test drive the Copper S at SC

[maximus]

Crowfoot Mini has a mini course set up to test drive the Copper and CooperS at Southcenter mall today untill 4:00. Check it out. Was kinda fun.

:burnout:

[max_boost]

Did you drive it? CAn it outhandle a Ferrari or a 911?;) :rofl:

[ACX]

I saw the big hubb-bubb when I went to the mall. The works car looked pretty good. I parked right across from the setup, and a Focus SVt ended up beside me.. We could have had a magazine comparo on our hands..:D

[maximus]

Originally posted by max_boost
Did you drive it? CAn it outhandle a Ferrari or a 911?;) :rofl:

I know its nothing special but still a fun way to waste half an hour on a Sunday afternoon. Everyone there seemed to have fun.


Originally posted by ACX
I saw the big hubb-bubb when I went to the mall. The works car looked pretty good. I parked right across from the setup, and a Focus SVt ended up beside me.. We could have had a magazine comparo on our hands..:D

Did you see the green golf beside the SVT? Thats was my buddies car. We were probably there the same time. Who were you? I was the tall lanky guy with my two friends. My other friend was the guy signing people up and selling all that stuff.

[ACX]

Originally posted by maximus


I know its nothing special but still a fun way to waste half an hour on a Sunday afternoon. Everyone there seemed to have fun.



Did you see the green golf beside the SVT? Thats was my buddies car. We were probably there the same time. Who were you? I was the tall lanky guy with my two friends. My other friend was the guy signing people up and selling all that stuff.

We didn't actually roll over there, just shopping.

My sis took one out for a test drive before and may buy one..

Me and my bro bolted while the SVT was still there but no one was beside him..:dunno:

too bad I'd have let you test drive the old stage 1 car. :nut: :D

[max_boost]

Originally posted by maximus


I know its nothing special but still a fun way to waste half an hour on a Sunday afternoon. Everyone there seemed to have fun.
. I was actually quite serious about the comments! Apparently the Mini can really handle well! Of course that also depends on the driver too.....

[Akagi Redsuns]

It wasn't too bad from the little time behind the wheel, too many low speed turns so hard to tell in a parking lot when you can't even get out 1st gear. Would be nice to take it on a off-ramp or do some high corners and see how it handles. From the bit I felt, looks like it could do quite well and not bad at all for a FWD car.

[CLiVE]

I was there for a bit with a few friends. It was a fun little course they had set up.

[maximus]

Originally posted by max_boost
I was actually quite serious about the comments! Apparently the Mini can really handle well! Of course that also depends on the driver too.....

Well my friend got a base Cooper for the weekend and he let me take it for a nice long rip. The only thing I really liked was the response of the steering and suspension. However, the base is sooo underpowered that you don't really need it. But I was impressed nonetheless. It didn't have enough power to throw around like my old 16v, but I would say the suspension setup was close to that of my old car with racing coilovers. Only thing I really liked about the Cooper. I absolutely can't stand the speedometer in the middle of the dash. :nut:

I have never driven a porsche or ferrari but I imagine you can't really compare an all wheel drive porsche or those lardy supercars with a car the size of a Cooper. So much lighter and sooooo much less power how can you really compare the two??

But ya the course was too small and tight to really see the response of the S. I just wish I could have taken the Werks one for a nice long ride!!

[C4S]

Again .. believe or not .. after take a Mini ( especially S ) for a test drive .... you dont' want to return the KEY for sure ! ( if u enjoy driving ! ha ha .. )

Belive or not ..... I still can't think of any car under $200,000 ... can offer much better "Feel " then the Mini !

um .. may be thr Lotus Elise .. but I never try one ! :D

(he he, I havn't tried many $200K+ cars, there might be more cars feel better then the Mini that I don't know ! :D )

[XylathaneGTR]

My best friend has a cooper S...and i LOVE driving it.
that car is HANDS DOWN the most fun i've taken for a spin. Word's can't describe how well it takes some agressive driving.
For the most part, i drive pretty with civillity, but when i get in that car, well, i can't help but push it.

Great car to have.

[Akagi Redsuns]

Originally posted by maximus
snip.............. I absolutely can't stand the speedometer in the middle of the dash. :nut:
..............snip

LOL, I know what you mean. I do like the dash configuration of the vert, I wonder if you can get that in the regular models? Fun cars though, might take them up on thier offer and take one for a test drive to see how is holds up on the real roads and beyond 1st gear :)

http://members.shaw.ca/Akagi_Redsuns/coop_dash.jpg

[DSM Power]

Originally posted by CLiVE
I was there for a bit with a few friends. It was a fun little course they had set up.
CLiVE has the mad Mini skillz y0!! :burnout:

[CLiVE]

Originally posted by DSM Power

CLiVE has the mad Mini skillz y0!! :burnout:

lmao. Thanks man. It was a fun little course. Nice brake test you did...lol. :clap:

I had never driven the base cooper before. It is actually hard to tell the difference at low speeds on a course like that. Still want to pick up a cooper as a daily driver, and keep the "S" for weekends. :thumbsup:

[DSM Power]

Originally posted by CLiVE

Nice brake test you did...lol. :clap:

:D

Me: "So.... how good are the brakes in this thing?"
Salesguy: "Pretty good!"
...rapidly approaching corner...
...nail brakes and proceed to slide right up to cones...
Me: "Hmmm. Not that good".

:drama: :rofl:

[CLiVE]

Originally posted by DSM Power

:D

Me: "So.... how good are the brakes in this thing?"
Salesguy: "Pretty good!"
...rapidly approaching corner...
...nail brakes and proceed to slide right up to cones...
Me: "Hmmm. Not that good".

:drama: :rofl:

The stop tech brakes have you spoiled buddy. We can't all stop on a dime.....quarter maybe. And your rotors are bigger than my dinner plates.

[95TsiAWD]

The mini test drive ruled. You guys didn't video tape my fast run though :(

[DSM Power]

Sorry man. :banghead: :(

BTW, here's a pic of the setup for those who missed it. :thumbsup:

http://members.shaw.ca/dsm_power/post/MiniDay.jpg

[BigMass]

Test drove a Cooper S for a quite a long time. Amazing handling for a FWD car. Almost no torque steer and very very little understeer. However, in fast corners it will lightly understeer. I prefer the trail out action of the Miata. The suspension on the S is solid. Almost no body roll. The power on the S is perfect for what the car is. Its not a drag car. The only problem with the FWD setup on this car is that because of the amazing handling and nice power on the S model, it will chew up front tires quite fast. I was smelling burnt rubber after I drove it.

Bottom line on this sucker is that it's an amazing car for the money. I would be scared to own one past the warranty period though. Maybe the 2004/2005 models will hold up nicely over the next year or so and i'll change my opinion.

PS. The stock tires and brake pads SUCK. Just changing these will improve an already amazing ride dramatically.

[CLiVE]

Originally posted by 95TsiAWD
The mini test drive ruled. You guys didn't video tape my fast run though :(

Sorry man! I can speed up the video for ya!

[CLiVE]

Originally posted by BigMass


Bottom line on this sucker is that it's an amazing car for the money. I would be scared to own one past the warranty period though. Maybe the 2004/2005 models will hold up nicely over the next year or so and i'll change my opinion.

PS. The stock tires and brake pads SUCK. Just changing these will improve an already amazing ride dramatically.

So far no problems with my '04, with about 17,000kms on it.
The stock tires are terrible, brake pads are decent but could definitely use some improvement.