Do you not think many ppl think MINIs are cheap flimsy cars and also buy them to go from point A to point B?

 

No. Why spend the extra money for a cheap, flimsy car to go from point A to B? Even a base MC is several thousand above the cheap, flimsy transporters.

 

Thats the cost of owning anything european.

 

Which still doesn't change the demographics, but serves to further explain them.

 

demographics schmemographics. if it's used primarily as a commuter for some people, then one can infer it's purpose in life for some people is the same as for some people who buy Saturns for the same purpose. Some people are even known to buy Saturns for <gasp> auto-x.

 

There are always exceptions. The fact is, as a MINI saleman pointed out to me, people looking for an economy transporter will not buy the MINI because: (1) it cost too much, (2) it's too small, (3) it's impractical, (4) it has an "uncomfortable" ride, (5) it doesn't get that good mileage for it's size, (6) it's "weird," (7) it has too much standard stuff they don't care about. MINI clearly markets the car for people who want something FUN, not cheap. Of course there are buyers who are exceptions. It doesn't change what the car is about. Saturn, on the other hand, is marketed as a practical, economical car. Throwing some fancy seats onto the Ion may attract some younger buyers, but it doesn't change what the car is.

 

Except MINIs are not so cheap (unless you buy used).

I was in singapore where they tax cars a lot.
A new Cooper S is about $126,000 singapore dollars then you have to get a drivers license (about $1000+ worth of mandatory instruction) and you have to bid for the right to license and register your car for the road. The govt allows only a set number of registrations twice a month so you bid for the right- sometimes a few $1000.

If one has to ask which to get after test driving both then-
probably he should get the Ion.

I've seen the Redline up close. Looks OK. Doesn't handle like a MINI.

 

While what your saying above I can believe. I asked

Do you not think many ppl think MINIs are cheap flimsy cars and also buy them to go from point A to point B?

and you responded

No.

Really? You really don't think that many ppl would view a MINI as cheap and flimsy? Isn't it a matter of perspective? While a Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris is certainly cheaper, do you think their build quality is less, the same, or better than a MINI? (yeah that might a trick question)

 

Of course some people would think the MINI is cheap and flimsy. I just don't think those people would pay a premium over econ-cars to buy it. No trick question. Although I have no personal experience owning any of those cars, I would expect their build quality to be better than MINI's. That has nothing to do with what they are intended to be, though.

 

Agreed. The intended audience is different. Different cars for different reasons.

 

In regards to build quality, I think some people sometimes are confusing "tactile feel and look of materials" with "how well it's put together", so that's adding a bit of confusion. The mini excels over a lot of cars in it's price range in the "tactile feel and design" department, but perhaps is not quite as good in the "how well it's put together" department.

Granted, a Saturn might not excel over a Mini in either of those respects , but it's still a faster car. Depends on whats most important to you. I fell in love with the Mini for it's form factor, it's handling, and it's namesake. I didn't buy it to be faster than anyone.

 

This thread can go on forever discussing this and that. A Mini is a Mini, dont know what else to say. They are what they are. You want a fast car for less money?, then buy a GTO, 400 HP. for less than $30k. But..... it's not a Mini .

 

I don't know about the "econo-box" statement, but yeah. People can get pretty obnoxious in these threads. Believe it or not, it is just a car.


And someone is making fun of the Ion's trunk space? On a MINI forum?

 

oops that was me, I was thinking of diff. car, sorry.

 

Hey, I have no idea how large the Ion's trunk is. I just don't think we're in any position to judge.

 

Nothing else needs to be said.

 

now that you can buy a Cobalt SS with the same supercharged powertrain. As someone who gets to drive and work on everything in one of my businesses, I had the oppty to put over 50 miles on an early Cobalt SS (the redlines ugly stepsister) and I have to say-it rode better than a MINI, it was faster (not just a little faster either) than a MINI, and the facotry recaros were pretty nice. the 5 speed sucked. While I am a MINI guy through and through, one of my businesses (airbag service) uses service vehicles to travel around in, and as we grapple with fuel economy and trying to downsize a little from 3/4 ton vans, the honda element and the new Cobalt SS are attractive-as long as I GET TO KEEP MY MINI!!! the supercharged eco tec gm engine is actually a very good unit!

 

Hey wait a second, aren't all British cars cheap and flimsy to some point, isn't that what gives them some of their British charm?!

 

I discussed this "bottoms of the english muffin" phenonenon with my kids. They are perplexed. Of course, they'd be too lazy to deal with two separate muffins just to get the tops.

 

Great thread! It is great that everyone wants something a little different from their car. Some don't even want a car they want a 20+ foot long SUV.

In my teens, the second car I remember really wanting to own was a mini. Then when the new MINI was introduced, I considered it a "sign."

So now if the Nash Metro is re-introduced, I guess I'll have to make room for that too.

 

Or that Studebaker that looked like, and was painted like, a saddle shoe...

 

Good gas mileage

 

Considering its size, the MINI doesn't get such great mileage. If you are buying solely for mileage, MINI isn't the way to go.

 

Are you joking? 40mpg (in an MC) is good for any size vehicle, short of a diesel. 29/36 from a turbocharged gas engine in the MCS is mind boggling.

 

You should check with Velveteen MINI on these MINI forums. She has has one of both.

The Saturn has definitely been more reliable. But it certainly does not negate her desire to own a MINI.