R50/53 Picked up my car today and had a MINI Vacation (long)
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6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
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As a member of the CWFAC, we update our experience with the car, so I am passing on a slightly edited version of the one I posted there.
My wife and I took a vacation day, up the MINI from MINI of the Hamptons this morning. Gave us a briefing and a couple of nice dealer key rings and we were off on the great roads near Bridgehampton (Long Island's South Fork). Wheee! Roller Coaster!
After an hour or two we picked up the family bus at the dealer and headed home (MINI and sedan).
Great steering, Great cornering. Great power (kept it under 4,500 rpm and 90 mph).
Just a little short on low end torque coming out of tight slow turns, but when it's broken in, I can come out of them in 1st instead of 2nd, so that should make a big difference.
Biggest surprise? The stock radio is not bad. Spaekers actually have nice fidelity and imaging. Better than I expected. And the MFSW is a must because the radio controls are too small.
Also, it's quieter than I thought. Would like a little more snap, crackle, pop in the exhaust.
I have a bad lower back, and the heated seats are like heating pads. Nice! And we were able to deal with the ACC with no problem. Works just fine manual and auto, but with big temperature differences, that might change.
Everything feels substantial and well made (hey, it's the first day!), except, maybe the glove box door.
My wife loves to drive it, but is having trouble getting second when downshifting from third. She will get there with a little practice.
Put on 140 miles today and the wheels were filthy! I feel for you white wheel owners! And the back of the car is a dirt magnet!
The best was when my 18 year old athlete son (NOT into cars at all) saw the MINI and froze. His eyes bugged out of his head. He thought it was the wildest thing he had ever seen. "What's all those pedals on the floor for". Someday we will show him.
Hope all your MINI experiences are great. This car makes you smile!
Regards,
Red
My wife and I took a vacation day, up the MINI from MINI of the Hamptons this morning. Gave us a briefing and a couple of nice dealer key rings and we were off on the great roads near Bridgehampton (Long Island's South Fork). Wheee! Roller Coaster!
After an hour or two we picked up the family bus at the dealer and headed home (MINI and sedan).
Great steering, Great cornering. Great power (kept it under 4,500 rpm and 90 mph).
Just a little short on low end torque coming out of tight slow turns, but when it's broken in, I can come out of them in 1st instead of 2nd, so that should make a big difference.
Biggest surprise? The stock radio is not bad. Spaekers actually have nice fidelity and imaging. Better than I expected. And the MFSW is a must because the radio controls are too small.
Also, it's quieter than I thought. Would like a little more snap, crackle, pop in the exhaust.
I have a bad lower back, and the heated seats are like heating pads. Nice! And we were able to deal with the ACC with no problem. Works just fine manual and auto, but with big temperature differences, that might change.
Everything feels substantial and well made (hey, it's the first day!), except, maybe the glove box door.
My wife loves to drive it, but is having trouble getting second when downshifting from third. She will get there with a little practice.
Put on 140 miles today and the wheels were filthy! I feel for you white wheel owners! And the back of the car is a dirt magnet!
The best was when my 18 year old athlete son (NOT into cars at all) saw the MINI and froze. His eyes bugged out of his head. He thought it was the wildest thing he had ever seen. "What's all those pedals on the floor for". Someday we will show him.
Hope all your MINI experiences are great. This car makes you smile!
Regards,
Red
I thought all guys, especially at 18, had at least some interest in cars. Hmmmm.... yet another stereotype shot to hell. 
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6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,444
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No interest at all. Has a 95 Camry, and I have to show him over and over how to put air in the tires.
My Father and brother never were into sports, just cars and bikes. Maybe he rebelled.
Maybe the MINI will win him over.
Regards,
Red
My Father and brother never were into sports, just cars and bikes. Maybe he rebelled.
Maybe the MINI will win him over.
Regards,
Red
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,806
Likes: 0
From: Santa Rosa, CA
Red,
My son's the same way too. 18, athlete, and the only mechanical thing he can work on his car is the key.
My daugher on the other hand is a little grease monkey. Loves to be under the hood, changes oil, helped me pull the engine on my vw. Wants to know everything about the Mini.
Go figure?
Andy
My son's the same way too. 18, athlete, and the only mechanical thing he can work on his car is the key.
My daugher on the other hand is a little grease monkey. Loves to be under the hood, changes oil, helped me pull the engine on my vw. Wants to know everything about the Mini.
Go figure?
Andy
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