Last week, I traded in my shiny red RX8 for a mini cooper. It was a hard decision, but at 15mpg on a good day, i felt it was right. I have always liked the mini, and after test driving a 2005 JCW, I was hooked. I think the "wine" of the engine is what did it.
I will miss my smooth running rotary engine, and the buzz it made when you hit the 9000 rpm redline. It handled twisty roads wonderfully.

My new mini handles just as well, however I think the road feel with the steering was a little better on the rx8. The low end punch you get with the mini and the JCW supercharger is very addictive. You had to rev the rotary engine to 7000-8000 rpm to get that kind of power on the RX8.

Anyway, I am very happy with my new mini. My son has named him Max. He is a hyperblue 2005 cooper S R53 with complete JCW (minus body kit), and dinan front and rear suspension mods. LOVE IT.

 

welcome and congrats.... soon u wont miss yr old car

 

Know a guy in town who owned a MCS and a RX8. Guess which got sold? Hint: Had to do with gas mileage.

Welcome to the family!

 

Cool to hear you already like the gas mileage and handling. Welcome to the MINIverse. A MINI named Max, now that is unique.

CROC 411

 

Welcome cebat and Max! Nice to read about comparisons to other vehicles, I think you will cherish the JCW.

 

How could you miss the RX8, I had one and kept it for less then 6 month after i bought it new....its slow....and hate adding oil every 3 fill ups...and the AC sucks



sorry Welcome

 

Thanks for the comments. I already feel like part of the family. My only problem now is my wife is wanting to drive Max more, and leave me with the mini van... We'll see how that goes. As for my last car, I had my RX8 for 5 years. Truely an enthusiasts car. Some folks had trouble with theirs but mine was trouble free. No need for added oil between oil changes every 3 months. However, to do this you had to Rev it to redline every time you drove the car to clear the carbon deposits on the ports. Also, like I said, it is very slow in low rpms. But...If you rev it up to 6-8000 rpms, you will feel it on your butt dyno. This comes at the cost of low mpg, and burning your clutch. Max however, will throw you back after 1000 rpm, and keep climbing! The front wheels chirp with the DSC on, but turning it off is a new level of fun altogether!

 

Was shopping for car back in 2005 and really liked the RX8. My perfect combo would be the 6 speed pearl white with the A-spec body kit. But due to budget and its low mpg, I didn't go for it. Went across the street to a MINI dealer and guest what happened? The exterior may not be as sexy (IMO!) as the MINI, but once I sat inside the showroom car I was sold! The design, the chrome... Bought one without even test driving it! I am glad to hear someone who shares the same interest in these cars. Welcome cebat!

 

I have never ever understood what IMO stands for. I'm such a noob.

Sorry.

 

in my opinion= IMO

In my honest opinion= IMHO