IT'S CHEEKY...

A typical California day... high 70's low 80's and a slight breeze.  Decided to take the JCW out for a spin today.  Windows and sunroof open, exhaust opened, some tunes going and driving on backroads.

I actually found myself with a huge grin on my face and hair a total mess.   Driving along in my automobile (name that tune), I started to think about not only this car but cars in general.  As we begin the migration to cars that no longer will give you the visceral fun and some requirements of being able to drive and not just operate a computer, I started to think that this version of the Mini Cooper (F56 in BMW speak), will be the last of it's kind.

The replacement Mini has been shown and although it will still be offered in both ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) and Electric, the analog and visceral things that have made Mini a Mini will be history.

Although this F56 JCW is fast, handles well with their "go kart" feel, BMW build quality with better than average materials, etc... there are a lot of other small cars out there that will out perform and actually is somewhat comfortable to ride (VW Golf GTI, Civic Si, etc...), none seem to get the smiles and attention this one gets.

Granted, she's painted in safety cone orange (Solaris Orange), I get more cute girls and guys giving it a thumbs up along with car guys/gals with decent vehicles also giving me the nod of approval.

She may have 228hp but weighs almost as much as an BMW 2 series coupe (F22 and not that new ugly coupe) and thus 0-60 is okay at 6 seconds.  Mileage for this version is also OK at around 29-30mpg on average.

Like all BMW products, the entry price is ok.  This one started around $31,000.  But optioned out and being a limited edition "International Orange Edition" of which 500 were made (and not fully optioned out), this one stickered close to $44,000.  This was back in 2019.

Is it worth it?  Economically speaking.... NO.  There are other options out there.  HOWEVER, economics isn't the priority and the priority is having FUN.  I can tell you that this car delivers.

It's your last chance to get one of these things before it's gone.  BTW.... there are also versions with the millennials + anti theft device called a MANUAL TRANSMISSION.

KEEP ON MOTORING !!

 

RETAIL and RETAILERS

 

More and more stores are closing.  Shopping areas have more and more vacant stores.  In the case of San Francisco, your crime and homeless problems have gotten out of control.  This rant is for another post.

Retailers... you actually are a big reason for the decline.

Let me explain.

Many years ago, going to the store was a treat.  Not only to buy something you need, but to have an experience.  You wander by a store and look at the display outside to tempt you to buy the item or to come inside.

Once inside, you were greeted and looked at all the goods and displays.  If you had a question, a sales person would take care of answering the questions and perhaps even help you with the shopping.  When you finally make the purchase, you handed over the cash and the cashier or sales person would thank you for your patronage.

Fast forward to now.

Retailers.  You hired the least expensive person you could find.  They could care less if they sold dog food or an expensive item.  You treated your salesperson as a body and not as a sales professional.  If they knew something about the items you were selling... a plus but not necessary.

You did away with merchandising.  No window displays and merchandising became a profit center by having your supplier pay for prime spots in the store.  So you ended up with just stacking product all over the place.

When it comes to pay, you are treated as though you are bothering the under paid cashier.

Needless to say, the experience is awful.

I write this today because I'm about ready to go to my local UPS store to pick up another item I bought at Amazon.  Looking at my purchase history, I am surprised at how much I bought.  All those items I would have bought at a retail location.

Because of the awful service, low or no inventory, little to know help, treated as though they could care less if I come or go, I no longer go to the store.  I WANT TO GO TO THE STORE.  I like seeing, touching or even playing with the item before I make a purchase, but the experience is so bad that I now pass on going to a store.  

So retailers... like the City and County of San Francisco.... GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER.

TUV - Transportation Unit Vehicles

 Many years ago, Volkswagen had an ad campaign.... Fahrvergnugen.  Translated it means Driving Pleasure.

It was at a golden time in the late 80's and up to the 90's where we finally got out of the "malaise" era of cars from the 70's where cars were gutless, poorly made, unreliable, fell apart, no fun to drive in general and are just big hunks of metal (more on this in a bit).

Car companies in the 80's and 90's did their best to create cars that were not only economical but also gave drivers something they want to have and experience.

Fast forward to today....

Cars are just boring TUV's.

No color.  No style (unless you like tall boxes), stuffed with nothing but technology, and what is currently considered driving technology -  the ability to mash your right foot down and be pinned to your seat = performance cars.

There are very few drivers cars left and sadly at least two generations of people who operate TUV's (I dare not call them drivers).

TUV's have taken over.  The mad rush to electrification has only hasten the end of cars and drivers.

I held on to a belief that electric cars and TUV's will just be part of the mix.  Sadly I am wrong.  These TUV's have started to take over.

Thankfully I am getting old and at least I will still be able to drive some real drivers cars until my end.

Time to get started...

 Just realized that I started with blog site about 4 years ago and never posted anything.  I named it ADR - Another Damn Review.  Fitting I think because there are so many review sites around now.  

I hope all who discover this site will stay tuned and find what my two cents of opinion is worth more than two cents.