Well long story short, My wifes R57 is in the shop for about a month (needs wiring harness that has to be made custom in Germany) so dealer gave us a rental (BMW X5) and she has a 45 mile one way commute. Well filling that gas tank got pretty old pretty fast. She called the dealer and leaned in on them a bit and got them to give us a MINI to use.

Well I went to pick it up today and the girl said "Were giving you a new '12 Coupe" Is what I was thinking. It's a base but still lots of fun.

Now for the embarrassing part...hmmm first 10 minutes, TWO thumbs up, on the expressway people slowing down to look, rubber necking as they pass by. Waiting to pull out of parking spots because people drive very slowly by checking it out. LOL pretty funny, sure beats that X5!

I kept thinking "No one looks at my JCW like that"
Fun car, a little to tight on the inside for my taste but still, lots of fun.

I would not buy a non turbo, IMOP

 

Wow, a Coupé rental? That's surprising. I'd have thought they wouldn't have enough of the to spare. On the other hand, getting it out & about is a form of advertising, I suppose. Good for you!

I can honestly say that the Coupé gets nearly the same kind of attention that my MCS did back in early '03. People are intrigued.

 

Back in ~2006 my wife took her MINI hatch in for some service and the loaner they gave her was a MINI convertible. Guess what car we ordered not long after that? (If you need a hint, look at my signature...)

As you point out, it's good advertising plus a great way to tempt your current customers into a newer or upgraded model!

Don

 

Not to mention that Coupe sales have been disappointing.

 

I call it - I am unusual.

 

Exactly the reason why I bought a Coupe: I don't want to be the same as everyone else, and my car is (so far) the only one I've ever seen on the road in my city.

 

254 have been sold thur the end of February.Q

 

Day in the life of a MINI Coupe owner.

MINI Coupe sales from Launch though 2/29/2012:

OCT 2011: 414
NOV 2011: 286
DEC 2011: 253
JAN 2012: 146
FEB 2012: 254

TOTAL: 1,353

 

254 were sold in February.

jamesday has the correct totals.

 

Are these numbers for all of North America, or just the States?

 

Don't see anything embarrasing about that - smile and enjoy it!!!

Most of us will only get to sit in one at the dealership when our coupes are being serviced. Heck I was impressed that we got a 2011 coupe S loaner last week while in for the aux H20 pump recall, timing chain tensioner "service action", defective boot latch replacement, and 2 years "free" service, oil change: air filter, micro filter, brake fluid change etc.

 

Sorry, those are US sales figures.

MINI USA Coupe sales from Launch though 2/29/2012:

OCT 2011: 414
NOV 2011: 286
DEC 2011: 253
JAN 2012: 146
FEB 2012: 254

TOTAL: 1,353

 

Where do you find these numbers? I'm asking cause I'd like to keep track of the Roadster numbers too :-)

 

This is so SAD. While the Coupé isn't my favorite (it is growing on me) I really want to see it succeeded. To me MINI created a blasphemy child in the Clubman and a total freak show in the Cabrio. Also what is MINI doing in the SUV market (Rhetorical because MINI is selling SUV's and making $s but it's not a MINI to me)? I see only 3 MINI models that warrant a look/consideration (Roadster, Hatch and Coupé (in that order: IMO) and the Coupé is close to #2 now in my book).

Don't mean to be offensive to any Clubman, Cabrio or Countrymen owners but that is my opinion.

I hope that like on me the Coupé's unique styling will grow on others (though the sales numbers seem to say the opposite).

 

I just think its not getting the visibility. Hopefully when the Roadster gets out more this will draw people into the Coupe. I haven't seen a Coupe in weeks and I am finally taking mine home tomorrow.

 

I post them on my Library of Motoring website as soon as they're released, but you can find them on the MINI USA NEWS site, as well.

MINI USA Roadster sales from Launch (2/25):

Feb 2012: 110

The 110 Roadsters were the launch vehicles for each dealership.

 

This was my reason as well for buying the Coupe. I have owned many, many makes of cars through the years which I grew tired of very quickly, but my JCW Coupe (my first MINI) has been a welcome change. I have yet to see one on the road in my two months of ownership. Its unique styling definitely makes it stand out, and I have had nothing but positive comments from everyone who has seen it.

 

I think the Coupe is the best looking car Mini has. Now 1/3 of Minis sold are the Countryman, and the reason is simple: 4 doors. It's still a Mini, albeit heavier and taller, but better than a Civic or something. But the Coupe is a 2 seater, and those just don't sell well compared to 4 seaters. They never did.

 

We can argue about design all day long but in the end the market will speak which is why we have the (sigh) Countryman and it's hard to find a Mini on the dealer lot with a manual (double sigh). in my opinion all of the models from 07 on lack the character of the 02-06 R50/53.

The Roadster is easily the best looking Mini right now but for an enthusiast it's really hard to make a case for it compared to the Miata, based on price and RWD vs. FWD. I don't care for the Coupe but I hope there will always be room in the market for cheeky cars like it and the Nissan Cube and Juke. We need oddball cars or we'll all be driving White Camrys pretty soon.

My favorite Mini right now is the White Silver edition Clubman (that's right, Clubman) with the Star Bullit wheels and blacked out headlights. Go figure.

 

Well I have to say, it's growing on us.

And a JCW in the coupe, that's got to be a blast, on the inside with that low raked windshield, it's just has to be a blast....

However this Justa version we have is $31k!!
I knows it's better mpg's, but every time I stomp on it, I just wait for the turbo pull and it just never comes:(

All in all, if I didn't need the backseats I just very well may have been pondering a roadster...now THAT has to be a blast!

 

Thanks man!! I bookmarked your site :-)

 

I wish we could see home many JCW's were sold, but I guess they get bunched in

 

It's got as much "heritage" as any Mini out there.

 

Exactly...

Even though it should have been called "Estate" rather than Clubman, at least based on heritage.

 

Well, it's the "Clubman Estate".