Well it's been a while since I've posted on here. That's mostly because I'm selling my car and moving on to something else- what that is isn't totally decided yet, maybe a GTO with a reworked suspension.

The only problem is, I went out an did a canyon run last night.

I drove down Topanga Canyon from US-101 to Pacific Coast Highway and had one of the best drives I've ever had. The music was right, the night was cool without being too chilly, the sunroof was open, and I was right in the powerband. To put it simply, I was one with the car. It was great! I patted her steering wheel, gave it a little caress and smiled big like I always do when I'm behind the wheel.

Now that would have been a GREAT send-off drive, but the problem is I took a street called Corral Canyon back, and after an even BETTER canyon run, I hit a dead end. Oops. I guess that means I have to drive back down the canyon.

The drive back down was a bit slower since I didn't want my brakes to fade, but the car was so.... Connected, in the best way. Maybe it's been too long since I've really driven her in anger, but she was just ON last night. The cool air and 1/4 full gas tank really did the engine favors, too.

I had to pull the car over and hug her. It was one of those moments It's silly but Sonja really was that good!

THEN, as if the night wasn't good enough yet, I took Decker Canyon Road back from PCH. I wish I'd taken a picture of the sign, it was the curvy road with a "next 14 miles" below it.

When I finally got done with one of the best nights of my young life (I've always said that a great drive is better than sex - no comments please )
I was completely in love with Sonja again. I still think it's time for me to sell the car, but it's a lot harder now. I mean, do these lowballers understand how RUDE they're being to Sonja?

I don't know. Gushing really isn't my style; I'm just going to miss her.

 

poor Sonja At least not for a new GTO please, please

 

run to your dealer, put your name on the list the place your oder for the JCW GP car and in the summer you will have your new ride and be able to have even more fundoing a canyon ride

 

agreed... you'll never be this happy again.You must get at least a JCW....that wayyou keep it going upward and dont lose the MINI joy

 

Why would ANYONE sell their MINI?

 

You love the car! Why are you going to sell it? For some silly V8 engine? You won't be happy with anything else in the same way.

Your post is proof of it.

 

I've had the car for more than 2 years, and I want to try something different. The MINI was the only FWD car I'd consider, and after driving the front wheels for so long I want to drive the other 2. It'll be more of a challenge, and will therefore be more rewarding. And if you're a GTO hater, check out the Top Gear videos for the Vauxhall VXR (same car).

Plus, you can't say a V-8 engine is silly.

I think I just wanted to say that I wasn't the kind of seller like I've seen who posts up here saying "That's It - I've had enough!!!" It's going to be a much more bittersweet moment than that.

 

that's quite a shame... the only car I could see getting instead would be a slightly used lotus elise.

 

or new exige

 

Good luck man. I won't bash on your choices, BUT. . .

if you enjoy the MINI that much, I think you'll be much less bittersweet when the time comes to sell the Goat. The GTO is a heavy car and even with IRS it won't be as tossable as what you've come to enjoy.

What other RWD choices are in the running? RX-8? 3 series? Miata. . . er MX-5?

 

I'd keep her a little while longer.... I dont want you to do what I did... I sold my MINI in frustration... and bought a Nissan 350Z... I wanted something that A)was NOT a MINI and B) had a bit more horsepower.... an hour after leaving the dealership I missed her more than I can explain... and now a few months later, I am happily motoring in my new MINI.... SAVE YOUR MONEY- keep your MINI!

and if you do choose to sell, good luck!

 

I take it you need the proceeds from the sale of Sonja for the GTO? It seems to me a diversified drivetrain portfolio might be good, if you can swing it financially.

 

We went on a run Saturday and at the lake about 15 GTO showed up (the people were all wearing name tags ) so I think it was put on by a dealer.

We had 23 MINIs and when we left we took the long crooked road and they took the short straight road and we got to the same place at the same time BUT we had WAY more fun then they did.

Earl

 

I think that the Monaro will make you worse of a driver since it won't challenge you as much. Like you said, it has a V-8 so you won't have to worry as much about carrying speed through the corners, a crucial skill when driving a MINI. In addition, you've seen the Top Gear video and Clarkson was doing one-fingered drifts... I hardly think that the Monaro will challenge you. The only thing that you might learn is a little bit of throttle control, but again as the Top Gear episode showed, even the GTO's oversteer is easy to control.

