Quote:
Originally Posted by TuxedoCartman
People I've spoken with don't have as much good to say about the newer ones, as opposed to the R53's. I can't say, personally, since I haven't driven one. I hope the reports are wrong, and if they aren't I hope MINI gets back on track. Let us know what model you end up test-driving, and what your impressions are!
I'm still getting an FR-S, but I think there's room enough in this world for more than one lightweight, 200-ish horsepower sports coupe/ hatch! In fact, as far as I'm concerned, when it comes to great cars... the more, the merrier! :happy0180:
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I did test drive Mini Cooper S, i think it was MY'06. I loved interior and exterior design! It was red with white top and quite sporty and supportive leather seats. Very beautiful.. Driving position was mediocre, it wasn't perfectly there but it wasn't bad either. Engine was strong enough for me, good torque in low rpms. But i like to rev, and i was little disappointed that it wasn't that rev happy. Exhaust tone was also little mild, but that's easy to fix. So engine was ok for a modern econobox turbo.
I loved handling and turning! It was precise, sharp and it changed direction very fast. Steering feel was quite heavy, but it was also very informative and honest. Ride was very firm, and i believe that it can loose grip in bad roads with lots of bumbs... I can live with it
Biggest drawback was manual transmission. It was very heavy, quite clumsy and slow. It feels like you have to push the gear in. Changing for bigger gear was ok (if you didn't change too fast), but downshifting was bad. I tried to heel 'n toe, but it didn't help that much. I don't know is it just this car, or is every Mini like this?
Overall, i liked very much. I think it can't match driving dynamics from 7th gen 190hp Celica, but it was close. I'm not yet sure, but i think Mini is in my short list...
