I agree that not all cars suit everyone's purpose. That doesn't disqualify that car from being perfect for someone else, of course. My apologies for assuming your were a man, and I hope my jabs at stereotypical Vette owners were taken with a sense of humor as intended.

The Audi R8 is a fantastic automobile from styling to driving dynamics. Excellent choice! It will, however, be slower around a road course such as the Nurburgring than the Cadillac CTS-V, as long as you are okay with that...

 

I loved my 04 GTO, but it needed 2 more doors, so I like sedans better actually. The Pontiac G8 GXP they plan to build next year would be right up my alley if it wasnt for gas prices.

 

Same with me (right down to my 04 GTO that I traded in on the MCS)! I'd consider the G8 GT perhaps if they were to offer it in a manual trans, but apparently only the top level GXP will get that option...

 

I pray they don't sound ANYTHING like those found in the Ford Focus.

 

Yeah, I agree. The R53 has it all over the R56 on looks, inside and out. The interior, also, very nice. It has a much more classy, traditional look, some of the R56 design elements are just plain goofy. The main thing that swung me to a R56 over everything else was the gas milage, while maintaining 99% of what MINI offers. Well, also the fact that most of the R56's visual flaws can be greatly improved on with a drop.

That said, an R56 MINI is still better than any of its contemporary competitors, IMHO. I can find PLENTY of reasons why to choose an R56 over a GTI, thank you

 

Those miles on the Caddy are track miles. I used the car and then gave it back. That's why it was so cheap!

At least that guy bought a CTS-V. Not some other Caddy. I would hate the price for tires for that car though!

 

Imo, $27k would buy you a not much older vette, much better looking and performing. There are tons of used cars in that price range, the caddy wouldn't even make my top ten list, sorry.

As to the first vs 2nd gen debate, well, our family owns one of each and honestly, I like both equally as far as ride and handling. And yes, even looks.

As has been said, it's a personal thing, right? But the OP aparently felt he had to make it public, and no surprise, he has been publicly crucified. I don't see that as a problem either.

As far as the post on "compensating" vette owners, as a former vette owner, I'm not sure what I'm "compensating" for with a MINI... missing childhood maybe?

Peace everyone.

Daniel

 

Speed isnt everything, I prefer style, I and my son own crossfires, which I love just for the style
However its a dang fun car

 

The NAM Forum like the millions of other forums out there is a club, with a clubhouse where members hang out.

I don't see the logic and propriety of allowing someone to come into the clubhouse, take a whiz on the floor then bolt, all for the sake of calling it expression of diverse views or freedom of speech.

And rose colored glasses or not, seems pretty low to tell a club member that their MINI model is crap. Heck, some people have their 2008 R56 on order. Not even off the boat yet and people in here are knocking those members down. Talk about raining on one's parade.

I would think NAM is supposed to be a fun place [clubhouse] to hang out, not somewhere one goes to get ripped apart for buying an R56. It's one thing to express personal likes and dislikes about aspects of a model, year, or options, but it's pretty sad when members have to post a defense of their buying decisions.

In the NAM MINI clubhouse I would think all MINI owners and prospective owners are welcome.

Besides, don't they have forums for just about every car out there.

http://www.fordpinto.com/smf/index.php

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...play.php?f=922



This thread should not be locked, it should be deleted. Talking about Cadillacs on MINI Forum seems irrelevant and a non-event.

Just sayin.

 

I guess I did come off as offensive-didn't mean to. I was actually upset at how dissapointed I was after driving the '08, cause I had my heart set on buying a Mini. I was looking to spend $30K on a fun car I could use on weekends and such-always planned on keeping my Beetle, which has provided very reliable transportation for the last 6 years (and around 30mpg so the fact that the CTS-V gets less than stellar mileage matters little since I don't drive it daily). I was so close to buying a Mini but ended up at a stop light next to a CTS-V (which until that moment I cared little about). Might sound insane, but the sound of it taking off from the light got me intrigued. So I drove one, and was stunned I was driving a Cadillac. Tight, well assembled, with good steering and a firm ride, not to mention serious acceleration, and the fact that two year old models are nearly half what they were new-pursuaded me to try to find a nice one. It took almost a year but I did, very happy with it. But I have still had my eye on a Cooper since driving that '05 JCW. I thought maybe I'd keep the V a year or two and then order that Mini. But after driving that '08, I'd much sooner keep my old 44bhp Beetle over it.

