now im not bashing any of yall and yes i did just say yall. but i know the MINI handels like a dream and everyone here says that nothing will ever outhandel it but appearently you havent driven a MKII(85-92) GTi. not that car can outhandel a MINI.

 

I had an '88 VW GTI 16V and my big fat MCS handles MUCH better than the GTI ever did.

On the Ferrari comparison, I raced Chris from Helix in his Mondial 32V at one of the GTG's in Philly. Beat him 0-60.

 

what did u have done to your GTi?

 

Of course it is not a Ferrari. But wouldn't it be cool to have a Ferrari engine in one. Just a thought. Even though it is not a Ferrari I will still drive mine as if it were.

 

Last year, in Manhattan, in broad daylight:

A stereotypically red Ferrari comes to a halt at an intersection and stalls out. 'Joe Cool' attempts to re-start; "DEH-HEH-HEH-HEH" goes the high performance engine, which flatly refuses to start in front of approximately 150 people. Some guy in the crowd yells "Hey Pal, next time, get an American car!" Crowd roars in hysterics. Quite satisfying.

 

If you want 250 hp in a MINI, then contact MINI Speed at http://www.minispeed.co.uk
Their stage 5 kit claims to output 260+bhp.

Then will it compete with a Ferrari?

 

Misfit wrote:
Handling-wise, only upgrade tires (Z-rated ultra-high performance summer tires), same as my MINI. Power-wise, the GTI had a cat-back exhaust. It was alot of fun to drive and I miss it, but the MINI is faster in both a straight line and in corners.

 

My wife replaced her Maxima with the MINI. Now a Maxima is not a Ferrari, but it is pretty darn fast as cars under $40k go and I have to say that I am not disappointed at all with the MCS's performance. Does it snap my neck when punched from 20 miles per hour, no, but it sure gets up pretty good and pulls steadily through 100 or more. I will ropast the tires and grab second gear with little effort and will lay about 5 g's on you in a curve. I want the stumble eliminated and then I will be 100% HAPPY!!! And all for $23k. Not too bad in my book.

 

I can understand why people would be very happy with a stock Mini and I can understand why people would want to get a little more HP. It's so easy to love the Mini no matter what kind of car enthusiast you are.

Those of us who are used to and appreciate that torque-y feeling still love the Mini because it's actually much more fun to drive than our previous heavy metal cars. I used to own a Camaro and the only fun part of that car was the straight-line acceleration. Couldn't do anything else with it because the tires would break loose with the slightest provocation. And since it was an automatic it was more of a cruising long-distance trips beast than a "let's motor!" car.

So I love the Mini because it gives me the more control type driving with its wonderful manual tranny, easy clutch, warm gearbox and ability to take curves at high speeds without even squeeling.

But I remember what torque feels like and wish I could get more boost out of that little 4-cylinder engine, if only so it won't lose power when the AC is running, so I can see that mods might be in my Mini's future. But only after I enjoy it at stock for awhile to really appreciate what it's got, and preferably only after going to performance driving school. :smile:

And speaking of Ferraris, well, I used to dream about that F1 355 myself, but now I'm dreaming of stocks and bonds and real estate - gotta get my priorities straight so I don't end up living on social security!

 

the ferrari is not a MINI
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>>the ferrari is not a MINI

 

... even Enzo knew there was a difference - Issigonis and Ferrari got along pretty well and Alec personally delivered a couple of factory-modified Minis to Ferrari for his private use!
different cars for different purposes ...

 

200mph says:

>>The Mini fits in smaller parking spaces than any Ferrari ever made!!!

This is funny. I finally gave my girlfriend the MINI on Friday and we went to Lowe's on Saturday. She lost it in the parking lot because of all of the contractors big trucks,etc. She finally found it on one of the rows, and there it was looking like it was hiding!!!

