Normally we don’t mention regional newspaper reviews of the MINI. They are typically full of errors and omissions and often lack any opinions that would be considered interesting to an enthusiast crowd. However I have to hand it to Sam Moses of the Portland Tribune as he sums up what we all love about the MINI far better than most reporters. All that and he managed to only get one fact glaringly wrong (bonus points for the first one to spot it). Here’s an excerpt:
Question: How many times can you write about the Mini Cooper and still have fun doing it?
Answer: As many times as you can drive it and still have fun doing it – inestimable if not infinite.
This time around, my test Mini was the Monte Carlo Rally commemorative edition, with some decals and stuff, which I find trivial. And Mini sure as heck doesn’t need to be resting on the laurels of its 1964 victory in the rally, which put the motoring world on its ear and got a lot of attention, even here in the United States.
I’m not sure of the Mini’s demographics, but I’d venture a guess that very few of its buyers today are as old as that victory anyhow. Over 40, anyone?
And if you do own a Mini and you’re over 40, not only do you think young, but you know a great car when you’re behind the wheel of one. Just ask Mark Wigginton, general manager of Portland International Raceway.
The Mini succeeds on so many levels. It’s fast, it’s safe, it handles like nothing on the road – and it’s even roomy inside. At least in the front seat.
You can read the entire article here:
[ Wonder car: 2005 Mini Cooper S ] Portland Tribune
<p>Sounds like Sam thought he was in an ’05. Monte Carlo Commemorative Edition is an ’04…wonder if I’d buy a used car from this guy…or maybe I’d like to sell him one!</p>
<p>Hugh Sherry
Stanhope NJ</p>
<p>Fold the seats down and my set of golf clubs fit nicely. Time to head down to the local paper box and pick up a copy of the Trib.</p>
<p>Yup – that would be the glaring mistake in the article.</p>
<p>I guess he hasn’t been to many MINI events ie the Dragon where quite a few of the owners are over 40. Seriously how many people under that age have the means to buy an expensive micro car, I would think a lot of them are busy raising and traveling with small children which doesn’t make the MINI a very practical car for. Just my $.02</p>
<p>He also infers that the CVT is an option in the S. And his quote of it removing all the fun must certainly be wrong!</p>
<p>You would think, as an auto journalist, they would think of running their article draft by some of that make’s enthusiasts so that these inaccuracies would be quickly identified and corrected before press time. :)</p>
<p>You know, being hardcore car folk, we’re all so picky about the facts. I know that there are journalistic responsibilities and all, but let’s face it — almost every MINI write up has been (on balance) very favorable!</p>
<p>The only beef I have with this gent is the age thing. I have seen the spectrum of MINI owners at the events I have attended. I would estimate that there are as many under 40 owners as there are over 40 owners. Frankly, I am in the latter category and fully expect to be a MINI owner until they put me out with a brick.</p>
<p>Now if Consumer Reports would only update their data; it’s already three years old!</p>
<p>Theo</p>
<p>Well, I’m 31 and I got my ’05 MCS this past February. I don’t agree that a professional under 40 would have a hard time affording a Mini. I mean, a new one can be had in the low $20’s.</p>
<p>Oh, and my wife is 6 months along with our first child. You can fit more stuff in the rear with a seat folded down than any car it’s size. I’m looking forward to rocking him to sleep with the Mini ;)</p>
<p>-Erik</p>
<p>Understandable that he is nowhere near as informed on everything MINI as most of us on this site every day, although, I think what wins me over is his bottom line quote.</p>
<p>Hear hear Eric. I’m way under thirty (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.bridger.us/2005/02/22/xxix">kinda</a>) and the MINI couldn’t be made any better to match my needs. </p>
<p>When BMW was deciding how to market the MINI a few years ago they publicly said that they weren’t going after any particular age group. Since then it was come out that they were aiming for the young urban professional more than anything. In the end however, the car has turned out to be ageless in it’s demographics… much like the original.</p>
<p>I think this is the same Sam Moses who wrote the book “Fast Guys, Rich Guys and Idiots” about 20 years ago. I still have an autographed copy.</p>
<p>If it is the same guy, he may not have quite all his facts straight, but at least he’s a car guy who is also a journalist, not just a journalist who writes about cars.</p>
<p>A nice article. His mistake was that he referred to “Mini”, rather than “MINI”
Mine is scheduled to be picked up on 9 April – Whopee!!</p>
<blockquote>I’m looking forward to rocking him to sleep with the Mini ;)</blockquote>
<p>Honey! I’ve gotta go burp the baby! <em>vroom</em></p>
<p>58 and lov’n my MCS.</p>
