Motorman! An excellent review, the GP truly is an exercise in doing something because it can be done, not because it needs to be done, and those that own them just get it. I've owned mine since August, and have christened mine "Tiffie" short for Typhoon, because the only other thing I can think of that is as crazy is the jet fighter. Mind it helps that my Morgan is called "Hurri" short for a Hurricane. Together I feel they make the perfect two car garage. Keep up the great work, I've been watching your videos for years! I feel like your review is the only GP review I've come across so far that is properly researched and fair to the car.
Great review and I’ve seen a few!! I love mine to bits. I call her mental mini. She’s a handful and needs the utmost respect. You need to keep both hands on the wheel when you press the big pedal. However. I wouldn’t change anything apart from a decent set of Michelin supersports or cup 2s to help reign in all that torque steer when they wear out.
Hi George. I am from Torino, Italy. I drove one in Torino, was raining... So many hp and front-wheel drive don't get along very well. To me, the driving experience of all very powerful front wheel drive cars is always questionable. My compliments on the way you talk about cars, I always follow you with great interest.
@@FurkanCemTurfanda i will never reconsider fwd in a performance car, bc You cant change the physics, even if You are Honda. Next gen Type-R will be awd, possibly with electric rear drive.
I don’t mind the odd looking side panels. I think if you’re gonna make a mental, slightly unhinged and out there hot hatch then it shouldn’t look “normal” and it should be something a little special and eye catching and that’s exactly what MINI have succeeded in doing with the GP. The price is crazy (£35,350 in the U.K.) but then again the Merc A45S is over £50,000 and nears £60,000 for the “Plus” model here in the U.K. and that was BMW E90 M3 money not that many moons ago.
I bought it for fun with so called touring pack. All good but no reversing bleepers. I asked why not and they said it's a track car. However they managed to include a cigar lighter! LOL.
A sunroof would raise the center of gravity which in turn would have a negative effect on handling, albeit by a small amount. Plus it would negatively impact the structural rigidity and integrity in a a car which tries all it can to be rigid. Honestly, although I love a daily with a sunroof, they are sacrilege on a car dedicated to a pure track experience.
I had a 1991 mini cooper back in 1999. One of my first cars. Completely impractical, unsafe, slow (relatively) and was very much a case of bouncing down the road most of the time but I loved it and would get another now if I wasn't worried about being flattened by anyone in a modern car. My point...if you get the chance to drive one of those I reckon you would have more fun than in this. Although this does seem pretty cool.
How good would it look in an emerald-ish British racing green with yellow accents?? Also I have heard that rear strut brace isn’t actually a brace it just stops cargo from flying into the front seats? Great review!!!!
Good question. My philosophy in testing these cars is real world scenarios. Yes, a car can accelerate VERY well with all the pre-programming an engineering team can load into a launch control system. However, what does that really prove for the person driving it on a daily basis? That is why you rarely see me fool with the launch control system. Yes, in some rare cases where it is a critical point of the car - like here: ua-cam.com/video/SjepBnRpwa0/v-deo.html - you will see me demonstrate it. Good discussion.
As WONDERFUL as that would, cost of the program. The money they would have to invest in order to re-engineer a MINI to make it mid engine would be pretty close to the development of a totally new car . . . which would make a lot more money. So the short answer: Opportunity cost.
@@jareknowak8712 the Clio V6 and 5 GT would cost around £37,000 and £28,000 today when taking into account inflation. They were both pretty scary to drive I believe which would suggest a reduced development budget and I imagine Renault made very little on the cars and more than likely made a loss on every one sold. They were sort of homologation specials which usually don’t net the manufacturers any profit if any at all. At least the GP can be sold at a profit.
Insert "That's a no from me dawg" meme here. The combination of the red accents, splattered GP logo, spoiler and the flares are a bit too ricy for me. As always, excellent work, M.
I think it would look overpriced. They are taking an econobox platform and trying to turn it into a sportscar, yet it will never compete with a real sportscar. I rather buy a 1 year old used Corvette.
@@FurkanCemTurfanda Most people probably aren't street racing, and I beat the time of a Lambo in a Ford Focus back in 2003. Autox is about who has the best tires and skill, the car doesn't matter much. Heck, a 90s Miata can trounce a Corvette in a autox parking lot.
