As long as you are happy with it that's cool. The Mini is a cute car.

It's also quite a bit lighter than a Fusion as well because...well... it's a different class of car. If one is interested in the ford somewhat equivalent in weight and power, that would be a Fiesta and Fiesta ST. I'm sure the Mini is quite a bit cuter, though.

:)

I think someone doesnt like ford is what the issue is....





DAN

The Megane is the French econobox you're talking about??? Really??? Lol. That car is going to have a strong influence in the next gen/future FWD sporty nissan's in america. France is half of nissan engineering... think about it.

And Mini cooper S models are known to be unreliable turbo cars. Case and point. My neighbors Mini which is only 4 years old, has died on him 3x in 6 months. Mini's do drive nice though, my cousin has one in PR and drives those mountains like a dream... But her's is always in the shop too...

You criticize negativity at your own convenience.

Dude i don't like Ford much either but damn. When you lose sight of calling a spade a spade due to predjudiced dislike? That's bias based on ego feeding insecurity.

I have driven plenty of fords and ford cousin Mazda variants. My experience is based on many miles on mountain roads. Ford makes decent motor and tranny typically. It's just chassis and bits they bolt on that leave me a little flat.

The generally physics of FWD cars really limit them to being lightweight and moderately powered. 3200 lbs and 250 plus boosted HP with all power going through front wheels won't cut it . Frankly 2700 lb mini is too heavy for my taste as well. I just can't imagine a 3000 plu lb fwd car.

I love Ford GT4O. About only ford I'd drive right now

the honda fit will suit your needs.

Mazdaspeed 3 2969lbs
VW GTi 3034lbs
Mini cooper S 2855lbs
Fod Focus ST 3240lbs
Honda Fit which is smaller... 2496 lbs.

And a miata which is a different type of car 2447lbs

I bet you would drive a 40 year old race car, we all would.

Correction

Mini Cooper S hatchback weighs 2668 lbs.
fiat 500 Abarth weighs 2512 lbs

Both are 500 lbs lighter and don't need to depend on nutty big power plants to drive front wheels. MazdaSpeed 3 is another ax ample of poorly executed fwd hatch. argh!

Sorry but Ford has lost their way with flabby Focus. Fiesta ST may redeem them. At least cost of Fiesta will be more in line with Ford Quality and weight won't be quite as much of an issue as it is with big fat Foci.

I'm looking Forward to drive a Fiesta St. Hopefully that car will average better than low 20 MPG !

Lost their way? I think you're trying to make the Focus fit a mold that it shouldn't be forced into. It's a compromise of power, handling, comfort, and capacity.

I'd rather drive an Abarth or Mini S around than the Focus ST from a driving fun perspective, but I also recognize that I have greater capability with the Focus in terms of people and stuff hauling. It's also got that power edge which is important to a lot of people. I know if I didn't have a power car I'd not want to be stuck with only a Abarth or Mini.

And the woman averages 26-27 mpg in her ST with a heavy right foot with a mostly city mix. That's not that bad. If you work hard you can get it to low 20s, but you've got to drive like a maniac to do that.

Yep. GT 40 Drive on Sunday - YouTube

Although my 1750 lb Porsche 914-6 GT race car handled better than big heavy Ford on the track but get that V8 some room and its all over.

This sort of reminds me of how the Z is treated on the S2000 forums. "It's too heavy." "It's too big." "It's not a real sports car."

Sure... but it's more powerful. It has more grip. It's more comfortable. It's more capable (performance, capacity, etc.)

Different strokes for different folks.

:rolleyes:

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The definition of "sports car" is quite contentious.

I can see that.

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Very valid points from S2000 crowd. The Z's significant heft and poor front weight distribution are real issues that make it poor handling car in comparison to S2000. I have spent tons of money trying to get the 370 Z to handle better and its still in misfit toy category in my book. I still love it though.

Now lets talk about 3200 lb FWD econo car hatch called Focus ST. Ford blew it by not making ST an AWD similar to EVO and STI. At least then while it was heavy it would have some redeeming traction capabilities. They could have put that car on diet and had a real performer.

Ford fans are so desperate for something that resembles performance that they are going bananas over this porky FWD tuner. I mean can you blame them? Up to now the only real performance car they have had is Fred Flintsone Mustang with solid axle.

So what they end up with is fat sporty spice hatchback. Its a compromise car for people who like sporty spice in their lives. Its perfect mommy mobile for somone who wants sporty feel in their econo car. By no means a real performance sedan.

What will be even more amusing are guys who boost performace on these cars. What a waste!

I dont think you Ford faithfuls are going to convert me anytime soon but it is cute watching defend this car as if its something special.