I came on here not to insult anyone, but to ask, since its been a while since I have driven that first gen, if there really have been that many changes (I know they already killed some of the styling details of the first gen), or if maybe these cars are just not as fun after you've been at the helm a few miles (I also drove an '06 Convertible S the same day I drove a current GTI). BTW, when I asked a Mini Cooper rep at this years auto show how the new model compared to the GTI, HE told me he'd take the GTI. I just couldn't get over it's ultra dull styling and still wanted the Cooper-at least the first gen.

As for the CTS-V being an old man's car, it's not. I would't have touched a Caddy or an American car in general for that matter, but this is a lot of fun. Not only is it fast in a straight line, Road and Track found it outperformed the Cooper S JCW on it's skidpad (0.87 vs 0.86).

So again, wasn't trying to insult you guys-just asking your opinions on how the current Cooper compares to your first gens.

 

Oh and for the guy that asked, I'm single, I own a small plumbing service company so no I'm not rich (which is why I bought a car that costs less than a new Cooper S), and, which one of my houses were you asking about?

 

Having owned several old Beetles over the decades... unless you've modified yours to the moon, it's about as exciting as driving an underpowered empty tomato can. Friends used to refer to my 71 (the last of a line that started with a 59) as "Bread And Water" transportation.
As to your "dodging a bullet". Hey, I'm happy for ya.
Somehow, when I climb in my 07 MCS, it becomes very difficult to find the way home, as the car seems to have a mind of it's own that takes it to the backroads. I must be weird. See my gallery.

 

Don't you have a sink to climb under or a toilet to replace?

 

Armchair,
I'll keep my own thoughts on the R56 bottled up -- but let's say I won't be replacing my R52 with an R57.
Just keep your ear to the ground if interested in a future MINI though. The factory JCW R56 may turn out to be a blast to drive -- although by the time you equip it with the JCW suspension and some minor options, you're stepping into some premium performance territory pricewise.
OR look for that other '05 JCW (or non-JCW but with the ability to mod as you wish) in the used market.

 

if i wanted a car that i can say destroyed the nurburgring ill get the new Nissan Skyline GT-R...i test drove a cts-v and i was bored after 30 mins...if i were to give an award to a company for destroying a particular marque i would give to Subaru for that god awful hideous STI they just came out with

 

I have moved this thread to this forum because the discussion seems to be about many makes of cars, both for and against.

Mark

 

Agreed. I want to like it, but I just can't no matter how much I try.

Big mistake there...

I bet the folks at Mitsubishi are quite happy. Open field left wide open for the EVO X MR. Too bad pricing is nutty on both the STI and MR.

 

I don't think anyone hates the R8. I've heard complaints about the side blade. I think it's fine, and overall a car with a lot of presence.

Gotta love mid engine design also.

Congrats!

 

Just a couple of points;

1. The OP was kind of comparing apples to oranges and I don't think that's really been pointed out. The 05 he drove was a JCW and the 08 was just an S, of course there's going to be a difference. Armchair if you're looking to spend in the region of 30K then I suggest you look at the new JCW I have a feeling it'll put more of a smile on your face. If the steering isn't direct enough for you it's easily cured by a $200 PSRS from Alta.

2. All this Cadillac bashing is very childish. The 09 CTS-V due out soon is going to be a staggering car. It's going to be scary fast, quicker than an M5 fast. However if the price predicted, approx 70K, is correct then I couldn't in good conscience buy one ahead of a Nissan GT-R. The GT-R will be my next car providing I don't sire more than one youngling in the next 5 years.

