Uh, isn't there a conspicuous absence from this list?

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/artic...newcarresearch

 

Perhaps the reviewer didn't like the R56?

 

the Tc????? WHAAATTT!!!!!!

 

Maybe he knows not too many can keep it under $25,000.

 

Anyone have a Consumer Reports online subscription? Reading the CU review of the 2008 MINI Cooper would probably tell why it isn't on the list.

I'm too cheap to pay the $3.95 to read the review.

 

I believe it did real well in the 08 Consumer Reports new car roundup. I haven't read it myself, but my mom gave me the condensed version of it over the phone a week or so before I ordered mine. Was in the top 5 in TCO and owner satisfaction, and was highly recommended from what I recall.

 

I read the CR article at an airport stand the other week. They had a few small observations that it's highly regarded by owners. Apparently the older models have less than stellar transmission reliability. The R56 is the bomb, w/ very high ratings across the board.

I expect that our MINIs simply didn't make the recommended list due to lack of sales volume nationally compared to other vehicles.

 

They are idiots, the world is mad, and MINIs are great....that's my theory.

 

I heard they did very well across the board on the consumer report.

 

Alternatively, maybe they just don't think of MINIs as an under $25K car. Lots of these folks act like the Cooper doesn't even exist. Even fewer look past the sticker stats...Coopers are real-world mpg champs!!!

 

Actually, I think it has a lot to do with practicality. Let's face it, most americans want more room than the Cooper has to offer. I think the MINIs are more a niche market.

 

Lets see how long that lasts with the increasing fuel prices

 

More room ... like the top-rated Miata? On one hand they might view MINI as having a small distribution.

On the other hand, IMHO, the folks at CR haven't done a proper job of bring CR in a long time. Even for products that should be totally in their wheelhouse like fridges, washers, dryers, dishwashers, and cars - their quality of reporting has been "off".

I think they've spread themselves too thin to accommodate market demand. One can't be experts in everything. I found their compact digital camera reviews to be terrible. They completely skipped the Fuji F30/F31fd, the two best compacts at that time - they are still so well regarded that they garner well over original list price.

Anyway - sorry for the rant. I'm going to make myself a coffee now ...

 

Now, let's consider. Do we really want MINI to be as common as Chevys? We want enough to support a dealer/maintenance network, but too much of a good thing would just water down the cameraderie. When was the last time you waved at someone in a Geo?

 

Just last week, actually - but only with one finger Totally just kidding.

I agree with you - we don't need to have MINIs everywhere. There's little risk of that - it takes all kinds to go around. It was merely my observation that CR would likely choose consciously to exclude MINI from their best category due to volume sales figures. Or out of oversight ... ?

Having a certain amount of increased volume is good for us - at least to a point. It gives them more flexibility to continue further providing us with enhancements and choices.

 

lol, I was about to make the same Geo joke re: the one-finger wave.

I guess I agree it's just about distribution volume. For every one happy Mini driver there are 100 unhappy drivers "motoring" about in their P.O.S. Elantra. So they have to write the article to who they think is reading it.

I do stick by Consumer Reports though, because I still do think they are largely independent, unbiased by freebies and advertisers like all the other reviews (maybe that's a naive opinion). But heck, if I'm Maxim or Newsweek or the Kalamazoo Daily Journal, you gimme a free $20,000 Kia Optima, I guess I'd give it a good review too. One hand washes the other...

 

Civic SI HaHaHa

I have a friend that last May bought a Civic EX coupe, base +/- $19000 MSRP. After options and taxes she ended paying ober $26,000. On the plus side Civics have already had at least one recall for a rear wheel bushing, how did they put it, ah yes, the wheel could break off during driving.

 

Generally, Honda makes a great car though. Too bad your friend didn't have someone to negotiate for them - that's a lot of money for one.

What I don't like - and it's more personal than anything else - is how high you need to rev to get the most out of the Honda. But one heck of a nice engine.

 

jkling17 - I agree Honda makes great engines, never have they had a problem with the vtec system from what I hear. The only problem I see with the engines is what you say - high revs for most power - and low torque band on the majority of there engines.

But I am glad Mini didn't make it on the list simply because I personally believe that the cars on the list have no soul and Mini does. Maybe the MX-5.

To me the cars on this list, even as mechanically reliable as the majority are, are drab gray vehicles built for the masses to get from point A to B while in the Mini to get from A to B you'll probalby go through the rest of the alphabet just because it so enjoyable to drive.

 

Harsh, dude, harsh! Well ... OK ... The Scion certainly does NOT have a soul ...

Well ... I'm not sure I'd go quite that far. The Civic is a pretty cool little car, with a long heritage w/ mods, racing etc. The Miata is a lot of fun and an accessible little roadster for the money. I can't fit in it, being 6'6". Not sure if I'd fit in a Civic or not - perhaps if it did not have a sunroof? I have this issue w/ most cars including MINI and ordered my MCS w/o it.

 

I'll give you the MX-5. Mazda does have a reputable racing heritage and is a true sports car and a true roadster - front engine rear wheel drive - and more important, not many on the road as compared to the others on the list.

As for the rest of the cars, what I mean by them having no soul is that they are just so many of them on the roads that you really can't distinguish one from the other. To their owners and enthusiats yes I believe they have a soul, but as cars not really. AT least not to me.

The Civic, since it was brought up, is a very nice car. I almost bought one, but it would have just been one in a million.

 

My buddy once took me for a spirited drive on a mountain road near his house in his Miata. Granted - the top was down, my head was sticking out like Dino in the intro sequence of the Flintstones, and my knees were all scrunched up. BUT ... that aside - it was one fun ride but one that I'd not choose to repeat unless they super-sized that vehicle