Folks--

One thing we can't forget is that the market for this car is pretty slim in the US. I assume that most folks wouldn't be able to make this little car work as their only car, and couldn't afford a 17-25K car as a "toy." Those who are in the market for a small car will be tempted to spend alot less on a Honda or Toyota. Those of us who spring for the MINI are looking for a mix of style, performance and "fit and finish", and are willing to spend a little more for it.

This is not to say that BMW/MINI will have any trouble selling their 20,000/year in the States, obviously that is not a problem...we have waitlists. I would be surprised, however, if they upped production/allocation to 30K-50K a year, and were able to sell at a profit. This country is too preoccupied with size to have THAT big a market for that small a car. Life is, of course, different in Europe, where real estate and "petrol" are scarce.

So...long story short, I think BMW/MINI has done significant market research as to what the US market will bear, and I doubt they're looking to make a MINI for every driveway. That said, they will certainly sell as as many as possible to make a decent profit.

For those of you who haven't gotten bored, and left to read "Single Mini Motorers", or some other post, this is just my two cents. I appreciate the space to rant.

 

Oh...and what do I prefer (If you're interested)? I like to be rare. While I completly agree with the idea that the aftermarket will be stronger with more cars out there, and I would love it if everyone who wanted a MINI could have one, I like the fact that I'm the only person I know who (soon) has a MINI. I'm irrational, what can I say? :smile:

 

Milquetoast said:

I suspect in many cases, because the car stands out from the crowd and is so different from anything else, some people THINK they see more than they actually do. They make an unconscious mental note of the number of MINIs they see and then suddenly (and mistakenly) think they're "all over the place". They should consider how many Toyota Camrys, Ford Foci, or Honda Accords they see each day but don't give a second thought about to gain some perspective.
-------------------------------------------

This makes a whole lot of sense to me. It matches up with my own observations/thoughts - I really don't believe when people tell me they've been seeing a "lot" of them. From talking to my dealer, I know how many are in the area - it's not a "lot."

Oh well. As was already said slightly differently: let them think what they want to.

 

Nobull60,
What if you did not have your Mini yet, would you feel the same way? I have been wanting one since the press release, and have finally been able to order one. I see people on this topic who don't want any more Minis sold congratulate other people on other posts when they get a Mini, especially D-Mini-Ero, what are your real feelings here?

 

Well I think that you should take down the picture of Michael Owen and replace with a picture of Henry from Arsenal as he clearly is faster, a better finisher and a better gambler.

_________________
Dark Silver/ Black Cooper S.
Most extras. Anthracite interior with white door cards. Flux Capacitor running on 1.21 jiggowatts.
Sticks to the road like sh** to a blanket.

 

Sorry, no one on this site is going to have a clue on what the **** I am going on about. Its a UK thing, well a football thing, or as Americans call it, Soccer.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing more MINIs if it meant less jackasses behind the wheels of SUVs!!!!!! Like I have said in the past, it would be nice to see a return of the small car in the states.

 

I like the combination of rarity and availability of the MINI. Coming from the Land Rover Defender 90 community as well as the VW community, it is very refreshing to have the best of both worlds with the MINI.

The Land Rover D-90 community is one of the best around, but there are only a few thousand in the US and the number of serious enthusiasts is probably less than 500 people nationwide.

VW has huge popular appeal and a large enthusiast community, but they are too common for my taste.

That puts the MINi right in the middle with a larg enough group of owners to have a very active online and club community without being so big as to be too common.

I sure hope that BMW has hired someone to read all of the posts here and report to the big bosses what the passionate MINI owners think. My general feeling is that BMW is a very smart company and they are using the MINi as a promotional and research division rather than a pure profit division. They have seen what happened to the new beetle and PT Cruiser and are likely smart enough to preserve the rarity and specialness of the MINI.

 

Hard to discount Paul Scholes, deadly from just about anywhere, anytime. And here's hoping Brian McBride makes great splash in the Premiere League. Nice to see another Yank making the folks who invented the game pay a bit of attention. We've already got two of the better keepers available on starting rosters (Keller and Friedel). Someday, football will mean what it should in the U S of A

 

My greatest fear when I bought my MINI on 11/01/02 (that's November 1st for our European friends), was that by July of '03 I would be sitting in the "cute" car that everyone's sick of seeing.
So count me as glad they're still relatively rare. After all, if I wanted a Honda Civic I would've bought one.

 

Yeah I remember a post a while back when I was happy to see my twin on the road so obviously part of this was a little bit of a dig at what I said. I just thought it was kind of a cool thing. Trust me...if I had the funds to mod my car like you I would, but I don't...

 

>>Trust me...if I had the funds to mod my car like you I would, but I don't...

Yeah, me too! (Or is it me neither?) ...wish I could afford some mods/aftermarket bits...

