You can shoot the messenger all you want, doesn't make the points any less valid. But people who left the marque are a perspective that is surely in the minority here. In fact, I think Mini could learn something from those that wandered as opposed that are "solidly in the flock".

Sorry to say, but the post above reeks of the "love it or leave it" attitude of those that don't like to hear criticism of our great nation.

I haven't left the brand, and actually agree with a lot of chows points!

Matt

 

You're right of course. it's just that I was enjoying the banter and chow's comments seemed to me to put a wet blanket on it all. And yes, my comments are no better in that respect so I'll edit them out.

 

if the new Fiat 500 had a tiny bit different styling and a more square rear, it would be what the R56 should have been!

Matt

ps, I don't really think that, I just want to see how many darts get thrown!

 

Chows, I get your point about the production numbers of VWs versus the MINI, and that VW is an icon but MINI really isnt. But, I come from a European perspective in regards to my comment about MINI being an icon. I've spent 20 years of my 52 in Germany. The MINI is a European icon. But, in reality, most people I know don't know anything about the MINI. I've done lots of education on why it's so different/unique, and people are very interested.

Also, I agree with you, Matt. I guess I just LOVE cars. Heck, Chows, I know why people bash other's cars. I was being rhetorical I don't know any other women who love cars like I do, who have motor mags stacked on the coffee table, who has a charter subscription t-shirt from MC2, and who is an **** detailer. But, who do they come to when they want to buy a car

I'd have a Honda Civic Si in my stable in a minute if I could afford it. For all the snickers about Hondas, I recommend a Honda Accord to friends of mine who want reliability and a decent ride. They don't care about "boring, bland, refrigerator unit."

Yep, MINI needs to look at those who left the brand. I did for awhile. I sold my 05 S because it had an unsolveable, annoying cold start issue, and the ride was too jarring for ME on 17" run-flats and sport suspension. Never posted on NAM. Didn't make me slam the MINI.... I knew I wanted one because I was in love with the driving experience. So, when the 07 technical upgrades came along, I bit again after staying on NAM and motoringfile reading and obsessing.

It's good to be home again.

 

Actually, stick a MINI grill on the front of that Fiat, and you'd have a "1 Series" for the MINI brand - assuming, of course, that the Fiat is as tiny as it looks. Could be a competitor for the Smart Four-Two.

 

At AMVIV this year, a family was coming down the steps from the Visitor Center as I was going up, and their little girl came around a corner near the bottom and saw the parking lot - she practically shouted, "Look at all the MINIs, Mom!" I doubt seriously if she would've said that about a lot fulla Kias, Miatas, Hondas, BMWs or even 'Stangs, and I doubt most of her family was interested in the fine distinctions of styling either. Here's a car that effectively didn't exist here in the States for the entire run of the original version except for the faithful, such as yours truly, so to be so recognisable so fast tells me it really is different from the others. Argue you all you want about its merits, but it's sure easy to find in a parking lot. It may not be the be-all and end-all for small hot hatches, but look what nature has done with the shark - it's a perfect machine for its niche, so it hardly changed...for millions of years. BMW caught on to that, or they wouldn't have green-lighted Stephenson's design - if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

You removed what you said but I can assure you, I have no issues with MINIs whatsoever OTHER than the reliability of the first gen cars (and the reason I sold it). Once again, I have plans for R56 convertable when the time is right. If I didn't like the MINI concept, I'd have abandoned caring a long time ago. The opposite of Love is not Hate ... its apathy

Just take a look at all the threads recently in the R56 forum about thrown CELS ... forget about the first gen cars. I want to see their reliability improved. I have always said MINIs are a fun car but after you experience many problems, they become fun no more when you have to live with problems day after day. I know there is the oversensitivity of defending the marque no matter what and thats cool. Its good to have passion. But some reality sometimes isn't a bad thing.

Agreed That was my point and as Matt pointed out, very few ppl in the US knows nor cares about what MINI did in 1964. Funny thing, I had a MC40. I knew MINI won Monte Carlo but the American Public. Very doubtful.


Sigh ... I'm not "bashing" MINI. I personally never called it a Clown car or whatever. I end up defending it on other forums for those less enlightened. I do NOT like there unreliability. You mentioned Cold Start so you know. We had it too. The ride was fine (we're used to that) but a myriad of other problems was too much.

As to women I guess you never met my wife She is the real sports car nut. She is the one who tells me she wants xxx or yyy. In fact, she has usually been always the one to use whatever sportscar we had as her daily driver. She is also the one who just loves to wash the car and detail the wheels I admit its fortunate to have a spouse with the same interest

BTW, I really dont think MINI will look at why people left the marque because at the moment, they dont need to. Lots of new ppl buying the new models. No incentive. As long as people keep paying MSRP and new blood comes in, IMO, there is no business incentive to do so.

 

Since I didnt get to read what was posted, I guess thanks for the defense As I said above, the opposite of love is not hate but apathy. If others have left the marque, its because of apathy ... they simply no longer care what happens to the marque. I do care. I want to buy a new one