Absolutely correct: I love cars. Period.

I test drove a 2007 Nissan SE-R, which was a good car and was priced aggressively, even fully loaded, and looked pretty close at a 2007 GTI while I was at my MINI dealership (they share the same lot) but the MINI was a good price-point between the two and had all the options I wanted. Not to mention that I love the MINI's looks above all else, and that with the black wheel molding MINI's look absolutely perfect with black wheels, which I like, regardless of body color.

 

By then the car had lost its nimbleness and agility. A bigger engine does not make the car better. By 92 the GTI was a bloated water buffalo.

 

 

The 92 mk2 GTI was a bloated water buffalo? How do you figure? Other than the big bumpers and a some aesthetic differences, how much more did the 92 weigh than the 88?

 

I guess MINI owners will have to add C&D to R&T, consumer reports, and TTAC as places not to read because they dont say wonderful things about MINIs

 

As I said, I do read them. I don't have to agree with them, though. And what is wrong with NOT reading something that you know you will not be interested in?

 

I owned both years. And, in MO by the "next" generation ...GTI had lost its edge. The 2.0 was not nearly as tossable and had lost its "Fun Factor" Like wise I prefer a 914 6Cyl. over a 911. I prefer the feeling of being in a go-Kart.

 

LynnEl, that wasn't pointed at you.

Rather, its been pretty consistent here that if you read back over time, anytime any magazine or independent testing organization says something not flattering about MINIs, they are bashed. Then as soon as they say something good (like CR) somebody praise them.

But I guess thats human nature. Everyone wants to protect what they think is good.

And its true that went it comes to journalists opinions, you might want to question where the advertising dollars come from buy I have to assume, mags like C&D and R&T have been around since when, 1960 or so? They would not exist if they were totally biased based on advertising dollars.

OTH, I have read reviews where the "car testers" outright claim they are Vette Fans (or whatever) and that did bias their "opinions" in subjective attributes. But then again, we are all human and they are too, so why shouldn't bias their opinions?

And absolutely, nobody has to agree with anyone. Opinions are opinions. Remember, in many car forums MINIs are referred to as Clown Cars (which is brought up here all the time). That doesn't mean anyone has to agree with those opinions either.

 

Actually I think the reviews of the Mini in these mags are excellent. If you ignore the fake number ranking gizmo they say very nice things about the car and very few negative things (the big speedo, the turn signals and wiper controls, the usual suspects). I have a Mazda 3 and it's a good car too. But I don't like the black plastic interior/dash at all.

 

Car and Driver has been around, in some form or another, since the late 1940's.

They had thier advertising from GM yanked one year due to some tester making a negative comment about a GM car. Almost put them out of business, so for a time they tried the, 'If we cannot say something nice, then we will not say anything at all" method.

Anywho. Car testers for magazines start from a perspective. i.e. If this is a sports car, then I will review a sports car.

The problem with Mini is Car and Driver calls it the "toy division of BMW". They do not take it seriously at any level at all. So it is safe to ignore anything they have to say about it. Good or bad, it does not matter. Car and Driver beleives it is a toy, not to be taken seriously.

When anyone has such a negative view of a product at the start, it makes no sense to bother and read what they have to say, much less take it seriously.

 

Assuming that's true. What does that say about those journalists's view of the MINI as an enthusiasts car?

 

What it says it that Car and Driver basically love the car. Their review says as much. They were very positive about it. They liked the engine, handling, braking, comfort, and exterior looks. After reading their review I, for one, would be wanting to drive it and see for my self.

 

Are we reading the same article???

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...-cooper-s.html

Because I read:

"The hood scoop is a phony

Yeah, Minis always had their speedos centered in the dash, but c’mon, BMW knows better.

Carrying the iconic Mini toggle switches into the airbag era means they now must be shielded from flying limbs by loopy safety bumpers.

the too-clever molded HVAC wheels are straight from Playskool.

the ride is nasty

Out in the twisties the mood turns edgy,

the suspension abruptly unloads a corner, and the path gets uh-oh.

Let’s just say the Mini is great fun if you think it is."

These are comments from someone who likes the car? They sound like insults to me.

And better yet, download and read the test specs between the car and the Mazda.

Top speed
Mazda 151
MINI 140

0 - 100
Mazda 13.6
MINI 16.7

Braking (70 - 0)
Mazda 161
MINI 167

We must be reading different reviews.