<p>No disrespect but………I could not see me subjecting my girls, when they were young, nor my wife, baby stuff, dealing with rear seats and all in this car…..Really..and I love this car. But I gotta say more power to those who choose that life.</p>
<p>Okay, I didn’t mean to offend anyone about their financial abilities so If I stepped on any nerves I apologize.</p>
<p>I know SunshineMinis.org has at least 3 members under 25 . . Myself included. (22) MINI’s are great cars for kids of all ages : )</p>
<p>Umm… he also says the Cooper looks them same as the S. Mostly true, but the air scoop, different side skirts and exhaust makes it pretty easy to differentiate the two from any angle. Heck, my 6 y.o. son can immediately call an “S” or “Cooper” whenever we see one on the street.</p>
<p>The bottom line is definitely on the mark however!</p>
<p>I’m 43 and just picked up my MCS/JCW/JCW suspension last night! I’m excited so allow me to brag a bit. All black with sport pkg,limited slip, chrome inside and out, black bonet stripes(!), aux gages(too cool at night), driving lamps, harman-kardon, rear fogs, cold wthr pkg, panther black leather, web spoke wheels, anthracite interior.</p>
<p>Wasn’t cheap but the folks at the dealership said it was the coolest MCS they’ve seen.</p>
<p>Greg – sounds like a great spec. If I were to order a new one today that’s close to what I would get.</p>
<p>I’m 45. Some lady stopped me on the street and said she wanted to buy one for her 16 year old daughter who is just learning to drive. I would say the design of the MINI is ageless.</p>
<p>I am 33 and I have owned 3 new MINIs. Last week I took delivery of my new 2005 MCS which is an absolute blast to drive.</p>
<p>My wife is 28 and although we don’t yet have any children, we are looking forward to raise a family with the MINIs. Actually we want a new Clubman wagon.</p>
<p>…on the MCS and room for Kids thing – granted I have another car and family SUV for long haul trips, but with the the rear seats in my 03 being LATCH (quick connect for car seats) compatible it’s a snap to put two car seats back there and not too difficult to put the kids back their either – AND – my 3 and 1 yr old love riding in it much more than Mum’s SUV or Dad’s Sedan….Just an FYI to prospective parents and/or MINI owners…</p>
<p>I do own a Porsche (2002 C4s). . . and a MCS (2003). There are no substitutes for either one. Each is a blast to drive in its own way. I love driving and these cars are my commuters. They put a permanent grin on my noggin all day!!!</p>
<p>I am 21 and I am waiting delivery of my 05 cooper s. It is really not a bad investment as far as new cars go and resell value goes. I also get my college paid for which helps out on the finance side…</p>
<p>Over 40 05 MCS owner with a child under 5yrs…love the car and my daughter + stuff fits perfect in the back.</p>
<p>I’ve had my 05 MINI S w/JCW ,LSD, CONVIENINCE PACK, DARK SILVER W/LAPIS BLUE LEATHER SEATS, SPORTS PACK,AUTO AIR HARMON KARDON(KICKS BUTT) CHROME INTERIER FOR ABOUT A MONTH HAVING LOTS AND LOTS OF FUN WITH i’M 37 WITH 2 CHILDREN 5 AND 6 WHO APPSOLUTELY LOVE IT ONE MORE THING I CAN’T GET THAT MINI GRIN OFF MY FACE!!</p>
<p>Hello tinac, please write your posts in lower case, otherwise it sounds like you are shouting…..</p>
<p>Further. I’m 63 and can’t wait to get my MINI.</p>
<p>sorry a little new at posting :)</p>
<p>I’m 40 and I’ll be taking delivery of my S convertible within the next 2 weeks! </p>
<p>According to the Wall Street Journal, the average age of a Mini owner is 40, they’re college educated and their annual income is about $100K. They’re also predominately male.</p>
<p>You should see my kids in the back of my MCSC with the top down, they love it (6 and 4 years old).</p>
<p>Getting the JCW upgrade at Patrick Mini in April!</p>
<p>I’m just turning 30, and I can’t wait to place my order for an MINI tomorrow!</p>
<p>Celebrating my 48th birthday today by picking up my new MCSc. Demographics be damned , just alot of nice folks !</p>
<p>Hey Limey –</p>
<p>Good to hear! My wife and I are expecting – she’s do in september 🙂 – so I can’t wait to bring the ‘lil bugger home from the hospital in ‘Winston’ my ’03 MCS.</p>
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<p>Just catching up on the archived posts -have been a tad distracted these past three months driving around in my new MCSC! Have had it since December and still get as huge a thrill out of driving it as the day I took delivery. I guess I’m in one of the smaller demographic pools as a buyer – 47 and female – but whatever! I get tons of looks (and smiles, and questions) from other drivers… I drove it, top down, on a sunny, 80 degree day last week and thought: “It doesn’t get much better than this!” </p>
<p>2005 Chili Red MCSC (w/all options but leather), white bonnet stripes and a custom black bonnet rally sticker –
“737 ABL” – Pat Moss’s winning number in the 1962 Tulip Rally. Not to take anything away from Paddy, but remember guys -the first ever rally victory by Mini Cooper was a car driven by Stirling Moss’s sister!)</p>
<p>I have two Mini Coopers. One for my wife and I.
My wife is 7 months pregnant and we will look forward to packing baby stuff in the car.
Absolutely fun & happy car for sure.</p>