New Toy - NOW WITH PICS

[Jeff]

Wow... you never really realize how much money you have until you stop racing (or slow it down a LOT)...

Pics forthcoming.  In the meanwhile, here's some verbosity on the topic.

Having settled out of court with Daimler Chrysler over the POS Jeep Liberty Diesel which kept ripping apart torque converters, we were in the market for a new ride.  This time (since I bought the last 3 vehicles), I had no choice in the vehicle and was told to just shutup and bring the checkbook.

A few weeks back we went shopping and drove MINIs.  Specifically the Cooper S.  At the time all they had were 06's.  Well, she pretty much fell in love and I was right behind her in it.  The thing was an absolute hoot to drive.

Fast forward 2 months and we pick up a completely loaded 07 Cooper S.  Red w/black roof & stripes (sorry, I'm a honda guy.  I tried to convince the wife to let me put honda wings across the sides but she won't go for it).

OH MY EFFEN GOD... 

That about sums it up...  With a smile from ear - to - ear.

From a completely keyless operation (just keep the fob in your pocket and press 'start') to the multi-color mood lighting, to the heated - punch leather seats, to a turbo that will break the tires loose in 2nd gear on dry pavement, this thing is unbelievable.

The words "umm honey, you just hit 100, you might want to slow down" came from my wife's mouth more than once. 

As mentioned, there are almost no options this thing is missing.  The only 2 things I wish it had but did not want to wait 6-8 weeks for would be the LSD which everyone here recommended, and the high-performance tires vice the run-flats.  The all-season run-flats break loose pretty easy, and lacking the LSD, the front can get squirrely, but the traction control and other 'predictive' measures of the vehicle help to control it quite well.  And if it all goes to shit, there's about a dozen airbags in it, so I feel pretty safe...

Really, thinking back, I believe it was a corvette ZR6 (I think that's the model) that was the last car I was in that hit 100 with such little effort.  But the MINI just begs to keep on going.  It is too cool.  FAR better than the S2000 I drove and liked last year.

The next time you see one on the road and laugh at it, remember..  You'll only laugh until you drive one...

[G-reg]

Nice!


Automatic or stick?

[Super Dave]

[Jeff]

Automatic or stick?

6spd manual of course...

Pics tonight :-)

[spyderchick]

Bitch. 





















Seriously, congrats on the car. We've been jonesin', but the budget says no, and we can't make up our mind anyhow.

[truckstop]

Congratulations! Great choice!

The next time you see one on the road and laugh at it, remember..  You'll only laugh until you drive one...

pfft. *I've* never laughed, but then I've been a huge fan of the old minis (and odd tiny cars) for years.
The only thing I'm not really thrilled with is the... plastic-y-ness of some of the switch gear. They've improved on it a little between a test drive when they first came out, and then got to drive a rented one in California last year, and the fun of driving it makes up for it's few shortcomings. Forget the convertible though - super noisy, not just road noise, my Miata is loud too, but just stuff rattling too much when the roof is in different positions.

The other small sports car on my list is the Lotus Elise. Didn't really get a chance to totally open it up, and it really just felt a lot like a faster, cooler, Miata, but man, that was a fun drive. Mini's are waaaay more practical though, and you don't end up with bruises trying to figure out how to get in and out of them repeatedly.

I'd have to go with the old Monte Carlo Rally winning paint scheme of red with a white roof (and bonnet stripes just 'cos), but the black-stripe version is pretty cool.

[Jeff]

Yeah, we didn't like the look of the convertable so we stayed with the hard-top..  And the Lotus is a cool car, but I don't think it can fit 4, and FULLY loaded, the mini is about half the price.

[truckstop]

Yeah, we didn't like the look of the convertable so we stayed with the hard-top..  And the Lotus is a cool car, but I don't think it can fit 4, and FULLY loaded, the mini is about half the price.

Yeah, the Mini is like a TARDIS, surprisingly roomy on the inside.  Heh, the Lotus fits two people, and one backpack. :P NOT a family car, or a winter car, not practical, at all... although they can be found slightly used for not too much more than a loaded Cooper S.

*sigh* I have new car envy...

[Super Dave]

Hey, Jeff....

I just took out my wheel chair lift out of the bus.

If you'd like to have it, I think you might be able to use it to get some extra garage space.  You could put the mini above your other car.   

[spyderchick]

Yeah, the Mini is like a TARDIS,

You said TARDIS...LOL

Man, you are either a geek or a nerd. Me? I'm a geek. 

Have you seen the new ones on Sci Fi channel? I though I would be disappointed, but they are really cool in that cheesy kind of way.

[Jeff]

Hey, Jeff....

I just took out my wheel chair lift out of the bus.

If you'd like to have it, I think you might be able to use it to get some extra garage space.  You could put the mini above your other car.   

Next to the 4dr wrangler (which is not super huge), the thing looks like a toy.

4'7" high x 5'6" wide x 12'1" long... 

The best part is being able to park ANYWHERE, and having so much more room in the garage. 

The downside is that you have to make sure you back ALL THE WAY out of a parking space before cranking the steering wheel.  The thing is so short that if you start backing and turn right away you'll clip the vehicle next to you.  LOL...

[EX#996]

You said TARDIS...LOL

Man, you are either a geek or a nerd. Me? I'm a geek. 

Have you seen the new ones on Sci Fi channel? I though I would be disappointed, but they are really cool in that cheesy kind of way.

I love Dr. Who....