Comments on: Selling My MINI & the Search For the Next Car (Part One)

By: Woofcast #292 | whiteroofradio.com - The MINI Cooper Podcast

Woofcast #292 | whiteroofradio.com - The MINI Cooper Podcast — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 03:15:28 +0000

[...] but not so much with Gabe’s new car pictured here. You can, however, read about it here (pt 1) and here (pt [...]

By: C4

C4 — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:05:54 +0000

Gabe is a "dyed-in-the-wool" BMW fan. I honestly do not see him driving anything that doesn't have the propeller emblem on the hood.

The BMW E 46 330i in Imola Red is a drop dead gorgeous car. I have seen a few around here, and to my eyes, it was the best looking 3 series in recent time. The E90 looks heavy and quite frankly, the rear looks like a Japanese car on the sedans.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:17:35 +0000

I donâ€™t know if you guys got these, but I would have gone for the E90 320Si if I found myself in your position.

The E90 320si isn't available in the US market. It's a great car though!

By: Emely&Robert

Emely&Robert — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:04:16 +0000

I don’t know if you guys got these, but I would have gone for the E90 320Si if I found myself in your position.

By: glangford

glangford — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:41:46 +0000

Gabe, I hear you on potential quality problems with VW. On another note however, if the GTI is out of the running, its normally aspirated twin the Rabbit, might be something to consider. Generally liked by both Edmunds and CR, also recieving high marks for reliability. A fully loaded Rabbit new would be in your budget. But it sounds like you have your heart set on a used BMW, not a bad choice either.

By: veggivet

veggivet — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:10:39 +0000

My money’s on the Smart, given the date. Or maybe a classic Mini. The suspense is killng me, Gabe! Congrats on whatever you bought. No matter what you’re driving, the MINI karma will still be with you.

By: lavardera

lavardera — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:00:49 +0000

Egads! I find this whole thing just ridiculous, as if Gabe would get anything but a BMW at this point. I would not have commented at all, except its just all such a painful rationalization that I can barely restrain myself from beating my head against my macbook screen!

And so I’m outing you bro’ – 330i ZHP. I don’t follow BMWs to know all the ins and outs and codes, but this is some just shy of M territory 4dr and I’m sure its an absolutely great ride. But justifying it on too small too big my porridge is just right is lame. Face it – its just a kick ass sedan and thats reason enough.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/motoringfile/3401993278/

By: Holly

Holly — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 06:39:08 +0000

I have a nice 2002 330Ci convertible with 6,050 miles on it for sale. Always garaged, no passengers, no parking lots, bad weather, smoke, perfume, food ever. Everyone comments on its beauty and it looks and drives brand new. New performance tires, all maintenance kept up to date. Only 2 lifesize gorillas are the backseat passengers. It seats 4. I’m selling it only so I can buy the new MINI Convertible.

By: K

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 03:25:55 +0000

Someone attempted to ruin the fun :(

By: Andrew Zimmerman

Andrew Zimmerman — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 03:14:03 +0000

"To be continued tomorrow"...

On April Fools Day...

I bet it's an isetta. You certianly won't see that coming and going every day.

By: Aurel Savin

Aurel Savin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:07:19 +0000

I have a feeling its a 5 series of some sorts … they do seem to depreciate faster than the 3 and many can be picked up at good prices. Not sure about the ease of finding one with the options you want tough.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:50:09 +0000

did you also sell your old 3 series wagon?

Nope - don't have it anymore. This new car is truly my only car.

By: alpinamike

alpinamike — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:45:53 +0000

Are you waiting for MINI to cough up a new(long term review) R57? lol

Just joking gabe, I would go with a newer 3er touring four wheel drive, stay brand loyal like the rest of us!

By: Eugene

Eugene — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:06:09 +0000

@dr:

I always wondered why do cops drive RWD cars. :)

You should try taking a turn on an snow covered intersection.

I will take over steer v under steer any day!

By: goat

goat — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:58:03 +0000

Agree with Gabe that RWD in winter (properly equipped with quality winter tires like Nokians or similar) >> FWD (even with identically capable winter tires). The control you have in corners with a well balanced RWD car is unbeatable and HUGE fun. Yes, this applies “where real winters occur” (e.g., Ottawa, Canada in a modded suspension miata).

By: Glenn

Glenn — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:46:51 +0000

I hear Suzuki makes a car that’s better than a MINI. :-)

By: Alan Smithee

Alan Smithee — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:28:13 +0000

If the E39 M5 is too exotic, an E39 540i with manual transmission, especially if you can find one with a fold-down back seat, should be perfect. I love the idea but a gas guzzling V8 just doesnâ€™t make a ton of sense for the city driving I do. Butâ€¦ itâ€™s great great car.

Well, there is always the E39 530i...down ~60hp on the 540i, but also down ~200lbs and it has R&P instead of RB steering...so it is a better handler, especially with the sport package.

By: Aurel Savin

Aurel Savin — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:09:41 +0000

did you also sell your old 3 series wagon?

i say Ford Flex :)

By: Gabe

Gabe — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:59:10 +0000

I always got the impression that Gabe had very little commuting and suchâ€¦I thought I remembered that Gabe could walk to work.

No more. I drive to work and have some highway miles every week or two.

I am also suprised that RWD is concidered such a strong asset in Chicago. Personally I can not imagine having a RWD car north of about 40lattitude. I know a couple of track days a year are fun but I would not want RWD as a daily driver where real winters occur

RWD with snow tires in the winter... great control and huge potential for fun.

By: dr

dr — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:46:51 +0000

I love the idea but a gas guzzling V8 just doesnâ€™t make a ton of sense for the city driving I do. Butâ€¦ itâ€™s great great car.

I always got the impression that Gabe had very little commuting and such...I thought I remembered that Gabe could walk to work. That would seem to make mpg an irrelevant figure. I mean when you fill up once a month the cost of gas becomes fairly meaningless. I am also suprised that RWD is concidered such a strong asset in Chicago. Personally I can not imagine having a RWD car north of about 40lattitude. I know a couple of track days a year are fun but I would not want RWD as a daily driver where real winters occur