I drove a Mini Cooper S last night, It's like a go cart for big kids Options

[Rob Hood]

I have sat in some Mini's, but as much as I would want to like them for a dual-purpose car, I just won't fit very well and would be frustrated at spending the money for the car and being contorted on a daily basis. I'm 6'2"/215 and I'd have to put the front seat in the back to get comfortable! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[z28jeff]

I've done fun runs in both the Mini S and Cobalt SS. My nod goes to the Cobalt. I'm sure with more seat time, I would have felt more comfortable in the Mini, but it just felt really odd. There was noticable boost lag and tons of understeer. (But I never was a good front wheel drive-driver anyway) There was no noticable lag in the Cobalt, and I was impressed by how easily I could toss it around on stock tires. It transitioned very well. Both cars lacked an lsd. While you may be able to get by without one in the Mini, it is an absolute necessity in the Cobalt. Even the slightest touch of the throttle in a turn would smoke the inside tire. With all that power, I'll bet the Cobalt would make a smokin track car too.

[BigEnos]

I've done fun runs in both the Mini S and Cobalt SS. My nod goes to the Cobalt. I'm sure with more seat time, I would have felt more comfortable in the Mini, but it just felt really odd. There was noticable boost lag and tons of understeer. (But I never was a good front wheel drive-driver anyway) There was no noticable lag in the Cobalt, and I was impressed by how easily I could toss it around on stock tires. It transitioned very well. Both cars lacked an lsd. While you may be able to get by without one in the Mini, it is an absolute necessity in the Cobalt. Even the slightest touch of the throttle in a turn would smoke the inside tire. With all that power, I'll bet the Cobalt would make a smokin track car too.

Thought all supercharged Cobalts had LSDs?

[sgarnett]

I just can't get past the idea that $22K (approx price of a "stripped" supercharged Cobalt SS) would have bought a Z28 a few years ago, and will still buy a 2006 Miata MX-5 (which, unlike previous years, will fit me) or a Solstice with LSD.

To me, part of the definition of a "practical" car, even with sporty options, is that it must cost a lot less than the "not practical" cars I'd really want.

[BigEnos]

I just can't get past the idea that $22K (approx price of a "stripped" supercharged Cobalt SS) would have bought a Z28 a few years ago, and will still buy a 2006 Miata MX-5 (which, unlike previous years, will fit me) or a Solstice with LSD.

To me, part of the definition of a "practical" car, even with sporty options, is that it must cost a lot less than the "not practical" cars I'd really want.

One "problem" is that the Cobalt SS can only be had with everything. Leather, power stuff, etc. Only options are curtain airbags, sunroof, satellite radio, maybe one other thing.

A $22K Z28 had far fewer "goodies" and that was 4 years ago.

I know what you mean about the cost/benefit analysis though. Carmax has a 2001 Z06 with 30K miles for $27,700. $5K (probably more like $7K when the deal is done) premium for a 'vette with 385hp. Hmmmm (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) And, it won't depreciate as much/as fast as a new car will.

[trackbird]

I'd buy a Z06, but it wouldn't work for daily driver (snow and all) duties like my current car. I'd really like to have one of those, but it's low on the list for a while.

[marka]

Howdy,

Brian, if you think that sounds good, look for regular C5's. :-)

I think there's a big difference between a mini/cobalt/civic/whatever and a miata/solstice though... And its called "seating for four". :-)

For me, for a daily driver I want a car with four doors first. That dq's the mini, the civic si, and (I think) the cobalt right there. We don't have kids or anything like that, its just that having four doors makes groceries, hauling friends or the dog or whatever so much easier.

We ended up getting a new civic LX sedan (with an automatic even! :-) and I've been pretty happy with it for a daily driver. If I wanted something a little more sporty/"drivery" I think I'd look at one of the "economy" four doors with a manual... Civic, Corolla, Cobalt, Neon, etc. If those didn't have it enough, I'd probably look at a mini and get over the four door thing. For the mini though, I'd take a look at an HS one vs. the GS, just on the "rowing the gears & having fun without going insanely fast" criteria.

Of course, the only mini I've ever driven has been an SM one with more boost & suspension... It was fun and pretty neutral, but I understand it has a decent bit more power than stock.

Mark

[robz71lm7]

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)

[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.

[robz71lm7]

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[trackbird]

Our GTI turbo has a stock paper filter in it and I have not installed a boost controller in it either (easy HP). It's also stock, right down to the air in the tires (I've added a little, but still).

[BigEnos]

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?

