The mini roadster is unique , with very few on the road. So what kind of reactions have you received from the general public? Are you getting comments? From both genders? I received a lot of positive feedback on my 135i at gas stations, the car wash, getting coffee, etc. It felt good. In general, Minis don't appeal to me, but the roadster does ! Maybe it's my limited experience with the MGB a million years ago... IMO, the Mini roadster is more visually appealing than the Miata, and more manly, too... I know many who disagree, but they lack taste!

 

In a way I feel like I've gone back in time about eight years, when the BMW MINI was initially gaining a foothold in the U.S. market but were still relatively rare. As everyone knows, the car was a novelty with its innovative and stylish design and attracted continuous attention and overt compliments. As the MINI hardtop has become more ubiquitous over the years, the drooling adulation seems to have gradually transitioned over to smiles of acknowledgement, a few nods of approval, and the occasional from a fellow enthusiast.

The R59 is still somewhat new, relatively rare, and arguably the most visually appealing model that MINI has to offer. As a result, the head-turning is back -- at least that's been my experience. There hasn't been a single time when motoring top-down around town that I haven't heard at least one "nice car!" voiced in my direction. The increased attention over my previous MINI (an '11 MCS hardtop) is palatable.

It's great fun being new and different again.

 

We get a lot more looks and comments in our Roadster than we did in any of our previous MINIs. Surprising how much attention this car gets.

 

Agree. Driving away from the dealer this past April, stopped at a traffic light, the man in the car next to us rolled down his window and shouted "What kind of a car is that? It's beautiful!" And the compliments have not stopped coming since.

 

Peanut gets a lot of attention even in NYC, we had driven down to Mickey and MINI and avoided I95 from the ferry to florida everywhere we stopped people asked about the car. We have started to feel like salesman.

It's funny someplace in a little small town in Georgia we pulled into a gas station to get sodas ect. As we pulled in between the pickup trucks the place emptied out everyone wanted to know " what is that" it was a little bizarre trying to answer questions the whole way to the ladies room. The cashier came out and you could see the stars in his eyes he was in love. You'd think Beyonce had stopped in.

I've found it's not unusual to find my car surrounded by Harley guys, they get it, this is a car for people that love touring an open road.

 

This is great, I had been thinking about starting a thread for this topic to see what other Roadster owners are experiencing. I have been getting lots of comments, stares, questions, etc. It might be nice to have us begin listing them, and we can add to it as we go...
While on the Bonneville Salt Flats, from a Harley rider sitting on a Harley factory custom, and he got off his bike to have a closer look...is this that new Fiat? This is cool


-Steven

 

My boss says my Roadster looks horny. o_O

 

Keep an eye on your boss...down big fella!



-Steven

 

Heading up the canyons to Park City this summer, 7:10 a.m. I have a Ford Taurus chasing me through traffic to get a look. I slow down a bit and three teenage males can't stop staring...one of them is hanging nearly half way out of the car trying to get a shot with his cell phone...pretty funny!



-Steven

 

In the Pearl District of Portland, OR. my wife and I parked and had a lady come over and gush about the car for 10 minutes, asking other people walking by "isn't that gorgeous?!?"

 

TheZlog,
Describe your roadster... Model, color, etc...

 

Here's my order thread, with all the nitty-gritty
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ght-black.html

I haven't really done a photoshoot session yet as I still need to claybar, wax, and wash (currently only soaped and rinsed it a few times). I've got this one from my phone, though:

 

Sweet....
There are so many great colors... I've configured a solid pepper white, but black, red, silver all appeal...

 

I really wanted a white roadster, but like snow-white instead of pepper-white. I actually really like PW, but it was my 3rd choice. First pick would have been pure-white if it was available. Black was my very-close second

 

I have noticed in the nine months of ownership of the Roadster that both men and women respond to it in a very positive way. With my previous highly modified R52, mostly women expressed they thought it was cute. Also, with the Roadster, teenage males have actually shouted out approval from the sidewalk as you drive by...that's pretty funny.



-Steven

 

Zlog,

Based on the picture of you Roadster in the garage, all I can say is your garage is waaaay too neat and tidy. .

 

Haha, if you look at the first pic I posted in my order thread it's usually crammed with two cars. Every single wall has shelves or cabinets so we can pull off two cars lol

 

REALLY?
my teenage sons want nothing to do with it and dread me driving them any where especially top down mommy got her own toy

 

I've actually noticed this too, and it caught me a bit by surprise.

Of course up here we're only a few hours drive from Lake Wobegon, and all of the children around here are above average.

 

Yeah it surprised me too. With my previous R52, females really responded to it but not so much with males. The Roadster design language has really reached farther than previous iterations.


-Steven

 

I have people stopping and looking at my car all the time. I have had older and younger people ask me about it. Most kids call it the Spider-Man car.

I have even had people talk to me at stop lights. It's a head turner here in Utah.

 

Then it sounds like they can walk

Also beware, as soon as some girl at their school comments on it being cute or awesome they'll want to borrow it