I've been hit with a serious Mini bug after I picked up my parent's 2003 Mini Cooper S and rebuilt it. While not the most reliable or newest vehicle, it has that intangible feeling to it that makes it so engaging to drive. It got a whole new suspension and bushings, rebuilt supercharger with a smaller pulley, all new gaskets, a quaife LSD, tune and the car just rips! With new high performance summer tires, on and off-ramps are amazing; it just sticks!

While I was searching for stuff online, I came across a GP1 for sale in the town next to me, and on a bit of an impulse bought the thing. The GP was the send-off for the 1st gen cars; it was shipped out to Bertone in Italy to be built and has the most HP of any stock 1st gen, a lowered suspension, and no rear seats. So now I have two Mini Coopers, and 2 S2000's, so I seem to get really attached to the vehicles that I own. While they're both the same chassis, the GP is so much smoother than my '03, and just soaks up the bumps. It's definitely not as fast as my modified one, but neither are really fast, especially compared to my FI S2000 and modern cars, but it doesn't matter. If you have the chance, you need to take one for a spin as they're incredibly engaging rides!

 

Cool! Enjoy the new car. It looks great.

 

x 2

 

My friend has a Mini which was always fun to ride around in, and i got to ride in a few at my last Autocross event. Really fun car to be sure!

 

We love our MINI's.

 

First gen Mini's are a blast!

 

Nice GP. Looking at getting a mini jcw someday. Drove my friends jcw at the track and it was a blast.

 

The first gen with the SC were always the best to drive imo - before they became off-brand BMW 1s.

I remember looking at this car too - love the wheels but wasn't sold on the lack of rear seats.

As a used car buy though - looks like a great toy to have!

 

I get flack a lot from friends on my fleet. Good to see I'm not the only one.

 

They’re cute cars but I never got the appeal
of them.