Skuzzy Paint Your Cooper !!

[Masherbrum]

Skuzzy, if I ever can get down there, I'd like to try that bad boy on a track (if there's any near ya).    Coopers just look like "fun to drive".   While I don't have one, I was all for getting one until the "wife ack" shot it down.   


BTW for those inquiring about a Mini Cooper's safety rating.   Read this:

"The 2010 Mini Cooper does well in government crash tests, earning four out of five stars for driver and passenger protection in a front end crash tests as well as for rear passenger protection in a side impact crash tests. Even better, it receives the top score of five stars for front passenger protection in a side impact collision. In rollover testing, it earns a five-star rating, which means it has only a 10 percent chance of rollover in a single vehicle crash -- a score that is excellent for the class."

I can name "mid size cars" that are more unsafe than this.   Coopers are very good for safety.   Christ, Mini is owned by BMW.  

[Skuzzy]

I do not take it out for roundy-round racing, but there are a few autocross events a year I go to.  The next one is in College Station in the first week of May.  I'll be following a bunch of Cobras down to it.  I stay off the track when they are out, and they stay off the track when I am out. 

Great bunch of guys.  I usually beat out thier times by 2 or 3 seconds.  Last year I finished up third overall.  I was on street tires.  This year I will be on racing slicks and lighter wheels.  Should help improve the time.

BMW does not just own Mini either.  BMW designed the current generation of Mini from the ground up.  The engine is an interesting story.  BMW had no expertise in doing small 4 cylinder engines so they contracted Peugeot to design the block and lower end of the engine.  BMW designed the head.  The final engine assembly is done in Japan or France.  The car is still built in a state of the art facility in Oxford, England.

They are coming out with a new coupe later this year.  It looks slick.  Better aerodynamics, and 150 pounds lighter than the regular Cooper.  From the beltline down it is still Cooper.  It is just a new roof and roofline.  Looks like it is wearing a baseball cap backwards.  Should get better gas mileage and better performance.

[RTHolmes]

Ive only driven a n/a 1.6l rental but it was such a blast to drive. fantastic steering, plenty of feel and really pointy. great ride too - stiff enough so it doesnt roll too much but compliant enough to deal with our dreadful potholed, ridged, broken roads.

[Shuffler]

I do not take it out for roundy-round racing, but there are a few autocross events a year I go to.  The next one is in College Station in the first week of May.  I'll be following a bunch of Cobras down to it.  I stay off the track when they are out, and they stay off the track when I am out.  

Great bunch of guys.  I usually beat out thier times by 2 or 3 seconds.  Last year I finished up third overall.  I was on street tires.  This year I will be on racing slicks and lighter wheels.  Should help improve the time.

BMW does not just own Mini either.  BMW designed the current generation of Mini from the ground up.  The engine is an interesting story.  BMW had no expertise in doing small 4 cylinder engines so they contracted Peugeot to design the block and lower end of the engine.  BMW designed the head.  The final engine assembly is done in Japan or France.  The car is still built in a state of the art facility in Oxford, England.

They are coming out with a new coupe later this year.  It looks slick.  Better aerodynamics, and 150 pounds lighter than the regular Cooper.  From the beltline down it is still Cooper.  It is just a new roof and roofline.  Looks like it is wearing a baseball cap backwards.  Should get better gas mileage and better performance.

Where in College Station? Do you have a link... sounds interesting.

The Camarofest is April 15th weekend... but way over in Georgia.

[Skuzzy]

At Texas World Speedway.  No link, I am aware of.

[ebfd11]

Skuzzy is this how your Mini was delivered to your house???

[Skuzzy]

Who knows what they are packed in, besides being coated in Cosmoline.  I picked mine up at the dealer and it was ready to go.

[Grayeagle]

Cooper is one of the few new cars that stands out in a crowd of 'jellybean' look-alikes.

I'd get one if I could.
Problem I have is .. for a few bucks more I can have an older Vette  ..and there just isn't any comparison at that point.

-GE aka Frank