Credit. Surely you are joking. Lotus charges $250 to delete the air
conditioning system from the Elise.

 

Yeah, I realized that later in the day. Just my initial reaction early in the morning this morning.

 

First, you dont know the price. MINI2 says 22K pounds that got to be closer to $40K and as Gabe says, its probably a bit less for US

Second, as others have said, you probably aint going to get those Recaros because you cant get the regular JCW seats (airbag issues)

Third, they SHOULD be refunding money to you for deleting the rear seats. Seats aint cheap, especially leather.

Fourth, this community is heavily performance oriented. Other communities are not. Its wont appeal to this group at all.

FIfth, Even Mini2 people arent happy, thinking its a gimmick

Fifth, 5HP ... please. Just swap out the JCW exhaust for a Borla Race or maybe Randys new exhaust and your probably over that.

Sixth, many, many people could give two hoots about a numbered plate in the car. With 2000 units it is NOT unique. You got to be kidding. Lotus only sells about 2000 Elise per year! 50 - 100 units. Yes, unique. 500 Maybe. 2000???. How many MINIs they sell in US a year 36K? How can 2000 ever be unique?

I think many people will find this very disappointing. Plus, if it pushes the $40K area, and many MINIs are going out the door in the high 30s from what I have read here, thats very close to Lotus Elise territory and then your got a real problem

Of course, your mileage may vary.

That said, if you like it, by all means go for it. MINI is about diversity, about youifing your car. Make it your own and be happy ... but dont think its going to "appreciate" and be seen at Barret-Jackson one day.

 

Yeah, I never could understand why he's doing that! He's going to have like 400 pounds over the rear wheels and 2200 up front! Can you say oversteer? I think my lap times would go up!

 

That's my first thought too. Maybe he's building a "Dragster" Mini:smile:

 

:yawn:

 

First, $32,000 may be high, my MA and Gabe say around $30,000.:smile:

Second, I could care less about Recaros. If you want those, buy a Saturn ION Red Line or a Chevy Cobalt SS.

Third, like I said in an earlier post, Lotus charges $250 to delete the A/C during manufacturing. If you want back seats, don't buy this car

Fourth, I'm not sure how you know this community but not all are performance minded, most all however are fun minded. It should not matter if everyone wants the car or no one wants the car, if you want it, go for it.

Fifth, All the parts that have been developed for the tritec will fit this motor. If you want you can start to increase the power where JCW doesn't. Things like intake tubes, head, cam, headers, etc. This is the most powerful factory MINI ever and while 215hp is less than I was expecting, It is still a good start. :smile:

Sixth, It is not numbered plates but numbered cars, as in on the roof. 2000 cars world wide translates into less than 500 cars here. Not 500 per year, 500 once. Like it or hate it, it will be if nothing else, unique.

At $40,000 I would not be looking at an Elise anyway, the Exige is way faster around the track.

My mileage definitely does vary, my attitude too. Different strokes etc.

 

Do someone believe if it's going to be possible to get an used CSL by '08-'09?

 

It was his mom

 

Yup. I totally agree and I can't wait to see one. Can I afford one? No.

 

 

1. We'll see in a bit
2. Recaros are sweet and probably the most most expensive part of that car's accessories ...
3. ??? still a moot point
4. granted, but this is supposed to be a performance car, not a feel good car and is exactly why many people here and in the UK are so disappointed
5. Thats moot, can do it on any car
6. Its probably more like 1000 here and thats just not unique. Further, I bet people will be putting the same thing together by buying the bits and making their own.
7. Exige is mid 50s. Elise low 40s. Elise will appear to the high end MINI buyer, maybe not you to but to many others

Bottom line, you like it, then buy it? we all like different things and thats what MINI is about. Just dont expect to see it selling for much of anything 20 years from now at auction

 

When is the official presentation?

 

I believe it is embargoed until Saturday sometime. The cat is almost out of the bag anyway though thanks to the flub by bmw press.

 

I think they could have left the cat in the bag.
More piccys:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81067
I'm going to be sick now.

 

ROFL. UKers on MINI2 are throwing up too

Sorry dude ... I know you were hoping for the best

But if you don't expect much, you can't be disappointed (or so I've been told). Just think ...

Where have I seen this before?
What happened then?
Whats going to happen now?

 

Shoot...they might've beatn me to the DTM wing but I still have my custom "red" mirror caps for sale if anyone's interested

 

You have some of the concept right, but the label is misplaced. In a front drive vehicle, you want the weight over the front wheels to obtain maximum traction, no matter the application. The rear wheels only serve as rudders, sort to speak. If we had a rear drive or all wheel drive vehicle, obviously the chassis dynamics would call for a different weight distribution.

 

MC40GP

 

this machine looks totally randomly thrown together.

the black trim around the body does not follow. either have it or paint it body color. the wing looks tacked onto the rear hatch glass ... oh boy ... a little more attention and it could have looked really hot ...but as is ... no way

 

It's funny cause it's true.

 

Hmm, maybe I can pick one up dirt cheap in 18 months

On second thought, by then I could get a Turbo version.

Decisions .... Decisions

 

I like it but I worry about the strength of the wheels and frost heaves and pot holes.

 

I was thinking the same. With the entrance of the new model plus the disappointments, probably in 18 months could be for half the price.

 

yup, all that potential to create something special and then they release this...