Most liked posts in thread: Has MINI lost its Way?

I really liked my R53 and in fact I'm currently looking for an 06 GP but I also liked my 09 JCW. We needed a replacement for my wife's SUV so we bought one of the first Countryman S's and that too has been a great MINI. My current JCW Coupe is the most enjoyable MINI that I've owned. The point I'm trying to get across is that I've enjoyed 4 different variants of MINI. For me, each has had it's own personality but more importantly they have all kept me involved with the MINI Community....and that's the best part of the experience.

 

I'll have you. But you gotta ride b!tch.

 

Getting a beater is a good idea to keep miles off a MINI. I did it back in 2008, and since then the MINI has only racked up about 5K miles since then.

Just be aware that this option isn't without drawbacks...

My MINI still doesn't have a name even though I got it in 2005, but the Honda earned the moniker of "Soul Crushing Pile of S***" in its first week of ownership.

Several times a year, I get the feeling that driving is just a chore, time spent pampering/washing/detailing a car is a waste of time, effort, and money. When I get too down & out, I uncover the MINI and drive it for a weekend, then I get fired up again. Nothing makes you appreciate a cool car like driving a runaway Dempsey Dumpster for a few weeks!

Rawhyde

 

What I meant was that Toyota is getting back to it's roots so to say. MINI needs to get back to what made the R53 great.

 

Lol- I like that Dave.... I'm happy just driving my car as well

Stop making it bigger.... Soon it will not be a MINI anymore :frown2:

Get rid of the that HUGE speedo! And the integrated stereo unit so people can upgrade their stereo if they want.
But keep the "usable" cup holders :biggrin5:

Yes! Please give it back a sporty feel.... The newer gens seems to be way too soft a ride. Go ahead and rattle my teeth out... If you want a comfy ride, buy a Cadillac!

 

Maybe lost its way, but everyone seems happier now. Love those tractors. Citroen tractor whoda thunk it?

 

There will always be used models around just as there are classic mini's, triumphs, mg's etc.

 

Poco is going to last forever with the miles I only put on him now

 

The only thing I have against the 2nd gen cars is the engine. It's an abomination, like the CVT, but on a massive scale.

Otherwise MINIs rock.

I want a countryman bad as a DD... but won't buy one with the current engine. It's heart-ache waiting to happen for anyone who keeps cars as long as I do, drives them as hard, and is prone to modding.

 

I'm currently looking for my next car and I'm honestly depressed that there isn't anything at all in the MINI line-up that interests me in the slightest. I've had several R56 loaners and, when compared to my R53, they just felt soul-less and uncomfortable.

I had very high hopes for the Paceman, but the recent spy shots brought those hopes way, way down.

Sorry, MINI. I love you and I love my R53, but I probably won't be back to the new car showroom anytime soon.

 

I love my R56, would probably enjoy an R53 as well. But the F56 so far doesn't look right to me. Maybe in another revision they'll go back to their roots, or do the Rocketman, only time will tell.

As it stands, I'm planning on keeping mine until it's no longer worth repairing. That took 14 years for my old Subaru, so it may be a while....

 

That's just it, they keep changing it.. If you got something that is selling just tweak it alittle here and there.. That is how the classic became the classic!!!

 

Seems they went to far to catering to getting more buyers with the R56....

I went from an R50, to an R56, and now have the R53. I was disappointed how I lost that tight- go kart feeling going to the R56. I lost that connection I felt to the road (even if it was to every little bump in it LOL).

So back a Gen I went.

Don't get me wrong- there are great R56s on here with their owners
But for me - I have to look somewhere else for my next car.

 

The first Gens will NEVER DIE! :lol:

I bet if you asked people what MINI GP they would want I bet most would choose the 2006 first Gen.

The 2006 GP was an instant Classic ,now known as the "Original".
Sure people will want the new special addition 2013 Mini GP "sequel" but if you got to drive both most want the original.

The "Original" GP is and was everything a Mini track car toy needed to be without any BS creature comforts. (Who needs back seats)

 

MINI back seats are far from a creature comfort. Ever sat back there? :eek6:

Wish I'd bought a GP when I had the chance & the money....

 

I vote for this!!

 

You know you will be welcome. This time I have to make a point to meet you.

Jim

 

Much like the transition from the classic Mini to the MINI, losing one's way is determined not by where we all want the brand to go, it is determined by where the board of directors / parent company wants it to go.

MINI seems to be doing a great job of finding its way to profitability (or greater profitability) and a larger contribution to the parent company's bottom line. That kind of growth requires expanding into new markets that couldn't have been captured by the hardtop... hence the 'vert, Coupe and Countryman.

Much like the beautiful (interior) Porsche Panmera I rode in for lunch today, you can spend, scrape and claw your way to add 1% to your control of the sports car market or you can drop a new product into a different segment (luxury sedan) for the same investment and snag 3% of that market. Is a road yacht like the Panmera still true to Porsche roots? IMHO, hell no, but it rakes in a huge profit for Porsche that they can then use to invest in new design / racing / a better customer experience. As long as the Panmera isn't a money-loser, who the heck am I to say that it 'dilutes the brand' of my 911, if it allows more R&D time and a better end product on the next 911 that I've been so patiently waiting for?

 

OK....lets take Porsche as an example. Yes they have the big 4 door Panamera and a SUV, but they have maintained the classic 911 as a sports car. I have to say that the MINI has lost this as they have diluted the core car to a point that it has become more hipster than driver car.

 

Good grief, Bernie waves a fee and I agree with you....all in one day. I'm going out and buy a lottery ticket ASAP !! Lol