Some of the commentary out in cyberspace via a vie the Countryman. DrivingSports.com MINI Brings Forth An SUV Posted by Jeff Zurschmeide - Editor January 20, 2010
Relatively tiny boot and seating for 4 only...I don't see this being a big success beyond the really-want-a-Mini-but-have-2-small-kids crowd. Maybe they should have just made a sedan, like a Mini Panamera, but less ugly.
I like it! I want it in black and all blacked out. Beyond being an extended version of the Cooper (Clubman), it will offer a bit more flexibility to vacation with my wife and son. I don't know if I want it all wheel drive, but I will definitely get it turbo charged and (OMG) automatic. I think of it this way. I've got my raced out R53 for those fun times to autocross, or motor solo with either my son or wife. For those long family trips, I don't have to compromise with a larger SUV or other fugly gas guzzler--12-17mpg. The other day I took a customer to pick up a rental car. He had his 10 year old daughter with him. With him being 6'4..both of the front seats in the R53 were pushed all the way back, so she had to lie cross ways. That works for short trips, but not for the long term. We MINI enthusiasts tolerated that, but now that we've got options, why bother? Before long, I will have my R53, and a MINI Convertible for the wife and an R60 for the family. One day, my son will inherit my R53, lol. Richard
So you're exactly the customer I predicted! (I still find it hard to believe you like the all-black look, too) I see this car keeping Mini owners from buyer larger cars from other brands, but I don't see a lot of comparison shoppers choosing a Countryman over more practical and doubtlessly less expensive alternatives. I guess that proves it's a real MINI!
Well I spent a couple weeks researching larger vehicles during this past month. Our focus was on "performance utility vehicles" in the $45-$60,000 range from BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Land Rover..and they all had one thing in common...gas mileage that ranged from 12 to 17 MPG highway and 20+ gallon tanks. Ok I'm going off the top of my head here, so I might be off on some of these numbers. Don't even get me started on the Hybrids!!! The bottom line is that if you want a good looking utility vehicle with more carrying capacity, that gets decent fuel economy, you aren't going to get it from any of the luxury brands. Not saying that MINI is a luxury brand either. The Clubman I spec'd is this (wheels would be changed out later)..black is Hot!!! You're right though. There are less expensive cars out that that would be more attractive to the non MINI crowd. My exwife loved her Murano. She couldn't careless if there was a turbo charged or all wheel drive version of it. For $24,000 it was a solid car that got ok gas mileage but tons of utility and was perfect for her. For me, the R60 gives me an alternative to my R53 where I'm no longer wishing an R56 or a Clubman looked more like my R53. It's an entirely different vehicle for a different purpose and I can accept that.
If I had a garage I might agree with you. Instead, black is nothing but trouble! I looked back at my 4-days-of-rain-covered PW Mini this morning and said to myself, "even now it doesn't look very dirty from 15 feet away."
Hahaha! Yeah, well when I was driving my white MR2(its on loan now), it sure was nice to let it get dirty and not worry. Black is great when it's clean otherwise you just have to get used to it not being perfect, lol. :cryin: