I think they were acutally more trendy back in 02-03, not that has any bearing on which the purist would buy. But i also think there isnt such a thing with these cars. Purists buy caterham 7's

 

This is getting a bit ugly ! I guess the moral of these stories is that we should just motor on No matter what model year you drive:smile: . I'll admire anybody who gives a MINI a new home !!

 

The volume of utterly stupid threads has gone up almost exponentially in the past 6 months here. Either we've run out of things to talk about or people just make a thread for the sake of making a thread, instead of actually seeking an answer to a legimitate question. What knowledge could you possibly gather from this thread that would make it worthwhile at all? Nothing. This thread is good for absolutely nothing. It adds zero value to this site, it's purely a waste of bandwith. This place is going downhill fast, the administrators don't deserve to have stupid BS like this posted on their forum, taking room up on their server that could serve a better purpose. So to answer your original comment, I wouldn't say I'm upset so much as disappointed.

 

Why didn't the "04s get grouped with the 02-03s? The only visable difference between the 03 & 04 is the grills behind the hood/bonnet. The '05s have the face lift and the 'vert added. Not sure why the '04s are being considered as the second generation here.

As for the "stupid thread" comment... I'm bored by those that tell us what is interesting and what constitutes a discussion. When we talk about MINIs or cars here on this forum.... I don't think it is "stupid BS".

 

I agree, this is a strange thread.

 

It may be strange to some, but sketchedin has every right to discuss this topic. If any of you are bothered by it, move along. (The moderators and administrators are well-aware of this thread.) I think it's interesting to read the comments.

Clover

 

I don't see how the '02 and ''3 owners can be deemed purist. Some people waited because they didn't want to pay the mark ups, others couldn't afford one at the time(me). To me a purist is someone who knows the history of the car, respects the old, and enjoys the new. The purist is the one that doesn't make comments on how the '07 should be called a MCT. A purist is who puts miles on the cars, not getting a their first service check up after owning the car for over 2 years. The purist is someone who sees a curvy road up ahead and goes "ohhhh yeaaaaaaaah".

Wait I'm gonna stop myself. Everytime I hear the world purist, I think of a snobby person that is trying to distance himself from the crowd to make himself feel better. Let's just enjoy the cars for what they are one of the most fun, charming, lovable cars in production today. Who cares if someone is putting a 2fast2furious spoilers on the car, who cares if they are put carbon fiber all over the car for looks. They share a common link to us, they are crazy about Minis. Overall I think that is what this site is all about.


*GROUP HUG*

 

It's a discussion board, not a religious seminar. Most of it is pretty stupid when you look at the whole scheme of things, but I'm not here to defend my thread, and I'm not sure why you're here to criticize.

 

I believe anyone who has embraced the "culture" of the mini/MINI is a purist. One vehicle is not better nor greater in status than another. It is the indescribable way the car makes us feel. Our love for the car and the camadarie it elicits in all of us.

Just my .02 cents

Happy Motoring

 

IMO if the '02/'03 MINI owners thought of themselves as "purist", in comparison to the '04/'05 owners then they would start separating themselves ... starting their own clubs and not joining in any MINI meets, runs or clubs. Obviously this isn't being done so we are one big happy family.
I think we should all show our MINI solidarity and attend the MINI Vacation In Vegas!

 

I have no feeling about the purist or not part of the thread, but there is a major difference in the suspension between the 02/early 03’s and the rest. MINI softened the suspension on them part way through the 03 builds. Many people complained about how harsh the ride was so they dampened it quite a bit. Just because you can't see the change doesn't mean it didn't change.

 

Personally I see my ’04 being closer to the ’02-03s than the ‘05s. It’s more like the ’02 & ‘03s are version 1.0 and the ‘04s are 1.1 and the ‘05s are 2.0

I think it will be easier to group them all together as “first generation” MINIs once the new body style comes out.

I also have no “purist” thought on the years. I started a MINI/Mini club in my area open to all years.

 

I saw the MINI at the 2001 North American International Autoshow and had to get one. Forget the fact that everyone in my area buys huge SUVs and my dealership kept delaying their grand opening. I had to have one. I like the classic mini's but I don't know if I could ever have the nerve to own one. Today's MINIs are so safe. The classic mini owners are the true purists in my opinion.

 

Well, to differ in opinion from the "this is stupid" comment, I think this tread is interesting. It does hold interesting comments and thoughts from owners...Guess who else does this kind of thing....Marketing. Just how do you think the car companies gather an idea on the pulse of the market place? Anyway... I have an '03 and love the car. I wanted one when I first heard of it back in 1996. I work for one of the major car companies as ana designer so sometimes we hear of thing long before the general public does. Anyway, I would say a purist is a person who loves the very essence of something and would not care to change it to retain the feeling that is deemed important to the experience. Say your into the art of performance driving and you wish to have the least amount of interferance between you and the road. Vehicles such as Caterham 7, Ducati, Lotus Elise etc would fit the bill if your wanting to carry this desire to the street. Otherwise you would by a race car. Maybe your purist for velocity..well maybe only a motorcycle will do. Or maybe your a purist for originality, so any mods will get you upset. I have had the classic mini and loved the car..(and always was looking for the next great part to wrench on it!!) . I also have two other vintage cars as well as my MINI. I modify each one....cant' help it. When I go to a show and enter the Triumph my experience with the Purist type is the displeasure of modifying my car from standard. In this regard I hold myself an enthusiast since I love cars ad usually I can't leave it in it's original spec. Not many new or classic owners MINI will be someone, who in a few years, will realize they kept their car standard and wished to keep it that way. Someone who desires to retain the PURE statement of the original design as it came from the factory. And often this does not occur until history passes int he form of new model years, model redesigns and discontinuation The intent will still the same no matter what is done to any particular car..having fun in reasonably priced car (available from the factory) that gives you a thrill everytime you drive it!

Just my two cents.....have fun with your car be it 02 through 05...Each year has it's merits and detractions but the intent is the same.

-C
1974 Triumph TR6
1976 TVR 2500M
1993 Ductati 900ss
1994 BMWis
2003 MINI Cooper S

 

a mini owner is a mini owner. no attitude or differentiation here.

 

I ordered my '03 MCS in April of '02 when my dealership opened. Due to certain options I wanted, like winter package and IB/W color, I had to wait for a 9/02 production date. Am I a purist? Nah, don't think so, I just wanted a new British car at an affordable price. My MGs were between thirty three and forty years old back in '02, and no longer served as practical daily drivers. I am a British car nut though, in case you hadn't noticed, and I suspect that many of us in the March - June '02 period buying MINIs fall into that category.

 

Owning MINI's run in my family. I am one of the first with a nextgen. Ive wanted one since they first arrived here but I was stuck in a Finance and didnt want to trade until the car was payed off. Year of the car means nothing, the passion for the car that does.

 

plus I just think the 02-04 Owners are haters considering the 05 is the best year so far




that was a joke by the way....dont shoot!...