Free MINI Test Drive

[D-3vil]

It's on this year again, GTA only.
September 14-17, you'll need a full G license to drive.
Last year's (Mini test fly) was a blast, plus you'll get some freebies (cap etc) on top of the exhilaration of test-driving a mini on a test track.

Register at www.mini.ca/battle/

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/9883/battleofbritainuc1.jpg

[pipolchap]

thanks, seeya there sunday!

[Stephen C.]

Cool. Thanks op!

What's this like? I've never been; anybody have any feedback??

[bob0]

nice! thanks OP! :cheesygri

[agent86]

Thanks OP. Going on Saturday.

[D-3vil]

I'm booked for Saturday morning as well.

For those of you wondering how the event is, I went last year and it was fun.

You choose which 1-hour session you attend. There was a short (10 min maybe) in-tent session about all of the Mini's features, after which it was time to drive. They had about 2 or 3 cars of each model (Cooper, Cooper S, convertible etc etc) with varying options as far as transmission goes (manual, automatic, CVT, tiptronic).

The "racetrack" is really a relatively simple track made with the help of traffic cones, but it's meant to showcase the cars' insane handling abilities (we all know most Minis aren't built for speed, but handle like they're on rails). You'd go ~3 laps around the track, then enter the "drag race" section: straight line acceleration followed by hard braking (showcasing the ABS). Then you'd park the car and go back and wait in line. Of the 45 min driving session, I was in car for about 30 or more, so it's a good driver / car ratio.

At the end, you get free cookies and drinks (drinks are handed out at the beginning as well). Last year, they were also handing our free caps and apparently some CD's as well (didn't get any CD's but the cap was cool).

They do ask you that you limit yourself to driving the automatic transmission cars if you've never driven stick before. I stand behind that decision, as you'll probably make the experience a bad one for everybody else there if you keep stalling on the track.

That's about it as far as feedback goes. Check this thread from last year's event for more info: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156224

[cherryfruit32]

hope this will be fun,thanks a lot!

[Meegster]

a friend and I are all signed up for Sat @ 3pm...
they have stick shift? S A W E E E E E E E E T!!!!!
Very excited to finally get to drive a mini (without having to sign up for zipcar :lol: )
I'll be bringing my cam with me, i'll post the event.

[6speed]

thanks, i am going on friday.

[wing0]

where did they hold this last yr?

[D-3vil]

where did they hold this last yr?
same place (downsview park), but it was in may

[MonkeyRPN]

Didn't they have this too for Vancouver last year? or was it the year before? I missed it. I hope they'll do it for Vancouver this year too.

[joshmxpx]

Sat and Sun are completely booked now, a few spots left on thrs and friday

[lithiumli]

Damn! of all times i have to work thursday and friday next week!

[tchai]

Damn! of all times i have to work thursday and friday next week!

Going to work late on Friday then
Got the 1st appt. for 9am on Friday :)

[elgato21]

My brother went to this before and he said it was amazing. Dodge had a similar event either last year or two years ago. It was the Dodge Test Drive event held at the Hershey Center in Mississauga. We got to drive PT Cruiser, Crossfire, 300C, Liberty, Grand Cherokee, TJ. Then we got to go as passenger with a professional driver on the SRT-4, SRT-10, and Viper. It was the coolest 50 seconds of my life. I thought we were gonna crash/die for sure when the guy was taking a corner on the Viper.

Anyways, can't wait for this one...Thurs 1pm :)

[cruisn76]

This is wicked. See you guys there at 1-2pm on Friday the 15th

[xplode]

dammit i've only got G2 :mad: :mad:

[a2vr6]

Just got back from my mini test drive. Verdict:

TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED!!!
I found they do no have enough cars (at least of there Cooper S model)
Don't expect to go on the track more than once unless you want to go with the gutless soho or automatic. Even then people were only able to go no more than twice if they werent picky.

I also expected more out of the Cooper S. It handles well but it is not as quick as I thought it would be.

As for refreshments: They had bottle water, fruit and some variety of brownies and stuff. Only had the fruit so I can;'t comment on the other stuff ;)

You also get a Mini hat and some other propaganda. Z103 is onsite so you can also ask for a T-shirt. I think the Hat and T-shirt were the only highlight lol....what a waste of time.

Oh yeah, DON'T buy a Mini demo model. People were riding the clutches like crazy, and my clutch pop and power shifting didnt help. :lol:

[wasabiangel]

Darn it I wish I read this thread earlier.. I wanted to drive a mini... grr... can someone pm me for next yr.'s event? It would've been cute w/ me in a mini, at least all my friends thought it would.. darn..

But yeah, I don't really think it's a car worth buying, but driving it would be fun...

Hope everyone that goes have fun...
btw, does anyone want to get me a hat? Thank you :D

[a2vr6]

Trust me, you didn't miss out on anything. You'll probably have more driving time if you just go to a dealership and test drive it.

[mealbundy]

Thanks, but its very unlikely that I will ever purchase roadkill such as this, as the life expectancy on the 401 is about the same as a Smart Car.

[flito ray]

Thanks, but its very unlikely that I will ever purchase roadkill such as this, as the life expectancy on the 401 is about the same as a Smart Car.

this car is fast it can clear 160

[Agent_J]

Thanks, but its very unlikely that I will ever purchase roadkill such as this, as the life expectancy on the 401 is about the same as a Smart Car.
Fortwo - 40hp @ 4200rpm, max speed 135km, 0-100 km/h 19.8s

Cooper - 115hp @ 6000rpm, max speed 200km, 0-100 km/h 9.1s
Cooper S - 168hp @ 6000rpm, max speed 222km, 0-100 km/h 7.2s

going on the 401 with a smart which takes about 20 seconds to get to 100km/h would not be the best idea, however the Cooper looks like it can hold it's own

[tchai]

I got to drive the Mini Rallye S (manual) and the SOHO (manual)
Both were good

I shifted up to 3rd gear in the track and got yelled when I got to the STOP sign to do the brake test. Hahaha... But it was worth it... :P

Both the Rallye and SOHO were good. But the 168hp Rallye certainly has more "kick" to it when I slam the gas pedal :D


Anyways, the event was good since its free and the food + cap was free. Can't complaint about something that is FREE. I was there for the 10am session on Friday.

[pipolchap]

i went sunday morning, tried out various cars including the convertable. the food was granola, slices of cranberry cake and banana bread, and fresh fruit with cream, coffee and tea. got a free hat and glossy brochures, hopefully recycleable.

so much fun... definitely go back next time to run over more pylons! can't wait for more events like these.

[Gundam]

My brother went to this before and he said it was amazing. Dodge had a similar event either last year or two years ago. It was the Dodge Test Drive event held at the Hershey Center in Mississauga. We got to drive PT Cruiser, Crossfire, 300C, Liberty, Grand Cherokee, TJ. Then we got to go as passenger with a professional driver on the SRT-4, SRT-10, and Viper. It was the coolest 50 seconds of my life. I thought we were gonna crash/die for sure when the guy was taking a corner on the Viper.

Anyways, can't wait for this one...Thurs 1pm :)

let us know when they have their next Dodge test drive.