Most liked posts in thread: MINI (BMW) Sold out!

Well then 2008 then too....The vert did go on for 2 years as a 1st generation.

I think we all tend to put that in the back of our minds being the best seller, the hardtop, is the one we tend to think about.

 

Ok fine include the 2007 & 08 "verts" if you really want to pick fly ***** out of pepper.

When the second gen came out MINI lost its soul.

 

If "ifs and buts" were candy and nuts we'd all have a merry Christmas!

Silly discussion, MINI gonna do what MINI gonna do.

 

Did someone say it is time for a cartoon?

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy5f87-kI8c]Bugs Bunny Opera - YouTube[/ame]

 

Seems to me it's go with the market or go out of business.....

I agree with the sentiments that I'd like to see them offer a simpler, lighter, car, but I don't think they could do so and make any money on it......so why do it? (Their perspective)

I thought that was the impetus behind the Rocketman, but it seems they couldn't make a business case to build that either.

 

I guess that confirms I'm silly and stupid.

 

So MINI sold 66k vehicles in 2013 in the US, roughly 30k of those were Countryman, Paceman, and Clubbies. Do you think that those people would have still bought a MINI if those models were not offered?

I'm not saying that the R53 wasn't a good platform, just that I don't think that it would still sell in the numbers needed for BMW to keep it in the US market. I do think MINI would survive in Europe because of the fact that they have more versions of the hatchback that appeal to a wider spectrum of potential buyers.

Like I said before it is great that there are enthusiast. There are definitely a lot of great looking first gen Justa, S, and JCWs out there. At the same time, there are very few manufacturers that have not sold out to some extent. I left MINI because they no longer offered a vehicle that fit my needs at what I felt was a reasonable price.

IMO, MINI/BMW have achieved what they set out to do. Re-create a following for a retro version of a cult car that attracts people from many different lifestyles and backgrounds.

 

Because sales will go down every year.

 

Odd ergonomics are part of the experience. After a while you get used to them & don't even notice their oddness. When MINI changed the window switch locations on the countrytruck I figured we were in for more changes that I wouldn't care for. Now they are here in the form of the F'n56. :frown2:

Even if I had a GTI I'd still cruise this forum. The VW ones that I have been to are not as fun as this little part of the web. There seems to be no love in VW forum land.

Maybe we should start a VW thread.
The MKI GTI is the best, why are they doing those things to the MKVII???

 

Most of the public, and even most R53 owners, wouldn't just automatically buy a new R53. They evaluate their situation and look at what's available on the market.

You're starting with the premise that the R53 is such a desirable car (to the general public) that MINI can just keep cranking out the same car year after year and it will sell just fine. I think that's silly.

 

There are a couple and I do. It is actually interesting how many people on those sites have wives or gf's that have MINIs. I always direct them here when they have questions.

Actually the Off-Topic forum on the one site is hilarous, it kind of reminds me of what I remember Off-Topic being on MU.

I find the rest of the site to be very informative, but a little less personable. Then again, I'm still new and haven't had the opportunity to go to any VW specific events and meet people in person.

New GTI is a good comparison to the F56 conversation. I personally do not like the looks of it, but the performance improvements are interesting. I think the next R is going to be great and think Doug will be happy if he gets one.

 

My point is, is the R53 sustainable (sales and profit) to keep in production year after year? I believe not, but we're arguing about hypotheticals.

 

I disagree, but again we are all guessing at what the market will bear.

 

"The technology has no soul?"

What exactly does that mean?

You guys are crackin me up! :biggrin5:

 

LMFAO ^^^^

 

Oh, SNAP.

 

Yeah - what Dave.O said. R53 forever.