[trackbird]

My wife has been looking at Mini Cooper's lately. Unfortunately, the Mini dealer didn't want her VW very badly (50% depreciation in 1.5 years and 25k miles?).

It was wet out and I kept the test drive short, but I really liked it (Cooper S). Actually, I liked it more than I thought I really would. It could use a bit more power, but it wasn't a pig (it's not a Camaro either). The handling was reasonably crisp and it was a bit go cart like. I found myself thinking that I could possibly live with one of those as a daily driver. And, tires and such for autocross will be considerably cheaper than my current ride. I'm really thinking that I should take another look at these. It's small, and really rather fun to drive.

She won't be buying one for a while, but....I could probably sell the Z at this point..... :leaving:

[Sam Strano]

Great little cars. My sister and her husband ordered one (under my supervision) last year. It was $22-23 optioned the way I demanded... never know when I might want to run G-stock. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Cooper S, LSD, Xenon lights/heated seats, no sunroof, Harman/Kardon, no leather, etc. All the fun stuff, none of the crap. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Fun car, I took it at the end of September and ran 11th on PAX at a Steel Cities event bone stock, right down to the alignment and Dunlop run-flat tires (I added some air).

I'm not all that comfortable in it. Plenty of headroom and legroom. But the width of the hole between the door, console and dash is a bit tight for me. My right knee is pretty much hard up against the console all the time.

It gets 30mpg. Scheduled maintainence (but 10k mile oil changes, at least it's synthetic), brake pads, etc..... That's a nice little savings. So easy to drive in traffic. Quick enough to get into holes. Small enough for parking spaces I'd pass up in the Camaro for sure. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Could do worse, that's for sure.... I'd consider a Supercharged Cobalt SS. Um, remember that SS doesn't mean blown, that's an option. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I'd pass on the Focus SVT. Great handling, but never really liked the ones I drove, and I know Kozlak's have a TON of trouble with theirs.

I assume that Keith's issue with the car he drove is poor setup (go figure). They are great handling cars stock, and it's so easy to mess them up and not at all easy to improve them much in the chassis department. I researched this, including the fact I know spring rates!!!! Just one of the many cars I deal with daily..

This post has been edited by Sam Strano: Jan 4 2006, 12:34 AM