This is what it comes down to. Unlike a BMW 3-series, where one buys the introductory car and as needs & income change the person moves up to the 5-series or X5, MINI is not an "introductory car" for bigger and better (although it'd be interesting to see if there's a trend of MINI owners then buying into a BMW).
So I'm not surprised that this is a low number -- although I too am confused by the dramatic downward trend.

 

That, indeed, would be an interesting statistic... I know that my household is MUCH more likely to buy a BMW in the future (not to replace the MINI...)... before owning the MINI I never "got" the whole BMW thing... now I get it...

 

I agree. That data is slanted.

For us, if the clubman had 5 seatbelts we would buy one this year.
Instead, we are waiting for the crossman or whatever they will call it.

I don't buy a lot of cars but i've never bought the same
brand twice so far.

HEY MR. HONDA: NICE CARS BUT YOUR DEALERS STINK!

 

Also, its apples and oranges.
That survey goes along the lines of OK, I make
X this year so I'll get a civic. I now make Y, so
I'll get an accord.

I don't see it as so with the mini.
Mini drivers are not underachieving would be 1 or 3 series owners.

They are people that want a small fun to drive car.
The upgrade is not necessarily the larger or more expensive
or more powerful or more whatever version from the same company.

It might possibly be another small zippy fun to drive car.

 

I find it interesting that so many here thinks the MINI as an above average priced car. For the base model price (which, btw, is not that different from a Scion xB for example), the standard features, seating comfort and many other things, the MINI outshines most cars in its class and price category. If you're comparing a loaded S or JCW, well heck yeah, the demographics change drastically I would say, but you guys seem to forget the Justacooper. Imo, that's the bread and butter of the MINI line.

I would also say that the base MINI has probably a much higher retention rate than the S. Why? Because the S (and JCW) are really more of a niche car, they get bundled in with the other high performance sports cars. If you notice, the Porsche is the only all high performance brand with a higher retention rate, and that is mostly due to brand loyalty and history of the car lines. Unfortunately, the MINI is still branded as a BMW car, and aside from its historical inheritance, there really isn't a long history of the car line to rely on. I also assume the spotty dealer service in some cases and the scarcity of dealerships probably played a large part in the numbers going down.

Fwiw, our dealrship, Mini of Omaha, has been superb. I have dealt with more dealerships in my life than I care to remember, and while some were good, non can compare with the service we got here. Every single issue we've had was dealt promptly and with competence (the tech once even initiated a transmission recall on his own, after driving the wife's car). There were no loose screws, missing parts, dirt or any other abuse. We always got MINIs as loaners (including some very nice ones). We can't say enough good things about the way we've been treated.

Now, would either of us buy another MINI? My wife, most likely, she loves hers (an 07 MCC). Me, maybe. I'm not a brand loyalist, if I could afford it I can think of any of a half dozen cars I would like to own next. Or maybe I'll keep the one I have and mod it the way I like.

Just my $.02

 

I'm not sure I'd pay much attention to these statistics. Did this come from one of their wonderful surveys??