When I purchased the Jaguar in September 2023, it had only 47,000 miles. While the low mileage assures a low wear drivetrain, I didn’t recognize how rubber and electronics age regardless of miles. I had to update the suspension and rebuild several electronic modules. It spend more time with the mechanic than with me.

I sold it in December 2024. A Jaguar is a fantastic driver’s car but a terrible owner’s car.

Performance: It is a 4-liter supercharged Lincoln-designed V8 that produces 370 horsepower at the rear wheels. It has a governor-limited top speed of 155 mph.

In 2021 I decided to build something fun using the 2010 Tacoma I already owned. I wanted something fast and engineered to perfection. I wanted to push my mechanical skills to my limit.

The Build List:

• 3″ stainless steel exhaust system
• Front suspension replaced with coil overs, tubular A-arms & remote reservoirs.
• 14″ cross-drilled rotors with 6-piston caliper brakes up front.
• In the back, I replaced the leaf springs with variable-rate springs, and remote reservoirs
• Rear drum brakes upgraded to disc brakes with cross-drilled rotors.
• Interior lined with Dynamat; Mini Cooper seats added.
• The audio receiver was a JVC unit. I installed four JBL speakers and an amplified JBL subwoofer under the driver’s seat
• Engine Bay: Smog-legal Magnuson supercharger, intercooler, cold air intake, aluminum 3-row radiator, and electric fan.

Kathy loved her old Mini but had to give it up because of reliability problems. After a few years with a Honda Accord, I found this rare Park Lane model in Arizona with only 7,000 miles. It combines a turbo engine with a luxury interior.

The Audio Build: Audio Innovations in Fresno installed a custom 10″ monitor with wireless CarPlay and a 10″ subwoofer. It’s likely the only Mini Cooper in the world with this kind of system