http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/06...-2011-may.html

 

That was interesting. Thanks for posting this.

 

Very interesting. But I wonder about one thing. It says that without the CM sales would have been down 3.4%. But they don't know if those buyers would have chosen another MINI or a different 4 door had the CM not been around. My husband bought a CM in March, I'm pretty sure had the CM not been available he would have gone for a Clubman. So it would still have been a sale. I'm sure that's not true for every CM buyer, but there are those who want the brand and would have bought whichever vehicle within the MINI family that fit best. Just thinking...

Annette

 

For me, and IMHO - - - the Clubman has been out for a number of years. It got removed from my list shortly after it's introduction. If not for the CM, I'd be in someone else's wagonette. The CM is bringing in new people that want a MINI and want practical. Or maybe I'm the only one?

 

I have to agree. If it weren't for the CM, I'd be in another crossover..for lack of a better term. I needed the 4 doors and the all wheel drive. As bad as I wanted a mini, it just wouldn't have been practical for us.

 

Sealy, you're spot on.. This will be my first mini. I've been looking for something that offered AWD, xenons, practicality, good mileage, some space and style.. the CM All4 meets all those requirements and its uniqueness is a big plus.

 

Sealy

I agree with you. I have always liked mini but they were so impractical b/c of the lack of 4 doors. When the countryman first came out as a concept I wanted one. No that I have it I love it, but it is the only mini that I would buy right now.

 

Wow, I've got people agreeing with me. Now, all I need is for JudgeS to come along and step on my heart.


Sealy - Who's strangely affectionate with his MINI.

 

I've ALWAYS wanted a Mini and even considered one back in 2007 when I bought my last car. What ended up keeping me from getting one was two things. First distance to dealer (at that point it was 80 miles) but mostly due to the fact that as this was to be my only car, I needed something that had enough space to transport my dogs in their carriers, take stuff to the dump on the weekends and pack up a load of stuff in it for long weekend trips of varying styles...camping, hotels, wilderness, city, etc.

I was really excited about the Clubman because of the added space but just couldn't get over the distraction of having the big black stripe down the middle of my rear view mirror from the split doors. It was annoying enough that I didn't get it. (Ended up with a Prius).

Fast forward to this year where I'm again looking for a new car and have similar requirements. The Countryman absolutely meets my needs. The ALL4 is great for New England winters, I can put the dog carriers in the back without having to put the seats down (with flat load floor) and once I get the rubber mat for the back, I'll be able to pile trash and anything else to go to the dump, head out for long weekends and still have passengers without making them contort themselves to climb into the back seat.

I have NO idea what I'd be getting if it weren't for the Countryman. The other "cross-overs" are completely unappealing to me, being too big with gas mileage that's too poor. I don't want a hybrid after my experience with my Prius and in the end probably would have ended up with a boring sedan of some type to use until I could finally find something that met my needs...

Sorry for the long ramble, just wanted to put my two cents in! I'm anxiously awaiting my ALL4 and love talking about it!

 

I wanted a 5-door hatchback with 4WD/AWD at no more than about 3200 pounds. If the Countryman had not been available, I'd be in another ride, too.

-George - who can't believe he and Sealy got it so right

 

AWD, 4 passengers, and 30 MPG were my three requirements for my next vehicle. There weren't a lot of options that met all 3. When I saw the Countryman at the Chicago auto show, and test drove one a week later, I was sold. That was the first time I ever considered a MINI, so they definately gained a sale with me.

Mark

 

I love to disagree. If not for the Countryman I would have gotten a clubman when I traded my 2007 MCS. I was almost there when the Countryman was announced to have All4. I spend every weekend at the shore and the All4 works great on the beach. The clubman was appealing because of the rear doors and I carry a kayak on the roof which makes the hatch useless until the boat is unloaded. With the 4 doors I open the rear windows and can get all my stuff out.

Bill

 

I've also always wanted a MINI, but always thought it too impractical, even the clubman. The CM is the only reason I'm in the market for a MINI now. Before the CM I was looking at Hyundai Tucsons and Toyota Highlanders. Now that I have my heart set on a CM I can't even look at those without getting depressed.

