Hey all, Terry Gross is talking about cars on NPR and Mini is getting a thumbs up.

 

Here's a link to the Fresh Air program. The second main segment has the bit about MINIs about 5 minutes in for 2-3 minutes.

Terry Gross on Fresh Air

 

I am listening to this online right now, and the "expert" that Terry Gross is interviewing stated that owners of MINI Coopers are "particularly proud to point out that their cars have 12 airbags..."

Whoopsie....big boo-boo from Marc Phelan, the auto critic for The Detroit Free Press!


Clover

 

Yup, I was listening too! "more airbags than feet in length." oops!

 

Well if he said he was talking with owners, pural, I guess six airbags times two MINIs...

What is with all the focus on airbags anyway? It is often close to the first thing mentioned in many ads.

 

is it me or i am not finding anything on the link. Can you listen to a version of his report onlin?

 

I believe that the MINI was the first car to offer 6 airbags as standard equipment. Most cars offer the head (sausage) airbags and seat airbags as options. I'm sure that to many folks, the MINI couldn't possibly be safe, due to its size, so I think the safety equipment is mentioned prominently to encourage further interest and to reassure those unfamiliar with its stout design!:smile:


I was able to click on the link, find my way to the Fresh Air program from Monday, 8/22, and it is the second segment with Marc Phelan. Hope that helps!




Clover

 

Actually the 1999-2005 VW Golf was one of the first inexpensive hatchbacks to offer 6 airbags standard.

Some of these idiots that proclaim to be "car experts" don't seem to know what the heck they are talking about. 12 airbags? And your point is.....?

 

And Marc "car expert" Phelan has worked at the Detroit Free Press for 20 years, too, so he should know about fact-checking!


Clover

 

I think the focus on the MINIs airbags is to counter the "that thangs a death trap" comments from typical SUV/humongeous whatever vehicles.

Safety sells these days. One of the most common reasons given for buying a Hummer, Chevy Surburban or Ford Explosion is, "my wife and kids can roll right over them little bitty cars like they was a speed bump."

 

i hear though that more people bite the bit one in big suv's and trucks then people to in small sedan sized cars. of course in a head on the heaviest shall come out the victor, but if a suv notices it is about to have a head on and takes evasive action it may just roll..

 

Ah, well, were talking about Michigan -> home of the Big Three (Autos, though Michigan is also home to the big three in Pizza as well).

Car and Driver (which I found out was based in Ann Arbor, MI!!!) gave the MINI a poor review (at least, it wasn't terribly positive), so I don't expect much positive stuff to come out of this state for the MINI. Here is a link: http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=1 It's probably been mentioned here before.