no, ur right! about it growin' in the bumper areas thats why its goin' to look ugly and bulky, all because of sum US pedestrian safety standard thin'
its only goin' to make tha early MINI models more desirable, i think

 

I'm pretty sure the pedestrian thing is a European thing, NOT a U.S. thing.
Could I say "thing" any more in that short sentence?

 

huh!? is that right, all along im thinkin' its a US requirement!

 

Yep, european hand wringing requirement.

 

Thank gawd I ordered an '06, that thing is ugly!

 

Give Chris Bangle enough time and he'll ruin anything he touches

 

FYI - Chris Bangle was the one who directed and approved the design of your current MINI.

 

Oh snap!

I don't see how people can say the 07 looks that much different than the 06. Yeah, there are some big differences that we notice, but "big" for most of us is a MINOR thing for a completely redesigned car. Can you imagine if another car was completely done over and it looked as similar to the old one as the 07 does to the 06? I think MINI/BMW have been very good to us to keep the design very close to what we have now. Don't get me wrong, I don't think the 06 design could get any better, but I bet the new one will be well accepted and even loved by most. I'm talking overall design. The whole engine issue is another topic.(I'm actually looking forward to the turbo though.)

 

Seems like there some emotion going through this thread, I encourage all to take a look at the original concept drawings of the new MINI the 07 is far closer to the original than the 02-06 models. And still think that that is the goal of BMW/MINI; they want to get as close to the concept as possible, but because of contract obligations that was held back in the current generation and the plans had to be changed to meet new laws in the 07 generation. Plus it seems there is criticism of something that I doubt most have seen in person!

 

The same heated debates occurred when the new NC Miata/MX-5 came out. Miata owners are similarly passionate about their cars. Those that loved the NA didn't like the NB when it came out, those that liked the NB didn't like the NC and so on and so forth. The funny thing is each new generation that comes out is eventually embraced and new owners become passionate all over again. I think when someone is as enthusiastic about a current generation car as we all seem to be, anything that rocks the boat a little is always controversial. The new 07 seems to be about as close in looks to the previous generation as one can get and still be considered a new model. Only time will tell if it still has the same "mystique" as the original MINI. Who knows, it may be better.

 

I noticed the "spy shots" are in what looks like Jet Black. Anyone heard if that color will be available again on the '07 models?

 

I actually was told that they are bringing back Jet Black for the '07 models, Joe. My MA told me that months ago. Time will tell!

 

Well I think I might skip ;ooking for an '05 JB & see what happens with the '07....man...they really jacked me on the JB for '06 I guess...what were they thinking

 

regardless of the evolution our 02-06 cars are going to be like the early mustangs.....there wil be "improvements" that all of us don't like and some we do but IMO our cars are classics......(they are getting pretty popular in ATL) that being said I will test drive the 07 the first chance I get.

 

I agree with that. If the 07 is something I determine I gotta have I may just become a 2 MINI guy.