I've got a little problem so I figured I'd open this up to all you guys. My wife has never been a big fan of me getting a MINI. She was convinced that the MINI would get demolished by any SUV or Truck on the road. I manage to get her OK with the idea of me ordering one. Well, she then goes over to carpoint.com and sifts through some user reviews of the MINI. Then she finds this one about a MINI in a crash with some SUVs. Here's the link:


Click here.....

Needless to say, the review talks about a MINI getting destroyed in an accident where an SUV rear ends the MINI at 5 mph and pushes it into a Truck. The driver suffered some really serious and nasty injuries. So, of course, my wife is now employing a full court press on me to not get a MINI! Help!

 

Woah...that's a freak accident! Basically all I can say about that is this.....
Regardless of what you drive you are always running a risk of getting hurt....driving in and of itself is a risk that we take everyday and so why should we be so afraid of getting the car we want? You can't live in fear of stuff like that.
A Mini is small and carries a risk with it just as a huge SUV runs the risk of flipping over....there are many other cars out there that are not even as safe as the Mini is....you think you are going to be messed up in a Mini accident? Imagine if you were in an accident in a Miata....or any other small car for that matter.
She shouldn't be basing all her opinions on what happened to one person out of all the people that drive Minis all over the world...I mean the original Mini was smaller and they have been driving that in Europe for decades....

The problem in that situation was the negligent driving of that SUV owner.....and accidents happen. My friend almost died in his VW Golf but did he stop driving after that? No...he got a new Golf.
Just because that unfortunate thing happened to that guy it doesn't mean it happens all the time.

Cheers and I hope everything works out!
L.Mini

 

a

 

I think one thing to point out is that the SUV was going faster than 5mph. The article states that if the SUV had been
travelling "another 5mph" the driver felt he would have been killed. There is no doubt that you stand no chance in
a mini vs. SUV collision, but that's the case with most cars. The mini has been put through rigorous safety testing, and has passed government safety tests.

The mini, being as unique as it is, draws a lot of attention. This is really a positive thing when considering safety. Unless you drive a tank, you're never truly safe.
Speaking as a person whoms life was saved by a seatbelt, all you can do is be defensive and wear the damn belt.

 

That review is a fake. If you check out the roadfly forums, there is a guy on carpoint who keeps posting various stories about how the MINI sucks and about how he is horribly injured in crashes in them and each time the story is different, but posted by the same person. Just some anti-MINI jerk with an inferiority complex.

Seriously though, carpoint is not exactly a good source of accurate info. The MINI scored very well in the Euro crash tests.

Tell your wife if she is going to believe testimonials, at least make sure they are real and not lies :smile:

 

HAHAHAHAHA!
Man if that is all fake....
There is a very clear example of someone that has absolutely NO LIFE.

 

I think any small car would have suffered the same degree of damage if sandwiched between an SUV and a truck. The only way to avoid this kind of situation is to drive a big SUV yourself, and frankly, I'd rather give up driving before I give up small, nimble cars for some sluggish, oversized, gas guzzling chunk of metal. The answer is to get rid of the SUVs! :smile:

 

First, thanks to everyone for your opinions. I really appreciate it. This is another reason why this is such a fantastic site.

L.Mini, I'm going to use your advice and see if I can talk any sense into my wife. :smile:

ottonyc, I agree with you that since the MINI is so unique it stands out in a crowd.
It would be hard to miss one especially the Chili Red one with white top and bonnet stripes that I'm ordering!
I figure a car is less likely to not see a MINI and hit it compared to your average looking car.

 

Sean,

Thanks for the info on the carpoint website and the anti-MINI guy posting
negative things about MINIs!
I have never used carpoint before.
I agree with you, after I took a look at the site I was a little skeptical of the content, too.

Anyway, I'll tell my wife that if she wants some factual and truthful testimonials
then she should head over here to minicooperonline!

 

________________________________________________
I think any small car would have suffered the same degree of damage if sandwiched between an SUV and a truck.
The only way to avoid this kind of situation is to drive a big SUV yourself, and
frankly, I'd rather give up driving before I give up small, nimble cars for some
sluggish, oversized, gas guzzling chunk of metal.
The answer is to get rid of the SUVs! :smile:
________________________________________________

 

>>
>>I've got a little problem so I figured I'd open this up to all you guys. My wife has never been a big fan of me getting a MINI. She was convinced that the MINI would get demolished by any SUV or Truck on the road. I manage to get her OK with the idea of me ordering one. Well, she then goes over to carpoint.com and sifts through some user reviews of the MINI. Then she finds this one about a MINI in a crash with some SUVs. Here's the link:
>>

>>
>>Needless to say, the review talks about a MINI getting destroyed in an accident where an SUV rear ends the MINI at 5 mph and pushes it into a Truck. The driver suffered some really serious and nasty injuries. So, of course, my wife is now employing a full court press on me to not get a MINI! Help!


:evil: BEWARE of Carpoint reviews! There are a few bad apples (although on Roadfly many of us suspect that it is one person) slamming MINIs! If you read ALL of the reviews, most are outstanding. But, many of us suspect that after this numbskull tried to flame the MINI on Roadfly, and everyone caught on to his act, he upped the ante a bit, by writing a slightly more believable "story!" :evil:

Carpoint does not require membership to post messages, thus no real censorship or monitoring of comments. Jealous people can cause mischief and slander cars just for the sport of it!

