[~sugar~]

Went to my dealership yesterday for a test drive (it was awesome, I even got to test drive my color combo - but my digital camera was dead) and I was told that they are going to start making a Cooper S in Automatic because of customer demand. I think it is kind of sucky. It should remain Stick Shift.

[LuckyRVA]

That's horrible!
I kinda knew that was going to happen.
It's b/c of us damn yanks you know

[BruceK]

I don't believe a word of it.

I would be willing to bet there will be no automatic Cooper S for at least the next 4 or 5 years. (and I hope never)

Think about, big news is made about the MINI's future engine deal http://www.mini2.com/news/news.php?id=130 and that won't happen until at least 4 years away before the first 'new' engine appears ever appears in a production MINI.

If there were plans for an automatic Cooper S, it would have been a big news story by now.

[Sejanus]

I'm inclined to agree with Bruce that we would have heard about this if it was really that imminent. But jeez, what is with you guys' attitude? If some of us happen to want a bit more under the hood and the convenience of an automatic why should it bother you? It isn't like anyone is going to force you to drive one.

[Jim Ray]

If we keep buying them with CVTs and PDC and in really cute pastel colors?

[AprilWhine]

Quote:

Originally posted by Sejanus
I'm inclined to agree with Bruce that we would have heard about this if it was really that imminent. But jeez, what is with you guys' attitude? If some of us happen to want a bit more under the hood and the convenience of an automatic why should it bother you? It isn't like anyone is going to force you to drive one.

How does it take anything from you if I buy an MCS with CVT?

[Jim Ray]

If you buy something different, it is viewed as disapproval of their choice.

[Basil]

If an auto ever becomes available for the S, you can be sure it will an SMG.

[JaridP]

I was tuned into the MINI Motoring training channel when the quesion came up." Will there ever be an automatic Cooper S?"
The answer was" The CVT will not handle the torque of the Supercharger..There is currently no automatic in the works for the Cooper S."

[BruceK]

Well, that seems to be the answer from 'official' channels (weak pun intended )

Not trying to upset anyone, but I do think the S should be manual-only simply because it is more of a "driver's car" than a standard Cooper. And to me that means the driver must be involved in manually selecting gears and coordinating clutch, brake and accelerator to do so.

[Wynn]

I share exactly the same sentiment about the S, and like the idea that it's designed for the sort of driving enthusiast who can manage a stick.

...But, at the same time, I don't think I should be bothered if someone else's S had an automatic. It makes me recall another argument that offends me so deeply, I have to bear it in mind as I consider this relatively trivial matter. When someone says that the idea of a gay marriage somehow spoils "the institution of marriage" for him... you probably almost cannot imagine my fury and frustration. Mine hasn't anything to do with the integrity of yours.

So I have to bear this insight in mind for all other, similar cases, and this is one, albeit not an important one. MY Cooper S should not have an automatic transmission. But I'll try not to let it bother me if yours does. That says nothing whatsoever about me, or mine.

wynn

[Sejanus]

Quote:

Originally posted by BruceK
Not trying to upset anyone, but I do think the S should be manual-only simply because it is more of a "driver's car" than a standard Cooper. And to me that means the driver must be involved in manually selecting gears and coordinating clutch, brake and accelerator to do so.

Fine, then your manual S will be the "driver's car," but I still don't see why that should limit the options available to the rest of us (leaving aside the already mentioned technical problem). I understand the fun of driving a manual and I'm glad you've got a car that allows you to enjoy it. Personally, it is far outweighed for me by the time I spend in heavy traffic in which I find a manual a tiresome annoyance. I'll take an automatic. Why do so many manual drivers seem to regard this choice as some sort automotive faux pas? It effects them in no possible way. Live and let live.

[AprilWhine]

Quote:

Originally posted by Wynn
I share exactly the same sentiment about the S, and like the idea that it's designed for the sort of driving enthusiast who can manage a stick.

...But, at the same time, I don't think I should be bothered if someone else's S had an automatic. It makes me recall another argument that offends me so deeply, I have to bear it in mind as I consider this relatively trivial matter. When someone says that the idea of a gay marriage somehow spoils "the institution of marriage" for him... you probably almost cannot imagine my fury and frustration. Mine hasn't anything to do with the integrity of yours.

So I have to bear this insight in mind for all other, similar cases, and this is one, albeit not an important one. MY Cooper S should not have an automatic transmission. But I'll try not to let it bother me if yours does. That says nothing whatsoever about me, or mine.

wynn

And, BTW, I agree with you about marriage, too.

[Basil]

This is an interesting debate. I think the idea of a manual "stick" gearchange being part of the "sports" image will reduce over time. There are many "performance" cars out there that have automatic gearboxes.

I do think that the MINI, if successful worldwide (which is another debate entirely) WILL get a sequential manual gearbox, to give you the best of both worlds. It was mentioned in the UK CAR magazine (the MINI's first drive) ages ago that an SMG would be in the works for the S.

I would buy one like a shot. I drive an "auto" right now and quietly chuckle whilst pulling away from so called "sports cars" with their stick shifts. The CVT gives you six "tiptronic type" forward speeds or fully automatic. A shame they can't (or rather won't) make one that will cope with 163 BHP.

[miniyoda]

Quote:

Originally posted by JaridP
I was tuned into the MINI Motoring training channel when the quesion came up." Will there ever be an automatic Cooper S?"

Is this channel on cable, or a satellite service? I can't seem to find it on my television anywhere

whimper

[AprilWhine]

Quote:

Originally posted by Basil
This is an interesting debate. I think the idea of a manual "stick" gearchange being part of the "sports" image will reduce over time. There are many "performance" cars out there that have automatic gearboxes.

Some of you who are more "auto literate" correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Corvette have an automatic transmission only for the first few years of production? I seem to remember something about the manual transmissions of that era couldn't handle the horse power.

[JaridP]

Quote:

Originally posted by miniyoda


Is this channel on cable, or a satellite service? I can't seem to find it on my television anywhere

whimper

This is a satellite station that is used only at MINI dealerships. Its used for training and Sales support.

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by AprilWhine


Some of you who are more "auto literate" correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Corvette have an automatic transmission only for the first few years of production? I seem to remember something about the manual transmissions of that era couldn't handle the horse power.

Yes, for the first several years of Corvette production the car only came with a 2-speed automatic and an in-line 6-cylinder engine. At the time, both the primitive automatic and the wimpy 6-cylinder engine kept the Corvette from being considered a 'real' sports car compared to cars as the Jaguar XK120.

[AprilWhine]

Quote:

Originally posted by BruceK


Yes, for the first several years of Corvette production the car only came with a 2-speed automatic and an in-line 6-cylinder engine. At the time, both the primitive automatic and the wimpy 6-cylinder engine kept the Corvette from being considered a 'real' sports car compared to cars as the Jaguar XK120.

I thought you might know the answer.

[Basil]

Quote:

Originally posted by BruceK


Yes, for the first several years of Corvette production the car only came with a 2-speed automatic and an in-line 6-cylinder engine. At the time, both the primitive automatic and the wimpy 6-cylinder engine kept the Corvette from being considered a 'real' sports car compared to cars as the Jaguar XK120.

Don't think that perception has changed much over the years either...........