Say it aint so!
I can't believe it.............I won't believe it!
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BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIsLifetime Supporter
- May 4, 2009
- 2,896
- Professional Facilitator and Alignment Consultant
- Ratings:
- +2,896 / 0 / -0
Woah. :eek6:
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It's tough to let it go, but it's such a specialized car and deserves to be driven and enjoyed daily. I'm replacing with a Porsche Cayman S, so I can't justify both cars, nor can I afford both.
The car has a lot of my $$s in it, and quite a bit of my blood (all dry). I'm surprised how well it compares to the Porsche, however it is far more of a visceral experience than the Cayman. It accelerates faster (!) but takes a little more effort to stick on the way up the mountain. -
Well, someone is going to get an awesome MINI.
And yeah, I have spent some time behind the wheel of a Cayman S and I concur with your assessment.
We are going to miss you in the MINI community. -
I know a few people have mentioned comparisons with other cars and the Mini, but for me this is the first time I've really driven another car with any sense of ownership (rather than just driving someone else's car, which is never a 100% experience.)
A modified R53 is a surprisingly wonderful car. I say modified because what most of us have done is try to make our cars handle better, and go faster -- which are good goals for sure. Comparing my Mini to the Cayman has revealed that the Mini can be made into a very impressive car. Power to weight ratio can be drawn up to impressive values, handling is precise and provide excellent feedback. Even the balance of the car can be dialed to almost perfect. Yes, the mid-engine weight distribution of the Cayman is almost impossible to recreate, but I will miss the sweet, raw energy and thrill of the Mini. It's fun writ large, no doubt.
And I'll visit the forums just to see what yo'all are doing LOL. -
ScottinBend Space CowboySupporting Member
Not sure if I should be sad you are selling the MINI or happy to see you get a Cayman......guess it will have to be both.
Excellent choice for a replacement I must say !
And RMW tunes the Porsches too ! -
So, wait, it isn't really clear to me why you are giving it up. :confused5: -
So, Dr. Phil, out of curiosity, did you also consider the Lotus before getting the Cayman S?
Seems like it's one or the other for folks "upgrading" their Mini's... -
My neighbor, who has a Porsche, always says he wished he had a MINI instead of the Porsche because the Porsche is so impractical for daily driving. -
I'm thinking a highly modified Mini does great against a bone stock Porsche. But just think of the potential the Porsche has if you have the desire and funds to upgrade her! -
As always, interesting comments! (I expect nothing less from this crowd.)
The Porsche is a very different experience, and the modified R53 is an exceptional car, for sure. Honestly, I might easily admit in another 2 or so years that I made a mistake, but the bone stock Cayman is a very capable, drivable, and poised vehicle. The highly modified R53 is also extremely drivable, but I have to worry about potholes, speedbumps, rough roads, and other road hazards that a stock Cayman eats easily.
I got the Cayman for $37k at 16k miles. I spent at least that amount on my R53 in total over 5 years. I'll take it in the shorts on the R53 resale, assuming I won't get what I am asking for it. So the Porsche is not such a bad deal as long as I realize I must pay a certain amount each year to drive a great car--gas, insurance, maintenance. Could it be more expensive than the Porsche over 5 years? I'm not so sure which one will end up the "deal."
I think the Mini is sold, so I'll be able to pay off the 2-day old loan sooner, and get to enjoy the new car.
Oh, and btw, I've already done my first mod! I performed the de-snorkel mod this morning... LOL -
Great price on the car! It's amazing what's happened to car prices in the last few years... you could just barely touch a Boxster S with 60k for that price. The Caymans were at least 45-48k at the time!
Do you plan on meticulously documenting each step you take with the Cayman as well?
If so, I look forward to reading about your journey! -
The Cayman is a great car. If Porsche would add 100 hp it could easily be their flagship in performance. I also switched from a Cooper S to a Cayman S but after 2 years, returned to MINI. It wasn't that I didn't like the Porsche but more of the way I was treated by others. Driving a 'fancy sports car' in tough economic times attracted more contempt than compliments. Having returned to MINI, the negative attention has returned to smiles and waves. I hope you enjoy a better public reception than I did.
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Bottom line is that a Cayman S is one of the finest sporting platforms to be had for any money and if I could afford to play I'd have one in a second!!!! But with about triple the cost for everything its just not going to happen anytime soon... But i'll bet you'll miss the Mini...
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Thanks for the additional insight, doc and others. Doc, all the best with the new ride!
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This is my double post referred to below.
Sorry. -
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BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIsLifetime Supporter
- May 4, 2009
- 2,896
- Professional Facilitator and Alignment Consultant
- Ratings:
- +2,896 / 0 / -0
He's gotta work on his post count, for posterity's sake.
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Ooops.
I got this message to say I had to wait 29 seconds to post, so I did. Plus 18 hours and I must have forgotten to see the first posting.
Sorry!
Yeh, trying to get my post count up -- LOL!
I'm interested to hear from Vader who went Mini - Cayman - Mini. I can already tell that the Cayman draws almost no attention around Albuquerque (there are lots of fancy sports cars in this town, for some strange reason), whereas the Mini was truly a head-turner. I sometimes felt a little weird being a 53y.o. guy in a suit driving a tuner low rider, and I guess I look more in place with the Cayman, but I don't expect any invitations to race while in the new car...
I already miss the Mini, darn it.
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