Unknownspeedster Mini Cooper S

[Shawn]

Sorry, but I just have to point out that this little factoid is untrue.

Originally Posted by AiR

The americans go with just "drive anything" from age 14 and I suppose that's a bit steep.

[unknownspeedster]

AiR- you are able to set it so it shows ur speed via the central tacho and you get used to it after a while

[Hidden_Hunter]

Originally Posted by AiR

You wizards from Oz are strange indeed. An 18 year old isnt allowed to drive anything at any speed it would seem. Import any other system it'll be better, ours is "take your license, drive anything". The americans go with just "drive anything" from age 14 and I suppose that's a bit steep.

As for the car, I like everything except the central speedo. I can't stand those.

yeah but how many powerful cars are actually available to 18 year olds there? We're not talking about having 2l "hot" opels and things like that, large v8 rwd cars are cheap enough that an 18 year old could realistically afford one (and consequently put it into a tree) Victoria had the best restriction system (asides from none ) which was based on power per ton but it was too hard for the politicians to sell so out came the crappy blanket ban system from NSW

[LeMans GTR]

I think it's a good idea to have power restrictions, but restrictions on forced induction pretty much means you can't have any hot hatch.

[Dsemaj]

Originally Posted by Hidden_Hunter

yeah but how many powerful cars are actually available to 18 year olds there? We're not talking about having 2l "hot" opels and things like that, large v8 rwd cars are cheap enough that an 18 year old could realistically afford one

My brother is 18, and he's got currently paying off a 20,000km, 2004 VYII Commodore SS. It annoys me sometimes, he complains that he doesn't stand out enough... He's 18 and he's driving a god damn near new SS!

[AiR]

Originally Posted by Shawn

Sorry, but I just have to point out that this little factoid is untrue.

Yes I hope everyone realizes that

I don't see why 18-year olds, ghastly creatures as they are, shouldnt be allowed to drive a large V8 if they wanted too. I assume insurance costs are astronomical anyway, that should put off quite a few.

[Hidden_Hunter]

Originally Posted by AiR

Yes I hope everyone realizes that

I don't see why 18-year olds, ghastly creatures as they are, shouldnt be allowed to drive a large V8 if they wanted too. I assume insurance costs are astronomical anyway, that should put off quite a few.

Parts are cheap enough for alot of these cars that it's usually cheaper to get them without going through insurance anyway (especially for young people) 3rd party insurance isn't even mandated in all states I don't think

[unknownspeedster]

in the case of my luxury turbo mini cooper s i am paying less then a thousand dollars with the policy in my parents name but i am nominated on to the policy as a driver,

[No Boss]

What is the little silver grommet thing under the vent to the left of the dial? Is that like where the ignition would be for LHD cars?

[Shawn]

That's a really good deal man. On a V6 Lexus I pay over $2,500 a year... and that's in Canadian dollars which is worth more than AUD. Plus I'm 22 and have built-up a small discount over the years.

The car and insurance policy are both in my name but it wouldn't have made much difference it it was my parents' car and I was named the primary driver.

Originally Posted by unknownspeedster

in the case of my luxury turbo mini cooper s i am paying less then a thousand dollars with the policy in my parents name but i am nominated on to the policy as a driver,

[hangthedj]

Oooo... nice interior. And how good is the sports button!? It's great when you drive it in normal mode then put it in sport - you really feel (and hear) the difference.

BTW that silver thing in the glove box release. =)

[Hidden_Hunter]

Originally Posted by Shawn

That's a really good deal man. On a V6 Lexus I pay over $2,500 a year... and that's in Canadian dollars which is worth more than AUD. Plus I'm 22 and have built-up a small discount over the years.

The car and insurance policy are both in my name but it wouldn't have made much difference it it was my parents' car and I was named the primary driver.

For me being 19 in my suburb (classified as lowest risk possible) I get an insurance quote of $2131 a year for the mini (with justcar if you're aussie)

[Shawn]

^ Hmm, that's not so bad for me then. I guess over there they maybe turn a blind eye to being the primary driver on a policy your parents own. Up here, as I said, it doesn't make much difference who owns the policy as the quote is based on who is the primary driver.

[unknownspeedster]

basically my insurance is thru BMW its $810 per year my excess is 3 grand and I'm listed as a secondary driver.
Hang the DJ I love the sports button, the car just becomes a different beast.

[Avalange]

Great car mate, I really like the wheels and the interior,

but why did you order an AUTOMATIC for a Cooper S?


Nothing to be taken personal, but I think a small, very sporty car such as the Mini doesn't make sense with an automatic gearbox. It makes the car slower and more boring.

[unknownspeedster]

basically 2 major reasons, i have a damaged left knee so i can only sustain driving a manual for a small time, really unconfortable and secondly due to the first reason city driving hurts.

the auto gearbox is fantastic its a porsche developed box built by Asini 6 speed automatic with the same ratios as the manual making it .1 of a second slower the the manual and quicker down the quatermile. this is also helped with 3 additional modes

D - for economy usual auto
DS - its the sports mode firm up the gearbox and ferosity of the changes
Manual - uses the paddles and gives full control allowing to hold gears and take control of the gearbox

also due to electronic throttle and the sport settings the car becomes very aggressive

the dealer took me for a spin in the manual and then the auto and back to the manual, the sporty feel is still there.

[Avalange]

OK, some good reasons for an automatic there.

Seems that the time of the boring, slow, power-sucking automatics is finally over, fortunately (except for GM, who still dare to sell Suburbans etc. with a 4-speed auto).

Have fun with your Mini!

[otispunkmeyer]

beautiful car man, tho i still think they shoulda kept the supercharger! they sound much better than turbos but that is my preference.

mini cooper s is another car on my "must own at some point in my life" now

[ahpadt]

Very nice. Congratulations.

However, I kinda prefer the old one, due to the supercharger whine

Personally, I'm looking at maybe buying a '01-04 Mini One within a year or so.

[unknownspeedster]

the sc mini is great, but you cant take anything away from the turbo engine and its a brilliant car, i highly recommend it.