Nicely done, Josh.
If Mini wasn't trading so hard on the brand heritage (although, to their credit, they don't do that anywhere near as much as they did), people wouldn't take such offense to things like the Countryman. If it were an Austin Countryman or a Rover Countryman and it wasn't styled like a Mini on the Super Size Me diet, nobody would make a peep...
What's more to minis heritage than rallying? Something you don't see the saloon version doing. Like I said mini is finally making something fun to drive that I can fit the family and large dog in, something a previous MINI or my '63 S could not do.
I wouldn't shove any large dog I like in the back of a Countryman.It's big for a MINI but that still doesn't make it BIG.
ahutson03 wrote: What's more to minis heritage than rallying?
What's more to Mini's heritage than making a bunch of ridiculous variations on the basic car whether anyone asked them to or not? Are there really people out there who think the Mini bloodline is pure and consists solely of 1275cc Cooper S models?
Josh wrote:ahutson03 wrote: What's more to minis heritage than rallying?What's more to Mini's heritage than making a bunch of ridiculous variations on the basic car whether anyone asked them to or not? Are there really people out there who think the Mini bloodline is pure and consists solely of 1275cc Cooper S models?
No there were more then that but they weren't the size of a berkeleying bus and ugly.
I was just pointing out the absurd elitism that modern mini owners seem to have that states that anything sold by that bran must fall under a certain set criteria, I think it's absurd.
If it gets just a little bigger, and Hummer can get just a little smaller, they can make one car between them.
ahutson03 wrote: I was just pointing out the absurd elitism that modern mini owners seem to have that states that anything sold by that bran must fall under a certain set criteria, I think it's absurd.
It's kinda a little absurd to make a big car and call it "Mini".
"Hey baby, nice skirt. I like them just above the knees like that."
"Thanks, it's my super long mini-skirt. They're the latest thing!"
That one writer guy from a zillion years ago had something to say about names.
Mini, mini, or MINI, it doesn't matter much. Forget the name, and the car is still expensive, heavy, and slow, and its cutesy interior leaves a lot to be desired in terms of real utility. For the extra money it costs over any similar vehicles, you're not getting a much better car. You're getting a cuter car.
Yeah it's a mini suv
Don't like it.
OK, I'll buy this one for $30K.
Josh wrote:ahutson03 wrote: What's more to minis heritage than rallying?What's more to Mini's heritage than making a bunch of ridiculous variations on the basic car whether anyone asked them to or not? Are there really people out there who think the Mini bloodline is pure and consists solely of 1275cc Cooper S models?
The variations made sense. A slightly stretched wagon for a bit more interior room. A van for the commercial trade. The pickup and the Moke are a little harder to justify, but they were still just riffs on the basic package.
Keith wrote:Josh wrote:The variations made sense. A slightly stretched wagon for a bit more interior room. A van for the commercial trade. The pickup and the Moke are a little harder to justify, but they were still just riffs on the basic package.ahutson03 wrote: What's more to minis heritage than rallying?What's more to Mini's heritage than making a bunch of ridiculous variations on the basic car whether anyone asked them to or not? Are there really people out there who think the Mini bloodline is pure and consists solely of 1275cc Cooper S models?
If they announced they were going to offer a modern Moke or pickup (esp an S version of either) I would be in the line to buy one that second.
The Moke makes perfect sense in the island context in which it is intended. In the US, it's nothing more than an amusing novelty.
I have no issue with the idea of the MINI Countryman in the same way I have no problem with the Porsche Cayenne. However, the Cayenne is an SUV that justifies its price. The Countryman does not. Whereas the Cooper variants occupy a select market with minimal competition, the Countryman is treading in much deeper waters filled with a lot of established competition that beat it in content, quality and price. The car needs to be a lot better than it is.
I love it. I hope it sells so well that mini can afford to build a mini mini. You know, one that's actually small.
For the price, I would want the interior to be 150% better, the exterior to look 150% better, and get more stuff. Oh wait, that's a Tiguan.
...of course, I barely see people driving Minis here. I get the idea, but I'm certainly not in it's market. 
There were Countrymen all over Newfoundland. Unexpected. As was the Camaro ZL1.
Oct. 13, 2011 9:28 a.m. GlennS Dork I love it. I hope it sells so well that mini can afford to build a mini mini. You know, one that's actually small. Reply Quote 0 ! Hahaha true statement
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