View Full Version : Just Back from Mini Challenge
VtwinVince
04-07-2007, 02:03 PM
I just returned from Pitt Meadows airport and the latest Mini event. We tested all the Minis, as well as the VW Rabbit, VW GTI, Mazda 3 and Audi A3. The course was a proper autoX style, with room for some speed as well as technical sections. I must say I was impressed with the VW offerings, as I gave the nod to the GTI. The engine definitely overpowered the chassis on the Audi, and the Minis were pretty good in the handling department. Next weekend it's the X5 event.
crunk3
04-07-2007, 03:04 PM
I live near there. Damn i wish i knew that was going on
The question is... How do they all stack up to the E30, or at least yours?
Blakeoffire
04-07-2007, 07:57 PM
...I must say I was impressed with the VW offerings, as I gave the nod to the GTI.....
It definitely appears that VW (finally) got everything sorted with this new GTi. Loads of great reviews in the more respected mags too. I've made a decision to hire one for a few days when I'm in the U.K. come the end of June.
B.
k-swiss
04-07-2007, 09:04 PM
It definitely appears that VW (finally) got everything sorted with this new GTi. Loads of great reviews in the more respected mags too. I've made a decision to hire one for a few days when I'm in the U.K. come the end of June.
B.
Yeah I agree the New Gti is a cool car. However when sitting in my friends Igot the feeling that like many late model VWs within a few years its going to just feel "old" and rattly.. Just my opinion. I would own one.. till the warranty came up then I would sell it.
redhatpat
04-07-2007, 09:11 PM
Grassroots Motorsports thought the new GTI was too soft for enthusiasts.
Mr. Red
04-07-2007, 09:49 PM
I went to the mini event in Downtown back in the Fall and the course was sooo restricting..If I was in Vancouver, I def would have been there.
I too did this mini test out at pitt meadows, but i wasn't all too impressed with the GTI I was it expecting it to handle better, i got a decent amount of body roll out of it, and well lets not even talk about the rabbit. But the mini felt solid on the ground, really sticks to the corners. But the GTI was decent in power catgory as well was the Cooper S. But to be fair i'd need to see the GTI in manual, as it was auto at the course.
-cam
VtwinVince
04-10-2007, 04:14 PM
You're right, Cam, the slushbox on the GTI didn't help, especially when it came to getting up a head of steam for the ABS stop. I found it had alot of lag. The A3 was really bad in the slalom, I thought I was going to roll it. The Mini handles surprisingly well for what it is. But I still wouldn't trade my old, underpowered E30 for any of those cars. I think it comes down to "driving experience", something which these new cars don't seem to deliver, at least not in this group.
go4carter
04-10-2007, 04:51 PM
The A3 was really bad in the slalom, I thought I was going to roll it.
I think the A3 scored a 0.74 on the G-pad... complete shame. It's a good looking car though.