Not a luddite, just confused.

 

For now I'm going to motor in my 03 MC.Will worry about the next generation when it happens.

 

LOL amen - I said that to my wife before we got married, too ! That was about 2 (lovely talented obnoxious) kids ago!

Tatt

 

perhaps it is because i never driven in any of those cars that i only talk in performace figures and the sort. I guess i actually have to go out there and drive these things to actually get a feeling of each car's driving experience. I all kno if from what i read in the magazines and performance #s. I am a hardcore RWD fan and as of now...the upcomming Pontiac Solstice is one of the cars at the top of my list only because its a RWD car with a twin-cam engine putting out 170 hp and torque in a 2.4L verticle4 with a 5 spd all for under 20 grand. IMO that is the best deal i have ever seen next to that of the SRT-4. The Mini, though it is a SOHC and a FWD, is still in the picture because i am downright obsessed with it and if BMW does in fact stuff a 2.0 DOHC turbo in it with 250 hp and still maintains that price of 23-25 grand and low weight (i figure about 2500lbs, no heavier) that the car might make it to my driveway. Im just stuck on this whole FR vs FF layout that is just driving me insane. UNLESS....God shines his heavenly light upon Mini and presents to us a rally inspired AWD Mini Cooper S (or T for turbo), but i really dont see an AWD Cooper for under 30k...chances are it might sell for a wallet incinerating 40k...so yea....thats where im at. Im still a college student so i have a LOT of time to think about these things.

 

The Soltice is one slick looking piece of hardware. I really drooled over that at NAIAC.

Yes, a 4WD or AWD MINI would be something to see. I would really have to consider trading in the Cooper at that point, even if it broached the $40K range. In fact, when I last considered trading the Cooper, I was easily able to get past $35K with the on-line configurator.

Doing the MCSC with JCW and Aero Kit was $32K, and the goodies I wanted brought it all the way up to $37K. So $40K for AWD is not outrageous for this car. And think of the acceleration!

But the real dream setup for me would be finding some way to do part-time 4WD / part-time FWD. Then you could still get the fun performance goodness of the front drive (I love using the parking brake to turn the car, especially on snow), but really lock-in the traction for thrashing the rice-burners.

Just think of a MINI with a 5.0 0-60... Yum.

 

Chop,

I don't want to be rude or anything, but what the heck are you posting for. You come onto this site ripping apart the Mini and saying the Scion is way better. Then you state you have never driven either. Not sure what you are trying to accomplish with this posting. Granted we would be willing to tell you the weaknesses of the Mini, but don't tear the car apart based off of some magazine reading you have been doing. Not sure that is going to make anyone objective about what you are posting.

Also, what is your obsession over DOHC motors? A $13,000 Saturn has a DOHC motor also, but that doesn't say anything about the car or the motor. A Saturn is a great econobox, and that is it. And the motor doesn't sound that great. A Corvette Z06 will blow the doors off of a Saturn and it doesn't even have a SOHC motor. Plus the Z06 motor sounds way sweeter than a Saturn. DOHC doesn't make or break an engine. It is just one particular design of an engine. Not sure why you are basing one of your main reasons for buying a car on a DOHC motor. I would think you would be more concerned about other aspects of the motor than just where the camshafts are located.

 

Quit the speculating!!! I've obtained a sneak preview of the New Mini.

More glass area, tip of the hat to the old Mini grill. Larger rear view mirrors.
At least they are carrying over the British Racing Green..........

 

Actually they directed me to the BMW garage, where I paid $14. The research firm gave me an additional $14 check. But maybe the sunglasses helped.

regards,
Red

 

Tatt's funny!

regards,
Red

 

wanna hear something really interesting and uber amazing....i was reading one of the latest Motortrend magazines and they had an article about the upcoming Mini Cooper and they said that there will most likely be a awd option (think rally inspired). If this proves to be true people...it might very well be the bestest Sport compact beating all others in EVERY aspect....lets just hope its not more expensive than the current awd sport compacts (think R32, WRX STi and EVO8). Lets just hope that this proves to be true and that BMW goes through with it, cuz if they do...my God, nuff said.

 

You can read all about it here: http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/10/...eel_drive_mini

and here (in regards to the next gen MINI): http://motoringfile.com/2005/03/20/n..._mini_revealed