Cabbagetoe

 

>>My wife replaced her Maxima with the MINI. Now a Maxima is not a Ferrari, but it is pretty darn fast as cars under $40k go and I have to say that I am not disappointed at all with the MCS's performance. Does it snap my neck when punched from 20 miles per hour, no, but it sure gets up pretty good and pulls steadily through 100 or more. I will ropast the tires and grab second gear with little effort and will lay about 5 g's on you in a curve. I want the stumble eliminated and then I will be 100% HAPPY!!! And all for $23k. Not too bad in my book.

I also have a Maxima SE and although the straight line acceleration is superior and power is more in HP and torque, the car is much, much heavier and the suspension (sport tuned SE stock) and tires (Michelin 215/60-15) are more luxury than performance. The final result is when the Maxima was new I thought it was good. Now that I have my MCS, the Maxima for all of it's power handles like a wet noodle. It's smooth and the ride is comfortable and that's it. Now it's my beach car. Besides, my MINI doesn't like sand. Plus it is the pits to clean out the sand from all the little nooks and such after the fact.

 

Micheal, if I was the guy at the stoplight in the Ferrari, I'd have been motified! Anyway, I think the MINI is just a different breed of car and couldn't, no, shouldn't be compared to high HP monsters. MINI has its own niche, and I like that.

 

If I were going to save to buy a Ferrari in the first place, I would just save up to the big $ 1,300,000.00 and get a McLaren F1. This has been my dream car since I've been 12. I love that car. Even though that new Buggati will whoop its a#%, I still would want one.

Then I would stick a Supra badge on it and street race for cash , teach them ricers who to mess with!

 

although you would have to admit, it would be nice if the MCS could at least do the advertised 6.9 :smile:

I think all what really gets people is just when they're cruising around town during the week and a Toyota Camry that isn't even trying can accelerate faster from a stoplight (don't forgot to turn that A/C off or else the guy on the bicycle will smoke you too as your engine takes a few seconds to ponder the meaning of "go&quot...I'll admit, it's a little irritating at times. My friend likes to go driving with me because he knows his 540 always trounces my MCS...even in the twisties :smile:

 

I fully agree with you sndwave!
The MINI probably stands for different things for each of us.
For me, it stands for fun, practicality, reasonable mileage, did I mention fun? and handling, oh the handling. Style, presonality, and did I mention fun?
And all that for a reasonable price!
All that said, I have started the process of customizing it. However, since I am quite happy with Celeste's performance, I have started on the inside. Eventually, I will replace the runflats with non-RFs, and eventually, may do some performance mods. However, having spent one day at the track, I also realized that I will get much more bang for the buck from wheel, tire, suspension stuff than from increasing engine power. For me, the MCS has plenty power.
For me, this car is about handling and fun.
:smile:

 

during the So. Ohio Pulley Party, Mikehome1's neighbor came over and started bragging about his Ferrari 328. I offered him a ride in my freshly pullied and ECU's MINI. He agreed, and we set off. About 30 seconds into the "demo" he said, and I quote "Holy *****, this is WAY cooler than my Ferrari!"


I smiled, devilishly :smile:

 

If i could afford a Ferrari, i never would have even looked at a Mini! In fact, if i could afford a Ferrari, i wouldn't even get a Ferrari, i'd find an excellent condition Countach! And then maybe get a Mini or two for everyday.

 

I don't expect it to be a Ferrari....I'd gladly settle for it to be a honda and no rattles :smile:

 

>>I'd gladly settle for it to be a honda and no rattles :smile:

They ironed all the rattles out I guess... My new 03' with 2400 miles has no squeaks or squeals. except of course my 15 month/old in the back!!

It's good to live here in America but damn we can't build cars for *****. I can't think of one American car I would like to own. I like style, personality and cars that corner like mad. MINIUSA called me today wanting feedback on my car and dealer. They asked me to sum up the car in one word. I said FUN before they finished the question. They also asked me why I got the MINI. I told them I needed a Miata with a back seat for my son. The MINI with sun roof was the closest I could find.

Keep the Ferrari... I'll take the MINI. Course if were wishing I wouldn't mind having more torque... I say give the engine to Saab. No one knows more about torque from a four cylinder than Saab. Until then I will just keep the RPMs above 4k.

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Rodney