R50/53 Why does everyone think I am driving a PT Cruiser??
#27
06-30-2005 | 06:40 AM
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,061
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From: Richmond, VA
#28
06-30-2005 | 06:56 AM
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 747
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From: Prospect, KY (formerly Colo Spgs, CO)
Man, I'm glad I ran across this thread - I thought I was the only one that got the PT Cruiser thing. . .stopped at the local gas station for my morning java, some Larry the Cable Guy look-alike at the counter, conversation went something like this:
LTCGLA: "How d'yew like yer PT Cruiser?"
Me: "Wouldn't know - don't have a PT Cruiser."
LTCGLA: "That ain't no PT Cruiser? Whut is it?"
Me: "It's a MINI Cooper S"
LTCGLA: <Thoughtful Pause> "Hmmm. . .MINI Cooper, ya say? How's yew like it?"
Me: "I like it a helluva lot more than a PT Cruiser!"
If you gotta explain it to someone, they're not gonna get it.
LTCGLA: "How d'yew like yer PT Cruiser?"
Me: "Wouldn't know - don't have a PT Cruiser."
LTCGLA: "That ain't no PT Cruiser? Whut is it?"
Me: "It's a MINI Cooper S"
LTCGLA: <Thoughtful Pause> "Hmmm. . .MINI Cooper, ya say? How's yew like it?"
Me: "I like it a helluva lot more than a PT Cruiser!"
If you gotta explain it to someone, they're not gonna get it.
#29
06-30-2005 | 07:10 AM
4th Gear
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From: In the Lair Of The Semicolon
#30
06-30-2005 | 07:16 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: In the Lair Of The Semicolon
Originally Posted by dansmini
I love the PT Loser. It and the Scion XB should mate so that the world's ugliest car can be born.
The Baby Huey of the automotive world.
Rumor has it the baby bears a passing resemblance to the local mailman, a Pontiac Aztek
Cheers,
Matthew Z.
#31
06-30-2005 | 01:32 PM
#32
06-30-2005 | 06:43 PM
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From: Guadalajara, MX
#33
06-30-2005 | 07:03 PM
7th Gear Gal
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Weeblegabber West (aka WLA)
#34
06-30-2005 | 07:08 PM
7th Gear Gal
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 36,087
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From: Weeblegabber West (aka WLA)
Originally Posted by vm
This is not normal 
. Why so many people thinks that our beloved MINI is a PT? Are there other cars mistaken with ours?
I haven't a single bad/strange comment here in Guadalajara, just the good ones.
. Why so many people thinks that our beloved MINI is a PT? Are there other cars mistaken with ours? I haven't a single bad/strange comment here in Guadalajara, just the good ones.
Well, vm, while it's not normal for car enthusiasts to make such a glaring error, the majority of the public (who only want to get from Point A to Point B with no fun, quirky variations), seem to have trouble differentiating between marques and models!
Some people think the Scion xA looks like the MINI....go figure!
Clover
#37
06-30-2005 | 07:20 PM
1st Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14
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From: Maryland
I honestly think that the PT Cruiser is about one of the ugliest cars I have ever seen. I have no idea how people can confuse them with MINIs though, cute isn't the same thing as ugly Though I do have to watch my very outspoken tongue. My boyfriend and I were walking by a PT Cruiser convertible one day, and I said "Ew, I hate those cars, they are so ugly." Well, wouldnt it figure as I am walking away, the owner, with his head down(he had to have heard me) walks up and unlocks the door. I felt so bad, I wanted to apologize but figured the damage was already done. 
Though I do have to watch my very outspoken tongue. My boyfriend and I were walking by a PT Cruiser convertible one day, and I said "Ew, I hate those cars, they are so ugly." Well, wouldnt it figure as I am walking away, the owner, with his head down(he had to have heard me) walks up and unlocks the door. I felt so bad, I wanted to apologize but figured the damage was already done.
#38
06-30-2005 | 07:24 PM
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 2
From: Chicago, IL
Originally Posted by C4
Our reliable and bulletproof 1.6 TRITEC engines were developed in a joint venture between BMW and then Chrysler Corporation prior to the "hostile" 1998 take over in part of Daimler-Benz. These engines have MOPAR genes and their reliability is attributed to the simple SOHC design and generally speaking Chrysler engines are very reliable and durable (Just ask my father in law who has been driving Dodges and Plymouths for the last 40 years).
The 1.6L normally aspirated TRITEC engine found in the MINI Cooper model is also used in Export versions (Europe/Africa markets) of the Chrysler Neon and Chrysler PT Cruiser (The Dodge nameplate is only used in North America). There is another small car being built in China (I think it is the Chery) that also uses this fantastic engine.
