Hey Cool Car Fans,
Earlier today on The Cool Car Guy Show I mentioned that the new 2008 Mini Clubman is coming out soon and that I would locate a photo to post online for people to check it out.
Here are two photos that I found of the concept car that I thought were pretty cool looking. The actual vehicle is being marketed on the Mini.com website with a very cool flash video being presented on the Germany site for Mini. Just go to Mini.com and click on the link to the German website to watch the flash presentation.
The Mini Clubman will hit the streets in Europe this November. There are some cool new features on this “stretched” Mini model that I was telling our listeners about earlier today. I’m bringing a Mini Cooper S down to the studio tomorrow for Bill to take for a test drive and possibly get as a commuter car alternative to his Honda Pilot.
The Mini Clubman is not available in the U.S. until next year, but it’s a new5-door Mini Cooper that is longer, offers more leg room, and incorporates a suicide door on one side of the vehicle. This is a rear-hinged door on the right side of the car that swings open in the opposing direction relative to the main passenger door increasing access to the rear seating area while providing a very sporty look and feel.
I think the unique rear-end design of split-rear doors not only gives the vehicle more functionality with easier access to the back, but definitely adds some additional character to this already cool looking little car. The interior looks retro and stylish like the current Mini Coopers. And from what I’ve read this Mini model will also have options in the engine compartment with the turbo-charged engines being available and sport-tuned suspension to go along with the increase in performance.
Finally, there should also be some energy saving features built into the Mini Clubman as well that should come from the parent company BMW that we will have to wait to see if they show up in the U.S. models. Of course, we won’t know for sure until it’s debut in the U.S. next year, but I’m sure I’ll be getting calls for this vehicle as soon as it hits our shores.
What do you think?
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Auto Agent – John Boyd “The Cool Car Guyâ€
John is an automotive agent with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle!
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My brother-in-law Bruce Smith of Shakopee, Minnesota sent me photos of his wife’s 2007 Mini Cooper S and his 2006 Grand Touring Miata MX-5. These are really fun little sports cars that are a blast to drive. I’ve driven a number of very cool Mini Coopers and I’ve owned three Mazda Miata’s over the years.
The MX-5 Miata is Mazda’s two-seat, rear-wheel-drive convertible sports car that was completely redesigned for the 2006 model year. The 06′ Mazda MX-5 Miata is equipped with a 170-horsepower DOHC 2.0-liter engine, that comes with a 5-speed or 6-speed manual transmission standard. The 6-speed automatic was optional, with a horsepower reduction down to 166 horsepower, but I don’t know who would want an automatic in this vehicle. In 2006 they made the MX-5 Miata a little larger to provide more interior room and the convertible top now includes a glass rear window and a hardtop also was available, both were something I could have used with my former Miata’s.
Their other little sports car in their arsenal is the 2007 Mini Cooper S. These little guys are a hoot to drive as well and a great value at just $21,200 for the Base Retail price, plus options. The 2007 MINI Cooper has also been completely redesigned from the ground up. It has a little longer body than previous years, but still keeps the cool factor. The exterior has a new hexagon radiator grille, which you can see in this photo. There are also direction indicator lights fully integrated in the headlights and plenty of chrome to go around. The Cooper S has a sportier suspension set-up and its engine compartment lid curves up about 0.8 inches more than the standard model to make room for the fast and fun turbocharged engine.
As I mentioned, the 2007 Cooper S has a brand-new 172-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter engine that produces 177 lb-ft of torque. Another cool new feature is the special Overboost function in the Cooper S that can increase torque to 192 lb-ft for a short time. Both engines are paired to a standard 6 speed manual transmission with an optional 6 speed automatic. Hopefully, they went with the 6 speed manual for the fun factor.
Another new feature on the 2007 is the BMW start/stop button ignition that replaces the conventional key. There is also new ambient illumination and a larger center speedometer has been enhanced for a new range of functions including the display of controls for the navigation entertainment system. The Cooper S is equipped with 16-inch tires for more road hugging and better handling. The warranty on the Mini is similar to the Miata at 4 years, 50,000 miles and it gets around 36MPG on the highway.
Auto Agent – John Boyd “The Cool Car Guyâ€
A client and friend of mine Matt Abbott fired me off a photo of his new 1949 3/4 Chevy pickup that he got this past week, along with a photo of the 350 engine. Matt said the following…
“I wanted to introduce you all to Daisy, or Bess. Not sure yet. 1949 Chevy 3/4 w/ 350 engine and a 350 transmission. She is a good start to a rod & will be low and loud shortly. Here she be…”
Here are some cool photos of a 1998 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra that came into 
CURB WEIGHT: 3,506 lbs
The Mustang came back with it’s sporty look in 1995, but most of the vehicles at that time were V6 motors and the smaller Pony versions like I featured in a post a couple months ago. The Mustang GT, came with a 4.6-liter V-8 that had 225 horsepower under the hood in the late nineties, the same number of horses as are in my smaller four-cylinder 2007 Subaru WRX turbo.
4.6 liter V-8 engine with 32 valves and a growl that makes the driver get excited that the vehicle is ready to burn up the pavement.
Not only did this sweet convertible come with a cool factor from the factory, but the original owner had equipped it with a $4,000 sound system, so that they could hear their favorite music with the top down at any speed. As I recall, it even has a remote control for the sound system, so that they could park the Mustang outside and provide the music for any outdoor event with the ignition turned to the accessory position.
Earlier today, I was over at Murray Motors in Denver checking out a 2007 BMW X3 for a client when I spotted this sweet 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG Roadster.
These are photos of a very cool 2006 Ford Mustang Pony that came into 
Pony grille with chrome bezel and fog lamps, rear spoiler, 17″” painted cast aluminum wheel w/bright machined rim, Z-branded A/S tires & tri-bar pony center cap. It’s only an $1,195 option, but it adds some character to the Mustang for sure. This baby has the cool blue and white paint job to go along with it and really low miles.
Transmission 5 Speed Manual
* Driver Air Bag
Warranty Information
These photos of a hard loaded 2004 E500 4MATIC that is currently owned by a former professional hockey player for the Colorado Avalanche came into my email box earlier today from the legendary Jim Reitz of 
In addition, the E500 was designed with safety in mind since it came equipped with ABS brakes, front, passenger and side impact airbags, plus stability and traction control.
To see all the options that were available for the E500 in 2004 there is a great web page that lists them all at 
I delivered some pretty cool cars in December of 2006 to clients, including this sweet, low mileage and hard to find, red BMW X5 4.8is just in time for Christmas.
In 2005, this vehicle had a base MSRP of $68,800 and I’ve seen them loaded for as much as $96,500! This baby had it all, including the $1,800 Navigation option, which is always a nice feature on a high-end vehicle. Standard features on the 4.8is in 2005 were a 6-speed automatic transmission, digital compass mirror, panorama moon roof, rear door window sun blinds, ski bag, heated rear seats, park distance control, rain sensor, adaptive headlights, and a premium sound system. There were dozens of other features and amenities on this baby – it lacks nothing!
Electronically controlled valve timing is done through the Double-VANOS system, flattening the torque curve, minimizing fuel consumption and reducing emissions. This is one of the reasons why the 4.4 and 4.8 litre engines are as good on gas mileage as the smaller 3.0 liter without having to sacrifice performance. In 2007, BMW has eliminated the 4.4 and is only offering the X5 in the 3.0 liter and the 4.8 liter engines.
