R60 How To Kill a Brand
So were you the guy at the gas station in the original Mini who scoffed at my CM while this girl was giving my car all kinds of complements? Hey, I'd love to find one of the originals as a project car. That way I could have the original and the new, and to heck with everyone and their opinions.
I am going to somewhat agree with the article. I think all cars have gotten too big. Let's look at a pickup, a new F150 is huge compared to say a 1985. Mustangs don't compare to the original size wise.
Now with MINI, the R50 is a monstrosity compared to the original. The Countryman is an absolute abomination and represents nothing of the original and beautiful Mini (which in the micro car world is a little big) outside of a basic outline that looks a little like the original. I am very happy that BMW did distinguish that MINI and Mini are not the same and the MINI is a brand. Now Journalists need to think the same way.
In the meantime I am going to take my oversize abomination of a body that doesn't even compare to humans from 100 years ago and get in my over sized MINI.
Now with MINI, the R50 is a monstrosity compared to the original. The Countryman is an absolute abomination and represents nothing of the original and beautiful Mini (which in the micro car world is a little big) outside of a basic outline that looks a little like the original. I am very happy that BMW did distinguish that MINI and Mini are not the same and the MINI is a brand. Now Journalists need to think the same way.
In the meantime I am going to take my oversize abomination of a body that doesn't even compare to humans from 100 years ago and get in my over sized MINI.
The article is fueled by elitism. Nothing more, nothing less.
The band metaphor is apt. When I was younger, it was all too common for a once diehard fan of a band to suddenly shun them and proclaim they'd "sold out" simply because the band had become popular and more mainstream. Occasionally it was because the band truly did change its sound, but far more often it was simply the increased popularity that triggered the detest by original bands.
The reaction was simply a reflection of people who prided themselves on being in an exclusive group, who then reacted angrily when they found more and more people being admitted into that group.
The same is true of this author. He is clearly an eccentric MINI brand ***** of the highest order and cares less about the car's absolute or objective appeal than its uniqueness. The car could look like a turd with wheels that no one would want and he'd love it that much more. His real problem is that whereas the R53 and R56 were vehicles that most people thought were quaint and cute but could never see themselves seriously buying, the Countryman has broader appeal. Scores of people who would never seriously consider buying a traditional MINI can see themselves driving a Countryman. That fact drives this author crazy. He likes being quirky and "different" and cannot imagine himself driving the same thing as soccer mom.
How else can you explain his creepy obsession with the Rocketman, a car so ungodly ugly it is second only to the Pontiac Aztec. It looks a bit like the deep sea fish that develop those massive bulbous eyes and the glow-bulbs that hang down in front of their face. You could only love the Rocketman if you had zero taste or had to accept it in order to satisfy your desire to be part of an exclusive, eccentric, quirky group. Either way, his opinion is not worth the e-ink that carried it.
The band metaphor is apt. When I was younger, it was all too common for a once diehard fan of a band to suddenly shun them and proclaim they'd "sold out" simply because the band had become popular and more mainstream. Occasionally it was because the band truly did change its sound, but far more often it was simply the increased popularity that triggered the detest by original bands.
The reaction was simply a reflection of people who prided themselves on being in an exclusive group, who then reacted angrily when they found more and more people being admitted into that group.
The same is true of this author. He is clearly an eccentric MINI brand ***** of the highest order and cares less about the car's absolute or objective appeal than its uniqueness. The car could look like a turd with wheels that no one would want and he'd love it that much more. His real problem is that whereas the R53 and R56 were vehicles that most people thought were quaint and cute but could never see themselves seriously buying, the Countryman has broader appeal. Scores of people who would never seriously consider buying a traditional MINI can see themselves driving a Countryman. That fact drives this author crazy. He likes being quirky and "different" and cannot imagine himself driving the same thing as soccer mom.
How else can you explain his creepy obsession with the Rocketman, a car so ungodly ugly it is second only to the Pontiac Aztec. It looks a bit like the deep sea fish that develop those massive bulbous eyes and the glow-bulbs that hang down in front of their face. You could only love the Rocketman if you had zero taste or had to accept it in order to satisfy your desire to be part of an exclusive, eccentric, quirky group. Either way, his opinion is not worth the e-ink that carried it.
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Based in Mini-apolis, Mn.
The article is fueled by elitism. Nothing more, nothing less.
The band metaphor is apt. When I was younger, it was all too common for a once diehard fan of a band to suddenly shun them and proclaim they'd "sold out" simply because the band had become popular and more mainstream. Occasionally it was because the band truly did change its sound, but far more often it was simply the increased popularity that triggered the detest by original bands.
The reaction was simply a reflection of people who prided themselves on being in an exclusive group, who then reacted angrily when they found more and more people being admitted into that group.