So, you regretted selling your 3rd gen and now you want to dump your 4th gen. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

I decided a while ago that I'm just gonna keep my '95 for the forseeable future. I've only sold one car in my life and I now view it as a mistake (had lots of good reasons at the time, and I made money on it, but I still regret it). Not saying I'll never sell another car, just not going to sell the ones I get enjoyment out of. When the time comes I'll drop my '85 Maxima like a bad habit, just as long as I'm getting something interesting to replace it with. Until I can do that, I'll just keep what I have.

[trackbird]

Yea, I'd rather have a 3rd gen. I like my 4th gen, but I don't really like my 4th gen. And I'm starting to get too cheap to deal with the care and feeding of these beasts (front hubs, 315's, etc). As I said, I'm not saying I'm doing anything, but I have been remembering the simple days where I put gas in my GTI and drove it. Those were nice.

Though I really started this thread to say that these are fun little cars that I might enjoy driving on a daily basis.

[marka]

Howdy,

In terms of "do I keep it stock or not" one of the things I like about having the new civic as a daily driver is that I have no motivation to modify it at all... and its quite nice to have a vehicle that all I do is change the consumables and drive it.

Same thing with my tow vehicle.

Mark

[sgarnett]

I think there's a big difference between a mini/cobalt/civic/whatever and a miata/solstice though... And its called "seating for four". :-)

For me, for a daily driver I want a car with four doors first. That dq's the mini, the civic si, and (I think) the cobalt right there. We don't have kids or anything like that, its just that having four doors makes groceries, hauling friends or the dog or whatever so much easier.

That's exactly why I'm driving a Camaro instead of a Vette. No, it isn't the right vehicle for a long road trip with 4 adults, but 2+2 does work for short trips and children.

I despise four-doors other than the new crop of suicide door options (like the RX8). The extra door just gets in my way, since I can't normally reach anything in the back seat through the front door. I LOVE shuffling doors in a downpour or a tight parking space while extracting whatever I need from the back.

I admit that I looked at a lot of child seats before I found one that would fit, and I didn't find any good options for a rear-facing infant seat, but my two-year-old daughter fits quite happily in the back of "daddy's car".

Like Sam said, the fbody is a pain to park, and that's really the biggest drawback to me (other then the self-induced headache from lowering it).

Heck, take a few inches out of the door thickness on the fbody, trim the front overhang a bit, and leave it at stock height and it's close to my ideal commuter.

[robz71lm7]

Honestly Kevin if I wanted to go that route I'd get a Formula Ford for CM and tow it behind whatever car is practical or comfortable for me to drive daily.

[z28jeff]

I've done fun runs in both the Mini S and Cobalt SS. My nod goes to the Cobalt. I'm sure with more seat time, I would have felt more comfortable in the Mini, but it just felt really odd. There was noticable boost lag and tons of understeer. (But I never was a good front wheel drive-driver anyway) There was no noticable lag in the Cobalt, and I was impressed by how easily I could toss it around on stock tires. It transitioned very well. Both cars lacked an lsd. While you may be able to get by without one in the Mini, it is an absolute necessity in the Cobalt. Even the slightest touch of the throttle in a turn would smoke the inside tire. With all that power, I'll bet the Cobalt would make a smokin track car too.

Thought all supercharged Cobalts had LSDs?

No, that would probably make sence. GM offers it as an option.

[z28jeff]

I think there's a big difference between a mini/cobalt/civic/whatever and a miata/solstice though... And its called "seating for four". :-)

For me, for a daily driver I want a car with four doors first. That dq's the mini, the civic si, and (I think) the cobalt right there.

I think they make a 4-door version of the Cobalt SS. Just in case you ever get tired of that Honda. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[sgarnett]

The supercharger is only available in the two-door.

[mitchntx]

Interesting reading ...

If you drill down deep enough, it appears that the biggest gripe so many have is not necessarily the platform itself, but making the platform pull double duty .... commuter and racer.

I feel your pain.

What a nightmare it was to drive my '98 M-F and then prep it for race track duty and then unprep it for M-F once again. Not only a pain, but expensive!

I had to have 2 sets of everything expendable, like tires, wheels, brakes ...

Keeping it clean was a huge effort. And heaven help me if I broke something.

When I made the jump and built a race only car, I saw my expenses drop dramatically and the fun came back to driving in each arena.

Example: I typically put a few thousand dollars into a savings account using my work bonus money and call it my racing budget. Last year, the first year I ran a dedicated race car, was the first year I had a significant chunk (about 30%) left over after the season and I logged more track time than ever before.

Now I chose a series to compete in that is very budget minded, but that was part of the process I factored in.

I know it sounds expensive on the surface, but it seems to work.

My street car is a lot happier and my budget is a lot happier ....