Mini News Most liked posts in thread: This is what BMW needs to build to save MINI.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/amp30469781/toyota-yaris-gr-supra/

Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk

 

I grew up driving cars with stick shifts...drove them all over the USA, Europe and Latin America when I was younger. I drove manual 3-speeds, 4-speeds, 5-speeds, and 6-speeds and cars from the UK [left AND right hand drive], the USA, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and a few other countries. That was then, but now I am in my twilight years and both knees are giving me one helluva time when I walk, get up from sitting down, get up from having to get down to search for dog toys or other things that may have dropped out of reach, as well as getting into and out of my MINIs. What was fun when I was younger and more agile has turned into a daily living nightmare because I never know what muscles or joints will decide to give out until my body gets into those positions. I just CANNOT drive any stick shift cars any more without having to suffer pain, especially in my left knee. I have gone to the automatic transmission, sadly, but it keeps me in the driver's seat.

If it bothers you that I drive a CVT in my R50 or automatics in either of my R53s, that's YOUR problem, and not mine. I can and have driven them in any and all conditions and places...and I am still here.

When you "purists" go to MOTD, check out how many automatic transmissions are there besides the MINIs with that "glorious" 6-speed manual transmission. I think you'll be surprised. If that's not true, then WHY is there a class to teach drivers just how to drive the paddle shifting automatic MINIs while at MOTD?

 

I've not found anyone here caring if I drive an autobox with a robot to shift its gears. Being the old fart I am I don't care what others may think. Ha!

I love stick shifts, but this old fart can no longer kick a clutch without pain. Being the sissy I am I really don't like pain. Enter the GTI with a beautiful DSG handicap transmission. Life is good. CVT oh heck no not for me, but fine for others if they want one.

On to the topic at hand. Well I think so, but M/A is famous for thread drift.

That little Yaris rally car wanna be is pretty cool. Good idea for Toyota to bring such a thing to market, None for North America.

As far as MINI building something like that Yaris, well MINI does not rally, so what's the point? MINI did rally for the year or so before they dropped out. Oh & they used a Countryguy not a 3 door MINI.

PS One more thing. I missed the how to drive an automatic class. With Babs clubster I've found the best thing for a fine twisty road is to put it in sport mode, no paddling. The Japanese transmission is a good one, but using the paddles is the slow way to go.

Back on topic again.

15,000 mile oil changes.......

 

I learned ALL my paddle shifting at Mid Ohio when I tracked my MCSa at the BMWCCA driving schools, from 2006-2012. My instructor told me the paddles are more efficient than using the shifter, because less time is used in going to the shifter and my track times would be shorter. I now use the paddles almost exclusively. I don't see the paddles as a digression at all, and they are pretty fun when driving at the Tail of the Dragon, although sometimes I revert to the shifter there, too. However, that said, the MOTD classes are for those who probably have never tracked their MINIs, or who are inexperienced in "Dragon driving" and want to give the paddles a shot.

 

No, Lee, I am the "cigar guy" and this year is MY last Cigar Salon. ALL the cigars I am bringing are free for the smoking. Next year, someone else can either carry on the "tradition", or not. This year, NO VAPES and NO ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES other than regular cigars, because this is MY show, and my friends [aka the Cigar Salon participants] are welcome to them.

 

And the last 5 posts are why I really love the fact I live in Colorado.

I can see my lawn, the sky is blue and most of the snow has melted around Denver. Of course we did about 12 inches of new snow up the mountain around 9000 elevation.

 

Mini doesn't rally?
http://www.motoringfile.com/2019/01/06/in-depth-look-at-the-radical-jcw-buggy-racing-the-2019-dakar/


and
"
Toyota claims its Hilux 4x4 "can't compete" with the X-raid-built Mini John Cooper Works Buggy on the Dakar Rally and that a rule change is needed to level the playing field between the two cars." <whiners

 

I am commenting because I have been and are on the same path... Europe for 35 years... Africa... right hand drive, left hand drive... Had my first Mini in 1966 [Austin Cooper SS]. Never drove/rode anything but shifters! a purist I called myself... Two years ago sold my Manual JCW and bought a paddle shift... too much metal in my lower spine, new hips... you name it. And guess what? I LOVE the paddle shift!!! We change... just as I camped all my Life and hardly can't anymore. And of course there are the ones that will use their "screen warrior" daggers to incite such as us... Maybe some day they will understand. At 74 I feel so fortunate I can drive my "GOKART" on the hundreds of miles of Mountain twisties which start a mile from my house... Anyhow... Yes, it is their problem! And... why should we even hear it? So done with that...

 

I feel Toyota lost its way a long while ago. They make transport appliances not interesting to drive cars. Yes a MINI R50 would be a better handling more fun car than a Yaris, but the boring Yaris is worlds better as far as reliability goes. Most folk care about reliability above all else. Sad that most folks see driving as a chore & not a fun thing.

 

$42K for a Yaris? I'd call that overpriced......

But I agree that the new MINIs have lost the plot completely......

and of course, if BMW builds it, it will be $52K

 

Totally agree.

Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk

 

Hell, it's hard telling if I have any lawn left at all, what with all the rain we have been getting during this so-called Winter!

 

The thread is/was about what they should build, and they are beating Toyota.

 

There’s a class to teach people how to use a paddle shifting automatic? Have we really digressed that far?