Say what you want about Hyundai, but their quality is definitely improving. I think MINI has opened up a door now and we might be seeing more of these challenges amongst companies. As long as it stays friendly, why not? If you call yourself an enthusiast, then you should like all manners of cars. You don't have to love them, but definitely respect them. If you are just diehard about one company and can't see the good in others, you're just a fanboy. I'm hoping MINI accepts Hyundai's challenge. It'll be a good time as well.

 

I agree with you 100%, especially with the Fan Boy comment.

Speaking of challenges, MINI should challenge Suzuki and beat the pants off the SX4 to refute the claims in Suzuki's commercial. Then, they might actually bring the Swift stateside, which is a pretty good hot hatch. The one good thing about these challenges is by throwing down the gauntlet, it will cause the manufacturers to build better handling/performance oriented cars.

 

Over the past ten years, Hyundai has made the biggest strides with regard to improving quality out of all the car manufacturers out there. There cars are no longer a laughingstock--they're winning awards, or coming close, against the big boys. They've arrived. And that coupe, with some of the performance upgrades available as factory options, is a hoot to drive. If I was looking for a dedicated affordable track car, it would be on the short list.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaiB_sHv7Ac

I have tried everything I can think of but I can not get this Video to start on U-Tube at all. I have no problems with any other Video on U-Tube so I'm wondering what is wrong. Does anyone else have this problem?

I'm wondering if the video has been pulled for some reason or another.

 

Works fine for me.

 

Any bets on the next car company to call out MINI if the Hyundai challenge falls through? I don't know about you folks but I'm putting my money on these guys

 

I am not surprised . When I first saw the specs on that car I thought it was quite impressive bang for the buck wise . This would be a interesting face off . The Hyundai has proven it faster than Mini's on a few occasions but not by too much. Would be a interesting match indeed.

Lightning Lap at Virginia International Raceway
2007 Mini Cooper S > 3:22.9
2009 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works > 3:17.1
2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 > 3:14.8

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

I think the MINI looks better!

Dave

 

I just checked it is still running for me as well .

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

Bingo. That Hyundai is just about as ugly as the Alpha Mito.

Even if it was a faster car, I'd be ashamed to drive something so ugly.

 

I agree with that to a large degree. Would never trade my Mini for one but I just thought the potential for a interesting event is there .

Randy
m7 Tuning

 

Panamera? No wonder you like the Genesis. Chalk one more up for the mingers.

by your logic, anyone who is a fan of the cubs is also in Dreamland. Rooting for the underdog isn't delusional, Its common practice. It's also common for the underdog to win.

 

Numbers aren't everything.

 

BTCC has proved that is wrong many many times.

 

Someone pass the popcorn.

 

There are many things that go into desiring one car over another...

Personally, the MINI does it for me--if I had only one choice, MINI it would be. Looks are subjective, and there is something about a MINI that no other car captures for me personally.

But if I was going to get a dedicated track car, the genesis coupe would DEFINITELY get consideration. Just because it's not a MINI doesn't mean it's not a damned good car. And how fun would it be to pass the people looking down there noses at it? They'd probably get the EXACT same feeling I get in
my MINI when I pass a Porsche on the track...

The same people that hate it when the MINI is called "cute" or a "chicks car" are probably the same ones bashing the Hyundai. Appreciate a good car for what it is, for heaven's sake, don't be threatened by it....

 

Nothing wrong with the look of the Genesis...it's one sweet smoking car...
Philip

 

I like the Hyundai's but they are annoying to work on. Don't know if they are all like this but my friend had one and just to replace the headlight bulb we had to take off some cover piece and then take out the battery then manipulate this wire to get the bulb out.

 

I actually like the Genesis. Don't hold it against me but I did drive a hyundai for awhile (a '95 accent) for a sub 10k car brand new it was a damn good deal. had it for several years and never had a problem with it. For a little 5sp hatch it scooted around pretty good. could even spin the tires quite good in 2nd! But thankfully that's in the past and will remain there. It's nothing but a Mini for me now.

 

Actually, the V6 Mustang was faster in most of the performance tests... not just in a straight line. The Genesis won because they just LIKED it better.


I rode a couple Mustang bumpers through the corners at Sebring recently, but yeah, the new ones are lightyears ahead of the Mustangs from even just a few years ago (2004 and earlier).


Exactly why I'm building a Mustang for the track.

'93 Foxbody that looks like crap... but with independent rear suspension, ~2700lb, and a 2.3L Turbo FOUR cylinder.

It will certainly be upsetting to some to get passed by that thing.

 

 

They should let them bring their 210 hp turbo four.

 

I'm a fan of any brand that makes a quality product which appeals to me. I think too many people are hung up on the Hyundai Excel as their reference point for Hyundai. Their current models are in no way inferior in quality to anything in their class (of course different brands may be superior in certain aspects, but I'm referring to the overall car). My father in law has a Sante Fe and I'd say the build quality (panel gaps, alignment, lack of squeaks/rattles) is superior to my 09 JCW. I think we all need to remember that the MINI is assembled in England, which is not known for great precision and consistency is their manufacturing of autos. Out of the last 10 new cars I've owned, I'd put the MINI slightly ahead of a 2003 GMC Sierra for last place in build quality. Of course the MINI is also right at the top in overall enjoyment of the vehicle, just edging out an 05 RX-8 which probably would have been at the top if not for the lack of enjoyment stopping at a gas station every 200 miles...

Back to the topic at hand, I think it would be very interesting to see a race between the Genesis Coupe and a JCW. 3.8 Track vs JCW is the matchup in my eyes as they are the top performance models and I believe prices are pretty similar. I think it would likely come down to the track and drivers as the determining factor in who wins. Tight track favors the mini, long straights favor the Genesis and the right driver can make a difference of several seconds per lap. Not familiar with who drives the cars at the lightning lap, but someone who understands how to extract performance from a specific car can run hugely better times that someone who just stepped out of a car with completely different characteristics. Accept the challenge MINI!!!!

 

Ah, but I've been to the track enough to look out for people like you. If I found you on the track, I'd search you out and make you go through your list of mods, which I'm sure there will be many, and beat you into submission by asking questions until your brain rots and you can no longer think clearly on the track...

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by orangecrush

Doesn't remove the fact that the car is a piece of crap. Being in the body shop business, I assure you someone will have to follow behind it to pick up all the trim that fell off.

Mark

NOT! I'd like to see this one. Having driven both, I'd put my $$ on the H. I think the Mini is like my '65 Triumph Bonneville, old school technology. Rattles, noisy engine, questionable transmission. I'd suggest M take this one on.