R50/53 What would you buy instead of a mini?
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,068
Likes: 1
From: the great country of california
Originally Posted by Skiploder
Seriously - ask for Snorre or Eric (co-owners - Snorre is an ex-rally car driver). SRM is one of the few dealers that will let you test drive an Evo without giving up a kidney. His test drives give Webb's a run for the money.
Next door is their in-house tuning shop which houses Paul Fischer (Evo Tuner Savant from Down Under) and Beau Kelly (Dr. Evo). They run a full race prep dyno/shop owned by SR Mitsubishi.
Great people and atmosphere - it gives you an alternate look at the other types of gents who drive Evos.
Next door is their in-house tuning shop which houses Paul Fischer (Evo Tuner Savant from Down Under) and Beau Kelly (Dr. Evo). They run a full race prep dyno/shop owned by SR Mitsubishi.
Great people and atmosphere - it gives you an alternate look at the other types of gents who drive Evos.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,902
Likes: 2
From: SoCaL (Agoura Hills)
Appearance is all subjective, so that aside, it's a nice car, i'd never buy one though. I'm not into the whole boy racer magazine racing stuff :-\.
Originally Posted by Skiploder
You have a point - it looks like a $9K econo hatchback.
Seriously, while there is no denying that the Evo is roughly based on the Lancer, it is built in an entirely different factory. It shares only one body panel (trunk), incorporates and integrated roll bar and chassis bracing, and is only one of two production cars that is seam-welded. It literally has nothing in common with the Lancer mechanically.
The chassis, with the inclusion of the floorpan, is different. None of the key Evo parts bolt onto a Lancer or vice-versa.
Look, I can't deny that the Evo is a bit ugly. But driving the car transforms your perception of it. Literally every automotive publication has showered the car with accolades. Interestingly enough, if you visit other performance car forums, they give the Evo it's due. Sure they'll harp on the looks, but anyone who has driven one at the track, feels the power, the communicative steering, the excellent brakes and the phenominal handling of the car comes away impressed.
From Edmunds:
"It's about a completely unfiltered driving experience that sucks you in and never lets you go. Every shift of the five-speed gearbox feels like you're hand-feeding torque to all four wheels. Every hard turn feels like you have three friends, Suspension, Steering and Brakes, and they're telling you all their secrets. And every second you spend in the Recaro seats? That's a lasting embrace from the one that got away."
"If you want to fall in love with an Evo, take it to the curviest road you can find and make about 20 laps. It's not just about how quick the steering is, how deftly the suspension manages changing loads, or how well those differentials stir up the power when you're exiting corners, although these traits will undoubtedly impress you. This car talks to you. You feel it reaching out to you through the steering wheel, the driver seat and the pedals, and you do what it tells you. You feel like a pro."
From the Robb Report:
"If its (Evo) not on your ten all-time best enthusiast cars list, then your list is incomplete"
Hell, it ran an 8.11 at the Ring (in the damp). That's right up there with the big boys.
It isn't my job to sell Evos to the masses. Just my opinions and perception. Now I better quit before C4 crashes the party and tells me what a pile of crap every other car but the Mini is..........
Seriously, while there is no denying that the Evo is roughly based on the Lancer, it is built in an entirely different factory. It shares only one body panel (trunk), incorporates and integrated roll bar and chassis bracing, and is only one of two production cars that is seam-welded. It literally has nothing in common with the Lancer mechanically.
The chassis, with the inclusion of the floorpan, is different. None of the key Evo parts bolt onto a Lancer or vice-versa.
Look, I can't deny that the Evo is a bit ugly. But driving the car transforms your perception of it. Literally every automotive publication has showered the car with accolades. Interestingly enough, if you visit other performance car forums, they give the Evo it's due. Sure they'll harp on the looks, but anyone who has driven one at the track, feels the power, the communicative steering, the excellent brakes and the phenominal handling of the car comes away impressed.
From Edmunds:
"It's about a completely unfiltered driving experience that sucks you in and never lets you go. Every shift of the five-speed gearbox feels like you're hand-feeding torque to all four wheels. Every hard turn feels like you have three friends, Suspension, Steering and Brakes, and they're telling you all their secrets. And every second you spend in the Recaro seats? That's a lasting embrace from the one that got away."
