Comments on: Mini forecasts sales increase for 2009

By: Got Handling?

Got Handling? — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:09:17 +0000

Yes PW, but then you’d have a two-box Mazda, not a designer MINI.

Its not something that a lot of the US is going to understand, but then neither is marrying outside the family or foreign travel.

By: PW

PW — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:57:35 +0000

We have one from 2003., my sister’s car. Not one I would personally buy, but everyone likes something different. I just consider the Mini high on character/image and low on substance. Way overpriced, lots of problems, cheap interior materials, bumpy starts, noisy, sluggish, cramped, small cupholders, bad ergonomics…I could go on. For the same amount of money, I could get the much more powerful top of the line Mazda3.

I see so many of those new Mini Hearses around too (the Clubman). That’s probably helping their sales…people who want to be taken to their funeral in their Mini.

By: cdsmith

cdsmith — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:59:43 +0000

gugy. we actually have an 05 Mini S. It is my wife’s though. I wasn’t a fan until she got one. They’re a blast. Not a dragster, but add some turns and you got a racer.

By: TomF

TomF — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:38:44 +0000

The MINI is a great package. It singlehandedly created the super-premium minicar market in the US, which is now being eyed by everyone from Fiat to Audi. In terms of road sophistication, standard features and build quality it is yards ahead of the Cobalt SS, etc. It is expensive but it holds its value extremely well.

By: gugy

gugy — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:43:34 +0000

Exactly cdsmith,

men just like you. hahaha

By: cdsmith

cdsmith — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:36:05 +0000

gugy do you mean men with vaginas? JK

By: gugy

gugy — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:20:18 +0000

I like the Mini.
Don’t understand the comments of a chick car. Sure lot’s of women drive it, but men too.
Specially if you go to Europe. Long gone are the days a macho man needs to drive a large pick up to prove something…. Talk about being insecure. hahaha

Nice car, nice design, super fan to drive and the price is not so bad.
I hope the Mini stays successful and improve their quality too.

By: Borat

Borat — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:46:02 +0000

yarddog82abn, If you look under the hood of Mini you’ll know that any engine swap is impossible. you probably could make RWD with mid-engine layout but you would loose all the qualities that make Mini hot seller. I don’t own Mini, but from limited exposure I had with it, I was under impression that you could drive it all day long without getting tired and enjoying the ride. TomF drives one, he is better authority. The Cooper version has over 200 HP for 2800 lbs car this is more then enough and you don’t have to get hands dirty and it will keep 4yr/50K warranty and free maintenance provided by dealer.

By: howsmydriving

howsmydriving — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:36:13 +0000

Too expensive for what’s offered, not that I would ever buy one even at a good price. Cute, though. Clubman however is evil.

By: Borat

Borat — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:16:43 +0000

I doubt that all 3 of above mentioned cars combined sell as well as Mini. I absolutely love the way Mini drives and nothing in US compares to it, especially if you take price into consideration.

By: yarddog82abn

yarddog82abn — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:15:09 +0000

Dose anyone know of any engine swaps out there for the Mini, maybe a Chevy 350 small block or some thing?… Anyone?…

By: hummah

hummah — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:07:56 +0000

I hate the mini. For the same $ as a Cooper S I would rather have a Cobalt SS, WRX, or a GTI – all of which would completely dust the mini (maybe not the GTI). It’s fine as a chick car I guess… but I was really hoping the mini would just be a short-lived fad. Apparently not.

By: Borat

Borat — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:40:17 +0000

That”s what I am talking ’bout!