The same is true of this author. He is clearly an eccentric MINI brand ***** of the highest order and cares less about the car's absolute or objective appeal than its uniqueness. The car could look like a turd with wheels that no one would want and he'd love it that much more. His real problem is that whereas the R53 and R56 were vehicles that most people thought were quaint and cute but could never see themselves seriously buying, the Countryman has broader appeal. Scores of people who would never seriously consider buying a traditional MINI can see themselves driving a Countryman. That fact drives this author crazy. He likes being quirky and "different" and cannot imagine himself driving the same thing as soccer mom.
How else can you explain his creepy obsession with the Rocketman, a car so ungodly ugly it is second only to the Pontiac Aztec. It looks a bit like the deep sea fish that develop those massive bulbous eyes and the glow-bulbs that hang down in front of their face. You could only love the Rocketman if you had zero taste or had to accept it in order to satisfy your desire to be part of an exclusive, eccentric, quirky group. Either way, his opinion is not worth the e-ink that carried it.
The band metaphor is apt. When I was younger, it was all too common for a once diehard fan of a band to suddenly shun them and proclaim they'd "sold out" simply because the band had become popular and more mainstream. Occasionally it was because the band truly did change its sound, but far more often it was simply the increased popularity that triggered the detest by original bands.
The reaction was simply a reflection of people who prided themselves on being in an exclusive group, who then reacted angrily when they found more and more people being admitted into that group.
The same is true of this author. He is clearly an eccentric MINI brand ***** of the highest order and cares less about the car's absolute or objective appeal than its uniqueness. The car could look like a turd with wheels that no one would want and he'd love it that much more. His real problem is that whereas the R53 and R56 were vehicles that most people thought were quaint and cute but could never see themselves seriously buying, the Countryman has broader appeal. Scores of people who would never seriously consider buying a traditional MINI can see themselves driving a Countryman. That fact drives this author crazy. He likes being quirky and "different" and cannot imagine himself driving the same thing as soccer mom.
How else can you explain his creepy obsession with the Rocketman, a car so ungodly ugly it is second only to the Pontiac Aztec. It looks a bit like the deep sea fish that develop those massive bulbous eyes and the glow-bulbs that hang down in front of their face. You could only love the Rocketman if you had zero taste or had to accept it in order to satisfy your desire to be part of an exclusive, eccentric, quirky group. Either way, his opinion is not worth the e-ink that carried it.
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Texas
I think getting used to the ride height is the biggest adjustment. But it is more comfortable on long trips and the back seats work great. Feels a bit more solid too.
Overall still a great car, and I highly recommend it.
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, FL
It's like driving a MINI with a hangover, everything is slower, a bit bloated, and somewhat groggy around corners.
I think getting used to the ride height is the biggest adjustment. But it is more comfortable on long trips and the back seats work great. Feels a bit more solid too.
Overall still a great car, and I highly recommend it.
I think getting used to the ride height is the biggest adjustment. But it is more comfortable on long trips and the back seats work great. Feels a bit more solid too.
Overall still a great car, and I highly recommend it.
My Clubman is here to stay.
I am working on my husband to get a CM.
And then, there is a used Purple Haze Cabrio that I would snap up in a heartbeat if I had any $$$ - just for fun.
MINI offers plenty to appeal to me and I hope to many others.
Oh, I'm a Kinks fan too, BTW.
I didn't agree with the author about the band either.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: North-West San Bernadino County, CA
I think all the MINI owners that hate on the CM live around me down in SoCal/Inland Empire. I am always shocked each time I get grief for pulling up in a CM. I'm one of those who'd never be able to own my "dream" car if MINI hadn't come out with the CM, so I guess people don't think I deserve to be in their "club"?
All I want to say is THANK YOU, MINI, FOR DEVELOPING THIS AWESOME CAR!!!
All I want to say is THANK YOU, MINI, FOR DEVELOPING THIS AWESOME CAR!!!
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Occoquan, VA
The article is fueled by elitism. Nothing more, nothing less.
The band metaphor is apt. When I was younger, it was all too common for a once diehard fan of a band to suddenly shun them and proclaim they'd "sold out" simply because the band had become popular and more mainstream. Occasionally it was because the band truly did change its sound, but far more often it was simply the increased popularity that triggered the detest by original bands.
The reaction was simply a reflection of people who prided themselves on being in an exclusive group, who then reacted angrily when they found more and more people being admitted into that group.
The same is true of this author. He is clearly an eccentric MINI brand ***** of the highest order and cares less about the car's absolute or objective appeal than its uniqueness. The car could look like a turd with wheels that no one would want and he'd love it that much more. His real problem is that whereas the R53 and R56 were vehicles that most people thought were quaint and cute but could never see themselves seriously buying, the Countryman has broader appeal. Scores of people who would never seriously consider buying a traditional MINI can see themselves driving a Countryman. That fact drives this author crazy. He likes being quirky and "different" and cannot imagine himself driving the same thing as soccer mom.
