Help me pick a car V2.0

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Thu Apr 23, 2015 7:46 pm

These didn't make the list. Become a fanboy!
http://fayetteville.craigslist.org/cto/4962141143.html
C230 Kompressor (the little lift back version)

It looks like the Chrysler Crossfire's are still too expensive (even though they were giving them away a few years ago).

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Scott Johnson wrote:

These didn't make the list. Become a fanboy!
http://fayetteville.craigslist.org/cto/4962141143.html
C230 Kompressor (the little lift back version)
.

"That brings us inevitably to the question of performance. The 192-hp supercharged four motivates its 3398-pound burden with relative ease, covering the quarter-mile in 15.7 seconds at 90 mph. That handily beats the 318ti and the VW GTI (Europe's original hot hatch), and it would have tied for second quickest in our "Coupes de Grace Redux" comparo (December 1999), matching the Acura Integra GS-R and Toyota Celica GT-S. But the C230 isn't as enjoyable to drive as those cars. Rowing this ropy six-speed shifter is far less satisfying. The gates are too widely spaced, and gear engagement is too vague. The engine sounds better than it did in the first SLKs, but it doesn't compare with the best sports coupes."

Here's what C&D says about the Mini:

"What the Mini does best is devour corners, thanks in part to its 3-series-style multilink rear suspension and spring rates that must be close to a Ferrari F40's. On even the wildest kinks and whirligigs, there is simply no perceptible roll, dive, or squat. The car hangs on beyond what its grip of 0.85 g suggests. "

Since fun-to-drive is still paramount in this v2.0, I'm getting a Mini. Maybe.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Karl Shultz wrote:

Mike I don't know how you do it. Keeping after my two cars plus the wife's car is about all I'm willing or able to deal with.

It's easy. I ignore my children and my job. I have plenty of free time :lol:

Seriously, though, not driving anywhere makes the job of keeping cars maintained pretty easy. I went to the grocery store yesterday and realized it was the first time I left the house since Saturday. I've been riding my bike to lunch and to the store more than using the car these days!

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2015 8:12 am

Why isn't an rx8 on the list?

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2015 9:39 am

Scott Johnson wrote:

Why isn't an rx8 on the list?

He said no engine swaps.

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Sat Apr 25, 2015 12:16 am

Mike, my vote from the 'list' is GT-S (or even just GT) plus shocks & tires for $4-5k. G Street fun too perhaps?

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Sat Apr 25, 2015 7:18 am

I know where a set of koni da rear shocks are hiding.

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Sun Apr 26, 2015 5:44 pm

Stephen Westerfield wrote:

The Focus SVT is one of the few cars I've owned that I really miss. I don't care for the looks of the standard Focus, but the extra bits they add to the SVT make it bearable. Otherwise, it does everything else pretty darn well, especially for beater purposes. My only real complaint about it was the dual mass flywheel made it a little slow to rev, but it's pretty fun to toss around otherwise.

X2

The Dual Mass F/W does indeed suck and the 4x108 bolt pattern makes wheel choice a bit limited but it's still pretty damn entertaining. I just put mine back to mostly stock and it's still very fun to drive. Gas milage around town is kinda crummy (under 20) on the highway upper 20's is all I can muster. It has it's quirks but nothing that you couldn't tackle in your sleep.

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

If you DO buys mini, ditch the heavy stock 17" wheels and buy mine instead. 8 lbs lighter, and only $200 (Team dynamics pro race 4x100 17x7).

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Apr 27, 2015 8:23 am

Ryan Holton wrote:

..... Gas milage around town is kinda crummy (under 20) on the highway upper 20's is all I can muster. It has it's quirks but nothing that you couldn't tackle in your sleep.

Just to hijack for a moment... I've been driving my old e36 for the last few weeks. At 237k miles it's getting 23-24mph w/ mixed driving and I'm not babying the car either. Damn inline 6's are amazing. Hate to see BMW turn away from the NA 6, but CAFE standards are driving it.

Back to Mikes car thread....

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Mon Apr 27, 2015 9:46 am

BriceJohnson wrote:

If you DO buys mini, ditch the heavy stock 17" wheels and buy mine instead. 8 lbs lighter, and only $200 (Team dynamics pro race 4x100 17x7).

I had these (in 15x7) for my Celica in STS back in 2004. Very nice, light wheel. - AB

clinehall · **Posted:** Mon Apr 27, 2015 3:04 pm

BriceJohnson wrote:

If you DO buys mini, ditch the heavy stock 17" wheels and buy mine instead. 8 lbs lighter, and only $200 (Team dynamics pro race 4x100 17x7).

that certainly is a good deal, but for around town, I recently went back to 16s. Specifically the Rota RB, a mini lite knock off.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Richard wins the competition. Richard, next time you come crew with us at Chumpcar, I'll buy you a beer!

05 Mini Cooper S with LSD (yay!), chrono package, no sunroof, (yay!), 17% supercharger pulley, hot cam, rear swaybar, and a couple other upgrades. I thought I wanted something stock but the parts work great and it's a hoot to drive. I think this is an adequate beater slash grocery getter. When I took my wife for a drive she asked if she could drive it on track. So that's a bonus. Blew my budget of $4k by a bit, but who's counting

Extra credit if you can tell me anything about the history of this car (hint, I found out who a prior owner was).

Needs a bunch of cosmetic TLC (what doesn't) but mechanically it appears very solid.

Interestingly, I sold the 330 today and bought this car today for the exact same amount of cash. Lady at CFCU looked at me weird when I came in for the second time for notary service. Yes, it was a slow day at work (which never happens). Wife says "that money must have been burning a hole in your pocket". Yep.

clinehall · **Posted:** Wed Apr 29, 2015 7:44 am

Finally, after all his searching, Mike has figured out what the ultimate car is!

Be prepared for all the comments:

"your car is soooo cute"

"I bet your car gets good gas mileage"

"Is that one of them electric cars" ( normally while east of 95 or in the deep mountains)

And the waves from the ubiquitous Mini driver, a slender older woman with short gray hair. Hey wait a minute maybe that was Mike?

Chad Culbertson · **Posted:** Wed Apr 29, 2015 7:50 am

clinehall wrote:

Finally, after all his searching, Mike has figured out what the ultimate car is!

Be prepared for all the comments:

"your car is soooo cute"

"I bet your car gets good gas mileage"

"Is that one of them electric cars" ( normally while east of 95 or in the deep mountains)

And the waves from the ubiquitous Mini driver, a slender older woman with short gray hair. Hey wait a minute maybe that was Mike?

It can't be any worse than when I owned a 2000 VW Beetle 1.8T 5 speed with a manual boost controller. Should have seen the poor high school kid in a Neon with a fart pipe I blew right past when he tried to race me though....

Sold it a year later, couldn't take the heckling anymore lol. Sure was a fun car to drive though! Top speed was 130mph redlined in 5th gear.

I've actually been kinda eye balling some Mini's for a beater myself, my wife is driving 43 miles one way and i'm driving about 30 miles one way. My daily is the Camaro and hers is a 2014 2 door wrangler. Neither are particularly good on gas, although we're averaging about the same since she doesn't deal with any traffic, but I have to run 93 octane.

Guess I could ride the bike more though, it gets 42mpg and is way faster than anything I could buy lol.

Car looks clean in the photos despite you mentioning cosmetic issues, i'm sure they just don't show up in a photo from that distance.

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