Hi everyone. I've lurked for a while to get the lay of the land. Joined up today in anticipation of upcoming test drives.

We're empty nesters living in a downtown loft. One parking space underground for car, motorcycle (the gray Duc) and scooter. I ride every day it's not snowing, wife commutes 45 miles round trip per day. Lexus goes off lease in November and we want something fun, small and efficient. Since it's the wife's daily driver, if it's a Mini it'll probably be an auto MCS. This current Lexus is my first automatic in almost 40 years of driving and I loathe it. Beautifully made car, boring as hell.

But this is the problem. Most cars bore me because, let's face it, compared to a good motorcycle, they're all boring. We've owned Acuras, Alfas, Audis, Fiats, Hondas, Mazdas, MG's, Nissans, VWs and a few I'm probably forgetting. My last daily driver car was a nicely modified '98 A4 turbo that's been gone since 2003. We plan on test driving lots of cars in the 23K to 35K range and the MCS is one of the few that really speak to me. I can only hope that the test drive confirms what I'm already thinking. If it does, not only do we get to build a really cool car together, I also harvest a little extra room in the parking space for another bike or 2!

I frequent moto and scooter forums and was thrilled when I found NAM a few months ago. I've already learned a lot and hope to learn more. So, any words of sage wisdom for a couple embarking on their first Mini drive? Any opinions on Ralph Schomp Mini in Denver? Thanks in advance for any advice and I'll post impressions after our drive.

 

Welcome to NAM - we're glad to have you here. LOTS and LOTS of great info. and MINI peeps here. I think all you need to do is test drive a MINI and you'll fall in love and we'll be awaiting your post about what you've ordered.

Donna

 

What I remember from my test drive is the cornering.

After about 1 mile into my test drive, I took a corner at 50 which I would have otherwise would have taken at 35 and the car felt like it was glued down to the road. I asked my MA (motoring adviser... fancy kool-aid name for 'salesmen') how fast he could go through that corner with the experience behind the wheel he had... he grinned sheepishly and replied "oh, about 80".

That was a MC and I wasn't really able to tap its abilities before we were back at the dealership. I decided to plunk down for a MCS, under the theory that I'd eventually learn to use/handle it all.

Like you, I want my cars to *be something*. I'd never want "just another" nondescript sadan, I'd rather have a van. If I had a van, it would at least be useful in a special way: it could carry cargo. The mini is useful in that its small, reletively safe, speedy, and menuverable. A Honda Accord? Not so much.

For me, the competition was the Subaru Forrester. I'd had one in the past, it could do cargo very well, so I wouldn't be put out at Home Depot. It could do passengers too, so those 4-person road trips were great. But when I put my foot down, when I wanted to move, the limiting factor was the engine. I'd rather *I* was the limiting factor. I was so bored waiting behind the wheel for the car to get up to speed that I found myself thinking about work. On a test drive!

I'm still waiting for my mini (its at the processing center now), but I fully expect it was the right decision.

 

Driving a MCS is never boring. Much like riding a motorcycle, you have to be tuned in and in control. It doesn't drive itself, you drive it. If you aren't paying attention, you can be taken by the smallest groove in the road. A wonderful and powerful little car.

My second test drive was better than the first. My MA took me to a cul de sac and made me do donuts. The car is so rock solid, it was glued to the ground. No sliding and no tilting.

My first weekend with her was awesome, took her to Mulhuland Drive and pushed the sport button, man did she handle the curves!! I love it!

 

Welcome to NAM, Grayduc! There's a great MINI community in CO!

Make sure that your Motoring Advisor shows you how to use the paddles on the MCS automatic! And have him/her explain the sport option, too. You'll find that it's a very versatile tranny...not like other automatics. I have a 6-speed manual, but drove a friend's MCS Cabriolet with automatic and enjoyed it.

Since the new MINI was introduced here in 2002, the motorcycle community has respected our little go-karts...and lots of MINI owners also have bikes. Have fun on the test-drive! Let us know how you like it.