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1st GearNew members: make an initial post and introduce yourself as you shift from Neutral to First Gear. Current members: meet some of the new members.
I've been a member of NAM since 2012. I had a '09 Clubman S that I adored, but in 2015 I had just recently purchased a '01 Corvette convertible 6MT that I thought would fill my "fun" car void, so I sold my MINI and purchased a truck ('15 Ram 1500 single cab). Oddly enough, I had a truck that I traded away for the MINI, so it was kind of full circle. The 'Vette turned out to be a bit of a disappointment- oh it was fun to drive, but electronic gremlins popped up with alarming regularity, so I got rid of it in favor of a '13 Challenger R/T- a truly disappointing car in just about every respect. It also went away and I upgraded my truck to a '17 Ram 1500 crew cab 4x4. So, I'm all set in the utility category- time to have some fun!
The wife wanted in on the action this time, so our first return to MINI is for her:
She's a '18 Countryman All4 S, with the fully loaded package. Not my first choice as it's about the most un-MINI of all the MINI's, but I have to admit that I'm pretty smitten with her. The ride is head and shoulders above my old Clubman, plenty of power (especially for an automatic), very intuitive controls (although the iDrive-like center **** still kicks my butt) and quite spacious. It was kinda hard parting ways with our '15 Durango R/T AWD, but the Countryman will definitely fill the void well.
As for me, I like little cars, so I'm going to finish up my project- I'm reviving a '92 Olds Achieva SCX that has been in the family since brand-new, then I'll pass it back to my oldest son who drove it the longest, then find me a project R53 to play with.
Anyway, glad to be back, and maybe I'll participate a little more this time!
When I was in school, I have a factory fuel injected 61 Vette. What a straight line car that would kill you in the twisties! I don't miss it, other than it's cool looks (61 and 62 shared same style).
I had a 67 MGB that I put an all syncro four speed with overdrive and a line lock switch to shift the full 6 gears. I really loved that slow car, that handled like a go cart!
Fast does not do it for me, without handling!
My Mini brought me back to the good life! (I had many sports cars, but wanted to keep it simple here)
Those bashing Vettes- make no mistake, I loved driving the C5- it was a great driving car, and still is a tremendous performance bargain- especially in ZO6 guise. My problem with mine was electrical gremlins. I had issues with the driver's door control module and door wiring harness that would cripple the dash, both doors, HVAC and entertainment. Once I figured out where the problem was, I was able to correct it. Then, the active handling issues started. I had to replace both rear ABS sensors- they can't simply be replaced, one must replace the entire hub, as the sensor is an integral part. Then, I had to send off my ABS module for rebuild- a new one is prohibitively expensive. Finally, I had to replace my steering position sensor, which requires removal of the steering column to replace.
There are 13 ground points on the car, I had to locate each, disconnect it and clean each. Bad ground points plague C5's.
I've long been a proponent of small, nimble cars. I've owned a NA Miata (97 M-Edition)- that car was a total blast to drive, a couple of RX7's and a 2004 RX8, and a few other nimble cars. I enjoy the slow car fast mantra, but I also appreciate some good ol' American V8 fun as well. The Challenger- in R/T trim- just doesn't push any of those buttons. 375HP in that super heavy car just ain't enough. For a Challenger to reach "fun" status, one must step up to at least the Scat Pack with the 6.4L Hemi- really, the SRT is the better overall car with better brakes, better suspension and the aforementioned 6.4L. For sheer "HOLY CARP" fun, I recommend trying the Hellcat- it's amazingly demure in town- until the red key is used and the loud pedal is stomped on- then it becomes evil incarnate. Still, on the Dragon, a well-sorted MINI would make mincemeat of any of them.