@@BoopSnoot wait a minute. You’ve said you can’t make a sports car out of an econobox but you then say you beat a Lambo in a Ford Focus .... doesn’t make sense
@@SusieSmart Sorry I don't have any crayons to draw pictures to you. I was pointing out that autocross is parking lot "racing", and not indicative of the performance of a vehicle, particularly since its a primarily very amateur event where driver skill plays a major role since literally any random schmuck with no experience can show up to one. *facepalm*
They completely failed in two ways. 1. No manual transmission. 2. Should’ve been Green. It’s a British “sports” car. Cmon guys. Graphite and red? Really? I don’t think the fender panels look terrible. It’s a quirky car after all and it kind of fits with the GP theme.
These are underrated and underappreciated, I had to test drive one to appreciate what this thing can do and then I had to buy one :)
Motorman! An excellent review, the GP truly is an exercise in doing something because it can be done, not because it needs to be done, and those that own them just get it. I've owned mine since August, and have christened mine "Tiffie" short for Typhoon, because the only other thing I can think of that is as crazy is the jet fighter. Mind it helps that my Morgan is called "Hurri" short for a Hurricane. Together I feel they make the perfect two car garage. Keep up the great work, I've been watching your videos for years! I feel like your review is the only GP review I've come across so far that is properly researched and fair to the car.
Great combo in the garage and love the names!
I don't dislike the sideblade thingies. Don't particularly like them yet but I like the unique aspect they bring
These cars aren’t for everyone. My 2013 Cooper s drive it like I stole it. It’s imperfect, but that’s what I love about it.
Great review and I’ve seen a few!! I love mine to bits. I call her mental mini. She’s a handful and needs the utmost respect. You need to keep both hands on the wheel when you press the big pedal. However. I wouldn’t change anything apart from a decent set of Michelin supersports or cup 2s to help reign in all that torque steer when they wear out.
LOVE the name and yes, she needs to be respected . . . they just came and took her from me yesterday and I already miss her.
That’s a shame. Keep up the good work.
Good in-depth content ,nice change from the normal reviews Who haven’t done there research from a GP3 owner thank you
Thanks, David!
Hi George. I am from Torino, Italy. I drove one in Torino, was raining... So many hp and front-wheel drive don't get along very well. To me, the driving experience of all very powerful front wheel drive cars is always questionable. My compliments on the way you talk about cars, I always follow you with great interest.
Drive a new Honda Type R, you'll reconsider fwd.
@@FurkanCemTurfanda I drove it, the best fwd on market. I prefer my RS4 B9...
@@FurkanCemTurfanda i will never reconsider fwd in a performance car, bc You cant change the physics, even if You are Honda.
Next gen Type-R will be awd, possibly with electric rear drive.
Thanks for the kind words . . .
I don’t mind the odd looking side panels. I think if you’re gonna make a mental, slightly unhinged and out there hot hatch then it shouldn’t look “normal” and it should be something a little special and eye catching and that’s exactly what MINI have succeeded in doing with the GP.
The price is crazy (£35,350 in the U.K.) but then again the Merc A45S is over £50,000 and nears £60,000 for the “Plus” model here in the U.K. and that was BMW E90 M3 money not that many moons ago.
I bought it for fun with so called touring pack. All good but no reversing bleepers. I asked why not and they said it's a track car. However they managed to include a cigar lighter! LOL.
I had ordered one and canceled it due to the lack of a manual trans. I went with another 2021 John Cooper Works with a six speed
Lolololove the Look and attitude of the GP3! @Mini pls continue to build more of this
A sunroof would raise the center of gravity which in turn would have a negative effect on handling, albeit by a small amount. Plus it would negatively impact the structural rigidity and integrity in a a car which tries all it can to be rigid. Honestly, although I love a daily with a sunroof, they are sacrilege on a car dedicated to a pure track experience.
I had a 1991 mini cooper back in 1999. One of my first cars. Completely impractical, unsafe, slow (relatively) and was very much a case of bouncing down the road most of the time but I loved it and would get another now if I wasn't worried about being flattened by anyone in a modern car. My point...if you get the chance to drive one of those I reckon you would have more fun than in this. Although this does seem pretty cool.