 

>>Ooh well! If you've got the motoring spirit, that's all that really matters!

 

>> Trust me...if I had the funds to mod my car like you I would, but I don't...


Not sure I understand the whole MOD thing. Why take off brand new parts and replace them. there is a post here somewhere I can't recall who. But the guy just bought the car in texas had it taken apart basically and then drove it home to calif. his exhaust and suspension. couldn't have had 50 miles on it??? I bet he spent another 5000 Seam's kinda wasteful to me. There are kid's starving in Africa that could have eaten that exhaust. Not trying to pick on the guy just a good recent example. I really don't think the available funds would change my attitude about it that much. any way have a great day.

 

I posted the other day how I finally saw 2 other MINIs while motoring. It was great to see them! I love how unique the MINI is, and I pray that the market doesn't get flooded with them. But it was awesome to see them motoring right beside me...

 

>>>> Trust me...if I had the funds to mod my car like you I would, but I don't...
>>
>>
>>Not sure I understand the whole MOD thing. Why take off brand new parts and replace them. there is a post here somewhere I can't recall who. But the guy just bought the car in texas had it taken apart basically and then drove it home to calif. his exhaust and suspension. couldn't have had 50 miles on it??? I bet he spent another 5000 Seam's kinda wasteful to me. There are kid's starving in Africa that could have eaten that exhaust. Not trying to pick on the guy just a good recent example. I really don't think the available funds would change my attitude about it that much. any way have a great day.
>>

I would like to get new wheels this year, but that's about it at this point. Maybe an exhaust later on down the line....I wanted to do it sooner, but frankly my money goes to other things right now. My job pays me well...but not so well that I have cash for stuff like that just lying around.

 

>>>> Trust me...if I had the funds to mod my car like you I would, but I don't...
>>
>>
>>Not sure I understand the whole MOD thing. Why take off brand new parts and replace them. there is a post here somewhere I can't recall who. But the guy just bought the car in texas had it taken apart basically and then drove it home to calif. his exhaust and suspension. couldn't have had 50 miles on it??? I bet he spent another 5000 Seam's kinda wasteful to me. There are kid's starving in Africa that could have eaten that exhaust. Not trying to pick on the guy just a good recent example. I really don't think the available funds would change my attitude about it that much. any way have a great day.
>>
Rataha, I personally agree with you...and like LMini about all I want for my car is new wheels and tires so that I can get rid of the runflats before I end up having to replace one and the ultra-heavy/performance-eating S "lites". But I guess it's important to remember that for a good number of those who post on this site, their MINIs are part of their automotive hobby. Viewed in that context, I understand the interest in modifications. Once again, the membership of MCO -- or any automotive enthusiast website -- isn't necessarily representative of the bulk of owners.

 

I subscribe to the notion that the car is excellent the way it is. Many many months down the road, I might want to change the wheels, but that will be all. Aren't they cool enough looking without modding them out? Oh well, to each his own.... No offense to those of you who are into that sort of thing, but it's a brand new car. Let it chill awhile....

 

There are quite e few MINIS in my area, everyday I go out I see at least one. What is rare I beleive is that the girl next door got a PS Cooper the same week I did. Sometimes both cars were parked close to each other on te street, both PS with BLack roof.

when friends pass by, they might think I'm at home if they are not familiar with diff between both cars. Quite rare?

Guy

 

>>I bet he spent another 5000 Seam's kinda wasteful to me.

That there's an assumption. We all know what assuming gets you.

>>There are kid's starving in Africa that could have eaten that exhaust.

 

>>I would like to get new wheels this year, but that's about it at this point. Maybe an exhaust later on down the line....I wanted to do it sooner, but frankly my money goes to other things right now. My job pays me well...but not so well that I have cash for stuff like that just lying around.
>>

And the donkey has to eat also, right??

 

>>I subscribe to the notion that the car is excellent the way it is. Many many months down the road, I might want to change the wheels, but that will be all. Aren't they cool enough looking without modding them out? Oh well, to each his own.... No offense to those of you who are into that sort of thing, but it's a brand new car. Let it chill awhile....
>>
>>

I agree. That's why it's already a classic. Mine will stay all original.

 

I feel the same way as many others on this thread, I don't want the MINI to be a Honda Civic clone but I don't want to be orphaned either. Who, aside from a collector wants to have a car that stopped production after 2 years? Their value as a daily use vehicle plummets rapidly once they are no longer being produced, IE how's your Lada today?

I tried to evaluate this possibility before I purchased the car. I determined that I probably couldn't control the future very well and that I should have some faith in BMW to continue supporting it's output even if production stopped.

The "hey that car is just like mine" is never going to bother me. I am happy to see other MINI's but I am also convinced that there are a limited number of purchaser's available. Really, think about it, how many special people just like us could there be???