Not my R50 Mini
Discussion
I've been helping a friend 'J' service his R50, and as a way to say thank you, he offered me the opportunity to take it for a quick drive.
A 2002 1.6 petrol, and the first time I've driven one.
A little smaller than most others I have driven, but it gives the impression of being in a oversize Go-Kart.
I was surprised to find that it's still at it's original ride height, with the ride being quite lumpy on our roads.
Although that being said, it sticks to the road with little bodyroll. Some wheel spacers would add to this, and also the looks.
The electronic throttle took a bit of getting used to, with the lack of go only really causing an issue on a steep incline.
I nice blast along a NSL back road near us saw an early cheeky overtake, into a decline. Once J had finished calling for some divine intervention, it was into a series of bends. The R50 just seemed to stick. The steering seemed spot on, no over or under steer. No rolling, allowing some hard acceleration to the limit point.
J makes mention several times that he doesn't drive his car this hard.
Another overtake and a sharp left-hander with incline. The throttle and lack of torque causing a little stutter, and I remind J that his car a has a redline.
Heading back to our start point with no centre line meant making the most of the road width.
Despite the low viewing angle, there's still a fairly decent view of the road ahead, with J providing commentary of the cars heading towards us.
To stop J soiling himself, I lifted off a bit.
Would I have one? Yes, but I would have consider an R55 Cooper S. I couldn't do with such a small car.
Am I allowed one? No is the polite version of Mrs Bits reply.
A 2002 1.6 petrol, and the first time I've driven one.
A little smaller than most others I have driven, but it gives the impression of being in a oversize Go-Kart.
I was surprised to find that it's still at it's original ride height, with the ride being quite lumpy on our roads.
Although that being said, it sticks to the road with little bodyroll. Some wheel spacers would add to this, and also the looks.
The electronic throttle took a bit of getting used to, with the lack of go only really causing an issue on a steep incline.
I nice blast along a NSL back road near us saw an early cheeky overtake, into a decline. Once J had finished calling for some divine intervention, it was into a series of bends. The R50 just seemed to stick. The steering seemed spot on, no over or under steer. No rolling, allowing some hard acceleration to the limit point.
J makes mention several times that he doesn't drive his car this hard.
Another overtake and a sharp left-hander with incline. The throttle and lack of torque causing a little stutter, and I remind J that his car a has a redline.
Heading back to our start point with no centre line meant making the most of the road width.
Despite the low viewing angle, there's still a fairly decent view of the road ahead, with J providing commentary of the cars heading towards us.
To stop J soiling himself, I lifted off a bit.
Would I have one? Yes, but I would have consider an R55 Cooper S. I couldn't do with such a small car.
Am I allowed one? No is the polite version of Mrs Bits reply.
Ages since I've drive one of these, but really fancy sticking one in the garage.
I'm assuming there are still some fairly tidy R50s out there among the dogs run on tiny budgets and the badly modded yoof cars.
As I remember these don't need big power to be fun. OP seems to back this up. Anyone else got one?
I'm assuming there are still some fairly tidy R50s out there among the dogs run on tiny budgets and the badly modded yoof cars.
As I remember these don't need big power to be fun. OP seems to back this up. Anyone else got one?
Mr Peel said:
Ages since I've drive one of these, but really fancy sticking one in the garage.
I'm assuming there are still some fairly tidy R50s out there among the dogs run on tiny budgets and the badly modded yoof cars.
As I remember these don't need big power to be fun. OP seems to back this up. Anyone else got one?
I suspect, and the original mini fans will want to kill me at this point, but I reckon the R50/R53 will quickly become modern classics. I'm assuming there are still some fairly tidy R50s out there among the dogs run on tiny budgets and the badly modded yoof cars.
As I remember these don't need big power to be fun. OP seems to back this up. Anyone else got one?
Triumph Man said:
Mr Peel said:
Ages since I've drive one of these, but really fancy sticking one in the garage.
I'm assuming there are still some fairly tidy R50s out there among the dogs run on tiny budgets and the badly modded yoof cars.
As I remember these don't need big power to be fun. OP seems to back this up. Anyone else got one?
I suspect, and the original mini fans will want to kill me at this point, but I reckon the R50/R53 will quickly become modern classics. I'm assuming there are still some fairly tidy R50s out there among the dogs run on tiny budgets and the badly modded yoof cars.
As I remember these don't need big power to be fun. OP seems to back this up. Anyone else got one?
Should be loads of cheap R50 Coopers that you could buy as a project and stick in the garage.
Triumph Man said:
Mr Peel said:
Ages since I've drive one of these, but really fancy sticking one in the garage.
I'm assuming there are still some fairly tidy R50s out there among the dogs run on tiny budgets and the badly modded yoof cars.
As I remember these don't need big power to be fun. OP seems to back this up. Anyone else got one?
I suspect, and the original mini fans will want to kill me at this point, but I reckon the R50/R53 will quickly become modern classics. I'm assuming there are still some fairly tidy R50s out there among the dogs run on tiny budgets and the badly modded yoof cars.
As I remember these don't need big power to be fun. OP seems to back this up. Anyone else got one?
A bit of an investment as a % of the car value but they are great fun so plan to keep it for a while and hope they at least hold their value.
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