How else can you explain his creepy obsession with the Rocketman, a car so ungodly ugly it is second only to the Pontiac Aztec. It looks a bit like the deep sea fish that develop those massive bulbous eyes and the glow-bulbs that hang down in front of their face. You could only love the Rocketman if you had zero taste or had to accept it in order to satisfy your desire to be part of an exclusive, eccentric, quirky group. Either way, his opinion is not worth the e-ink that carried it.
The band metaphor is apt. When I was younger, it was all too common for a once diehard fan of a band to suddenly shun them and proclaim they'd "sold out" simply because the band had become popular and more mainstream. Occasionally it was because the band truly did change its sound, but far more often it was simply the increased popularity that triggered the detest by original bands.
The reaction was simply a reflection of people who prided themselves on being in an exclusive group, who then reacted angrily when they found more and more people being admitted into that group.
The same is true of this author. He is clearly an eccentric MINI brand ***** of the highest order and cares less about the car's absolute or objective appeal than its uniqueness. The car could look like a turd with wheels that no one would want and he'd love it that much more. His real problem is that whereas the R53 and R56 were vehicles that most people thought were quaint and cute but could never see themselves seriously buying, the Countryman has broader appeal. Scores of people who would never seriously consider buying a traditional MINI can see themselves driving a Countryman. That fact drives this author crazy. He likes being quirky and "different" and cannot imagine himself driving the same thing as soccer mom.
How else can you explain his creepy obsession with the Rocketman, a car so ungodly ugly it is second only to the Pontiac Aztec. It looks a bit like the deep sea fish that develop those massive bulbous eyes and the glow-bulbs that hang down in front of their face. You could only love the Rocketman if you had zero taste or had to accept it in order to satisfy your desire to be part of an exclusive, eccentric, quirky group. Either way, his opinion is not worth the e-ink that carried it.
There is a similar thread in the general MINI forum and it just seems there is an abundance of anti-CM comments but this article also hates on the coupe and roadster. I think it's lame for the other models to be ganging up on the CM.
Obviously as a CM owner I'm biased and I like my car but I'm not new to the brand my car for over 7 years was an MCc and when I look at my new CM I can see and feel the spirit of my former car in it.
IMO the CM looks very much like a MINI not like just any other car on the road.
Different strokes for difference folks I suppose.
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, FL
Some still do.
That said, I have never personally encountered hostility from another MINI owner over my Clubman.
There's a long thread in the Countryman section about the hate directed at their cars from other MINI owners.
Rumor has it that the original VW Beetle owners and the New Beetle owners don't like each others' cars and don't even include one another in their events.
I hope that MINI owners can maintain unity in our diversity and accept each other.
It makes no sense for someone to abandon the brand because they disapprove of a particular model, as long as MINI makes a model they do like.
There's the rub, I suspect.
The Gen 1 fans have objections to the Gen 2 models and MINI doesn't seem to be developing a model that satisfies them.
That must hurt, because they were the first loyal customers and now feel there's nothing for them.
Many who would like to replace their ageing Gen 1 with a new car don't feel they have a viable option.
How can MINI overcome that?
The Rocketman, stripped of some of the silly concept trappings and made into a serious car, might fill that niche.
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 193
Likes: 3
From: San Diego
Jalopnik isn't through. They are now calling the Countryman one of the "Ten Lamest Cars On Sale Today."
http://tinyurl.com/cftkvxm
They really have their panties in a bunch over the CM. Mind you, this isn't a true automotive blog (with expert test drivers, specs, etc.). It's a "cool stories about wheels" blog.
http://tinyurl.com/cftkvxm
They really have their panties in a bunch over the CM. Mind you, this isn't a true automotive blog (with expert test drivers, specs, etc.). It's a "cool stories about wheels" blog.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 8
From: France and Reno/Tahoe
The people writing and hating on the CM because it's so much bigger than the R50 / R53 are the same ones who get all nostalgic about the first gen Miata, air cooled Porsche 911 and BMW 2002.
All those cars stood out when new for one reason or another, but having owned a BMW 2002 I can tell you that most people who fantasize about it would hate it as a daily driver in today's world. Forget about cup holders / bluetooth / Sirius / cold AC, plus there are too many quirks that require focusing on driving - what a concept huh? Also having had a Miata and still owning the R53, those cars are still feeling up to the times on the road, but the reality is they only appeal to a small segment of the market. MINI wore out the sizzle of small and trendy so it needed to expand its product offering in order to increase profits. The brand isn't being killed, it's being made viable.
At the end of the day those writers are there to give an opinion, and they need to stand out in order to keep their job. Their opinion counts for something on the desirability scale for those who read them, but it's the people walking into the showroom looking to spend their hard earned cash who really count and MINI is selling every single CM it can push out of the factory. MINI wins.
