So I have this friend who has been a GTI enthusiast for about half his life, and we finally got a chance to drive my MINI through some twisty canyon roads outside of Denver (Golden Gate Canyon to Netherland and back through Coal Creek Canyon, for all the Denverites).

Halfway up the canyon, I gave him the keys, and we all know what happens next: The perma-grin set in.

At first, coming from the GTI and all, Mike was still a bit hesitant approaching and accelerating out of turns, and I had to keep yeling at him to stop pressing the brake, and pressing the other pedal - the really fun one on the very right - instead.

Needless to say, my little MCS left quite an impression on him, and guess where he's heading today? I just hope they treat him fair for his trade-in – its a nice GTI.


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That's the power of the Dark Side.

 

Nice story. The truth shall set you free...........

 

Funny how a small thing can change your entire outlook on driving.

 

It really just shows how handling surpasses raw power any day when it comes to pure driving excitement.

 

A GTI VR6....certainly the Mini S is a more fun auto to drive...just don't try an R32....think Mini S on steroids.....unreal car....of course I own both

 

Sparky and The Lime always play nice together when I visit my girlfriend.

 

Is that the AWD? Pictures?

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No, that is not the AWD. . . Looks like a 2001/2002 Rave Green GTI. I had the same one but with the 1.8 turbo engine.

By the time I was done with it, my GTI was WAY faster than my pullied and chipped MCS, but it would have been left FAR behind in the twisties!

 

Yucca,

It get's confusing here sometimes.

I was referring to Anteken's post. I'd like to see pictures of the R32.

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The girlfriend told me it was called Cosmic Green

Its other name is Marvin (the Martian) These two cars get some attention sitting out there by a rural road where most of the traffic is pickup trucks and tractors.

 

I could also be wrong since I did stop following VW trends once I got my MINI. . . . but I think that rave green was discontinued after 2002.

There was also a very similar color called Cosmic green made before Rave Green. . .

yes, it does get confusing when we are all posting at the same time without knowing what others are posting!

 

The R32 is pretty strong, the only reason I passed on that was it was changing the bodystyle and I can't wait to see the new generation R series.

 

VW first introduce Cosmic Green, and then discontinue in 2002 and replace it with Rave Green. (Which has a gray tone in it).
At the same period in 2002, they also discontinue Tropic Orange... which is one of my favor color in GTI.

I own Mk II, III, IV GTI / Golf. There is only Mk II GTI (modded) can give me same level of driving pleasure to my MCS. I still think the newers is way too heavy!! May be that is the trend for all VAG product.

 

I LOVe the R32, but it's near 900 pounds heavier. There's a reason it will get dusted in the twisties.

Inertia.

That said, I still like it, in that beautiful electric blue color. The seats are brilliant too.

 

Yeah, with 900 pounds heavier, it's 80hp advantage isnt really that advantageous.

It has the potential to be much faster. Now a turbo or S/C R32, now thats what I'm talking about. Sweet car.

 

I disagree, R32 is all wheel drive, it will keep up with a Mini on any twistie, maybe will do better.

 

i was told that it was no longer available...but then again 3yrs ago before i ordered my mini i ran across an article tittled "fast cars that will never see the states" R32 one of them,so i thought well a mini S is just as nice but as we all know here they are...(r32's) been a Vw fan since early bug's. so been lookin' for a used one lately and they are very hard to find.

 

AWD is not all that great unless it's an Evo8.

 

I'm thinking back to the first time I met you Yucca. :smile: I miss drives like that in Colorado. Thanks for the great day showing me the areas around Ft. Collins way back when.

 

Pish posh. The R32 has a .87 lateral G rating. My G-Force indicator has moved past 0.95 without me losing traction.

 

That was a really fun day, Dave! It was my first chance to see a MINI in action on a twisty road. . . :smile:

That day certainly made me know that I made the right choice to sell my fire breathing GTI and get the MINI.

I bet you have a photo from that day somewhere. . . ????

 

think about all those upgrades listed on your Mini put on an R32. I love my MCS, but you can't make me believe that. After having an R32 for a weekend, I know what that car is capable of.

 

wrong, all wheel drive has nothing to do with power

 

who said anything about power?