Hampton Roads Club Mini

I can get as low as 21 MPG in my stock 2005 Mazdaspeed Miata.  It takes some work, but it is possible.  I normally only get about 23 mpg on a tank of premium.  It seems to be a combination of low gearing and a very conservative tune (the ECU likes to dump extra fuel in to prevent leaning out under boost.)

The Mini does get good mileage, but I've never really tried to figure it out I just know that it goes pretty far on not much fuel...I am more worried about smiles per gallon in that car than miles per gallon.

That article seems to imply that more people buy 3 series BMWs than 1 series because of the size - The problem is that the 1 series is priced just about the same as a three series.  I too would buy a 3 series over a 1 series since they are essentially the same price.  If BMW offered a 1 series with its 300 Hp twin turbo engine for a price in the mid 20's instead of the mid to low 30's it may be a different sales story.

For whatever reason Mercedes have never appealed to me.  Sure they make some good cars, but none of them do anything for me - I would take a free McLaren SLR however.  I don't really even have any feelings for the old gullwings, but there is a list of BMWs I'd like to own.

I've never met him nor dealt with him, so take what I say with a grain of salt. 

As far as I can tell, Turky has a stroke and since then seems to have a hard time getting along with people.  I know people who made a deal with him for a car and then Turky backed out and wanted more money.  I stopped by his place last time I was in Charleston and looked at some cars.  If I were looking I would look there and just go into being aware that he doesn't always get rave reviews from customers.

I would say besides rust the biggest thing to look out for is to know what you are buying.  A good percentage of Minis in the states are not what they seem.  Mine is one of them, but I knew what it was when I bought it and it was priced accordingly.

They are fun cars, easy to work on, parts are available - you just have to wait on shipping.  If you are serious about buying one, I would recommend you head over to Cooper Tune and see Steve Gibbs.  He normally has a shop full of projects and has been building, repairing, racing, and driving Minis since the late 60's.  He has a shop in Hampton.

He is a good resource - you can ask him questions and see different cars in one place to see what is what and what you are looking for.

Have fun.

Thanks for posting that Dale.


Me too.

That car was sold a while ago...http://www.minimania.com/web/startreturn/1/MaxReturn/20/StartPage/1/threadid/96560/msgthread.cfm...here is a thread that discusses it from January.  Interesting read.  As usual for a Barret Jackson car they don't really get the facts straight and some chump spends a lot more dough for something he doesn't really know all the facts about.

I had my engine rebuilt at Abacus.  It wasn't cheap, but I am a satisfied customer.

What circuit board are talking about? 

If you are local to Hampton Roads, call Steve Gibbs at 880-9283.  He runs a little shop over in Hampton and pretty much works exclusively on Mini's.  Tell him T.J. gave you his number.  He likes gearboxes, engines, and suspension more than electrical work, but he very well may have what you need. 

I will eventually finangle (sp?) a ride in that beast.  The owner wrote a check to superfastminis.com.  The engineering looks cool.  The overall package is very slick.  With the wagon/van body the extended front it not nearly as obnoxious as it is with a saloon body style.

I bet the thing is scary fast.

Don't think I would want it as my only Mini though - it is more of a hot rod than a Mini in my opinion.  Plus I can't afford to just write a check that large.

Got an up close and personal look at a K20 powered Mini wagon last weekend.

I drove a jeep for years and there is a jeep wave that seems fairly universal.  After my jeep was totalled, I still waved at jeeps for a while no matter what I was driving.

I got looked at funny last weekend when I waved at a MINI from my Mini.  Oh well.

If you have the time and the inclination, sign up for an autobody class like those offered at Chesapeake Center for Science and Technology.  Paint your Jeep yourself.  It won't look as good as a professional paint job, but will cost a lot less $.  A lot more time and effort, but less money.

If that doesn't appeal to you and you aren't too worried about a perfect finish, let someone in one of those classes paint your car for you - there are people who will do it for the cost of materials - maybe a little for their time.

you do get what you pay for though - and from my own experieince I can tell you that a DIY paint job is not anything close to a real professional job.

I asked on the local autox forum if anyone here was going up there...no response so far.  Either way the hat is in the mail already.  Thanks Angela.

http://www.sedivsolo2.com/

Anyone heading down here for the SCCA SEDIV divisional autox in June?

Anyone coming down here to Huntsville, AL and want to bring a hat?  I will PM you Angela.

T.J.

For the pile of magazines?  Yep.  Too good to throw out, not good enough to move.

Huntsville has the highest per capita concentration of Phd's in the country.  There are a lot of actual rocket scientists there working for NASA, the Army, and the missile defense agency.  It is not stereotypical Alabama, but you can get there in about a 20 minute drive in any direction.

It looks like they have a decent AutoX scene there - hopefully we can get settled in time to make some of the events down there.

I've got a stack of Mini World magazines (about 25) from 2005-2006 or so that are going to go into the trash unless someone wants them.  Lots of good articles, pictures, and ideas.

Gotta get rid of stuff in preparation for my move to Huntsville, AL.

T.J.