Cheers!
Clover

 

Thanks MINIclo! I have been warned about the posts on carpoint!
Believe me, I am passing this info on to my wife.
Amazing that some people have nothing better to do
but slander a car as cool as the MINI. :evil:

Anyway, I'm looking forward to getting my MINI
and ejoying that unique driving experience that
only a MINI can give you.

 

I noticed that post too. I assumed it was by that same guy. I wonder if he would poke some big Harley guy on the shoulder and tell him that his hog is unsafe and wouldn't stand a chance against his Range Rover

If you notice the carpoint ratings, the scores are 9-10s or 3's !! not much inbetween~ If you want good info, read the reviews and figure out who actually owns one and who doesn't.

 

Sad story. However, not too many cars stand a chance sandwiched between an SUV and a truck. This is not limited to the Mini. Any VW, Toyota, etc. etc. seems it would have had the same fate or worse. Afterall with 6 airbags and the other safety features, I kinda like my chances in the MINI over many, many other cars. Again, an SUV vs. most any car is a mismatch. Besides, I don't think the Mini is all that small. It's at least as high and wide as a BMW 3 series, it's just shorter. Its higher than an Acura RX and about the same size as a GTI. I have driven MG's, Porsches,
etc. (talk about little cars) For awhile I gave up and got an SUV and HATED it. With all the SUV's on the road, people talking on their cell phones and driving like idiots, in general, every car is at risk. I actually feel safer in the MINI because people are always so aware of you, looking at your car. I must admit that part of why I got a Red Mini and Union Jack on top was so it would stand out all the more and be seen in traffic. Anyway, life is full of risks and you just need to decide which ones you are willing to take. I decided to take this MINI risk.

 

My goodness. A small car is just that. A SMALL Car. Don't rate this car against an SUV. I can't even understand why someone would check the safety ratings. I also own a Toyota Tundra which rated the highest in a full-size truck safety rating, but it isn't NEARLY as fun to drive. HELLO!!!! Is it just me???? People........My husband has ridden a motorcycle almost every day (unless it rains) for the last 14 years. Do you look up the safety rating on that also? Small car. Different rating. Period. Don't you just LOVE HOW IT DRIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

>>>>I figure a car is less likely to not see a MINI and hit it compared to your average looking car.
>>
>>
That is exactly what I've been saying to my friends and faminly !!!!

 

________________________________________
My goodness. A small car is just that. A SMALL Car.
Don't rate this car against an SUV. I can't even understand why someone would check the safety ratings.
I also own a Toyota Tundra which rated the highest in a full-size truck safety rating,
but it isn't NEARLY as fun to drive.
HELLO!!!! Is it just me????
People........My husband has ridden a motorcycle almost every day (unless it rains) for the last 14 years.
Do you look up the safety rating on that also? Small car.
Different rating. Period.
Don't you just LOVE HOW IT DRIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But, the fact that it crashes well and has 6 airbags
doesn't hurt either.

 

My friend at MSN removed that FAKE review. The IP address was the same as about 10 other negative posts on the board that have also been removed. Carpoint is not a great place to get real info.

 

>>_______________________________________ _
>>>>
>>Well, I started this thread because of the carpoint post that my wife was using as ammo
>>to not get the MINI. I wouldn't begin to compare the safety rating
>>of a MINI to an SUV. That makes no sense. I would compare it
>>to other cars small cars in its class. I have no problems
>>checking out the safety ratings of any car I'm interested
>>in buying as long as I only compare it to other safety ratings
>>of other cars in its class.
>>Am I buying a MINI cause it is as safe as a Volvo? Nope.
>>I'm buying one because they are a blast to drive! :smile: Rokk1: The MINI got a 4 out a possible 5 in the European Safety Crash Test, which is purportedly more stringent than the ones in the US. You can search for the thread at MINI2. That should help to assuage some of your wife's concerns. It did VERY well in its class. :smile:

Cheers!
Clover

 

>>My friend at MSN removed that FAKE review. The IP address was the same as about 10 other negative posts on the board that have also been removed. Carpoint is not a great place to get real info.<<

 

We also have video footage of the off-set front impact in the "Video Corner"
Also.... I can second the crash stats for the Euro market. 4 of 5 stars.
SW

 

>>HAHAHAHAHA!
>>Man if that is all fake....
>>There is a very clear example of someone that has absolutely NO LIFE.
>>

Did our beloved nolan write this article?



Rocketboy_X

 

Thanks everyone for the information. I told my wife to check out this website. She did and is now totally cool with the MINI! This is a good thing, becuase if it came down to choosing between her and my new MINI she might have lost.

 

Don't let her know that!!!!!!!

 

>>Thanks everyone for the information. I told my wife to check out this website. She did and is now totally cool with the MINI! This is a good thing, becuase if it came down to choosing between her and my new MINI she might have lost.


I thought that carpoint review was a fake. However it got me thinking of how to assess the safety of the US mini. I called a friend today who is in auto insurance and asked if he could find out accident stats to date on a new car (i figure the insurance industry would have compiled all accident reports, damages, injuries, claims-- by model). He said he could access information with vin #, which, just so happened, I had right there to provide. If people are interested I will provide more info when I hear from him tomorrow, if it seems substantive.

I have been involved in research before, and initial trends may be misleading (could be biased toward less safe drivers, people who for example were already high risk drivers, or toward younger or older drivers, or toward drivers who might have a mediating variable, like substance use, driving faster than usual, driving in unfamiliar or more dangerous areas eg hills, coastal roads). I'll see what my friend comes up with and can report back.

Even though that carpoint was a fake, I had some concerns about how well the car would be seen in the back, and the small size of the rear window tail lights. Will be interested in what data has been compiled.

.