Comments on: It's Official: BMW to Boost MINI Production

By: Victoria

Victoria — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 10:51:15 +0000

AWD Hybrid Clubman, baby. I am so ready!

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 08:38:46 +0000

MINI resale values might go down a little bit, but will still big extremely high. Need proof? Take a look at BMW’s biggest volume seller, the 3er. It’s resale values are very high and have consistently been. We have no worries.

By: TJKonarski

TJKonarski — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 23:47:13 +0000

MINI Republic… Actually, wouldn’t that be cool?! MINI — It becomes it’s own country. The slogan could be, “The big, MINI country.”

By: ME

ME — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 23:00:16 +0000

Yes, a MINI in every driveway by 2010. With or without All Wheel Drive, your choice. Got my vote. Tax credit for buying a MINI would be nice too.

By: James

James — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 22:31:32 +0000

I vote for All-Wheel Drive in 2007.

By: ME

ME — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 21:02:00 +0000

TJK, get over it. Power to the masses. Long live the MINI Republic!

By: TJKonarski

TJKonarski — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 16:18:47 +0000

You absolutly do not have to spend hundereds of thousands of dollars to own a more exclusive car. For example, the Honda S2000 — $33,000 base. The Lotus Elise — $43,000 base. And of course, the ever wonderful MINI — $18,000 base. Now, I am obviously not comparing apples to apples here. But on the rareness or exclusivity factor these cars, on one level or another, fit the profile. I’m just saying it’s that current aspect of MINI that I really enjoy.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 15:30:27 +0000

Hi!

A very nice computergenerated picture of the 2007 MINI MkII…

http://www.auto-motor-sport.de/d/76535

I guess, there will be more pictures soon…

Regards, Chris

By: Rob Livesey

Rob Livesey — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 12:59:09 +0000

For owners who are concerned with MINI's getting too common (as is starting to be the case here in the UK) the owness is then on you to make your MINI unique. There are a lot of Silver Coopers around in England so I got a MINI one in British Racng Green with white viper stripes. Have yet to see another example on the road.

MINI is a truly unique car so make it look that way. Simple.

By: C W

C W — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 12:50:24 +0000

High sales don't automaticaly equate to low resale values. What causes low resale vales are poor long-term reliability, massive discounts off MSRP, fleet sales, and indistinct product.

Here in Canada, the Honda civic has been a perennial Top 5 seller, yet it has rock solid resale values because it ticks few (if any) of the above boxes.

By: Vanwall

Vanwall — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 07:04:46 +0000

Personally, I like the prospect of more MINIs on the road. Beats all the other chaff out there. I don't see that many MINIs when I'm out & about compared to say, Camrys, or Hondas, so there's a ways to go until they are considered even fairly numerous, and that would take a LOOOONNNG time. As for residual value, it's always been a fortuitous extra, and since I'm in for the long haul, it's not germaine to my particular reasons for owning a MINI.

I have yet to pull up to a filling station and meet another MINI owner, let alone one that is almost identical, something which happened to me when I was in a rental Toyota - 4 identical ones, including mine, and NOBODY even looked at the other cars. Someday in the far future we old-timers will reminisce about how exlusive our MINIs were back in Ought Four, but until then, I'm all for ramping up!

            BCNU,
          Rob in Dago

By: Mike S

Mike S — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 06:37:45 +0000

You can’t really expect to be one of the only cars on the road at the $20,000 to $30,000 pricepoint. Obviously that is affordable to many people. If you really want a car that only a few people have in your state you’ll have to spend a little more. Perhaps $300,000+ on a Ferrari or Lambo?

By: Gabe

Gabe — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 06:35:39 +0000

I guess I wouldn’t worry too much. The MINI will never reach mass consumption levels in the US compared the numbers that even BMW or Mercedes put out annually. Not with such a small dealer network located only around major metropolitan areas.

By: TJKonarski

TJKonarski — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 06:13:19 +0000

Well, that was in a way my thought process when I bought my ’05 MCS… I got the convertible… In a color that can only be ordered on the convertible… Cool Blue. I guess I’m just really stuck on having a car that is as unique and unusual as I possibly can. But also choose a car that is fun, well made, stylish, safe, pushes the envelope, blazes new trails — You know, all those buzz-words and phrases that stick to historical and evolutionary cars with great reputation like Mini and MINI. To date, MINI is filling the bill for me. I’m just concerned about the date in 2007 — Will too many of the driveways in my neighborhood have a MINI parked in it? I’m hoping not.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 06:01:38 +0000

No – I was just suggesting a way to make your MINI completely and utterly standout from the crowd :-)

By: TJKonarski

TJKonarski — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 05:57:42 +0000

??? I must really be a MINI newby or an automotive slacker… I have no idea what Chrome Roof means. (I know on a person Chrome Dome is bald — Any relation?)

By: Gabe

Gabe — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 05:51:57 +0000

In that case I’ve got two words for you: Chrome Roof ;-)

By: TJKonarski

TJKonarski — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 05:50:15 +0000

That’s very true, for the car’s price-point there is no questioning MINI’s superior safety technology and design features. I guess if you’re a fraternal person who enjoys the communal sense of belonging, then the ‘boost’ will be a big thumbs up from you. But if you’re someone who enjoys the fun that comes with owning something somewhat rare or at the very least doesn’t feel so completely mass-produced, then this news is disappointing.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 05:40:44 +0000

Here in Chicago I probably pass 3-4 MINIs every morning during my five minute commute... And I love it. None of the drivers wave, yet I welcome seeing them driving MINIs. Why? Because if they've found the MINI then they've found a great alternative to something boring and or dangerous.

By: TJKonarski

TJKonarski — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 05:36:33 +0000

Hmmm… The Solstice will be on sale by fall of this year… So far it’s getting excellent reviews on performance, styling and engineering. That Bob Lutz… He loves his rear-wheel drive performance cars… And for only around $20k… This ‘boost’ in MINI’s production has got my heard turnin’ in a different direction.