[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:

[trackbird]

Kevin realisitically speaking how stock would a Mini Cooper stay if you bought one?  (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Very.

I used to own a 2000VW GTI VR6. I looked at the giant turbo kits for that car, the springs, the shocks, etc. I drove that car for 2 years (after building my caged 3rd gen that I should have kept....I was no stranger to project cars) and you know what I changed on it?

Oil (mobile 1), oil filters, and the air filter (I added a K&N).

I ran G stock in it on race tires mounted on 16" steel wheels that I got from a friend at the VW dealer and that was it. I never even had the alignment done. I just drove it, even won a few trophies in it.

It would stay that stock. I really can keep my toolbox closed and my hands off of things if I feel like it.