The 1.6L Supercharged version of the TRITEC is only used in the MINI Cooper S and no other car in the world shares this engine.
I for one, applud the MOPAR background in our engines because these engines are built to last
And can take the abuse of tuners and racer alike.
The North American market versions of the Neon/PT Cruiser use a 2.0L and 2.4L (Turbocharged version also available in the 2.4L Turbo PT Cruiser) 4 cyl engine which is a "bigger" brother to our 1.6L TRITECS. Pop up the hood of a Dodge Neon and the engine will look very similar to the one found in a MINI Cooper.
The 1.6L TRITEC engine is currently built in Curitiba, Brazil a very industrialized town in that country (Also home to VW's assembly plants for the VW Golf/GTI). The engines are built using STRICT Toyota Manufacturing quality processes. The engine in our MINIs is the only component currently sourced outside of the European Union.
<snip kewwl photos>
Here is the main website for TRITEC Motors:
http://www.tritecmotors.com.br/english/index.html
If you speak/read Portuguese, their website also offers a section in that language. Very interesting info there.
So hope this answers your concerns about "MOPAR" under our bonnets.
Needless to say, the next generation of BMW-Peugeot PSA engines due for the all new R56 MINI in 2007 will have some very BIG shoes to fill once the TRITEC engine is discontinued from MINI production in late 2006.
The 1.6L normally aspirated TRITEC engine found in the MINI Cooper model is also used in Export versions (Europe/Africa markets) of the Chrysler Neon and Chrysler PT Cruiser (The Dodge nameplate is only used in North America). There is another small car being built in China (I think it is the Chery) that also uses this fantastic engine.
The 1.6L Supercharged version of the TRITEC is only used in the MINI Cooper S and no other car in the world shares this engine.
I for one, applud the MOPAR background in our engines because these engines are built to last
And can take the abuse of tuners and racer alike.The North American market versions of the Neon/PT Cruiser use a 2.0L and 2.4L (Turbocharged version also available in the 2.4L Turbo PT Cruiser) 4 cyl engine which is a "bigger" brother to our 1.6L TRITECS. Pop up the hood of a Dodge Neon and the engine will look very similar to the one found in a MINI Cooper.
The 1.6L TRITEC engine is currently built in Curitiba, Brazil a very industrialized town in that country (Also home to VW's assembly plants for the VW Golf/GTI). The engines are built using STRICT Toyota Manufacturing quality processes. The engine in our MINIs is the only component currently sourced outside of the European Union.
<snip kewwl photos>
Here is the main website for TRITEC Motors:
http://www.tritecmotors.com.br/english/index.html
If you speak/read Portuguese, their website also offers a section in that language. Very interesting info there.
So hope this answers your concerns about "MOPAR" under our bonnets.
Needless to say, the next generation of BMW-Peugeot PSA engines due for the all new R56 MINI in 2007 will have some very BIG shoes to fill once the TRITEC engine is discontinued from MINI production in late 2006.
I hope the "why is NAM boring" thread has taken the night off, as it appears to have done.
Thanks man, for good stuff, Very Interesting about the MCS engine -
Tatt
#42
07-01-2005 | 04:12 AM
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 382
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From: London England
I had someone say, hey look, it's a Mini PT Cruiser.
I had to hold my tongue as they walked over to check it out. They asked me which dodge dealer had them in stock. I wanted to puke but just said it's not a PT it's a remake of an legendary British car, The Mini Cooper.
....whaaaats thaaat ? I was very rude, I said well Britain is a small country across the atlantic and they also make cars, this is a remake by BMW of one of their all time classic cars.
I remember the look of disgust they had, as if to say, how could you be soo rude ? I guess when inbreeding occurs the first thing that goes bad is the brain and eye sight.
I had to hold my tongue as they walked over to check it out. They asked me which dodge dealer had them in stock. I wanted to puke but just said it's not a PT it's a remake of an legendary British car, The Mini Cooper.
....whaaaats thaaat ? I was very rude, I said well Britain is a small country across the atlantic and they also make cars, this is a remake by BMW of one of their all time classic cars.
I remember the look of disgust they had, as if to say, how could you be soo rude ? I guess when inbreeding occurs the first thing that goes bad is the brain and eye sight.
#45
07-01-2005 | 06:16 AM
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,943
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From: Okemos, Michigan
#46
07-01-2005 | 06:21 AM
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland, Ohio
Well you don't have to hate the PT or the New Bug, they started the entire retro movement and the new MINI is one of these cars. We attended a car show last year sponsored by the local PT Club and it was a great time. One of the tricked out PTs even had MINI headlights. Hope to see some of you at the MINI Meet East in Dublin, Ohio this weekend!
Cheers!
Dave
Bedford, OH
Cheers!
Dave
Bedford, OH
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