How good would it look in an emerald-ish British racing green with yellow accents?? Also I have heard that rear strut brace isn’t actually a brace it just stops cargo from flying into the front seats? Great review!!!!
Thanks, Gregory. Have to admit, this color does work. In some lights, it looks a bit blue.
@@MotoManTV Interesting, hopefully I get a chance to see one.
Super informative 👌
Good video, I totally agree with you. A question: d’you think that it worth changing suspension with a more complaint one? Thank you
They also have two additional radiators!
That oval driver screen is so cool
Wow that's light!
Question-why do you never use the factory installed launch control systems when you show off acceleration? Just wondering?
Good question. My philosophy in testing these cars is real world scenarios. Yes, a car can accelerate VERY well with all the pre-programming an engineering team can load into a launch control system. However, what does that really prove for the person driving it on a daily basis? That is why you rarely see me fool with the launch control system. Yes, in some rare cases where it is a critical point of the car - like here: ua-cam.com/video/SjepBnRpwa0/v-deo.html - you will see me demonstrate it. Good discussion.
If no rear seats - why no mid engine and rwd?
As WONDERFUL as that would, cost of the program. The money they would have to invest in order to re-engineer a MINI to make it mid engine would be pretty close to the development of a totally new car . . . which would make a lot more money. So the short answer: Opportunity cost.
@@MotoManTV Renault Clio V6, Renault 5 Turbo, Ford Shogun...
@@jareknowak8712 the Clio V6 and 5 GT would cost around £37,000 and £28,000 today when taking into account inflation. They were both pretty scary to drive I believe which would suggest a reduced development budget and I imagine Renault made very little on the cars and more than likely made a loss on every one sold. They were sort of homologation specials which usually don’t net the manufacturers any profit if any at all. At least the GP can be sold at a profit.
Insert "That's a no from me dawg" meme here. The combination of the red accents, splattered GP logo, spoiler and the flares are a bit too ricy for me.
As always, excellent work, M.
Is that a Ming watch?
Nope. MHD. Born incredibly close to where this car came from. Back story here: ua-cam.com/video/hkxGrofMO_k/v-deo.html
@@MotoManTV Thanks for the info!
Moly holy that’s expensive o.O
Damn bro, you love tea leaf references huh
23 GP logos.
It’s not as bad as the Civic Type R but it’s damn close, too close to spend $45k on which is another reason not to buy one IMO
This Mini is a mess.
I think it would look overpriced. They are taking an econobox platform and trying to turn it into a sportscar, yet it will never compete with a real sportscar. I rather buy a 1 year old used Corvette.
Funny, not a lot of people can keep up with my Mini on a mountain road or an autox.
@@FurkanCemTurfanda Most people probably aren't street racing, and I beat the time of a Lambo in a Ford Focus back in 2003. Autox is about who has the best tires and skill, the car doesn't matter much. Heck, a 90s Miata can trounce a Corvette in a autox parking lot.
@@BoopSnoot wait a minute. You’ve said you can’t make a sports car out of an econobox but you then say you beat a Lambo in a Ford Focus .... doesn’t make sense
@@SusieSmart Sorry I don't have any crayons to draw pictures to you. I was pointing out that autocross is parking lot "racing", and not indicative of the performance of a vehicle, particularly since its a primarily very amateur event where driver skill plays a major role since literally any random schmuck with no experience can show up to one. *facepalm*
The well known reliable BMW...
Mr motoman that's a very long title. I recommend you cut it at "it's fine". You'll get more clicks
I'd rather go for the Porsche 718 spyder, it has a 4.0 engine and a man pedal.
300hp to wrong wheel drive lol
I would buy one of these in an instant, if they kept a subtle, understated look. This Riceririzing of classic designs has got to stop.
Pile of junk
Also I find this car to be really ugly, and I've owned multiple minis
They completely failed in two ways. 1. No manual transmission. 2. Should’ve been Green. It’s a British “sports” car. Cmon guys. Graphite and red? Really?
I don’t think the fender panels look terrible. It’s a quirky car after all and it kind of fits with the GP theme.