[Nickies]

Originally Posted by USA-RET

Exactly my thoughts too I already have a Mini Cooper

My previous car was a 2013 JCW Coupe from new. In some ways, it was far more impressive on the road than what I drive now.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Nickies

My previous car was a 2013 JCW Coupe from new. In some ways, it was far more impressive on the road than what I drive now.

Didn't your JCW weigh ~800# less than your M240i? That alone should create a dramatic difference in the driving experience.

My wife has a Mazda 3 2.5-liter NA with a manual transmission. Except for being two inches taller, the Mazda's dimensions are almost identical to my M240i. What makes her car more fun to drive on many local roads here is that it weighs 500# less than the BMW. Driving it, the Mazda feels about 2/3 the size of my BMW; that's helped along by an eagerness when asked to turn so much less weight.

[leftoverture]

Originally Posted by dradernh

Didn't your JCW weigh ~800# less than your M240i? That alone should create a dramatic difference in the driving experience.

My wife has a Mazda 3 2.5-liter NA with a manual transmission. Except for being two inches taller, the Mazda's dimensions are almost identical to my M240i. What makes her car more fun to drive on many local roads here is that it weighs 500# less than the BMW. Driving it, the Mazda feels about 2/3 the size of my BMW; that's helped along by an eagerness when asked to turn so much less weight.

We have had 2 Mazda 3's, a 2010 and a 2014. Both had great road feel and were a blast to drive. And our Miata (NA) even better still. We would still be in a Mazda but as we age we need a bit more cush and luxury features. The perils of aging.

[USA-RET]

Originally Posted by Nickies

My previous car was a 2013 JCW Coupe from new. In some ways, it was far more impressive on the road than what I drive now.

FWIW I love our 2019 Mini S w/ JCW tune. Peppy, nicely appointed and decent build quality. I call them BMW "Lites". I was insulted with the offer my dealership made. Not the first time they have come to me with similar trade offers that would net them $8-$10K profit on the deal.

I did talk to my original salesman about the outrageous offer and he said, "Yeah, we have a store policy to send those out hoping to get someone to bite on the deal". They cast a wide net and hopefully snag an uninformed owner to turn a nice profit and move some inventory.

He said he would never trade for their email offers. I've bought my fair share of new cars and have had a full variety of car salesman experiences. My BMW sales guy was the most honest I have ever encountered. A rare bird indeed.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by leftoverture

We would still be in a Mazda but as we age we need a bit more cush and luxury features. The perils of aging.

I hear you. Climbing out of some cars has become more difficult with time.

I suppose specificity of training for the challenge might make a real difference – say, 3 X 20 ingresses/egresses 3 X week might build the necessary capacity to make it much easier. Sounds like fun – maybe I'll give it a try.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by dradernh

I hear you. Climbing out of some cars has become more difficult with time.

The older I get the more difficult I have made it for myself to get in and out of at least one of the vehicles I own (such as Fiat X1/9, Austin Healey Sprite, BMW Z4M and Caterham R400). My philosophy is that I need to still maintain flexibility to act like an 18 year old, as opposed to letting time win.

The Caterham with the roof on requires special skill to get in and out of, especially with a passenger. Right leg into footwell and head to right knee, then stretch into the passenger lap while inserting body through the 50cm (20”) wide hole that is below 90cm (35”) above the ground. Then you have to fold your left leg against your body, before extending it into the footwell. My wife won’t ride in the car with the roof on anymore, after having people video her trying to get in the car a couple of years ago, before I removed the roof until she was in, then put it back on before getting in myself.

[Unicorn123]

Originally Posted by aerobod

The older I get the more difficult I have made it for myself to get in and out of at least one of the vehicles I own (such as Fiat X1/9, Austin Healey Sprite, BMW Z4M and Caterham R400). My philosophy is that I need to still maintain flexibility to act like an 18 year old, as opposed to letting time win.

The Caterham with the roof on requires special skill to get in and out of, especially with a passenger. Right leg into footwell and head to right knee, then stretch into the passenger lap while inserting body through the 50cm (20”) wide hole that is below 90cm (35”) above the ground. Then you have to fold your left leg against your body, before extending it into the footwell. My wife won’t ride in the car with the roof on anymore, after having people video her trying to get in the car a couple of years ago, before I removed the roof until she was in, then put it back on before getting in myself.

Good stuff Aerobod! Keeps things in perspective!

I subscribe to the same theory regarding age being "just a number" and thinking I can do all of the things I was capable of at 18...

Nonetheless, father time remains undefeated!