^I'm a big fan of the 650S. Great car.
Until today, this was my first car!
....
Next car will show up in March/April. Although not my type of car, it'll be the perfect compromise of economy and fun! Moreover, it's too good of a deal to pass up.
And here it is! I've been messing around in this little bastard since April! It's a Mini Clubman SD (that's a diesel Mini, for you americans), Hampton Edition. Fully loaded except satnav.
Had you asked me a year ago, I would have said that the Mini was nothing other than a hairdressers accessory/girls car and left it at that. Moreover, it was front-wheel drive and would obviously understeer like a pig.
Having owned this car for 6 months, I couldn't have been more wrong. I have grown to love this little car. The steering feel in this car is one of the best I've experienced yet. It's right up there with my uncle's old Porsche Boxster RS60 Spyder! Whereas the BMW felt like a dead fish, the Mini communicates and encourages you to explore the limits. On any type of winding road, it would demolish my old BMW. The Mini makes you go two more laps around the roundabouts. It makes you lift your foot and induce lift-off oversteer. It makes you pull the handbrake through corners. I swear, I'm completely innocent in this...
And the best thing is, when you're done messing around, you can easily return 40mpg. And, being a Clubman, I can actually fit my bike in the boot or plenty of luggage.
...There is only one problem. It's an auto, and I really miss rowing through gears sometimes.