lol

 

No. Let me help you out here.

There. Does that dictionary definition help you out?

 

Exactly!

 

Agreed, it is just an opinion (or at least an interpretation). If your opinion is that a FWD vehicle still qualifies as a sports car, that's fine too - apparently MINI shares that opinion / interpretation. Problem is, it doesn't seem that enough of the target "sports car market" are on board with the idea, as few are buying the thing. Unfortunately (depending on whether you like or care about the things), without buyers for a vehicle the vehicle isn't going to last very long... And that's really the bottom line. You say "fine for you, you don't have to buy it" - people aren't.

The topic at hand is the "death of the coupe and roadster" and why they're not selling. The "no FWD sports cars" opinion is one of, if not the main reason. We're simply performing an autopsy here, not trying to perform CPR on the corpse.

If you like the coupe / roadster, buy one if you wish (albeit while you can), drive it, enjoy it. More power to you. I can't speak for others, but the fact that I wouldn't buy one doesn't mean I don't think anyone else should or that I consider the mere fact of their existence an affront to the automotive world (or other such nonsense). The number of cars on the market I wouldn't buy greatly outweighs the number I would consider - some sell well, others don't. *shrug*

And since it was brought up: the Del Sol was a heap with compromised structural rigidity and the 914 was awesome - regardless of what labels are slapped on them.

 

So we've established that there are MINI fans who would equate the MINI Coupe with the Honda Del Sol, Ford EXP, Mercury Capri and even a turd like the Pontiac Aztek.

Wow. That is low.

I believe MINIs in general are built better than any of the cars they are being compared to in this thread.

I'll say this too: I've never owned a car that got me this many positive, unsolicited comments. Far more than either of the two M Roadsters, two Miatas or the R53 with Union Jack that I've owned.

 

Its just good clean fun. I love all MINIs, some more some less.

 

My opinion and $2 will buy a tall coffee at Starbucks. That being said, it's undeniable that everyone prefers certain MINI models over others. I ordered a '14 Roadster, considered a Hatch briefly, but none of the other MINI models. There is a seat for every saddle, and the Roadster fit mine.

 

I think the main reason for the lower sales are the fact they only have two seats. The economy is not good and most people are buying cars that must work for their family and needs. While a two seater might be an extra car in good times, many need a 4 seater to be practical and cannot add another car right now. We don't have kids and knew we wanted a Roadster when we saw the initial drawings and photos. My wife would like one too but we do need a larger car for runs to Home Depot and the grocery store. If we weren't worried about the next year or two's economy and what might happen to our jobs, we would probably have a second one.

 

It is interesting reading these discussions about the different mini models. When I bout my first one the options were S or Justa. The difference between the two and the reasons to buy each wre pretty straight forward. I think it was smart of mini to expand, but I do miss the simplicity that mini use to offer. I remember going and picking a car then individualizing it through mods not model type.

 

It was a discussion regarding other two seaters in general....and potential of value over other MINI models in years ahead.

Having owned an EXP, there IS no comparison. More in the same League as the Z3/4 and TT.

Ditto, and not surprising considering what you have done to yours in the last year.

 

All this talk of "real roadsters" reminded me I want to the original viper rt...and also an m coupe (I love them and the new FF lol).

You guys mention low sales compared to the m roadster/coupe but the mini coupe/roadster numbers are a lot higher so...put down the crack pipe?

 

want!!!!