Mini Cooper going exotic!

cmy330go

Found these on another forum and chuckled, so I thought I'd share.







I think they're cute.:p
Dave

Demiurge

haha, those aren't far of from some of the concept cars shown at the auto show this year.

I like the 2nd one, hey...midgets need stylish wheels too.

Ron-P

I'm getting one of these, hopefully, within the next couple of years. The perfect little car for costal cruising.

Demiurge

I wouldn't fit in a car that small, way too tall.

ND13

I'm 6'3"/235lbs and fit in with ample space. Don't let the outside fool ya.

BobMcG

I like the Coopers and these are really neat... but with the super short wheel bases must ride rougher than heck!

ND13

The little car will amaze you. Drive it before drawing any conclusions.

Ron-P

One reason I've not gone on any test drives. Once I do I'll probably sign the paper work.

ND13

Only thing, the convertible isn't getting the rave reviews that the hatchback got. Once you chop the top off the chassis, everything changes and you have to add alot of weight in order to get the stiffness back in the chassis. Still, though, it's a great car.

Make sure to pay for the John Cooper S package no matter which you buy. Trust me on this one.:)

bobman1235

The only thing that bothers me about those cars is how there's basically no rear bumper - the rear wheel is mere inches away from the back of the car. If you get rear-ended (the most common car accident) it's gonna cost a FORTUNE to fix.

Ron-P

I like the look of the hard top better but living on the coast I want a convertible, it's a tough call, I'll test drive both but I'm leaning towards the convertible.

I once had (rebuilt it from the ground up) an 1967 MG Midget. Looked just like this one...


That was one hell-of-a fun car to drive during the summer months but a pain in the **** to keep tuned up, duel side-draft carbs. I sold it to a guy in Germany.

So, what's the John Cooper S package?

Ron-P

it's gonna cost a FORTUNE to fix.

That's why I pay for car insurance.

Demiurge

ND13 wrote:

I'm 6'3"/235lbs and fit in with ample space. Don't let the outside fool ya.

Yeah, I'm 6'6" 275. Lots of cars are uncomfortable with long legs.

okiepolkie

At least they are a little bigger than the SMART cars.

BobMcG

ND13 wrote:

The little car will amaze you. Drive it before drawing any conclusions.

I have no doubts about the "stock" cars riding well... it's these mods I think would rattle your teeth over expansion joints.:)

ND13

Ron,
It's the Mini Cooper S model with the John Cooper Works Package.

Check it out here http://www.seriouswheels.com/top-2005-Mini-Cooper-S-Works.htm

Ron-P

Thanks Noel, I'll give that thread a read.

neomagus00

BobMcG wrote:

I like the Coopers and these are really neat... but with the super short wheel bases must ride rougher than heck!

i was curious, so i looked it up:
bmw 325i sedan - 109" (what i'd take for a very roughly average number)
mini cooper convertible - 97" (about 11% less than the sedan, not bad)

i wonder if the extra foot makes a huge difference?

cool car, tho

cfrizz

As if that ugly little car weren't ugly enough???? Yikes!

ND13

cfrizz wrote:

As if that ugly little car weren't ugly enough???? Yikes!

Some women just don't understand.;)

heiney9

Mini Cooper "S" is on my short list of cars I'd be interested in. As long time VW-Gti owner I'm used to smaller cars. I drove a regular version when they first came out and enjoyed it very much. I won't drive another until I'm ready to buy, just to tempting. I don't have a family so I don't have a need for a larger car. I like the go-kart like reflexes of the smaller hatch backs.

Although on most Volkswagens I've owned, I've swapped out the stcok suspension for something a bit stiffer, but not full blown race. The roads in the mid-west leave much to be desired and I like a well dampend, responsive suspension, but lowered race suspensions are hell on the car and driver. I had an original Gti many many years ago that had a full race suspension and on long trips my kidney's would ache if the road was rough. The damn paint on the strut towers started to flake off because the body would flex/give way before the suspension would in some extreme cases. A riot of a car back then, had alot of fun. Only slightly modifed I could run with the T/A's and BMW's of the day, up to a certain point.

The Coopers are much better than you'd expect being on a short wheel base, but the "S" with the performance suspension and largest wheel combo can get a bit bouncy/choppy over rough roads. Certainly a neat little car that has done well for BMW.

H9

cfrizz

You are absolutely right Noel! I just don't understand what there is to like in a ugly little rectangular box that looks like even my knees would be up to my chest to start with. and then if a car accident happened, l would end up being turned inside out cause it looks like it would fold up like an accordian!:eek:

Other cars that I don't like are the Chrysler something or other & the Honda (I think) Element. Another big box to drive around in! & WTH is up with the wierd colors on them?

ND13 wrote:

Some women just don't understand.;)

heiney9

cfrizz wrote:

You are absolutely right Noel! I just don't understand what there is to like in a ugly little rectangular box that looks like even my knees would be up to my chest to start with. and then if a car accident happened, l would end up being turned inside out cause it looks like it would fold up like an accordian!:eek:

Other cars that I don't like are the Chrysler something or other & the Honda (I think) Element. Another big box to drive around in! & WTH is up with the wierd colors on them?

Cars like audio are a very subjective thing, especially when it comes to looks. FYI, the Mini Cooper is among the top cars for safety during an accident. Sure in a catastrophic collision against say a semi at speed it may not fair well, but not many would. Automotive technology with regards to safety has come along way. Just because it's small doesn't automatically mean it's unsafe.

I don't like the Element either, but give them credit for using a "think outside the box" design idea. I suppose if you want to be different from the crowd you'd buy an Element or that boxy Scion Xa or Xb, I forget which looks like a toy mini-van. These are marketed to younger buyers with the idea of standing out in a crowd. They also appear, atleast with the Element, to be aimed at a certain lifestyle or portray a certain lifestyle.

H9

Ron-P

like even my knees would be up to my chest

You say that like it's a bad thing Cathy.

shack

cfrizz wrote:

As if that ugly little car weren't ugly enough???? Yikes!

ND13 wrote:

Some women just don't understand.;)

The operative word here is some. The demographics actually say women purchase more Mini Coopers in the US than men. My wife likes them a lot and her next car may very well be the convertible Cooper.

then if a car accident happened, l would end up being turned inside out cause it looks like it would fold up like an accordian!

The crash test numbers for the Mini are very good and much better that many "large" vehicles.

Honda (I think) Element. Another big box to drive around in! & WTH is up with the wierd colors on them?

Another vehicle designed with the young male in mind, but again the women purchase more of them than men. They are very user friendly vehicle with lots of room. We have one.

Ron-P

The demographics actually say women purchase more Mini Coopers in the US than men.

The majority of mini drivers in my area are women. It's a chick magnet car. Hey, yet another reason I can tell the wife why I want one.

cfrizz

Fascinating info! Thanks guys. (But I still think its ugly!:D Oh & it's the PT Cruiser by Chrysler that I don't like the looks of either.

One car that has caught my eye is the one that ZipCar uses. I think it is made by Toyota? It looks like a cross between a minvan & a station wagon!

Demiurge

Dodge Magnum?

wodom1

My girlfriend wants to get one of the convertibles in a couple of years. She really digs them.

bobman1235

cfrizz wrote:

One car that has caught my eye is the one that ZipCar uses. I think it is made by Toyota? It looks like a cross between a minvan & a station wagon!

Toyota Matrix?

Ron-P

Now, that looks ugly.