Auto Trends Magazine

Car reviews, industry news, & advice.

Archives for January 2011

Confessions of a New MINI Cooper Owner

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After several weeks of debate, I decided to make the plunge: I bought myself a MINI Cooper.  Like most first-timers, I was hesitant.  Do good things really come in small packages?  Here are a few things you might not know about owning a MINI Cooper.

1. THE MESSAGE. The marketing doesn’t stop — even after you buy the vehicle!  The MINI gang does a great job of reminding you that you are now part of a new family.  They are always sending cool little gifts.  From the MINI Adventure Kit that arrived six weeks after I purchased my Hardtop S to the stuffed bulldog and pewter keychain given to me at the dealership – these guys know how to get their message across.  There is even a glossy MINI magazine mailed twice a year.

2. THE SPEED. To say that the MINI is “peppy” is an understatement.  Thanks to a short body and 181 horses, passing other cars on the highway is a breeze. I am a cautious driver.  I love that the engine is reactive and responsive, all while giving me a feeling of control.

3. THE GAS. The miles you squeeze out per gallon are determined by your driving style.  City results have been respectable, but it’s the highway mileage that has really impressed me.  I’m easily getting 35 miles per gallon.  I sure don’t miss the gas station.

4. THE ACCOLADES. I already knew that the MINI attracts attention – but I had no idea how many heads it would turn and how envious friends, family and strangers would be.  People are genuinely excited to get a close look and step inside.  I might not be the coolest cat in town, but I think my street cred just went up a notch.

5. THE WEATHER. Snow, sleet, ice – no problem. I had serious reservations about my run-flat tires.  But so far, so good.  The MINI has performed like a champ in all types of weather.  As long as you take it nice and easy, and stay away from high snow drifts, there’s no reason your MINI can’t escape from the garage on a snow day.

6. THE TANK. When I close the door on my MINI, I feel like I have entered a fortress of solitude.  Every entry and exit is a reminder that I have not sacrificed safety to be some eco-friendly hipster.

7. THE SPACE. Yes, the car is small – but it is a model of successful ergonomics.  I’ve yet to run into an everyday storage situation that the car couldn’t handle.  The seats flip down with ease and having a hatch open is crazy convenient.

I don’t want to be a full-on MINI cheerleader, so let me tell you about a few things that I am not enamored with.  When I first test drove the car I found the center console, with the supersized speedometer a bit, well, off center.  I have had a difficult time getting used to it, and have found that it benefits the passenger far more than a driver.

Also underwhelming has been the MINI’s heating system.  The thing takes a long time to heat up; given the cabin size, that’s unacceptable.  The saving grace has been the heated seats (a must have!).  I’d also like for the standard stereo to pump out a more dynamic sound.  Aside from the volume being relatively low, I find that I am often missing extreme highs and lows – even on satellite and HD radio.

Overall the MINI is the perfect car for my lifestyle,  Unless there are triplets in my future, I can see owning a MINI for life.

See Also — Drop Top Fun: 2016 Mini Cooper S Convertible

Not All Truck Tires Are Created Equal

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By Todd Hebert

Truck tires are broken down into a broad range of categories. To decide what kind of tires to install on your truck you really need to consider a few things before jumping into a decision, perhaps regretting your purchase if you act in haste.

First, ask yourself a few questions.  Is my truck an everyday driver and will I drive it on the highway often? Will I go off-roading with this truck and to what extent?  Finally, am I buying tires for looks or comfort?

These questions are valid and we should really think about them before making a purchase.

Off-Road Tires

The first kind of tires we are going to look at are off-road tires or what is sometimes referred to as mud tires. This class of tires offer extreme performance when we need it, however, with extreme performance, there must be some sort of sacrifice and that can be found in ride quality — the more aggressive the tire is the harder the ride will be.

An aggressive mud tire, for example, will make you or your passenger feel like you are riding in a tank and in no way makes for a comfortable ride. Keep this in mind if you are buying the tires for looks or for occasional off-road driving. Talk to people who regularly use these tires and you will see that the rough ride can get old after awhile.

All-Terrain Tires

The next step down is an all-terrain tire. This truck tire is a good sacrifice as it offers a decent off-road experience and is not as brutal on your vertebrae.  All-terrain tires are available from “mild” to more “wild” tread designs, so take your time to research the tire that will work best for you.

The more aggressive tires such as BF Goodrich all-terrains offer excellent traction year ‘round, but do ride a little rougher than a tire such as the Goodyear ComforTred.  On the lighter side, you can look at some of the aggressive all-season tires that will ride very well but may not do as well off-road or in the snow.

Street Tires

Now let’s take a look at the final class which is your street tire. If you are looking at street tires you can throw off-roading or winter traction out the window. However, your ride will be very comfortable.

Most people use these tires for show trucks or for street performance — unless they are rated as dedicated snow tires which means they can be performance style snow tires or the more aggressive snow tires used for plowing.

Just remember not all tires are created equal especially when it comes to truck tires. You really need to take the time and think about how you will be using your truck — again, consider your options because truck tires are expensive and you may regret your decision. Look for tires you will enjoy as much as the truck they’ve been fitted with.

Author Information

Todd Hebert has been writing for the automotive industry since 1999. More recently he has become an expert author for EzineArticles.com as well as for some automotive blogs. Todd has gained his knowledge from managing a brick and mortar tire dealership until the dealership closed in 2003 at which time he started his own automotive web sites including BT Automotive Tires offering discount tires and LA Parts Direct offering truck accessories.