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

When I first heard of the Countryman I figured Mini was heading down the wrong path but the sales speak for themselves. And, if you love Mini but have kids, a dog, go anywhere for more than a few nights, etc the Countryman has the space you need. I purposely picked a Countryman to take for a spin at the Mini Cross on July 4th and I was impressed with the way it handled.

People thought Porsche was nuts when it launched the Cayenne and then the Panamera. Those two make Porsche a ton of cash that allows them to produce low volume specialty models.

If Mini is going to grow it must expand it's model lineup to include more people's needs, wants and desires. I do agree however that they need to keep the basic hardtop concept in place for the Mini faithful.

 

Oh the horror..... Me ears are a burning....

 

I agree with this and the next post to no end. The used 1st gens arent going anywhere, but they will become more and more rare.

I am building mine up now to enjoy for years worth of weekends, no more driving it to the store, no taking it to work, it's just going to be a weekend and special event play toy.

The next car I buy is going to be another JEEP! I just cant see another MINI in my future, The JEEP fits my entire lifestyle not just one part.

 

Yep, we could own a Countryman in a second if not for the French lump under the bonnet.... Probably be fine if we traded every couple years and never had one out of warranty, but we like to keep cars a good while and enjoy no payments......

 

Well, the 3rd Generation is right around the corner.

Actually, I'm not unhappy with the line, but with that said, I don't track, or mod the engine heavily, so that might very well be the difference.

Question: What happens to M/A if Nathan decided to leave MINI too?????? :eek6:

Jim

 

I think it was Road & Track that had a Countryman as a long term test vehicle and had to have the clutch replaced at 16,000 miles.. Not good PR for the brand..

 

It's called MOTORING Alliance...... I think any car could join then :devil:

 

Nothing happened..... He left Gnatster yesterday and drove away in a Ford Expedition.... M/A continued on without a hiccup....

 

Great news!!!! That puts my mind to rest.

Jim

 

Oh boy a ride in the M/A shuttle bus. Hope it is sporting M/A stickers. :wink:

We are all here because we are car folks. Yes we have MINI's & that is what brought us to this great place to talk MINI's & car stuff here. My MINI has brought me many new friends & for that I am thankful.

Has MINI lost it's way? Well I think they may be off course just a bit. :confused5:

 

!st gen. great car, great people, solid enthusiasm behind the first gen MINI, love it. 2ND gen. approaching a human and mod proof car playing on the success of 1st gen. MINI. The vision has been lost to marketing, but then thats what it's all about anyway. Think I'll just keep mine.

 

+1.

I still consider myself new to the MINI community and a little spoiled seeing my first was/is a GP, the "Original", which by the way is my DD. I have cringed everytime a new model has come out (except the Clubman) but at the same time given in with hopes of seeing more MINIs on the road. I just hope they keep the MINI appearance and don't dilute it to much. I would hate to see the MINI go the way of Studebaker (my all time favorite brand), and yes you can still get a hold of those 40+ years later.

 

Like I posted earlier, I have liked all my MINI's....but I'm still looking for the right '06 GP to put in the stable :biggrin5:

 

How many other car manufacturers sell one model of car? Wait, how many other car manufactures sell one model of car…and are still in business? Additions to the lineup are inevitable for the evolution of the brand and to keep up with the MINI demographic.

As all you single, no kids, Cooper drivers get married, have kids, get a big dog, you will be seeking a larger alternative. Do you think MINI / BMW don’t know this? We just celebrated 10 years of the new MINI in the US and MINI with the German influence of BMW certainly planned this and knew they would have to expand the line up to keep those R53 owners in the MINI family once they needed more space.

Now for many Americans who are hooked on their gas guzzling SUV’s MINI has a viable option to reach that segment, and in my opinion, has done so while maintaining a MINIesq styled option for the rest of us who really needed more room. Where the Clubman failed as a bigger option the Countryman has succeeded. The Countryman has not forsaken the brand but empowered it to a next level far beyond what a mere two seater could have ever done.

MINI always was a game changer and a nonconformist even in its inception. While there may be some argument that the Countryman is an attempt to conform, it is also an attempt to survive. Corvette owners don’t stop buying Corvettes because GM makes some of the other hideous cars in their lineup, so why can’t the MINI brand stand a few more options for those who love the brand yet need flexibility from their vehicle.

I would love to have a fleet of cars in my garage for whatever task is at hand that day but for most of us we own one or two cars and we work around it. The Countryman simply gives MINI owners more options. And personally, I am enjoying the “what the hell is that car†look I get from other drivers on the road when I am in my Countryman. It’s the same look I got in my first Cooper in 2003.

 

So, you really are leaving the brand, aren't ya Mark.

Jim

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

But, but, they are all "Cooper's" except the JCW's.
It never occurred to me not to call my Clubman a "Cooper" because it is a "Cooper."
It always was.
Ah, but I wasn't around for Gen 1, so I didn't know that the name was usurped from the original, which is now called the "Hardtop."

When did they stop calling convertibles "Cabrio's" and start calling them convertibles?
Is it so "Cabrio" doesn't sound more exotic than "Roadster?"
Does it sound too VW?
I think MINI should bring back the Cabrio!

 

I think most of us understand they have to make other models inorder to sell more cars total.. Just wish they would have left the "Cooper" alone.They may hit on something for it again in the future, we can all hope..

 

I have always had the same belief, MINI is the brand. Further badging designates the model and even further badging would designate an upgrade.

Something I do find intresting and baffeling at the same time is there isn't a JCW edition available for the Countryman. I understand they have the ALL4 but how can you not have a JCW package available for a MINI, especially a model that is out there racing and winning, seems sac religious.

 

It's coming, don't know when.
They had a JCW Countryman on MTTS 2012.