I googled go-kart handling and found this thread on another forum http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1,790598,790619
I lifted the title because it was exactly my thoughts.
"i'm sorry. if i pay that much money for a car i want it to handle better than a go kart."

Many of the replies in that forum say this is marketing to a demographic (not 50yo me) that is looking for a fun ride.
I think this really alienates those of us that just love the classic style of the Mini and want a small car with good gas milage.

Honestly, if GM (I like the HRR) or Ford came out with a mini-like car with a less clunky smoother auto-transmision that took regular gas, I'd probably get it.
I would think it probably would cost less and get better milage too.
Every time the mini engine zooms into another gear I think this can't be good for milage?
I was able to use the gas pedal on my old Geo Tracker to smoothly change gears to get better milage. I can't seem to do this with the Mini.

what do U think?

 

My 2009 Clubman handles like a go-kart, which means that it is quick and precise to go where I point it. And it is currently getting 35 mpg, with mostly stop-and-go city driving. If I want to go nuts and drive 100+, it is solid and stable, feeling better than other cars at 50 mph. Engineered and built right. I couldn't ask for more.

 

I just took my modded s to the dealer for work. The loaner car they gave me is a 128. I was excited to drive it, but it drives like a wet bar of soap. The good thing is I don't have to watch the road for potholes anymore. The best way I can describe it is driving the mini is like walking barefoot, and the BMW 128 is like wearing shoes. It's smoother but doesn't feel as fast or as fun. I love my mini even more now. I just wish girls thought it was as cool as a BMW.

 

It sounds like you're not exactly sure what you really want. The first three replies in that reference thread do a pretty fine job explaining what "go-kart handling" is. It's that kind of precise handling beyond what most of the competition can offer that makes MINI owners fall in love with their cars.

So you "just love the classic style of the Mini and want a small car with good gas milage [sic]" but wish it didn't have the kind of handling it's widely noted for? Or is it that you are implying that go-karts have poor handling?

Maybe you'd be happier back in your Geo Tracker.

 

Giving up big V-8 muscle for the fast and nimble MINI added 3" to my size. At one point with all the big block V-8's I owned I think I was inverted. At least thats what my crazy sister in-law would say. "You are compansating for something",LOL.

If the girl is all about the car you are driving- Move on. That said from a guy who has a V-8 Maserati in the garage for long fast trips.

 

Sounds like you should buy a ford fiesta or the upcoming chevy sonic.

 

I don't get the handling issue
The Mini is low to the ground so on sharp turns you don't feel it as much as a high car like the Tracker ,however, the tracker has a lot better visibility and is a smother ride. One cancels out the other.

I guess people like you don't care that much about milage but there are a lot of people that feel the way I do.
Perhaps the electric Mini will appeal to them.

 

Sounds to me like you are in the wrong car.....Mini's are for fun!

 

You guys are cracking me up
You're like;
"You can't be in our club anymore"

I like my Mini
1)I wish it were different in certain ways.
2)I think Mini is marketing it wrong.

 

Everyone has different wants & needs. My MINI is not the perfect car, but it is soooo much fun I put up with it's odd things I don't care for.

GM is coming out with a car called the Sonic & Ford has the Fiesta. You might look at those to see if they suit your needs better. I'd say stay with the MINI, but that's me.

As you have found out, around here if you don't expound your undying love for all things MINI you might hear about it.

 

Bob I think you are right about the MINI Marketing. I am a performance car car for many years. 66' 427 Vette 4speed coupe, 2003 ZO6, Etc. I had no clue about the MINI. I read all the car mags and watch all the car shows.
My wife wanted a Bug and I would never be seen driving one. We have a Jetta TDI. I was buying her a Red Justa because she said they were cool and for me it was anything but a bug. I would drive the Mini, maybe. During the process she saw an S with a sunroof and black wheels she really wanted.
As she said that looks bad ***. I like bad *** much more than cute. 2- I am
all for more power=Turbo. After the 3rd day of me taking it to work she said
" I am never going to see that car again am I?" Nope. After a year I traded for my JCW which is off the hook. Can not wait for 2 more track days next month at Thunder Hill. M&M Racing- MINI's and Maserati's.

 

Man--those cars are just butt-ugly
98% of the cars on the road are ugly IMO
Actually I looked at the little Honda (whatever it's called )
If you want a car that looks like a spaceship it would be great

One of the big pluses with the Mini is it's leg room. I'm 6'3" 240lbs and most of those compacts don't fit me.

