[Dogsbody]

Popped down to my local Asda the other evening and managed to find a parking spot on the end of a row.
I can park on the box limit to give people on the other side a bit more door room, saves on the dents.
Walking back to the car I noticed what was parked in front of me.
The new Mini Cooper Coupe, complete with extra boot spoiler.


I was surprised how much bigger the Puma looked.
While I was taking the picture, the owner came back. He knew what my car was, proverbially as he works in the motor trade in Salisbury.
180 odd BHP in the mini, but I suspect the FRP would leave him for dead on the corners
I dislike Mini's, particularly the original non BMW ones, No leg room, suspension and crap performance.
But this one did look good, the best looking I have seen.

[volcomstone411]

i like them. I'm surprised they didn't use that model for the rally car. Looks much stronger. like puma looked stronger than its chassis partner the fiesta.

[Neil]

Really? I can't think of a more moronic car in recent memory (and this is coming from a Mini owner!)

[quicknick]

Having owned Minis since the early '60s in all engine sizes from 848cc to 1320cc I hate the fact that BMW stuck the iconic name on such a pastiche aimed at a totally different market sector to the original.

[Ian G]

...and gave it a silly roof.

[zara014]

quicknick, on 15 January 2012 - 09:45 AM, said:

Having owned Minis since the early '60s in all engine sizes from 848cc to 1320cc I hate the fact that BMW stuck the iconic name on such a pastiche aimed at a totally different market sector to the original.

for this reason I hate the BMW version.. looks hideous and no resemblence whatsoever to the original masterpiece!!

This post has been edited by zara014: 15 January 2012 - 03:51 PM

[splice]

The original Minis are too small and too weak, they never held up well in accidents and anyone that did survive an accident in one were generally put off from ever driving them again.

People do like them as they are a small cute cult car but in reality there's not much appealing about them as Graham says.

I quite like this Coupe but I do agree that the 'Mini' badge isn't very fitting unless you are comparing them against a tank etc.

[quicknick]

splice, on 16 January 2012 - 09:35 AM, said:

The original Minis are too small and too weak, they never held up well in accidents and anyone that did survive an accident in one were generally put off from ever driving them again.

People do like them as they are a small cute cult car but in reality there's not much appealing about them as Graham says.

I quite like this Coupe but I do agree that the 'Mini' badge isn't very fitting unless you are comparing them against a tank etc.

Have survived 3 crashes in Minis, including a head-on from a coach whilst I was stationary waiting to make a right turn off the main road. Cars crumpled not me! Did not put me off
but 45 years later the whiplash is giving me problems.

[Rayy]

I used to work for Mini in the Oxford plant, they are great little cars but some of the new variants like this one are shocking! But if they sell... good luck to them! At least it's something made (or at least part assembled) in Britain!

[Neil]

Well, my Cooper S wasn't 'Assembled in Britain' very well.

I'm now playing a game called 'Warning Light of the Week', and the creaks and rattles are driving me mental

[Rayy]

Neil, on 08 June 2012 - 08:48 AM, said:

Well, my Cooper S wasn't 'Assembled in Britain' very well....

If it's a 2001/2002 I might be partly to blame... sorry!

[Neil]

You're lucky - it's a 2007.

[warrenpenalver]

They do look like a monstrosity to me.

[melinamotor]

Hideous. Complete afterthought design, but I'm sure there are plenty of mugs out there willing to waste thier money on one lol.

[Guy5]

That Mini is dreadful together with the one riding on stilts looking like it could go off road and the "countryman" which is a waste of metal. The Mini is a victim of its own sucess, everyone has one so its not special or individual. Rant over.

[Dogsbody]

I was looking at the Cooper Works coupé the other day and quite like it.
Always hated Mini's of all guises, Most of all the original ones.
but that one appealed to me.