Seems like I've been waiting forever to buy a MINI. Thing is my '02 A4 has been such a great car that I just couldn't give it up - until recently. Transmission problems surfaced and I just decided to bite the bullet and let it go.

I was tempted to get a new MINI, but decided to hold off until the New MINI comes out next year. So I traded it in for a new car for my wife - I get to drive the 325 grocery getter now - she got a CX-9 (great vehicle BTW).

So, anybody else in my situation? Waiting for the latest and greatest? I thought I should at least wait to see what it's like - that way if I don't care for it I could get a 2012.

 

Not waiting....I have a 2012

 

Yeah, and one of the first to sport that color. congrats!

 

Thanks!

 

I'm looking forward to the Paceman arrival, or whatever the official name for the R61 will be. In the meantime, I will be watching the boards to see how reliable the Countryman's All4 drive system is.

 

Only if they build the smaller version. Otherwise I am out!

 

I Googled 2013 Mini & found some spy shots of a disguised (bizzar vinyl wrapped) prototype. It looks like it has some pretty ugly head & tail lights, & a clubman door on both sides. I'm hoping this isn't the future of the Mini. It will be losing the flavor of the classic & present generations. As far as I'm concerned, if they could build the classic Mini, virtually unchanged (on the outside), from 1959 - 2000, they should leave the basic exterior styling the same. Just my 2 Pence.

 

You have a clubman....odd statement.

 

^^^Don't worry, that was just a test mule. See this article and more about the next generation MINI:

http://www.motoringfile.com/section/f56/

 

http://www.motorauthority.com/pictur...ry-1#100358357

If these pics are accurate and real the only thing I notice is that the interior doesn't look anything like a mini...the Speedo and Odo are very boring and in front of the wheel like a BMW and the air vents are square....hopefully this is not the upcoming interior...if it is I'm really glad I got a 2012 when I did!!

 

Again, check the motoringfile articles. That is just a test mule that they cobbled together to test certain things (chasis, motor etc.) They purposely did that to throw people off. That interior (in the photos) is actually from a BMW 1 series.

 

well that explains it!

 

I think that as long as they dont dilute the styling, whats it matter if theres a suicide door on only one side or both? Dont forget, the UK Clubman door doesnt move, so its on the traffic side for them, a passenger hazard, and I think thats what they are looking to address. It would also help w/ sales in Japan, if they decide to go there.
If that ginned up sketch is even close to accurate, its not bad looking, I would buy one when Hammr is ready to get retired or "recycled".

 

I think the new 2-seat Cabrio looks prety good too, much more attractive than say a 350Z with its lumpy roof-up styling. The 370 is an improvement, though.

 

It's not the club door that I was talking about. It was more the head & tail lights.

 

Listen to Strat.

Even so with the interior, which is good to hear!

 

Isn't the next gen going to include a 3 cylinder motor? If so that's when I may have to reassess what I do. I'm very happy to be getting a Coupe. It should keep me going for quite a few years.

 

Me too! I haven't seen much info on it since it was announced that it was cleared for production back in January. Still don't see anything more definitive than being 2013 or 2014 model. Could mean as soon as late 2012, or as late as 2013. It will be my next MINI.

 

Definitely waiting for the next gen Cooper hardtop. I'm going to keep my R56 for the long haul and see what happens with the third gen cooper. So far my car has been reliable and hasn't left me on the side of the road. Should be able to make it for at least 3 more years

 

Why settle now for something that's "just the grocery getter"? Seems silly to not do something you really want for no other reason than the allure of something better a year or two or three from now.

When the F series comes out then we'll be talking about waiting another year while they refine the car of all its quirks that come along for the first year or two. Now you're getting dangerously close to not getting a MINI!

Get the MINI, if you don't want to take a hit on depreciation just buy used for now, they're quite reasonably priced and it can certainly make you smile while "just getting the groceries". Plus then you'll understand what features you REALLY want on your new F series car rather than guessing on the very first MINI and regretting it.

 

The 3 cylinder possibility is precisely why i want an r56, and not the next gen. Idk what it is, but a 3 cyl just seems wrong.

 

I specifically decided to get a '12 BECAUSE they were coming out with a whole remodel. I didn't want to get the first year of a new model. Heck, they're still working out things from when the R56 was new! And this is not just a new model, but a whole new drive train also. Sounds like a crap shoot to me. Oh, and for whomever might be interested...the ship carrying MY MINI is approaching the dock at Port Hueneme as we speak.

 

by the time i'm ready to buy a new mini they'll probably be out ;-)

 

A three cylinder? How very interesting. There's another British company out there successfully using three cylinder engines up against four cylinder engines by the competition. If done right in this manner it could be a good performer, if done wrong (Chevy Geo Metro) then it could be a real loser.

 

The problem with the Metro's 3-cylinder is that it was a 55-hp turd. The BMW 3-cylinders will make similar or more power than the current engines and be notably more efficient, too. Additionally, they supposedly have a very cool, unique exhaust note, much like the Triumph's.

IMO, these engines are very 'MINI' in the performance and character, and will serve to further differentiate MINIs from boring econoboxes.

Who cares what the number of cylinders is if the engine performs well, is efficient/reliable, and sounds good? I'd buy a 1-cylinder MINI if it met those criteria and all the evidence so far points to the new 3-cylinders doing just that.