4,768 miles
Tuesday (08/09), Biju became the first passenger to ride in my back seat with the top down. He, Jessy and I took Leroy for a quick trip to the local pizza joint for lunch. On the return ride home, Jessy sat in the back. Both said the back was quite comfortable.
On Wednesday (08/10) I dropped Leroy off at Prestige MINI so they can replace his soft-top. On my way there, a Chrysler 300 (not a HEMI!) was road raging northbound; weaving in the rush hour commute. I was fortunate enough to watch him weave right in front of a state trooper (HAHAHA)!
The MINI they gave me as a loaner is a Hot Orange 'vert with a base engine coupled to a CVT tranny. I was disappointed to get another a 'vert, but happy to get a CVT. Why? Because of the SportsMode!
My thoughts on my loaner 'vert:
Pros...
I like the base engine's fuel economy. Originally I noted in the OL -- miniusa.com's Owner's Lounge -- boards that fuel economy was only slightly better than my MCSC, but I was driving using the SportsMode. Driving the base engine purely as an automatic yielded much better performance. If anyone is interested in fuel economy, the MINI Cooper -- not the 'S' -- should be on your list of vehicles to consider!
Another plus, though not specific to the MINI loaner -- acceleration is smooth. I notice that when passengers are in my car, I strive to shift gears such and lurching is minimized. With the CVT, I need not worry.
Cons...
Nothing beats a manny tranny for driving satisfaction. I enjoyed SportsMode, but I noticed that I tend to rev high before shifting gears... thus compromising mpg performance. I guess I was trying to 'feel' my car... trying to let it tell me when to go to the next gear. It is hard to describe, but if you drive a manny, the engine sound and throttle performance are definite indicators for shifting... none of which existed in SportsMode. At high gears, I feel absolutely nothing when tapping the shifter. There is no brief period when the car is 'out of gear'... nor is there that feeling when the engine 'kicks' in after shifting and starts revving to a different tune.
When shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, there is a noticeable lag between 'tapping down' and when gear box finally accommodates to my wishes... not good and again, another example of 'feel' -- or lack thereof -- that I so want from my car.
Secondly, I do not like the hot orange color. My Mom loves it, but I find that it attracts even more attention to itself. The 'vert already is an attention magnet, the hot orange finish makes the 'vert scream 'Look at me!!'. I can get away with hot orange if it was one of many cars in my garage (haha), but as a daily ride... no way. I am too introverted for all that attention.
Moving on...
I was told that there was a good chance Leroy will not be ready for the weekend, and sure enough he was not. I will call Prestige on Monday (08/15) to follow up and to also make sure they address the loose trim just below the soft-top on the driver's side. I also want them to 1) see why my windows squeak when I roll them up/down and 2) get Leroy washed.
Lastly, On Friday (08/12) a few co-workers took me out to lunch. They demanded that they ride in my MINI. Unfortunately, Leroy was in the shop. Fortunately, I did drive my loaner to work! Virginia Polifroni, a consultant at my company, loved the orange color... it almost matches her hair! Barbara DeJong, a co-worker, running partner (back when the company had a gym wah!) and good friend volunteered to sit in the back with the top down. She loved it! Though she did admit she prefers her vehicles to be larger. That's cool. Some people are just like that :)
Nothing else happened. I would like to close by saying I miss Leroy. I miss him a lot.
I hope he is doing well.
Motor on...
Tuesday (08/09), Biju became the first passenger to ride in my back seat with the top down. He, Jessy and I took Leroy for a quick trip to the local pizza joint for lunch. On the return ride home, Jessy sat in the back. Both said the back was quite comfortable.
On Wednesday (08/10) I dropped Leroy off at Prestige MINI so they can replace his soft-top. On my way there, a Chrysler 300 (not a HEMI!) was road raging northbound; weaving in the rush hour commute. I was fortunate enough to watch him weave right in front of a state trooper (HAHAHA)!
The MINI they gave me as a loaner is a Hot Orange 'vert with a base engine coupled to a CVT tranny. I was disappointed to get another a 'vert, but happy to get a CVT. Why? Because of the SportsMode!
My thoughts on my loaner 'vert:
Pros...
I like the base engine's fuel economy. Originally I noted in the OL -- miniusa.com's Owner's Lounge -- boards that fuel economy was only slightly better than my MCSC, but I was driving using the SportsMode. Driving the base engine purely as an automatic yielded much better performance. If anyone is interested in fuel economy, the MINI Cooper -- not the 'S' -- should be on your list of vehicles to consider!
Another plus, though not specific to the MINI loaner -- acceleration is smooth. I notice that when passengers are in my car, I strive to shift gears such and lurching is minimized. With the CVT, I need not worry.
Cons...
Nothing beats a manny tranny for driving satisfaction. I enjoyed SportsMode, but I noticed that I tend to rev high before shifting gears... thus compromising mpg performance. I guess I was trying to 'feel' my car... trying to let it tell me when to go to the next gear. It is hard to describe, but if you drive a manny, the engine sound and throttle performance are definite indicators for shifting... none of which existed in SportsMode. At high gears, I feel absolutely nothing when tapping the shifter. There is no brief period when the car is 'out of gear'... nor is there that feeling when the engine 'kicks' in after shifting and starts revving to a different tune.
When shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, there is a noticeable lag between 'tapping down' and when gear box finally accommodates to my wishes... not good and again, another example of 'feel' -- or lack thereof -- that I so want from my car.
Secondly, I do not like the hot orange color. My Mom loves it, but I find that it attracts even more attention to itself. The 'vert already is an attention magnet, the hot orange finish makes the 'vert scream 'Look at me!!'. I can get away with hot orange if it was one of many cars in my garage (haha), but as a daily ride... no way. I am too introverted for all that attention.
Moving on...
I was told that there was a good chance Leroy will not be ready for the weekend, and sure enough he was not. I will call Prestige on Monday (08/15) to follow up and to also make sure they address the loose trim just below the soft-top on the driver's side. I also want them to 1) see why my windows squeak when I roll them up/down and 2) get Leroy washed.
Lastly, On Friday (08/12) a few co-workers took me out to lunch. They demanded that they ride in my MINI. Unfortunately, Leroy was in the shop. Fortunately, I did drive my loaner to work! Virginia Polifroni, a consultant at my company, loved the orange color... it almost matches her hair! Barbara DeJong, a co-worker, running partner (back when the company had a gym wah!) and good friend volunteered to sit in the back with the top down. She loved it! Though she did admit she prefers her vehicles to be larger. That's cool. Some people are just like that :)
Nothing else happened. I would like to close by saying I miss Leroy. I miss him a lot.
I hope he is doing well.
Motor on...
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home