Think long and hard about this one, but I don't think you will EVER do this with a GTO.

I agree with the others. Stick with MINI, whether it be in an '05/'06, JCW (GP), or just keeping Sonja. It's better to have love and lost, but you'll be kicking yourself if you gave it up on purpose.

 

you live in the area where i use to take my previous cars out for weekend fun. if i had a MINI back then, i would probably never come home.

 

Since this IS a MINI enthusiast forum I can definitely join the rest in saying "keep the MINI!" But then, I couldn't even bring myself to trade in my present MINI for another one!! Cooper for another Cooper...just couldn't do it!!! I'm just a ol' softie I guess.

Whatever you choose...best of luck!!

 

Use to have a 77 Vet, 4-speed. Now I have the Mini. I won't go back to the vet. As much as I have always loved Vets, once I drove the Mini, that was it.

 

It really would be awesome to keep Sonja and just diversify, but money just doesn't allow it. I'll be getting into the GTO for about the same price as I should get for the MINI. It wouldn't be new, so I can't afford the new JCW GP, as hot as it is!

The RX-8 was definately a competitor, but I would pick an S2000 over that. I'd accept the sacrifice to practicality for the mid-engine feel the S2000 has. The thing is, the RX-8 would be totally incapable of hauling people because the torque is so thin. This is where the GTO really sets itself apart. Plus, it's way faster than something like a 350z, G35 or 330i.

Oh, and that was a meet put on by LS1GTO.com -



22 GTO's with different levels of driving ability.

If I'd gone, which I was planning on doing, I proabably would have started a brawl between the 2 clubs! That's one way of deciding which car to go with...

I know it's going to be tough to let her go. I've been around MINIs forever, even drove one before they came to the states. Don't you guys ever get the feeling that something different would be good?


By the way, Jeremy Clarkson does kiss the Monaro at one point on that show - as weird/creepy as it is, that sold me as much as anything

 

The Vauxhall you mention from TopGear is a mid-engine. The GTO has it is front. This totally changes the handling.

Also, check the RX-8 boards. It will drop from the list of consideration in a jif.

 

sure, but you're going backwards.

not sure how old you are, but im thinking you're in your early 20's... if so, i would get me a Evo9.

 

Actually, the Vauxhall Monaro VXR is exactly the same as the new GTO with the exception of the front bumper, the spoiler, and the driving position. The Vauxhall VXR was an upgrade to the VX220, a rebadged Elise. They're totally seperate cars.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...q=top+gear+vxr


There's a link to the car in question.

Edit: Yeah, I considered the EVO 8 RS but I'm not totally sold on AWD and most of them have been pretty beat up. I'm getting a Ducati for the weekends, so I'll still be having fun in the canyons (I've already decided I'm naming her Beatrice - major respect if you get all the implications)

 

OK - after considering a lot of things people said in this thread and elsewhere, I've changed my mind. The GTO is huge and would be fun but just isn't quite right for me.

I'm getting an S2000 instead. Woo hoo! If the car I'm looking at right now is the one I wind up buying, I'm naming her Keiara, which is apparently Celtic for "Pretty little dark one".

 

those have matured, started to show age, and a GTO would blow the doors out of it, now you are all the way backwards. Sorry, not trying to be negative, you asked for opinions i am saying mine.

Go buy an STI, you will challenge everything on the road, instead of those midlife crisis Hondas. C'on man

 

I liked the S2000, and then I sat in it at the Auto Show in NYC and my knees touched the steering wheel (I'm 6'3"). But I will agree, the S2000 is out of style right now. Yea they are cool, but I agree with the above post. CONSIDER AN STi. . My friend has one and every gear you shift throws your head back into the seat and makes you go. (6 for all gears). I tried to drive one and even easing the pedal down MILDLY makes the car go crazy. Its fast, its fun, moderately affordable, cool lookin, and will definitely challenge anything you put in front of it. Eats a lot of gas though, and the ride probably isn't good enough for LONG trips. Then again, it has 4 doors, so you never know, people could get comfy. If you want to make even a daily drive seem like the first lap at LeMans, you can't go wrong with an STi.

Chris

 

i DESPISE the STi... but go with that over a S2000.... *I* am too small for that car at 5' 3"!!!!!! I cant comfortably sit in it, let alone drive it. A friend of mine got stuck in one while his civic was in the shop... It killed his back to the point of multiple chiropracter visits just to undo the damage!