Mini-Cooper Convertible

[Dan Schultz]

the Toyota Tundra is calling me, taunting me more and more, saying, "Drive me!"

Pick it up in person and drop by my house for a cup of coffee. The Tundra is built (builded) about 20 miles north of me. I can tell you some stories about some of the morons on the assembly line!

[Mudman]

I've driv (driveded?) a Jeep CJ-7 before and was quite impressed. It had the little four-banger and I'd swear it could climb straight up. I needs a pick-up though, and my next one will be a crew cab four wheel drive.
Hadn't decided for sure on the make though, but the Toyota Tundra is calling me, taunting me more and more, saying, "Drive me!"

Tundras are nice!

Jeep = junk. No way you would ever get 200,000 mi out of a jeep unless you went through two or three (or more) transmissions. Not to mention the rollover and road-noise factors. But they are fun to cruise around in

I wish they still made the Mazda B2200 series truck. 4 banger, extended cab. Great mileage. Cheap. Will run forever. Mine is a '93, has 140,000 miles with no major repairs. The only reason I'm thinking about getting rid of it is lack of air cond and I'm in Mississippi. I would buy another in a heartbeat. Even with a tiny 2.2L engine, it has plenty of power to haul my motorcycles and other junk. I'm not sure if anybody still makes a small truck like that that doesn't have a 6 cyl.

Today I test drove a Honda Element. Great room for somebody who is 6'2". I might purchase one in a few months. It has an indestructable interior with rubber flooring. Perfect for a slob (dog owner) like me. With the innovative double-door design, you could load your tubas easily from the side doors. Like the reviews said, the front-wheel drive version has the annoyning habit of squealing the tires from a standstill. (AWD didn't have the same problem.) Other minor drawbacks include limited visibilty on the left hand side when shoulder checking. The cool double door creates a fairly wide pillar that is difficult to look through.

Or I could save my money and buy that Holton CC and an F . . .

[Dan Schultz]

[Today I test drove a Honda Element.

Just another way to spell UGLY! ... right behind that Aztec thing! No!.... wait!!! There's a new SUPER UGLY! I think it's called a SCION.

[Doug@GT]

[Today I test drove a Honda Element.

Just another way to spell UGLY! ... right behind that Aztec thing! No!.... wait!!! There's a new SUPER UGLY! I think it's called a SCION.

But the award for PRETTIEST new car goes to...

[Dan Schultz]

[Today I test drove a Honda Element.

Just another way to spell UGLY! ... right behind that Aztec thing! No!.... wait!!! There's a new SUPER UGLY! I think it's called a SCION.

But the award for PRETTIEST new car goes to...

Looks like MORE that enough room for a couple of tubas... plus the wife!

[Tubaryan12]

Hey Tinker,

I have always liked ugly cars and i LOVE all 3 of those!

[Dan Schultz]

Hey Tinker,

I have always liked ugly cars and i LOVE all 3 of those!

You can save yourself a lot of money by locating a used set of Soap Box Derby wheels and a couple of old tuba shipping crates. Naw.... I'm just kidding! I looked at a SCION last weekend. It looks like it might be capable of performing good utility for a small music instrument repair shop. With all the rear seats out it would probably haul six sousas!

[Dylan King]

I think if I get a Cooper I'll have to pull out the front seat and drive from the back. I'll also need some sort of bassoon alarm when driving in the Hollywood area. On second thought, I don't think I need another car right now.

Built FORD TOUGH.

MSM

[MaryAnn]

[Today I test drove a Honda Element.

Just another way to spell UGLY! ... right behind that Aztec thing! No!.... wait!!! There's a new SUPER UGLY! I think it's called a SCION.

AMEN !

MA, who tried to get that in bright red bold print but this browser doesn't seem to support that. We agree on style, man.

And my 93 Toy x-cab PU has ~135k on it and I still don't have to check the oil even. To me, it's purdy!

[EuphDad]

I've been driving a Mini convertible since November - solid yellow with black top and leather sport seats - 5 speed. My first rag top. I was on a waiting list in June and placed my order in early September. My mid-life crisis. What a rush. I've put 1,500 fun miles on the car. It's cheaper than prozac and/or a trophy bride. It's a go-cart on steroids. So far no issues with the car at all - knock on wood.

The car is made to drive with the top down. I've been seen around town (Dallas) with the top down in 36 degree weather, leather jacket, driving gloves, new wool cap, scarf and heater going full blast. Love it, especially those sharp left turns on winding back roads. When you're in the car you're "motoring", not driving. Almost makes rush hour traffic bearable. Especially when you get such looks and lots of comments.

I've fit two accoustic guitars w/cases and a music stand in the boot with the back seats down. 2 Euphs also, but I'm not sure the Mini would handle a tuba.

Only downside is the restricted rear vision with the top up.
You get used to it, but I hate backing up with limited vision.
The car has a back-up sensor that helps, but it's still not fun
pulling out of a parking spot. So the trick is to only drive with the top down and just keep going forward and never looking back!

