R56 Anybody Wish Their Mini was Rear Wheel Drive?
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Austin, TX
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,078
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From: Piqua, OH
^^ +1
Well said. I, too, had a '59 Morris Mini Minor 850, but it was stock all the way. Still, it was the neatest car I ever owned...until the "new" ones came back.
There were some awesome classic cars that used FWD back in the '30s and '40s...Cord comes to mind, and it was a hell raiser. I don't know if Packard had FWD, but many of those "old-fashioned" cars, in their day, were HOT...and STILL turn lots of heads at Concours shows.
Well said. I, too, had a '59 Morris Mini Minor 850, but it was stock all the way. Still, it was the neatest car I ever owned...until the "new" ones came back. There were some awesome classic cars that used FWD back in the '30s and '40s...Cord comes to mind, and it was a hell raiser. I don't know if Packard had FWD, but many of those "old-fashioned" cars, in their day, were HOT...and STILL turn lots of heads at Concours shows.
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
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Actually, the Mazda Miata pretty much defines go-kart handling in a road car. That's what I'd recommend for anyone who wants reasonably priced rear-wheel drive fun. Of course, if you'd like a smidgin of practicality with your fun the MINI is a better choice.
+1 for the Miata kicking the MINI's butt for overall telepathic fun on the street. The Miata you can drive 10/10ths and still be under the speed limit; with a MINI [especially a modded one] you can't come close to stretching its legs on the street, which to me makes it less fun on the street; more of a track toy. A RWD MINI would definitely give the Miata a run for sheer fun and tossability. I'll probably be looking into what it'd take to convert the R53 into RWD once the AWD R56 comes out in a couple model years.
$0.02,
Ryan
$0.02,
Ryan
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 876
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From: Austin, TX
) with a gas tank in it? No thanks... sucks 'cause the Sky is a good lookin' car! 
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Charlotte Area N. Carolina
You need to belong to a RWD car forum - like I did for a year - the 350Z forum - Every day one of them was talking about how they crashed and the rear had spun around on them to cause it - I owned a 1959 850 Mini (36 hp) but had a 1098 CC engine in it from a Austin America that had all of 55 HP (Modified) the Mini had 2" cut off of the Cones (Classic Mini owners with out the Hydroelastic suspension know what that is , lowered the car about 1") I used to autocross this car when I owned it from about 1973 to 76 or so. The Vetts could not hold a candle to us in the Minis. All the rear wheel drive cars spun out trying to keep up - why ? The rear wheels push you around a curve - front wheel drive pulls you through the curve - The sign you were really driving a classic to it's limits was , on a dry suspension , if it lifted it's inside rear wheel totally off the ground in a curve or turn. For pete's sake keep em FWD !!!! Not just for the past - there is still a reason to be front wheel drive.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
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+1 for the Miata kicking the MINI's butt for overall telepathic fun on the street. The Miata you can drive 10/10ths and still be under the speed limit; with a MINI [especially a modded one] you can't come close to stretching its legs on the street, which to me makes it less fun on the street; more of a track toy. A RWD MINI would definitely give the Miata a run for sheer fun and tossability. I'll probably be looking into what it'd take to convert the R53 into RWD once the AWD R56 comes out in a couple model years.
$0.02,
Ryan
$0.02,
Ryan
Last edited by SpiderX; Aug 16, 2007 at 08:54 AM.
6th Gear - AX Champion
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,301
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From: Pittsboro NC
the only problem with FWD is torque steer, if they could find a way to counter that with the electronic steering, or put in AWD it would be a better handling car
I just came off a M3, so I really really feel the torque steer, I'm still not used to it
I plan on owning this car 4 years then buying the new "m1" which they should have out by then
I just came off a M3, so I really really feel the torque steer, I'm still not used to it
I plan on owning this car 4 years then buying the new "m1" which they should have out by then
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Over at the other site
+1 As the saying goes, "be careful what you wish for...."
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
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Gawds NO!
Perhaps this is just newbie enthusiasm, but I am trading in my Mustang GT for a MCS. I needed a car that I could drive in the weather that was still fun to drive. Too many white knuckle commutes in the Mustang during the winter do not make up for the summers of fun. I will miss the Mustang, but I am WAY more excited about my MINI!!!!!
Unrelated to the RWD issue, the Mustang just never had a lot of personality. It didn't even have a name and all my cars have had names. Even the crappy ones. hmmm
Just put in the deposit & order last night. Huzzah!
I can hardly breathe for the excitement/anticipation.
Unrelated to the RWD issue, the Mustang just never had a lot of personality. It didn't even have a name and all my cars have had names. Even the crappy ones. hmmm
Just put in the deposit & order last night. Huzzah!
I can hardly breathe for the excitement/anticipation.
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Austin, TX
Let me shed a single tear, as it will be out of my price range
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