Krut's Review - MINI JCW in the confines of Washington DC
 

Back in 1991, when I was a young lad of 25 living in Washington DC with my modified 1989 Civic Si (Jackson Racing cam, header and exhaust), I used to look forward to warm, steaming nights in the den of all things Republican, Democratic and other. I'd tool around DC with not much to do and not a ton of cash for Dupont Circle bars.

Pick a time, roughly 11:30 PM, hop in your car, roll the windows down, and keep one eye open for the Capitol/Secret Service/DC LEOs. Start your trek by Capitol Hill, wind underneath the National Mall, hop on I-395 Southbound, take all the crazy cloverleafs near the Pentagon and pop out on GW Parkway, wind back up crossing Memorial Bridge and taking in all the monuments lit up.

Tonight was one of those nights - I'd had a crappy day at work and was needing a bit of consoling as well as itching to get better acquainted with new 2009 MINI JCW. I ensured my iPod was duly equipped with ONTZ! ONTZ! ONTZ! music, rolled down the windows, set Sport Mode "On" and hit the DTC button once to limit it's interventions.

The air has been exceptionally dense the past several days - and it was about 80 degrees - not uncomfortable.

Did I tell you this car loves condensed air? Holy crap.. nailing the throttle in second and third gears in the gives you a BIG thrust into the seat. Who needs laxatives!!

This engine is a good one - the low-end grunt feels like the stuff I got used to with my WRX STi. Hearing the exhaust pop/burble/crackle against the walls of the tunnel kicks my automotive endorphins into overdrive.

But it's out on the 395 where this car truly shines as a modern day urban fighter - pick a hole in traffic (or lack of traffic as was the case tonight), aim and nail the throttle in third. Mission accomplished.

One of the clover leafs I like to test my suspension/engine on is located off of Memorial Bridge and leads you to GW Parkway. If you're deft enough you can carve between cars poking along and get to the good bit without any traffic in the way and take advantage of both lanes to take the perfect line.

Let me just say this bone stock JCW handled that corner as well if not at a higher exit speed than my previously modified JCW Stage 1 with H&Rs and Bridgestone RE-01R's and a 19 MM rear sway bar. Torque steer doesn't seem to be a problem with this car if you use the throttle sans tourettes induced inputs.

Tiesto's Power of You from In Search of Sunrise 7 seemed to be a fitting song as I rolled into my parking spot and let the car cool down for a bit.

Moving... :cry: (as I wipe the tear from my eyes)

Krut, you make me wanna buy another Mini. Honestly I love the way that Minis in general make you smile. If I saw you cruisin around I would flip a u turn and fall into formation with you. Honestly though after driving you old JCW on the dragon I thought it doesnt get any better than this.. Well apparently I was wrong. :nod:

VERY awesome post and fyi...
There is an 08 r56 at the dealer by my house.. I am going to look and test drive this weekend. :lol:

I would hope if you decide to get the R56 that you keep your well setup Cooper!

Great album! :thumbsup:

Great post! :thumbsup:

I bet that that wasn't the first time you wrote a short story. :grin:

Great story! :thumbsup:

glad to hear your enjoying it! i cant wait for the drive down to the dragon next year! it wont be as boring as last years drive down....alone (with the exception of two very nice VA State Troopers).

ROFL!!!

I can't wait to get back to D.C.! :cry: My job has me down in Texas right now, but in 24 months I will be back to where I belong! :)

Great story Kurt! Loved the ONTZ! ONTZ! ONTZ! reference :lol: