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My Mini is not cute it got character!!!!!!
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Mini's killer app is the three-cylinder turbo, but trademark cute looks don't hurt
I drove the drop-top version of this Mini a few weeks ago and said it wasn’t a teeth-cracker (ie: overly stiff suspension), speculating it was due to the convertible softening things up. I now feel vindicated, considering this hardtop IS a teeth-cracker/kidney-buster.
The roads on my commute home aren’t what you’d call “in good shape.” I skip the clogged freeways for Detroit’s back roads, some of which are crumbling. I hit a bump so hard I thought the wheels were going to blow off. It didn’t look big; it was just a spot where the blacktop crinkled up, but ****, I thought for sure I’d see some tire sidewall bubbles. But apparently they withstood the onslaught.
The steering is heavy, and respectably quick, but I didn’t get a lot a feel through the wheel. However, like I’ve said before, I’ll take heavy and direct without feel over loose and sloppy any day.
This turbo three-cylinder is a wonder. Put the trans in S mode, the selector in sport mode and this Cooper is quick. It builds power nicely, too, without a lot of turbo lag. Shifts are quick from the Steptronic six-speed -- not DCT quick, but fun for “spirited” driving.
As far as looks go, I’d spec my Mini with British Racing Green and white stripes. The only more classic look would be the Union Jack on top, but this is America, dammit. They should make an orange one with the confederate flag. Just kidding, they shouldn’t do that.
The engine is the best part of this car, by a long shot. Get the manual, rev the crap out it, and for God’s sake, avoid anything bigger than a nickel out on the roads.
-- Jake Lingeman, road test editor
read the rest here
Read more: http://autoweek.com/article/car-rev...-cute-quirky-and-bone-crunching#ixzz4IGnndeV8
Mini's killer app is the three-cylinder turbo, but trademark cute looks don't hurt
I drove the drop-top version of this Mini a few weeks ago and said it wasn’t a teeth-cracker (ie: overly stiff suspension), speculating it was due to the convertible softening things up. I now feel vindicated, considering this hardtop IS a teeth-cracker/kidney-buster.
The roads on my commute home aren’t what you’d call “in good shape.” I skip the clogged freeways for Detroit’s back roads, some of which are crumbling. I hit a bump so hard I thought the wheels were going to blow off. It didn’t look big; it was just a spot where the blacktop crinkled up, but ****, I thought for sure I’d see some tire sidewall bubbles. But apparently they withstood the onslaught.
The steering is heavy, and respectably quick, but I didn’t get a lot a feel through the wheel. However, like I’ve said before, I’ll take heavy and direct without feel over loose and sloppy any day.
This turbo three-cylinder is a wonder. Put the trans in S mode, the selector in sport mode and this Cooper is quick. It builds power nicely, too, without a lot of turbo lag. Shifts are quick from the Steptronic six-speed -- not DCT quick, but fun for “spirited” driving.
As far as looks go, I’d spec my Mini with British Racing Green and white stripes. The only more classic look would be the Union Jack on top, but this is America, dammit. They should make an orange one with the confederate flag. Just kidding, they shouldn’t do that.
The engine is the best part of this car, by a long shot. Get the manual, rev the crap out it, and for God’s sake, avoid anything bigger than a nickel out on the roads.
-- Jake Lingeman, road test editor
read the rest here
Read more: http://autoweek.com/article/car-rev...-cute-quirky-and-bone-crunching#ixzz4IGnndeV8
