Cool, I can't, I'm too close to being banned and I need the marketplace over there still.
And also a place to rant about the F56.
The way he's replying, I'm cautiously optimistic it's legit. Trying to get some historical perspective, but I'm not getting anywhere there--he's throwing out a few generalizations, but no specifics, and very dipolomatic negatives. I totally understand that, but man, if he'd drop his guard and have at it, that would be beyond cool.
There is a difference between negative comments and what was going on here. It was an utter bloodbath. Just asked that the comments not draw as much blood. Then patient needs some to stay alive ya know.
I'm going to--it's low risk, high reward if it's legit. I'll take the egg on my face for the one in a million chance it actually is Frank Stephenson. I've done stupider things than this. And I might get a beer can out of it.
I read that about the Ducati. From what he wrote, and the way he wrote it, I think he'd fit right in here. Ok, maybe he couldn't write about the F56 honestly here, the bloodletting may twist too many undergarments, although he's been diplomatic, it's not too hard to read between the lines. Powder Puff Wussy Chickenpoop, it doesn't get much better than that (tell us how you really feel), although it could, if got drunk enough to post about the direction MINI has gone.
It was would great if he dropped the guard a bit. He probably won't/can't, but just imagine Drew hovering over the ban button on THE Frank Stephenson, telling it like it is/was. It would be enough to bring Monty Python out of retirement, another good thing...
If your designing...... You always want to make your mark in history with something that stands out.... That means a big change.... If not, you just get lumped in with the last designer....
Now manufacturers start quaking in their boots if the platform is their volume bread and butter leader..... They like small safe changes.... radical is risky....
Agreed. MINI does need a little spicing up, something to grab everyones attention, something that would make even the most hardcore R53 owner have a serious sit down with the little voice in their head :ihih: and debate wether or not to trade in or add to the stable. Nothing about the 3rd Gen does that for me. For those just joining the MINI family the F56 is the most logical route, its new, it kind of resembles a MINI and it's under warranty. I would want a new platform under warranty, thats just me.
IMO Rocket Man should have been the 3rd Gen MINI. There are so many things about the design that scream MINI. The over all shape is there, the size fits the bill and the minimilistic interior IMO is on traget with the orginal. IMO it looks fun to drive even while its standing still. Almost everything about the the Rocket Man is innovative. Probably not all of those ideas could be accomplished on the first outing but there is nothing saying it couldn't build on a 3 or 4 year plan. Granted there are somethings that I'm not really all that crazy about, but if it showed up on the showroom floor tomorrow, I'd be having that debate and theres a better than average chance that I would be finding away to justify another MINI in the garage.
The wife promised our grandson the GP when he turned 18, he is only 5 now so I have a ways to go. With BMW's current direction and the more I drive it the less likely its going to happen. We might have to get a project car here in a few years, extend an R53 the chance to reach "classic" status.
I'll have my R53 at least 9 to 10 more years. Who knows then we may not even be able to buy gas. (src) Anything out now will be that old then so I'll have to see what's left.
I know maybe a post apocalyptic duce and a half. They run on anything.:idea:
