hey everyone,
Does anyone know when the cooper convertible is coming out?

 

A salesperson at my dealership mentioned 2004. Is that too near?

 

I found this at edmunds
http://www.edmunds.com/future/2005/m...ntent..2.MINI*

Plan on the convertible being a 2005 model on sale from the middle of 2004 so about one year off.
It should have a soft top. Smaller rear seat room and more body flex- otherwise similar to the base cooper would be my guess.

 

Our dealer told us the car will definitely be a 2005 model - the orders can be placed late this year for delivery about this time next year :smile: :smile:

I can't wait :smile: :smile:


Chow!


Donna

 

yuk
btw: i don't think they should make a MINI convertible (it just doesn't look right)

 

I think they should re-design the convertable...so it's not just a cabriolet knock-off.
Take out the back seats...put in a proper boot ....and make it a 2 seater convertable...
It c/should be built in the same mode of an.... ausitin healey bug-eyed sprite or mg midget ???

just mho

peace,
d

_________________
2002 MCS:PS/B, w/Lapis Int.

 

The minute you take out the "Lid" solid roof in the MINI, the car's signature looks are completely lost. The roof is what makes the MINI. I've never been into convertibles but can understand the need for MINI to have one in thier stable (To compete directly with the new New Beetle Cabriolet). I personally don't like to see a MINI covered on an ugly and cheap looking canvas roof, but if it does float your boat.......


Conversely, when you remove the goofy and clownish looking round solid roof from the regular VW New Beetle, the car looks much, much better.

After MINI releases the MINI OPEN, I really want them to concentrate their efforts into engineering a rendition of the late Mini Traveller (Clubman) station wagon under the new BMW MINI design. That's the car we REALLY want....are you listening Jack Pitney??

 

Actually the cabrio should be fairly impressive in terms of the roof design: <A HREF="http://www.bridger.us/mini/?Y=2003&amp;M=05&amp;D=23&amp;TitleID=TheMINICabri o-ConfirmedToDealers
" TARGET="_blank">Cabrio Confirms to Dealers</A>




&gt;&gt;The minute you take out the &quot;Lid&quot; solid roof in the MINI, the car's signature looks are completely lost. The roof is what makes the MINI. I've never been into convertibles but can understand the need for MINI to have one in thier stable (To compete directly with the new New Beetle Cabriolet). I personally don't like to see a MINI covered on an ugly and cheap looking canvas roof, but if it does float your boat.......
&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;Conversely, when you remove the goofy and clownish looking round solid roof from the regular VW New Beetle, the car looks much, much better.
&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;After MINI releases the MINI OPEN, I really want them to concentrate their efforts into engineering a rendition of the late Mini Traveller (Clubman) station wagon under the new BMW MINI design. That's the car we REALLY want....are you listening Jack Pitney??

 

&gt;&gt;I think they should re-design the convertable...so it's not just a cabriolet knock-off.
&gt;&gt;Take out the back seats...put in a proper boot ....and make it a 2 seater convertable...

I agree, Dennis. Making it a two-seater would be a good way to salvage some practicality for the convertible, and it would distinguish it more from the base model.

 

I agree with Dennis also. The current styling is not my cup of tea at all.

 

if they must, then they should just make the double sunroof canvass, like the old mini's

 

If they make the MINI convertible into a 2 seater roadster, it will be competing with the likes of the Mazda Miata and Toyota MR2. 2 seater roadster are very slow sellers now days and the limited seating capacity will make the car unappealing for many buyers.

The MINI from the get go has been marketed as a 4 passenger car, not a roadster. I agree that a roadster will be a better looking rendition but from the marketing and sales point of view, a 4 passenger MINI convertible will definetely be a much more palatable option...drop the top and you can still cram 4 people in there like in the current 3 door hatchback.

Also remember that MINI needs a competitor to the so far successful VW New Beetle Cabriolet. Indeed, the market for small convertibles is made up of a total different audience that values open air motoring and looks over dead on performance (The VW New Beetle convertible takes 11 seconds to get to 60 MPH, until the Turbo version is released later on this year).

 

I do not like the looks of the new top...but it would be cool to get a convertible!

 

hello all, been a lurker here for a while since we don't have our mini yet (it's on order from long beach mini). however, since a lot of people are comparing the upcoming mini cabriolet to the new beetle cabriolet, i have to chime in. we just bought the new beetle turbo cabriolet early april. i would've bought the mini cab, if it had one. the turbo nbc is a blast to drive, and it looks really nice (yes, even with the whale tail). and with an ECU chip modification soon to come, it'll have 200+ hp and 200+ft-lb of torque.
:smile:

 

Here's alink to the best Mini cab pictures I have seen yet:

Mini Cabriolet

Bruin, nice color, what do they call it?

Raven

 

it's one of the retro colors: aquarius blue, reminiscent of the 1969 beetles.

 

&gt;&gt;Here's alink to the best Mini cab pictures I have seen yet:
&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;Mini Cabriolet
&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;Bruin, nice color, what do they call it?
&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;Raven

That's actually from a company in the UK that take current MINIs and chops off the top.

The offical MINI version will look different:

 

Thanks for setting me straight, Gabe. Great site, BTW.

Raven

 

Have to agree w/ Cooper4us. The little flat roof is what knocked me out about the MINI. The bonnet shape is beautiful, but the flat little 'cap' finishes the car like nothing else. I suppose there must be a convertible for market share, but for pure looks, some form of hardtop shell which could be go on or off would interest me more than a true ragtop. Not as convenient as a true convertible, I know.

 

All the pics of a MINI convertable really lack that distinctive MINI roofline.. that that really kills it for me... But I did see a shot of a proposed MINI roadster (2 seater, no top, mini windshield) and (even without that square roof) it looked super-sweet...

Rocketboy_X