I'm very glad MINI came out with this option. Looking to get a cosmic blue/white top S asap.

 

Wait until you have to look at a Cosmic Blue every day.


Sealy - Who knows that PR is the cure for depression.

 

We would definitely not be in a mini if not for the Countryman. We are having twins and had to get rid of my wifes 06 cooper S, thank goodness the Countryman was released right at the correct time for us!

 

Let me tell you a little something about my story. My wife was looking to trade in her Audi A6 because it was huge and falling apart. I had gone to the Sony Ericsson Tennis Tournament where Mercedes had always been a sponsor, but apparently BMW has taken over this year. They had a BMW/MINI showroom and I went in and saw the perfect car for my wife, the Countryman. When I took her to BMW/MINI and had her test drive a CM she absolutely hated it. I test drove it and told her that if she didn't get a Countryman, I was going to trade in my car and get it. Well, we ended up getting her a MINI Cooper that day. I went home, built my CM, and eight weeks later drove my build off the lot. If it wasn't for the Countryman, my wife would have never gotten a Cooper and I wouldn't have gotten my Countryman, and we wouldn't have become a MINI family. I am living proof that the Countryman has brought BMW/MINI new customers because if it wasn't for the Countryman, my wife and I wouldn't have even stepped foot in a MINI dealership. Now we have two!

 

lol, actually the only Countrymen my dealer has in stock are two Pure Red ones. That fact also depresses me. So in that sense PR does not cure my particular depression.

Cosmic Blue FTW!

 

I guess Sealy has a chance to really get more pleasure out of life and make that dealer's day as well - get a couple more PRs!

 

Same here, and thats from a former Mini owner as well. I had an R56 and loved it, but knew I wanted something bigger and awd to replace it, I wouldn't have compromised what I wanted for brand loyalty. Having driven the clubman numerous times as the loaner for my R56, I found it only slightly bigger and kind of impractical with the rear door configuration, I certainly would not have considered it. If the CM wasn't available I would probably have an A3, Tiguan, or an X3.

 

Lol, aw Sealy I only correct you when your wrong,
You should learn to take me with a grain of salt.

This time I agree 100% though

 

In San Antonio on a business trip Sealy and I was REALLY close to buying a PR with a white top and bonnet stripes and tunnel spoke rims. REAL close, it was an awesome looking car. If not for a red '97 Miata that started to fade in just a few years, it would be my CM (I promised myself never another red car). Surf Blue was not my first or even second choice, but that's what I ended up with and now, I couldn't be happier. Everywhere I go I'm complimented on the color. I too have the chrome line exterior. I think it looks excellent on your PR.

 

I was planning on jumping into an Audi Q5 or BMW X3 and then ran into the CM at the Denver auto show. Test drove a few weeks later, went back and forth and just remembered how much I smiled in the MINI vs the others. Read up on this site, started to see the cool community and ability to customize and I was hooked!

Prior to seeing it at the auto show, I never even noticed MINI nor would have I even thought to consider one since I didn't even know the CM existed.

 

Same for me too.

 

I'm with the majority here. I tried for years to rationalize a standard MINI for myself, but it didn't quite have what I needed (we have two dogs and New England winters, so we need at least one decent sized car with AWD).

If MINI hadn't released the Countryman, it would have been a Jeep Compass for me. I had a first-gen Liberty before, and it was perfect except for the gas mileage. I thought about Subarus, but they made the Forester too big (with the corresponding dip in efficiency), and the little Outback was too small (and still didn't have great efficiency).

The Countryman fills a perfect slot that no other car really hits: AWD, performance, manual trans, efficiency, versatility. No other car beats it across all those factors.

 

Sealy,

I agree with you, too! I wanted some form of AWD, and something "wagonish". Was thinking of the A4 Avant but it priced into the stratosphere with a few options. And Audi's packages for options are annoying. And I really liked the quirkiness of the CM!

Sealy, I have to ask you one favor, though. Please remove your picture from your signature. Every time I look at it I think how much I would've liked a white roof and dark wheels! Oh well, maybe next time!