Originally posted by ryanprins13
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I go back quite a few years. I bought my first Austin Mini (a 1967 model) as a rusty derelict in 1972 (which was average lifespan of any winter driven British car in Ottawa) and owned a dozen more over the course of 5 years. These revolutionary FWD transverse engine cars were an absolute hoot to drive and you couldn't roll one if you tried. Ultimately I gathered together a bona fide Cooper S version which could actually keep up with Detroit V-8s, and managed to win some local ice races and slaloms with it. But even ordinary 1350 lb Minis (0-60 mph: 45-60 seconds) with their anemic 850cc overhead valve non crossflow engines, 1 1/4 SU carb and 4 speed trannies couldn't touch the kind of fuel economy I'm achieving with an 11 year old 1.5 DOHC 5 speed Echo now.

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