
Enjoy them both and drive them in good health.
As the weather turned cooler this week, the Mini has been even more fun (as the turbo suffers in the heat with the small OEM intercooler). I agree that its mostly a visual trick that makes the car look "smaller." Its def shorter, but in terms of interior space, its nicely sized.
Agreed. These cars are special for sure.