"If you want to fall in love with an Evo, take it to the curviest road you can find and make about 20 laps. It's not just about how quick the steering is, how deftly the suspension manages changing loads, or how well those differentials stir up the power when you're exiting corners, although these traits will undoubtedly impress you. This car talks to you. You feel it reaching out to you through the steering wheel, the driver seat and the pedals, and you do what it tells you. You feel like a pro."
From the Robb Report:
"If its (Evo) not on your ten all-time best enthusiast cars list, then your list is incomplete"
Hell, it ran an 8.11 at the Ring (in the damp). That's right up there with the big boys.
It isn't my job to sell Evos to the masses. Just my opinions and perception. Now I better quit before C4 crashes the party and tells me what a pile of crap every other car but the Mini is..........
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 0
From: show me state
Originally Posted by Boge
If the Mini didn't exsist, what car would you buy in it's place and why? I'm looking for alternate vehicles. I have my mini on order. I've researched quite a bit before deciding on the mini, but I just want to take one last look at what is available to make sure I've chosen the right car in case I seem to have overlooked a cheaper car that would do just about as good for me. What car would you choose in it's place?
Scary. 
guess I'd consider the volkswagon or go back to my Mercedes...slow, but reliable.
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
How about this:
Can any automobile give you this scenario? From your garage to your destination, the M400 Skycar can cruise comfortably at 275 MPH (maximum speed of 375 MPH) and achieve up to 20 miles per gallon on clean burning, ethanol fuel. No traffic, no red lights, no speeding tickets. Just quiet direct transportation from point A to point B in a fraction of the time. Three dimensional mobility in place of two dimensional immobility.
No matter how you look at it the automobile is only an interim step on our evolutionary path to independence from gravity. That's all it will ever be.
http://media.moller.com/news/hoverstills/
http://www.moller.com/news/hoverstills/nextfest.jpg
Can any automobile give you this scenario? From your garage to your destination, the M400 Skycar can cruise comfortably at 275 MPH (maximum speed of 375 MPH) and achieve up to 20 miles per gallon on clean burning, ethanol fuel. No traffic, no red lights, no speeding tickets. Just quiet direct transportation from point A to point B in a fraction of the time. Three dimensional mobility in place of two dimensional immobility.
No matter how you look at it the automobile is only an interim step on our evolutionary path to independence from gravity. That's all it will ever be.
http://media.moller.com/news/hoverstills/
http://www.moller.com/news/hoverstills/nextfest.jpg
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,272
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From: Arlington, VA
Retro 80s cars would not be good. With a few exceptions, overall it was not the most inspired decade for automotive design.
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: B.C. the 'Wet' Coast.
If we didn't have our 2006 MCS I'd give a Mazda MS 3 a serious look. Up here in Canada a loaded MS 3 is the same price as a base MCS-just under $31,000 (Canadian), which can no longer be ordered. I also like Subaru's WRX, but at just over $35,000 (Canadian) it's too much money.
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: Where all good things come to die, Detroit
If the Mini didn't exist, I probably would have bought a BMW instead. I don't like Japanese cars, so those are pretty much out of the picture. Then again, I would probably still be driving my '86 Corvette around. Like I do now.
Medic
Medic
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,326
Likes: 6
From: PA
What would I buy instead of "a" MINI ?? Of course... two MINIs !!
Okay, okay... I know that wasn't the real question. I'd probably still have my 2003 Nissan Altima if I hadn't fallen in love (with my fiance AND the MINI). When it's days were over, I'd have wanted to move up to the 350Z.
Okay, okay... I know that wasn't the real question. I'd probably still have my 2003 Nissan Altima if I hadn't fallen in love (with my fiance AND the MINI). When it's days were over, I'd have wanted to move up to the 350Z.
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, GA
If there was no MINI...
I'd have probably kept my '73 Volvo P1800 and finished the restoration project... I's not nearly as much fun as the MINI in the twisties, but it's a delightful fast touring machine, and *very* unique...
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Arlington, VA
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 123
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From: Kennesaw, GA
P1800
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,272
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From: Arlington, VA
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 123
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From: Kennesaw, GA
Now that you mention it...
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 193
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From: Sarasota, FL
Don't see too many R5 T2's on th roads....
Its funny this thread is here. I'm deciding whether to buy a Mini, and have had a VW and WRX recently. Currently I have a G35 Coupe. These seem to be popular suggestions by other forum members...
I can't decide, or "pull the trigger," on the Mini, and this thread has been insightful.