I would recommend anyone to go for it. What a sweet car.

[Leland]

Reactions to the Mini, or Scion (notably the xB, where the "B" must mean "Box"), or Civic, or any other small car:

"U-G-L-Y"

"It ain't a truhck..." *pound chest, drag knuckles, compensate for something*

"Oh, that little bucket of tin?"

etc etc...

Which, I think, works out well, because those cars' characteristics weed out the people that don't care about cars, and the people willing to buy them are getting exactly what they want.

Leland "who would've seriously considered a Mini if they were cheaper" Jordon

[Chuck(G)]

You know, I used to think that this was about the ugliest car ever built:



But after seeing stuff like the Element, I'm not so sure...

[Tubadan]

Jeep = junk. No way you would ever get 200,000 mi out of a jeep unless you went through two or three (or more) transmissions. Not to mention the rollover and road-noise factors. But they are fun to cruise around in

Everybody is always saying that Jeeps are crap but I own a 1994 Grand Cherokee that is still on its first transmition. It has 181,600 miles and hauls 3 tubas wonderfully. I do admit that the 5.2L V8 is a tad noisy but I also disagree with the rollover part. If you're not an idiot and drive safely, you wouldn't have that problem in the first place.

On the other hand, my 1988 Acura Integra held 2 tubas with the back seats folded down. At 31 miles to the gallon it has great gas mileage and they last a long time. Mine finally kicked the bucket after 240,000 miles.

[Rick F]

VW Thing

You mean one like this? I think the Pacer is the uglier.

[Captain Sousie]

Don't you be dissin' no volkswagen dammit!! (damn-it and so on) My daddy was a Volksie mech and I grew up around those things, pardon the pun. They are the coolest lookin' ugly cars of all time.

'Nuf Said

Sou

[Chuck(G)]

VW Thing

You mean one like this? I think the Pacer is the uglier.

VW called it "The Thing" because 'murricans cain't say "Kübelwagen". One of the Third Reich's better ideas:

[Matt G]

You know, I used to think that this was about the ugliest car ever built:



But after seeing stuff like the Element, I'm not so sure...

The Pacer and the Gremlin were both hideous. However, they were both tremendous pieces of garbage. They were typical 1970's US made automobiles with both poor power and poor acceleration with the bonus of poor mileage and the compliment of poor handling and braking.



As for the Scion xB, it isn't "pretty", but can be made to look decent:



Plus, you can fit guys who are 6'8" with ease in both the front and rear seats. With the rear seats folded you could easily fit a ton of stuff in there. Plus you'll get 34mpg, far better than the dudes making fun of the ride.

[Mitch]

Wayne (who often wishes he wasn't so dang tall so he could drive a neat little car) Wiley[/quote]

Sorry so late to the thread, but back to the original post...

I knew someone in DC who drove a Mini. He's 6'6". The Mini, according to him, has as much room for a driver as the BMW 7 series sedans, and just as much, if not more, fun to drive as the BMW, And this was a guy who could afford a 7-series BMW. It was quite a sight to see a little car pull up and this guy get out.

[Chuck(G)]

As for the Scion xB, it isn't "pretty", but can be made to look decent:

...and impractical. Oh man, if that thing were to drive some of the pothole-laden streets around here, that fancy skirting would be toast.

...Besides, I thought this thing was supposed to be an SUV--you know, the thrill of being able to use it offroad?

A few years ago, one of the townie doctors got himself a GMC Suburban with 4WD and decided he would take it offroading, believing the commercials. Well, we've got thick heavy clay mud here--idiot took it loaded with a bunch of his friends and got it stuck on a back road up to the doors. Took him three days to find someone with a small Cat to pull him out. I suggested that he get a bumper winch if he wanted to live the dream...

[Matt G]

...Besides, I thought this thing was supposed to be an SUV--you know, the thrill of being able to use it offroad?

Nope.

The origin of this vehicle, Japan, is the basis of its design. It is meant to be a "in city" vehicle for folks wanting more space for people and/or cargo than the standard sub-compact sedan.

Yeah, the one pictured may not be great in a bad road, but neither are most sport/luxury cars, so the point is a bit moot. I'm willing to bet that the ground clearance on this is still better than a 'Vette. Also, the springs used to lower the vehicle are much stiffer, which does protect this vehicle from bottoming out. It probably rides a bit harsh, especially because this thing only weighs about 2400lbs.

If there was a true SUV this may be it though. It is reasonably quick enough and handles excellent. It is much more utilitarian than the average truck-morphed-into-station-wagon. It is a vehicle.

This is a car designed for the streets only. It is FWD, has 105hp, and gets 34mpg.

Here is a pic of what I mean by a good bit or space in the rear to store stuff like tubas:



Here is another if you're worried about ground clearance and still wanting it to look decent (all stock Toyota Dealer-covered by warranty parts):