(A bit of a rant against Countryman-haters here...)

I've ordered my Countryman and I forsee myself with a big smile whenever I drive it, but in researching it I was very surprised by how much negativity I found. I'm confused since I think it is a great vehicle and really the only one I was willing to trade in my WRX wagon for (which also puts a big smile on my face everytime I drive it).

Amongst the things I found surprising:

• MINI owners - there are a lot who feel that the Countryman is a sellout/sacrilege to all that is MINI. Did they forget that the oriignal Mini owners may have felt the same about the New BMW MINI? How about how Porsche owners felt about the Cayenne?

• Reveiwers - Most of them compare it to the other MINIs. Is it any surprise that being bigger, taller and heavier with the same engine that it doesn't handle the same? DUH! How many reviewers compared the Cayenne to a 911 and said "it doesn't have the same road-gripping/skidpad feel synonymous with Porsche"?

Sorry, I just don't understand those who are saying they don't understand the Countryman.

Am I the only one or did others also notice this?

 

Same comments are being made over here in the UK. There are many who complain that it is no longer a Mini.
Many do try to compare it against other Mini's. This is wrong. It is new & very different.
It is, however, a Mini & a very good one at that. Costly, but a quality product.

 

I could care less what anyone else thinks

 

Nothing personal,its about casting a larger net to sell more cars.So all of us who are not in the car business,should just get over the idea Mini will never change to satisfy all.Q

 

I guess I'm part of the segment they were trying to "net"...married with a young child and originally wanted a MINI (even got the credit card years back), but it was not practical enough.

 

Some counterpoints to criticisms:

Expensive - Hard to argue, but it is a Premium brand and I do see the quality over other vehicles it's been compared it to. I entertained the thought of a minivan, but a Honda Odyssey is as expensive (almost $37K as tested by Consumer Reports recently). Sometimes you buy cheap, you get cheap.

Comparisons to the Juke - I was seriously considering buying a Juke last year and I am quirky, so I thought the styling wouldn't bother me. Now I'm glad I didn't since I now really don't like the styling (imagine if I did buy it). The rear seat of the Juke is a bit ridiculous. Also the quality isn't on the level that of the Countryman...it is based on the Versa, which is a econocar.

 

I have noticed very little Countryman bashing. I think it looks very much like a part of the MINI family. I prefer the round headlights of the other models, but the Countryman's headlights look nice too! For someone who needs four doors, it's a great option!

There were people who bashed the MINI Clubman when it came out, so a negative reaction to new models isn't a new thing.

I'll definitely wave to any Countrymans I see on the road

Dave

 

Thanks Dave! I'll share the love.

 

I have owned 11 MINI's since 2003 and can tell you that the Countryman is as much of a MINI as any of them. I drive it regularly, along with my current MCS.

So, They see me rollin' they hatin"

This is America, drive and enjoy as you wish.

 

I don't konw why you're surprised...most people don't like change. I say if they don't feed, *****, or finance me - I don't give a rats patoot what they think. There is plenty of room for other models in the MINI line-up. Original MINI owners hated the new BMW/MINI. The gen 1 owners hated the gen 2 MINI and so on and so on and so on. Drive what you like and like what you drive.

 

+1 to this :D Countryman for life! :D

 

I am also one who had not considered the prior Mini models, mostly because of interior room. I am looking forward to this new 4 door model. It has the room I need and will be a blast to drive, compared to anything else I have owned.
I say buy what moves YOU, and enjoy!!

 

There was bashing when the Clubman came out, too.

Do you love it? Yes? Then seriously...WHO CARES?!

Track your baby while it's being built, track it's trip across the pond, pick her up at the dealer, and MOTOR ON!

 

It was the same at the Porsche sites when the Cayenne and Panamera came out. Those models are their biggest sellers now in the US. They keep the brand alive for the rest of us who want to buy Caymans.

 

random... but your dates in your sig are 10 instead of 11

 

Thanks, fixed, I'm so last year

 

I have a 2009 Factory JCW and love it better then most of the cars I have owned.

If and when they come out with a Countryman WRC/or/JCW street version I will probably go for one myself.

The Countryman is still a Mini and Still better then 99% of the small SUV type cars made today.

 

I agree with all of you.
I loved my 2005 MCS and realise my CMS will not be quite the same, but I'm not expecting it to be.
It's not like they replaced the MCS with the CMS. They just added to the family for those of us who need a little more space now.

 

Ask my wife, she rarely drives my 07 MCS. She liked the Countryman from the beginning.

We looked it over real well at MITM-WP last August when they joined up with us on Thursday/Friday.

We put ourselves on the dealers early order list in August.

Now I can't get her to leave it home so I can wash it in this crappy, snowy, cold weather.

I get to steal it for a cleanup tomorrow. At least that is my excuse so I can drive it.

We love them both, but the CM is getting driven, it is 4WD.

Don

 

There were also people who said Porsche sold out with the Cayenne, which now happens to lead Porsche's sales. Not far behind in sales is the Panamera, another nontraditional Porsche. Enjoy your new Countryman, because I know we will.

 

Biggest complaint............it's really frikkin' ugly.

Nuff' said.

 

I need a Black Safari Bar, Black Side Rails, Black Tail Light Protectors, and Meatier Tires...a MINI SUV instead of a Crossover...

That might look good.

 

I don't see anything wrong with the Countryman. I'm not ready for one yet because I dont need the extra room and enjoy the MINIs I currently have. As I get older if I want to stay in a MINI the Countryman may be a good opition. There is going to come a time when it will be to hard to get in and out of my lowered MINIs. The countrymans are great for the young familiy with kids. I own a Harley Daidson VROD Muscle and a lot of the die hard harley folks don't consider it to be a "real" Harley but I like it and don't care what others think about it. If you like it that's all that counts.

Don

 

Ditto here. Although I was interested in a Mini before, I have been waiting 3 years for an AWD version. This car is a blast - I love the size of my maxi-mini and I'm not sure I would consider a mini-mini at this point. While I'd like it to warm up quicker, the heated seats are the best hot seats I've ever had as you can tell by my toasted buns.
Quick, nimble and FUN are what come to mind.

 

Cube is ugly! CM is my third MINI and I like it better than the other two. It is still in break in so I haven't pushed yet, but it appears it will be plenty responsive.

Another thing - It is smoother riding, quieter, more comfortable and eats more gas.

I did not make a mistake, only sorry it was not available years ago.

In my opinion it is a MINI for sure.

Bill