Discussion
A little over 4 years ago I traded my first ever car in (Volkswagen Up) for a F56 Cooper S in electric blue. The Cooper S was sparse on optional extras, the only extra being the Media XL pack. But what it did provide was a massive improvement in speed and comfort. At the time of picking up my Cooper S the Mini dealership I purchased it from also had an almost new GP3 in stock, waiting for its new owner.
Unfortunately that new owner wasn’t to be me at the time, as I could barely afford the 18 plate Cooper S I was buying, but I knew at that point I would need to scratch the itch or owning a GP3, despite its somewhat marmite looks, personally I like it. It’s over the top, but in the best way possible.
Fast forward to Friday just past and I am now the proud owner of a GP3 )number 1121). The car was originally advertised for sale down in Blackpool. This was a little far for me to travel as we are just outside Edinburgh. However, the car was in budget and had the must have (to me) touring pack, as this car would be my only car. I dropped an enquiry to the dealership who offered to transport it to their Carlisle dealership which was considerably closer, being just over the border.
The whole buying process was smooth and easy, just as it should be. The handover was a special moment as I’d finally ticked that box that I set out to do a little over 4 years ago.
The drive home from Carlisle via a few stops to show the car to family was a delight. What almost impressed me most is the usability of the car. It’ll happily return a very reasonable MPG on a motorway run, which of course will drop as soon as you out the foot down. The plan was to take it easy and head back via the motorway but I soon got bored of that idea and decided on a detour on the way to family via a few B roads.
I wasn’t familiar with the B roads I’d decided to go down so didn’t get a chance to really push the car too much but from what I drove the car is absolutely planted through bends. The ride is firm, considerably more firm than the Cooper S I came from but I expected that going in to the car and from my test drive a week prior to collection. Personally the ride doesn’t bother me. The car is on the standard Hankook tires and a quick bit of research tells me a lot of owners get these swapped out as soon as possible, for me they will do until new ones are needed and then I’ll look at alternatives.
Torque steer was definitely there when pushing the car a bit on the uneven B roads I was on. Again this is something I knew of before buying the car and I think it makes for an exciting drive.
We’re off on holiday for a week to catch some much needed sun but I already can’t wait to be back and get in the GP3. From my brief ownership so far, it has renewed my enjoyment of driving. I’d slipped into an A to B routine as of late and didn’t really feel the urge to just go a drive for the fun of it but thankfully that has now changed.
Unfortunately that new owner wasn’t to be me at the time, as I could barely afford the 18 plate Cooper S I was buying, but I knew at that point I would need to scratch the itch or owning a GP3, despite its somewhat marmite looks, personally I like it. It’s over the top, but in the best way possible.
Fast forward to Friday just past and I am now the proud owner of a GP3 )number 1121). The car was originally advertised for sale down in Blackpool. This was a little far for me to travel as we are just outside Edinburgh. However, the car was in budget and had the must have (to me) touring pack, as this car would be my only car. I dropped an enquiry to the dealership who offered to transport it to their Carlisle dealership which was considerably closer, being just over the border.
The whole buying process was smooth and easy, just as it should be. The handover was a special moment as I’d finally ticked that box that I set out to do a little over 4 years ago.
The drive home from Carlisle via a few stops to show the car to family was a delight. What almost impressed me most is the usability of the car. It’ll happily return a very reasonable MPG on a motorway run, which of course will drop as soon as you out the foot down. The plan was to take it easy and head back via the motorway but I soon got bored of that idea and decided on a detour on the way to family via a few B roads.
I wasn’t familiar with the B roads I’d decided to go down so didn’t get a chance to really push the car too much but from what I drove the car is absolutely planted through bends. The ride is firm, considerably more firm than the Cooper S I came from but I expected that going in to the car and from my test drive a week prior to collection. Personally the ride doesn’t bother me. The car is on the standard Hankook tires and a quick bit of research tells me a lot of owners get these swapped out as soon as possible, for me they will do until new ones are needed and then I’ll look at alternatives.
Torque steer was definitely there when pushing the car a bit on the uneven B roads I was on. Again this is something I knew of before buying the car and I think it makes for an exciting drive.
We’re off on holiday for a week to catch some much needed sun but I already can’t wait to be back and get in the GP3. From my brief ownership so far, it has renewed my enjoyment of driving. I’d slipped into an A to B routine as of late and didn’t really feel the urge to just go a drive for the fun of it but thankfully that has now changed.
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