 

Who wouldn't want to drive a go-kart everyday?

 

I think the "go kart" like handling is used to describe the feeling when driving the car, perpetuating the "fun" factor of driving a MINI, rather than to suggest that a MINI is like driving a go-kart in every other aspect.Yes, I WOULD NOT want to drive a nimble little go-kart every day, BUT an actual car that handles like one is definitely marketable and appealing to me.

I do agree with the OP in regards to the transmission shifting. Being an automatic owner, I was thrown off when I got the MINI. Coming from a V-Tech Civic, I was used to just pressing on the gas and zooming, while the transmission shifted smoothly. I feel a lot of jerking when in the MINI during gear shifts-and too much hesitation when "stepping on it" on highway on-ramps. BUT I know that this is all of what makes the car, and honestly, these cars are made to be driven manually-something I eventually will learn. Now that I do own a MINI, I really can't see myself driving anything else. There is absolutely no other car (IMO) on the market right now that is as unique, fun and practical as the MINI is. It just stands out, and I like to stand out.

 

I think You may like the Honda Fit more than the mini, at least you will like the transmissionn better. The Mini is a quirky car. You have to drive it, you are involved in the road, like an old air cooled 911. it's not just a point and shoot.

 

Let's look at it another way... suppose an auto manufacturer says a particular model DOESN'T handle like a go-kart. That is, it doesn't respond instantly to the steering, acceleration is sluggish, it rolls lots when cornering, it's impossible to place accurately, driving it with enthusiasm makes it feel like the car's out of its element, it's going to respond unpredictably in an emergency, etc.

Would that appeal to you? Obviously, the MINI isn't for everybody. But I bought one because I've always loved small, sporty cars that are designed to enhance the driving experience. I like the MINI's go-kart handling because to me, that's how a car should feel. It shouldn't heave itself down the road and slew around corners in the name of "luxury" or "comfort," and wallow into accident situations because its responses are slow and sloppy. I like the security I feel in knowing that my MINI is going to go precisely where I point it. I like how it responds to subtle control inputs. And I like how the car seems to enjoy being driven as much as I enjoy driving it.

So yeah, that handling and performance was exactly what I was looking for, and the Cooper S delivers in spades. For me, "go-kart" handling is a high compliment, and a major selling point.

Spridget

 

You asked & I responded with examples. MINIs do have amazing room for their size. I'm leaving to motor about like a Go Kart.

 

Go-Kart handling is a huge selling point for me. Spent a few years as a sport bike guy, loved being able to make quick adjustments and feeling VERY connected to my vehicle.

My Cooper doesn't have nearly the same power to weight ratio as my retired CBR, but it is even more fun to drive. I feel very connected to the road, and the car seems to respond to my every whim instantly. It begs to be driven hard and eat up twisty roads. Definitely feels like a Go-Kart, and I couldn't imagine driving anything "mushy" or "luxurious" ever.

Just put on light wheels, summer tires, and an alta 19mm sway bar... fell in love with it all over again.

 

I think you meant to type "HHR".......which is being fazed out, btw - guess GM's marketing was a FailBlog.
Agree with the leg room. I'm 6'7", and can stretch out my leg completely. Granted, my seat back is against the back seat, but then I don't have children I smile walking up to my MINI. Smile when driving it. Smile when I turn off the garage light

 

There will always be those who buy an anvil then complain that it doesn't make ice. How many house maids whose resumes read "I don't do windows' have been fired because they didn't do the windows?

 

I find the OP's complaint interesting. He's 50, insists he is not in the targeted demographic of Mini's marketing efforts and wants his "go-kart handling" justaCooper to handle less go-kart like. I'm approaching 50 and bought an S hoping the "go-kart handling" was true. I find myself wishing it was more go-kart like, because compared to my previous ride, it handles like a Geo Tracker.

 

Yep, I'm gonna be 57 next month. I love the go-cart like handling of my MINI. Of course I did get the sport suspension but kept the wheels at 16in. Why get a MINI if you don't want a car that does so many things so well and gets decent gas mileage too?

 

Thanks for the laugh Brick....

60 year olds love their Go Karts too.

 

I really like my '06 go kart.

....Les

 

You are more than welcome and yes we do, in the extreme.