P/T turbo vs. our beloved MCS

[GMINI]

Looking for the straight dirt here on the turbo P/T thing, Am I going to get passed by one of these things? I just saw a commercial and they made it seem kinda fast. 211hp or something.

I mean. This is not a question of aesthetics.

Can I still righteously scoff at PT cruisers?

[X2Board]

GMINI, I have the same question, the Turbo makes 215HP, but weighs 3304 lbs. I don't think that gives it any advantages over the MINI, I'm more concerned about the Turbo Neon SRT-4, it has the same engine in a much lighter body (2626 Lbs.) so it will definitely be faster than the MINI, but I'm sure it will not handle as well. But at the end of the day, we are driving a MINI and they are just driving a Chrysler product (I don't need a reminder about who cross developed the MINI's engine, I'm speaking about the entire product)

X2

[GMINI]

X2,

Ack! A frickin NEON!!!!!!

Are you SURE it'll be pulled by a Pentagon like our beauties? That's going to be too weird! I thought the engines were used by chrysler for only South American vehicles...

[McprS]

Quote:

Originally posted by GMINI
Looking for the straight dirt here on the turbo P/T thing, Am I going to get passed by one of these things? I just saw a commercial and they made it seem kinda fast. 211hp or something.

I mean. This is not a question of aesthetics.

Can I still righteously scoff at PT cruisers?

211bhp! in a Hearse!! Amazing. But I wouldnt wanna be seen dead in one!!!!

[minimc]

Regarding the P/T cruiser - isn't it built on a neon platform?

And have you ever driven one of those things? The darn thing steers...well, er like a TRUCK! What a horrible turning radius! I rented one of them in 2000 while in Las Vegas, and aside from a slick looking interior & the retro-exterior this vehicle hasn't got much going for it. Preferred my Honda civic sedan.

Isn't this the all to common problem with vehicles these days? ...They look good or perform well in one or two aspects but are not all-rounders.

This folks, is where the Mini & MCS shine. Decent milage, very sporty handling, good looks, great turning radius, quality, safety, creature comforts, and decent resale value. What other cars can u name which the same can be said about? Not a whole lot. ...And the Mini is quite unique.

Personally I'll never be embarrassed by either of these Chrysler products - should they jet by me. They are what they are... it doesn't make them better cars - would you feel less if passed by a mustang, camaro or firebird?

And if the notion of being passed by P/T or Neon still bothers you then get one of the new kits being developed - any one of the MCS kits that develops 200+ HP should spank even the Neon with 200+hp.

Final comments & thoughts:
If the Neon is using the same engine but in different dress what is Chrysler doing that they are pumping out 215 ponies while the MCS is only developing 163?

With the Neon entering the market there's bound to be WAY more neon tuning, and we'll see just what the Pentagon is capable of/not capable of.

[Davbret]

Quote:

Originally posted by minimc
If the Neon is using the same engine but in different dress what is Chrysler doing that they are pumping out 215 ponies while the MCS is only developing 163?

With the Neon entering the market there's bound to be WAY more neon tuning, and we'll see just what the Pentagon is capable of/not capable of.

Uhm...as it was earlier pointed out, we have a 1.6 liter NA and SC engine. The SRT-4 and PT turbo have a 2.4 liter turbo. Apples and oranges. Even the current 1.6 liter NA Neon engine is different than that of the MINI's.

R

[Sausagefingers]

Car and driver as well as motor trend both have articles on the SRT-4 this month. 0-60 in 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph!! The concensous was that it was loads of fun off of the line but the suspension is soft and the gearbox is tedious at best. Not a daily driver, but that wasn't thier idea. The interior came across very cheap and the seats were a definate love hate relationship. HOWEVER as for horsepower to the buck they claim that there is not a better deal out there. But GMini said it best... Its a fricken Neon. Even if our cars aren't as fast, it has the effect of a naked women driving past. People stop and stare slacked jawed and in complete admiration. Who cares if its not quite as fast, I mean have you checked out the headlights on our cars??!!! rolleyes:

[minimc]

Uhh... So, its not a pentagon engine at all? Forgive me, but I thought I read somewhere on this thread that it was a pentagon. ...If it were that'd be a huge difference in displacement from one block!

Ok, forget what I said abt the engine. I still stand by my other comments.

I guess Mini's gonna really want to get into that new engine ASAP!

[Sausagefingers]

From what I understand the 1.6 pentagon is for Neons outside of the US.

[minimc]

A thought about the Neon's top speed:

I might be in error on this also but...

Isn't the MCS's top speed 'managed' to a limit of 135MPH? And wasn't this done to apease some entity here N-America? If true then what the hell for (if we're gonna have 155mph Neon's running about?

Maybe the MCS isn't capable of many more MPH in stock form, but what's the point of limiting it? Who is being protected from what?

Anyone figured out how to disable the speed limiting function yet?

[snid]

Quote:

Originally posted by minimc
Uhh... So, its not a pentagon engine at all? Forgive me, but I thought I read somewhere on this thread that it was a pentagon.

The confusing information is

Quote:

Originally posted by X2Board
GMINI, I have the same question, the Turbo makes 215HP, but weighs 3304 lbs. I don't think that gives it any advantages over the MINI, I'm more concerned about the Turbo Neon SRT-4, it has the same engine in a much lighter body (2626 Lbs.) so it will definitely be faster than the MINI, but I'm sure it will not handle as well.

I think what is meant by "it has the same engine" is that the Neon SRT-4 has the same engine as the PT Turbo, not that the Neon SRT-4 has the same engine as the MINI.

[Sausagefingers]

Quote:

Originally posted by minimc
A thought about the Neon's top speed:

I might be in error on this also but...

Isn't the MCS's top speed 'managed' to a limit of 135MPH? And wasn't this done to apease some entity here N-America? If true then what the hell for (if we're gonna have 155mph Neon's running about?

Maybe the MCS isn't capable of many more MPH in stock form, but what's the point of limiting it? Who is being protected from what?

Anyone figured out how to disable the speed limiting function yet?

The engine in the SRT-4 is the same as the standard Neon. They just slapped an intercooler and a Mitsubishi Turbo on it as well. This is what the Cooper S works package will give us
"Hi Stephen

It is true we will be launching our 200BHP conversion in Jan
It will consist of a replacement head supercharger and exhaust.
The 0-60 is approx 6 seconds and tops at about 143mph
I hope thats a taster and further de6tails will be posted on our website during December

Best regards

JCW"

[Sausagefingers]

IBMiniG... You better watch your back for the Spanish Inquisition!!!!!

[gjenkins]

I was at a BMW dealership in Boise (There is no MINI dealership anywhere close). A flock of techs and others came out to look at my MCS. One mentioned that he heard the MIMIN has a NEON engine ... and he was obviously belittling the car. I told him I thought the engine was made in Brazil and that I had heard nothing about a relationship to the NEON.

Is it an engine that NEON uses?

[Sausagefingers]

The pentagon 1.6 L. engine was a joint agreement with Crysler and BMW. The engine is shared with the European Neons engine. Bummer I know...