Maybe so, Dustin. Perhaps I just haven't seen the same interiors in domestic cars you have.

And yes, some of the Japanese manufacturers don't make such warm and inviting interiors but every Japanese car I've owned had a very nice feel to it... Acura Integra, Nissan 240SX, and several others.

No offense intended but the Chrysler PT Cruiser really felt cheap to me and yes, I think it was drastically inferior to the MC.

 

well, i agree and disagree... i've driven toyotas a lot and lately a mitsubishi and yes, while they are generic they still seem more functional than many domestic cars. i drove two dodge rentals while waiting for my MINI - a charger and a caliber... both were pretty dreadful IMHO in terms of design, but also just in terms of functionality.

unless, of course, one is considering the cupholders... then domestic manuf. far exceed in this category... esp. compared to the MINI!

a friend did buy a new mustang recently... love the outside, and the inside is better than most cars.

i still think that if they are going to "borrow" outside design ideas, they should "borrow" more from the inside, too. they'd be far ahead in my opinion.

 

Attachment 16486

I feel the same way about the new Volvo C30... looks like the bastard child of a Mini and an old Volvo P1800

 

& my mustang stripes!!! (they would claim Viper stripes)
You are right it's too xB. I think it's a bad move for Dodge.

 

See. I've driven both of those cars (+ spent hours in various integras) and I think both have absolutely disgusting interiors.

I guess it depends on preference.

(i I LOVE the MINI interior though)

 

What were the years of manufacture of those two vehicles you drove... the Integra and 240SX ?

 

lol...I'm not a fan of dodge design...exterior or interior.

The Chrysler versions are typically much nicer.

 

I'm wondering who is actually going to buy this thing.
I guess somebody. If nobody bought ugly cars they wouldn't
be cluttering the road.
At least they make the MINI look even better

 

I dont remember the year of the Nissan, but they havent been made for so long anyway that it's really not a good example. I'm talking about cars being produced today. But since we're on the subject of Nissan, even their new cars have lousy interiors...not a fan.

I've been in probably 20 Integras (I'm young, lot of my buddies have them)...ranging from old ('92) to '01 (I believe...whatever the last year was)

They seemed to be of decent quality, but the interiors of both are so unattractive and utilitarian...the interior if the newest Integra ('99-'01ish) is imo one of the worst I've ever seen in a vehicle in that class.

 

Cars like this sell.

Scions, Element, PT, etc

 

My Integra was a '91... loved the interior feel. It was both comfortable and funtional and complimented the exterior, I thought.

My 240SX ('98) was GORGEOUS inside and out. The paint was emerald green, the seats were white leather and the dash layout was superb.

All a matter of opinion, of course. It's just that mine's always right.

 

Here ya go:

 

thanks clo!

 

haha. no mine is

but we do agree on the mini, so you're no TOO far off

 

It looks like a MINI wearing 2000 pounds of Scion body armor. Strange.

 

Yes, Dustin, we do have that in common. As much as I loved those other cars, the MINI is by FAR my favorite car I've owned. And that goes for both exterior and interior styling (not to mention the fun factor).

 

yeah. Too bad.

 

'
Interested to hear what you think the "real deal" is, afterall, MINI is BMW owned with a Chyrsler engine, Dodge is Chrysler owned with a Chysler engine. And it is indeed the very same one that is in your MINI. Which means if this thing goes to market, bigger aftermarket for engine tunes

 

They're unique, functional, and cheap...I dont see the problem

 

Same here...of course I've only owned 3

 

I dont think it's half bad looking, once you get past the Freightliner grille that permeates everything Dodge these days. Worst example from them of grille kill is the Caliber IMO.

Dodge has a good history of factory performance support through Mopar Performance for lots of their models. If they throw their weight behind the Hornet's powerplant, I am sure there will be some fallout that can be used successfully on current MINIs. Thing is, it will be in the time of the '07 and up MINIs, and everyone will be tinkering with them and ignoring the 1st gen cars for the most part. For the 1st gen cars, the spirit will be carried on with tech and parts gotten from the Hornet program, so that is a plus as well IMO.

 

A lot of recent car designs look like a battle between the "square" team and the "round" team. Lots of sharp edges and angles combined with smooth flowing curves in just the right way to maximize fugliness :-)

 

whats the point of that hood scoop?

 

Because it has the same supercharged engine as the MCS.

"The Dodge Hornet concept car was introduced in Geneva. The car, smaller than the Caliber, has a 1.6 liter supercharged engine with 170 hp and 165 lb-ft (224 Nm) of torque (both at 4,000 rpm); the intercooler is visible from the grille, and includes a functional hood scoop. The transmission is a six-speed manual."

 

^---Clo got it.

Same engine as MCS, which puts that scoop in prime position for the intake. Intercooler you say, relotcated to the front bumper, atleast appears so in the pic above.

There is a website up about the hornet. Very interesting the design influences between MINI and the Hornet (leads me to believe that yes, its a counterfit MINI).

For those with 02-06' models, our parts will became availible through the mopar catalog. Maybe the JCW vs. SRT Hornet shootout is next?