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Don Cicchetti
I keep hearing about a "new '02" and all kinds of stuff about rebadged
Compacts (318ti's) or some car using a 1.4 liter 4 (!!??) and yadda yadda.
Well, as the center of '02 culture I think we are the best place to turn to
for advice on what we want in a "new '02". Maybe someone could forward
these to BMW NA.
So here's my list. Please add yours.
1. A light, nimble car. No heavier than say 2300 pounds.
2. Absolute minimum of electric doo-dahs. No trip computer, etc.
3. Manual windows, and manual sunroof. We don't need help with these
activities...
4. An updated version of the original dash *including* the beloved package
tray.
5. Designed-in properly integrated A/C, as opposed to the stupid add-ons
on the original cars.
6. A *four-cylinder engine* Sorry Satch, but this should be a light car
with a good 1.8 - 2.0 liter modern four-banger. Simpler/cheaper to fix,
more room in the engine bay, better mileage, lighter. The M42 would be
fine. Works for me!
Sixes? we don't NEED no steenking sixes.
7. A manual 5-speed should be standard, and and auto (if you must) an option.
8. Original colors.
9. A sleeker, but clearly "02" shape.
10. Round taillights please.
11. Lots of room on the inside, just like the original. Even tall people
like me can fit into the original. Don't blow it on this one just to look
cool! (can you say Camaro?)
12. Something like the original's nice big seats! Let the little skinny
people buy Recaros!
Oh, and under 20K would be nice.
Would I buy one? In a heartbeat...
Don Cicchetti lives in Southern California, is a member of the Los Angeles chapter of the BMW CCA and drives a '71 2002 with an insanely big engine (ask Carl Nelson about it) and uses the moniker: Beatnik Motor Werke.
Editor's note: Satch Carlson mentioned above is Editor-in-Chief of the Roundel, BMW CCA's monthly magazine.
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