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btsave · May 17th, 2002, 11:34 PM

I've had my Inca Blue Mini Cooper, American, CVT for exactly one week now. I was lucky, walked in on Friday last week, and saw a CVT that was not picked up by the gents that ordered it. I came back on Saturday and found out they canceled their order. Bought it on the spot. Got ripped off due to the prices of the accessories ($24,200, CVT, Sports package, 6 disk changer, leather steering wheel, cruise control, mats, pin stripping, rally stripes, driving lights, run flat 16" tires,etc), but I only waited 24 hours from start to finish.... not 3 months!

I've put 700 plus miles on it in that time and I can attest to the fact that it's not the fastest off the line... but it certainly turns heads and is a solid runner on the road. There is a sluggishness up until you hit 2000 rpm, but above 300o it screams.

Haven't exceeded 4500 rpm since it's still within breakin, but at that level on rapid acceleration, I hit 80 mph on the Interstate with more to go. It was interesting that once I hit 85 and began cruising for a bit, the CVT reduced the revs down to a comfortable 3000 rpms.

Have experimented with the Sports Program a little, and find that all it is just a ploy to allow USA drivers to feel that they are driving an "old fashioned" non-variable automatic.

Haven't mastered the Steptronics yet. But I believe that that's where the car will really shine when you are trying to drive competitively.

In general, the car is a dream to drive, not as peppy as my 1973 MG Midget, not as gracious as my 1971 MGB, not as fast off the line as my 1980 TR8 and not a race car, like my 1994 Chevy Camaro with stage 2 chip and bored out... but easy and fun to drive. It has British style and German build quality. A great summer car!

Only problem is that there are so few here in the USA, that any place I go, I have to spend a 1/2 hour showing it to bystanders who are intrigued by it. It's amazing!

Cheers!

Bart & Audrey in Florida

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May 17th, 2002, 11:34 PM	#1
btsave MINI2 Regular Join Date: May 2002 Location: Florida, USA Local Time: 06:18 PM Posts: 161 Offline	First Impressions Cooper CVT I've had my Inca Blue Mini Cooper, American, CVT for exactly one week now. I was lucky, walked in on Friday last week, and saw a CVT that was not picked up by the gents that ordered it. I came back on Saturday and found out they canceled their order. Bought it on the spot. Got ripped off due to the prices of the accessories ($24,200, CVT, Sports package, 6 disk changer, leather steering wheel, cruise control, mats, pin stripping, rally stripes, driving lights, run flat 16" tires,etc), but I only waited 24 hours from start to finish.... not 3 months! I've put 700 plus miles on it in that time and I can attest to the fact that it's not the fastest off the line... but it certainly turns heads and is a solid runner on the road. There is a sluggishness up until you hit 2000 rpm, but above 300o it screams. Haven't exceeded 4500 rpm since it's still within breakin, but at that level on rapid acceleration, I hit 80 mph on the Interstate with more to go. It was interesting that once I hit 85 and began cruising for a bit, the CVT reduced the revs down to a comfortable 3000 rpms. Have experimented with the Sports Program a little, and find that all it is just a ploy to allow USA drivers to feel that they are driving an "old fashioned" non-variable automatic. Haven't mastered the Steptronics yet. But I believe that that's where the car will really shine when you are trying to drive competitively. In general, the car is a dream to drive, not as peppy as my 1973 MG Midget, not as gracious as my 1971 MGB, not as fast off the line as my 1980 TR8 and not a race car, like my 1994 Chevy Camaro with stage 2 chip and bored out... but easy and fun to drive. It has British style and German build quality. A great summer car! Only problem is that there are so few here in the USA, that any place I go, I have to spend a 1/2 hour showing it to bystanders who are intrigued by it. It's amazing! Cheers! Bart & Audrey in Florida __________________ 1965 Morris Mini-Minor Rallye Equiped 1969 MGB GT 1971 MGB Roadster 1973 MG Midget 1983 Porsche 944 1994 Chevy Camero 2004 Chrysler Pacifica 2004 Mini Cooper S, Premium & Sport Pack, rear fogs, H/K... etc.