When I came on this site about 1-1/2 years ago it seemed a lot more alive than it does now. It seems to be caused a lot by the gen 2 cars not being as engaging as gen 1. Everyone was posting about how to coax a little bit more power or handling out of their cars as opposed to griping about some insignificant niggles about their gen 2 cars. I'm not looking to get a debate going between gen1 and gen2 as that's been done to death. Anyone have like sentiments, or am I just a moron?

 

No, you're not a moron. It has changed since when I joined in 05, probably for a lot of reasons. I don't see some of the firebrands that used to be here. I don't see as many of the dreaded "locked threads". They kept things stirred up. Some of the less committed lost interest as their MINI's got older and now just drive their cars and live their lives sans NAM. I'll admit, I don't post with the frequency I used to, not that I was a motormouth. With the coming of the Gen 2's, a broader slice of the population got with MINI for different reasons: cute, gas friendly, ect. Some of them just wanted to be cool and didn't have much interest in learning/sharing information. When Gen 1 came along, it was more avant garde and attracted a more rabid, insular following who naturally wanted to talk about their cars with each other. So, I don't think its the nature of the Gen 2 MINI as much as it is a lot of other reasons including the cyclic nature of things. Peoples minds have been on other things like the economy, war, elections and other stuff. Stick around, stuff could heat up in a flash and a flame war could explode anytime. Here's hoping!

 

I wish to god my car was boring, too many problems for such a pricey toy, The one thing that I never understood until now was the posters who said something like this

"my car is crap, this is wrong, that is wrong, dealer has it so long I feel like I traded it in already but I can't wait to get it back"

I am now this person, The car is taking up too much time going back and forth to the dealer, there is always a noise or something wrong and the more I talk to folks about MINIs and BMWs in general it seems that this is completely normal, but whenever I think about getting rid of it I get a sick feeling in my stomach. Evil little Bastige cars!

Peter

 

Oh yeah, you want a fight, YOU ARE A MORON!!!

completely and utterly kidding of course. I love this site, has helped me with numerous questions and such.

Many thanks. Peter

 

Sorry to hear it, pm. I guess i'm just lucky with MINI's at least. No trouble with any of mine since 04.
Oh, while hoping for a flame war, I just noticed one that started to flare up in the "I am glad they were paying attention... at MTTS" thread just below and it was quickly hosed down by a moderator.

I guess I'll add, the "Rapid Flame Suppression System" (RFSS) which was added to NAM in the last year or two, as another cause of the Boring, Boring,Boring syndrome

 

One does have to wade through more "silly" threads, but it's due to the volume of Mini owners posting here.
Possibly, some of the more "interesting" people have been run off...

 

The mods tell me flames start where I post.

"And that all I have to say about that"

 

I hoist my popcorn in the air in your honor, Sir!

Anyone remember when they didn't have the emoticon?

 

I think you just opened a can of worms OP.

I have never driven an R53 so i cant really make a comparison but, i have driven an R56. Even if, as many people would say, it is a down grade to the R53, it is a MINI and it is so much better than all the other "appliances" driving around that are supposed to be cars.

I must say though the comment about NAM, i highly disagree. Eventhough if you have to sift through "silly threads" this is the most lively forum i have ever been on. And anyways, some sillyness makes it fun, which is what the mini philosophy is all about.

As i said before though, i have never driven an R53 so i guess my opinion doesnt really matter. Just thought i could stand up for NAM.

 

Ahhhh!

 

Such as this one?

 

Seriously?

 

It is probably more due to the evolution of the forum itself. People generally stay about 1 1/2 to 2 years then lose interest, passion, whatever and take off. I have been in several forums and they all follow a pattern like that. (yes I lurk more than I post. Maybe that will change when my car arrives)

 

been around since 2002. lurk more than i post

 

Man, I hope this doesn't happen to me and reading stuff like this is part of what keeps my participation down. It's depressing. My fly wheel is squealing more often these days, so I'll need a trip to service eventually. Had my power steering pump replaced at 5K and recently installed Craven plates to help prevent mushrooming.

I can't/won't tolerate a problematic car ...so if mine turns into one, that'll be the end of it ...and that will suck. I love my car.

Dean.

 

My sentiments exactly. I'm teetering on the idea of going back to Subaru. My WRX was nice to jump in, drive the snot out of it, and never worry about what would happen if I "got on it", or didn't constantly detail it. Only problem is the MINI handles terrifically, gets very good MPG, has great lines, and I fit in it perfectly.

 

Yes, I have that problem, too

 

Me too. I've never had a car that felt more "right" for me ...it's almost the complete package. If it was as trouble free as all the Hondas I've had, it would be perfect.

But Hondas are boring ...although service is not exactly the kind of excitement I am looking for.

We'll see ...its my hope to have my MINI for a very long time.

 

One thing I will say for NAM is the literacy rate is a bit better here than on Mazda3forums.com and far, far higher than on Hondacivcforums.com. That is to say regardless of topic most of the posts are actually written in English, not little fragments by illiterate teenagers writing in cellphone-ese.

 

I tend to agree....it's not the 2nd gen car at all. Perhaps the first gen folks just have less to say since the mod curve has to some extent run it's course. Anyway, there is still lots of activity, just not where it used to be...and we are now a bit more spread out among all the MINI variants now available. Things were more "compact" a few years back.

In the end, it is not NAM's job to hold our attention...we have to do this ourselves. If we can't (for many good reasons) then, yeah, things taper off.

As for the OP....if you're a moron then join the club, pal!!!

 

cut back on the burrito intake

 

I just wish the threads I post in would stay and not get locked....

 

-all that's left to do is...... drive the ever lovin' s*** out of it.....everyday, until it no longer moves.

 

Nyah, that happens to every forum - things get older, the demographics of the owners change, some of the old crowd hangs around and new folks move in, and the neighborhood changes. You want to see forum evolution? Check www.vwvortex.com and compare the genI, II, III, IV, and now V forums. The enthusiasm on the newer forums is great, but the level of questions and types of posts change over time... used to be the genI were about performance, now they're about restoration and doing things on the cheap. The newer ones were more about vinyl! But I digress.

NAM is great, the community aspect is still here... and there's still some enthusiasm around!

 

Man this thread is bumming me out. I just started posting here and now I'm afraid that if I start threads that aren't fascinating, provocative, or stimulating that I'm gonna be hounded for it.

I'm looking forward to getting my first MINI, and I hope to remain as enthusiastic about it in the years to come as I am now.