All those cars stood out when new for one reason or another, but having owned a BMW 2002 I can tell you that most people who fantasize about it would hate it as a daily driver in today's world. Forget about cup holders / bluetooth / Sirius / cold AC, plus there are too many quirks that require focusing on driving - what a concept huh? Also having had a Miata and still owning the R53, those cars are still feeling up to the times on the road, but the reality is they only appeal to a small segment of the market. MINI wore out the sizzle of small and trendy so it needed to expand its product offering in order to increase profits. The brand isn't being killed, it's being made viable.
At the end of the day those writers are there to give an opinion, and they need to stand out in order to keep their job. Their opinion counts for something on the desirability scale for those who read them, but it's the people walking into the showroom looking to spend their hard earned cash who really count and MINI is selling every single CM it can push out of the factory. MINI wins.
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, FL
Jalopnik isn't through. They are now calling the Countryman one of the "Ten Lamest Cars On Sale Today."
http://tinyurl.com/cftkvxm
They really have their panties in a bunch over the CM. Mind you, this isn't a true automotive blog (with expert test drivers, specs, etc.). It's a "cool stories about wheels" blog.
http://tinyurl.com/cftkvxm
They really have their panties in a bunch over the CM. Mind you, this isn't a true automotive blog (with expert test drivers, specs, etc.). It's a "cool stories about wheels" blog.
At least the CM is #10 on the list.
I went through the list and the criticisms offer nothing of substance about the cars. They don't give one valid reason for any of the 10 cars on their lame list, just mean, snide remarks about the cars and the people who buy them.
Guess who comes off looking lame?
Jalopnik
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 723
Likes: 1
From: Connecticut
Did you notice in their 10 lamest that they tried to insult the hottest advertising demographic possible? How many clickovers have they just gotten from Scion and MINI enthusiasts across the globe? If you can't write something interesting, you can simply put something controversial out there and let the anger drive traffic to your ads.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 83
Likes: 2
From: Portland Oregon
I have been a Jalopnik follower for years, and the content has been getting worse and worse. The writers continue to become more elitist and opinionated about things they don't like. If you look through their long list of car reviews, some authors dig deep to find the faults of cars, and then only talk about them. It is all subjective, and in the end the only objective verification are sales figures. The Countryman is the second strongest seller for MINI with the hatchback being the best.
MINI needed this car to make more $$ so they can invest in other smaller car platforms and keep catering to the mini pureists as well as main stream markets. I looked all over for a crossover that wasn't huge, ugly, underpowered (for the most part) for the sake of 1-2 MPG with great near luxury features. The Mazda CX-5 Is the only thing that came close but after driving one, the anemic engine was a huge downside. Plus the interior had great build quality, but not my ideal place to spend a few hours. The Escape and CRV are huge bloated people movers with less personality then the Countryman, and I do not want to spend my money on a car that is boring. (Sorry small rant, kind of off topic).
Jalopnik also contradicts itself a lot. They talk about how we need to get more manuals on the road, smaller cars, and more cars that cater towards driver engagement that add to the "joy of driving." In terms of the crossovers the Countryman is near or at the top of the list when you look at these characteristics.
Some people like Hujan pointed out are elitist who believe their opinion is best. It's just that opinions are like A**holes, we all have them and some of them stink.
Also I have been in the MINI community in the northwest for about 4 years with my wife owning a R50. The last couple years I have yet to meet a MINI driver who doesn't like the Countryman. Maybe once I get mine I will find a few but that just means more Countrymans for me!
MINI needed this car to make more $$ so they can invest in other smaller car platforms and keep catering to the mini pureists as well as main stream markets. I looked all over for a crossover that wasn't huge, ugly, underpowered (for the most part) for the sake of 1-2 MPG with great near luxury features. The Mazda CX-5 Is the only thing that came close but after driving one, the anemic engine was a huge downside. Plus the interior had great build quality, but not my ideal place to spend a few hours. The Escape and CRV are huge bloated people movers with less personality then the Countryman, and I do not want to spend my money on a car that is boring. (Sorry small rant, kind of off topic).
Jalopnik also contradicts itself a lot. They talk about how we need to get more manuals on the road, smaller cars, and more cars that cater towards driver engagement that add to the "joy of driving." In terms of the crossovers the Countryman is near or at the top of the list when you look at these characteristics.
Some people like Hujan pointed out are elitist who believe their opinion is best. It's just that opinions are like A**holes, we all have them and some of them stink.
Also I have been in the MINI community in the northwest for about 4 years with my wife owning a R50. The last couple years I have yet to meet a MINI driver who doesn't like the Countryman. Maybe once I get mine I will find a few but that just means more Countrymans for me!
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