 

I agree that comparing a Mini to a CTS-V is sort of comparing apples to oranges. But again, maybe not: I had about $30K to spend, wanted something unique(they only make around 1,000 V's a year), with a manual trans, with personality. Both a new Mini and a 2 year old CTS-V fit that bill. I also considered a new GTI but the styling still looks like a college kid's car IMO. And of course VW's reputation as of late is the opposite of what it was when they were building air cooled cars, which is to say, quite unreliable.

I will take the advice about checking out a JCW model. I just wish they hadn't gotten so whimsical inside, with that silly keyless key thing, the clucking turn signal noise, the big fishbowl for a speedo. The thing I like about the Beetle and the original Mini (the 59-00) and even the 02-06 Mini is it's simplicity and rough around the edges nature (actually the CTS-V is fun in that manner too-certainly not as polished as a BMW or Audi). My admittedly brief experience with the 08 S I drove recently was that BMW is trying to take away the rawness and simplicity and make it more of a BMW. The dealer handed me the keys to the 05 JCW and I didn't want to bring it back. When I took the '08 out, after 5 minutes I was thinking "I'm done here".

again I did NOT come on here to tell a bunch of Mini owners about how much their cars suck. I don't think they do suck. I just wanted to see if anyone shared my opinion or if I was loosing my mind. Hey, I'm on a couple of VW forums and every now and again we get some Honduh owner coming on talking about how his Civic is gonna blow the doors off some hot rodded Cal Look Bug. So I understand the flames. No disrespect meant.

As for cars ruined by redesign, well yes I do agree that Subaru certainly does get an award-Mitsubishi is indeed having a good laugh. But I think I got a real slap in the face as a Volkswagen enthusiast-can you imagine my horror when VW decided to give us the Beetle back as we've been begging them to do for years, and instead of honest reliable cool transportation, they gave us a FRONT engined, WATER cooled car with a mini van dashboard that no man should ever be allowed to own? Ugh.

 

Surfblue, if you disliked they Beetle so much, why did you own "several over the decades". Not exactly 'dodging a bullet'. More like stepping in front of a semi automatic weapon on purpose, you know?

 

For example, I'm a Cubs and Bears fan, but I wouldn't spend time on the White Sox or Packers forums trying to quash their fans from speaking negatively about the Cubs. You certainly have the right to read and participate wherever you want, but it comes across as "looking for trouble" when you walk into a Harley Davidson bar and start trying to defend your Honda, for example.


Go CUBS!

 

 

I drove the Caddy CTS-V in a auto-x type venue in Vegas I was not impressed, I enjoyed the GTO it felt more raw and more torque even though the Caddy had 30+ hp on the GTO. But the Sky Redline was better than both those and even felt better than the Vette (not Z06)
The Silver CTS-V at Nring that got the under 8 time, is an 09 not yet realeased. Caddy in GT competition says that Caddy is REALLY trying to lose that old man image. Good for them hopefully one day they succeed, but when I think Caddy I think Bling Bling ESCALADE or Ben-Gay. Even though I'v seen them live-take the checkered flag

 

Have you considered, buying a used 02-06? I have contemplated buying another 06 with low mileage on it and garaging it. I really enjoy my 06 MCS compared to my husbands 08. But I have to say the 08 has way better seats in it, he just won't let me have them for mine.
I think its quite easy to defend our cars. For some.. they become an extension of us. Easily the car for some brings out the best in us.. so why wouldn't some defend it. Me? I really don't pay too much attention to any other cars out there. I do see some I like.. doesn't mean I would go buy them. I guess you can call me a motoring enthusiast.. and a brand loyalist. I am quite happy driving my lil mini as you are in your caddy. Perhaps down the road you will find the mini, that captures you. If so awesome.. if not, well thats fine too.
I try not to take what someone might say about my mini too personally. Its MY car.. thats what makes it unique.