Mini Convertible

[Talentless]

Just say no, I say.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

I think driving one of these things would be a hoot. They are supposed to be a very well handling car. I'd like to give one a test spin.

 

[Vasco]

hehe. that would be cool to drive.

 

[dredknot_420]

thats SWEET!!! i want 1

 

[1X83Z]

When the Mini sales dry up, they'll need a convertible.

So, yes.

Same for the New Beetle.

 

[Robin2]

Originally posted by M5Power
When the Mini sales dry up, they'll need a convertible.

So, yes.

Same for the New Beetle.

holden have done the same thing with the astra. it now comes in a convertable

 

[1X83Z]

It was a GM move - there's an Astra convertible in UK (Vauxhall Astra) and the rest of the world (Opel Astra), too.

 

[Hooligan]

Originally posted by Talentless
Just say no, I say.

I think the ironic thing about the MINI being a convertible is that now it will drive like your average hatchback. It doesn't look all that great (nor does the Beetle convertible), and I don't know why they're rushing this so soon. It's not as if sales are slowing, and if they are it's because of something called...oh, what was it...ah, yes: Winter. In the States, when people think snow, they think 4WD...or at least something that looks rough-road ready.

Best move for the MINI? The 200HP version (http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_...xpress.co.uk/news/evo_news_story.php?id=31774), but only if they include a good LSD. Otherwise, the torque steer could rip the speedometer off the dash. After that (and by that I mean at least another full year), try an AWD version. All-wheel-drive isn't exactly the first thing on the average new car buyer's mind, but it sure would help to compete against the Focus Cosworth (if only...) and whatever other AWD Japanese-spec beasts are about. And then, a few years later, when MINI sales really do fall off, a convertible should be considered.

But seriously: it looks goofy and it's totally unnecessary.

 

[Hooligan]

redundant post....

 

[12sec. Civic]

I dont like ANY convertible as an option unless the only choice is convertible (i.e. The Honda S2000 is one of my fave cars).

However, I do have alot of respect for the Mini Cooper, I know that they were made with a lot of thought and attention to detail. I do think it will sell quite well although I would have trouble forking over the money, even for the base Mini, when I could have a WRX or RSX Type-S for the same dough!


Don't you think the VW Beetle convertible is kind of too late to the market, won't everyone who wants a beetle have one by now. I wont be surprised if they dont sell as many as projected. I do think that BMW is doing the right thing by offering the Mini Convertible almost at the same time as Mini Hatch. They will only sell more by doing this, never less, so there is no chance it could be a mistake.

 

[alex_gt]

well it's idea competition for the :ford: Streetka?

 

[TVRKing]

I'd much rather have the StreetKa.

 

[MistaY]

But the streetKa is just a sqished up TT with a Ford Fiesta engine (not that fiesta engines are bad ) I think id rather take................ the Pug 206cc.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Ah, a Mini with EVEN LESS interior space. Just what the world needed.

 

[TVRKing]

I'm with you Giles.

 

[Ryan2]

I'd drive it. If I could drive, that is..

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by GilesGuthrie
Ah, a Mini with EVEN LESS interior space. Just what the world needed.

It's a Mini! What are you expecting - 740iL legroom?

Seriously though - it had to happen.

 

[Hooligan]

Originally posted by 12sec. Civic
However, I do have alot of respect for the Mini Cooper, I know that they were made with a lot of thought and attention to detail. I do think it will sell quite well although I would have trouble forking over the money, even for the base Mini, when I could have a WRX or RSX Type-S for the same dough!

I agree. The Cooper (particularly the Cooper S) is just a great car to drive. It's refreshing to see people are still making real hot hatches.

Don't you think the VW Beetle convertible is kind of too late to the market, won't everyone who wants a beetle have one by now.

It's a little late, but the Beetle Turbo S was a nice holdover. Probably what the Beetle 1.8T should have been in the first place. (Of course, I'm a big fan of "Do it right, and you'll only do it once", never caring that the opposite applies to sales.) I'm sure there's a fair -- but not large -- number of people who will help boost Beetle sales. The VW Cabrio is doing well, I think, so why not it's cuter sibling?

 

[1X83Z]

The Cabrio is to be replaced by its 'cuter' sibling! Rather than re-design the Cabrio, they're just figuring that Cabrio fans are also Beetle fans and will take well to the Beetle Convertible. I think its Volkswagen cutting costs by not re-designing the Cabrio. A good point is made by Volkswagen, though, when that argument is brought up since the introduction of the Beetle Convertible would take a significant bite out of Cabrio sales.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Originally posted by vat_man


It's a Mini! What are you expecting - 740iL legroom?

Seriously though - it had to happen.

I think they probably should have been honest about it and made it a two-seater. But since it has the same wheelbase as a Discovery, it's not quite such the marvel of packaging that Issignosis' (sp?) original car was. Then losing half the boot to put the roof in is faintly ridiculous. My bet is that (in the UK at least) you'll see quite a lot of them, but with their roof up, even on a sunny day.