The cars and bikes thread!

[gnuyork]

Did they stop making the conventional hard top convertible version?


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I'm not sure, but I think so. The RF is it. I think it looks better in person than any photos... and the real key here is the wife actually likes it. She called the Mini a clown car so...

She also hates the Lotus. Too loud and scary (Larini exhaust). It still scares me, even (in a good way)

[Raza]

I'm not sure, but I think so. The RF is it. I think it looks better in person than any photos... and the real key here is the wife actually likes it. She called the Mini a clown car so...

She also hates the Lotus. Too loud and scary (Larini exhaust). It still scares me, even (in a good way)

The Z4 definitely scares my brother. I drove us to Home Depot today and it was obvious how uncomfortable he is being in that car.

[Dan R]

The Z4 definitely scares my brother. I drove us to Home Depot today and it was obvious how uncomfortable he is being in that car.

Interesting. I had a Z3 with the 3L motor. That was the best car I had to drive in many years. Not sure how any road enthusiast could be uncomfortable in such a car. I wish I had been able to keep that job that allowed me to keep that car. I do miss it.

Dan

[gnuyork]

The Z4 definitely scares my brother. I drove us to Home Depot today and it was obvious how uncomfortable he is being in that car.

I was half joking. I'm not scared to drive my car... I should have said "thrilled." It's definitely exhilarating. The exhaust note only adds to the excitement for sure...

[Raza]

I was half joking. I'm not scared to drive my car... I should have said "thrilled." It's definitely exhilarating. The exhaust note only adds to the excitement for sure...

No, I knew what you meant. I was just mentioning that like your wife, my brother is scared of my sports car.

[Raza]

Interesting. I had a Z3 with the 3L motor. That was the best car I had to drive in many years. Not sure how any road enthusiast could be uncomfortable in such a car. I wish I had been able to keep that job that allowed me to keep that car. I do miss it.

Dan

I think it's a combination of being so low, so small, and not having a roof. The smallest car he's ever owned is a last generation Audi S4, which is a monster in comparison to my car. It's practically an SUV!

[mlcor]

I'm not sure, but I think so. The RF is it. I think it looks better in person than any photos... and the real key here is the wife actually likes it. She called the Mini a clown car so...

She also hates the Lotus. Too loud and scary (Larini exhaust). It still scares me, even (in a good way)

Mrs. Cor didn't like the Lotus, either, for the same reasons. Plus I had a BWR supercharger on mine so it was crazy fast. OTOH, she doesn't like riding in the Aston, either--just not a car person.

[Samanator]

Test drove another Mini S yesterday.. A Blazing Red one with black center stripes, black roof, and black wheels. Unless it's a Ferrari (or other exotic) I'm generally not a fan of red, but I have to say it looked a lot better in person than I thought it would (compared to online photos). In fact I liked the color a lot.I enjoyed the drive with it, and I could buy it and not feel bad for not grabbing the Volcanic Orange.... they also had some 2019s on the lot and the new Orange that replaces the Volcanic is called Solaris Orange and it's the opposite. The online photos make it look OK, but in person it was a terrible color (my opinion of course).

BUT... later that day I also test drove the new Miata RF...and wow, that was so so so much better, if not a touch more impractical. The shifting in the Miata was direct and precise, the suspension was tight, the handling great, impressive turning radius, steering felt great. I felt right at home in driving it. It was easy, but still engaging. A good looking car too. Not the last word on power, acceleration, and throttle response, but I have that covered in another car in spades.... this one just needs to get me from the daily A to B (with a smile, instead of the usual boredom). I think the interior of the Mini is great, but pales in comparison to the new Miata. The Napa leather seating and the overall fit and finish of the Grand touring trim level is very grown up and has a luxury feel (this being said, the most luxurious car I've even been in has been Audi or BMW so...not quite mlcor's Aston). I'm generally not into luxury, but it just felt right in this car, just enough, but not too much.

I know some Miata enthusiast rip on the RF model, because it's not pure enough, but I think for a daily driver it's more practical. And as I mentioned, I have the "pure" thing covered in spades with the Lotus. It doesn't get much more pure than that.

My only concern is I would have two two seaters parked in the garage. I do have a Honda Element - also Orange (don't laugh, I love that car) for the Home Depot runs. But life is short, eh? It's couple grand more than my find a car under $30K budget but maybe worth it...IDK...

Have you tried a Subaru BRZ or it's sister the Toyota 86? A bit cheaper and has a back seat...well at least a package shelf disguised as a seat. It will fit in your budget.

[Samanator]

Mrs. Cor didn't like the Lotus, either, for the same reasons. Plus I had a BWR supercharger on mine so it was crazy fast. OTOH, she doesn't like riding in the Aston, either--just not a car person.

My wife loves the F Type both driving and riding in. She learned how to drive a manual transmission in my TT Quatro Cabriolet. She drove the 911 Cabriolet 4S with the manual and loved it, but always thought the steering was too heavy. She has had two XK R (one coupe and one convertible). She likes cars.

[gnuyork]

Mrs. Cor didn't like the Lotus, either, for the same reasons. Plus I had a BWR supercharger on mine so it was crazy fast. OTOH, she doesn't like riding in the Aston, either--just not a car person.

I hear that... mine's got the KoldFire tune and stage 2? something or other Vision Function SC and intercooler...plus a bunch of other goodies. Forged pistons, ported head, intake, etc. Crazy fast