CTC Review: 2007 Mini Cooper S

[tpl]

The mini HAS TO HAVE the centyral speedo. Its part of the whole retro look of the car.

I do agree with others that the new new mini is not quite as attractive as  the new mini.  I wonder if the new EU regs about pedestrain safety have anything to do with it. ( space between the front end bodywork and any hard bits underneath,)

you are probably right,
Saw a clip on the Jag that has the hood pop up if it hits a person
http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm/newsID/2060501.002/country/ecf/jaguar/jaguar-receives-award-for-popping-hood

Yup - that's the issue. When BMW announced they were introducing a new, New Mini, one of the points they made was about over-compliance with EU regs for pedestrian safety. I actually don't mind the new look that much - it feels a bit evolutionary but not totally so. But then - there really weren't any changes to the original Issigonis design in the original run, so I wonder why BMW felt they needed to change the current model.

?   During the run of the original model ( the real Issigonis mini) there were far fewer bureaucrats insisting on bodywork changes.... for most of the run, the first 14 years anyway the UK was not in the EU.

if by original you mean the "new" mini then Issigonis had nothing to do with it and the EU regs are for 2007 and up model years

[jww]

?   During the run of the original model ( the real Issigonis mini) there were far fewer bureaucrats insisting on bodywork changes.... for most of the run, the first 14 years anyway the UK was not in the EU.

Yeah - don't you wish for days with less bureaucracy?

if by original you mean the "new" mini then Issigonis had nothing to do with it and the EU regs are for 2007 and up model years

I know - but we can dream can't we?

[LQRV1675]

Personally I think my 2007 Miata is a better "drivers car"
RWD is better than FWD!
I also get better gas mileage of 6.66 Liters per 100 klms.
The speedo position on the Mini is just stupid.

[tpl]

?   During the run of the original model ( the real Issigonis mini) there were far fewer bureaucrats insisting on bodywork changes.... for most of the run, the first 14 years anyway the UK was not in the EU.

Yeah - don't you wish for days with less bureaucracy?

if by original you mean the "new" mini then Issigonis had nothing to do with it and the EU regs are for 2007 and up model years

I know - but we can dream can't we?

yes and yes.

[mdxtasy]

Personally I think my 2007 Miata is a better "drivers car"
RWD is better than FWD!
I also get better gas mileage of 6.66 Liters per 100 klms.
The speedo position on the Mini is just stupid.

The Miata is a great handling car with good driving dynamics, but I would not consider it the ultimate driver's car.  The little Mazda is right up there when it comes to bang for buck and smiles per mile. 

[safristi]

  HOW many "SMILES per MILE" and how many "BANGS FER A BUCK!!!".....

[jww]

Personally I think my 2007 Miata is a better "drivers car"
RWD is better than FWD!
I also get better gas mileage of 6.66 Liters per 100 klms.
The speedo position on the Mini is just stupid.

I think that the Mini and the Miata chase different segments of the market. Both, btw, are very good driving vehicles with their own interesting strengths and unique weaknesses. IMO, if you don't place the speedo in the middle of the dash, then you loose the heritage of the Mini -plain and simple. Ymmv.

[84im]

Personally I think my 2007 Miata is a better "drivers car"
RWD is better than FWD!

I'm taking a driver's training course at Mission Race Track next week.  I won't be able to use my monster Miata, as its roll bar is not SCCA approved.  Fortunately, I also have a 2006 MINI Cooper S, although my wife is not thrilled with me 'tracking' her car.  Maybe there will be a 2006/2007 MX5 at the track.  The two would make an interesting comparison.

[Mattesa]

After seeing the new-new-Mini for a while, I've decided to just accept that the styling is a big step backward from the previous generation.

The styling details on the '07s are almost childish in execution.  The "purposeful styling" that the Germans do so well (and why their cars age so well) is comparatively non-existent.

The '07 looks like a Japanese interpretation of the '06.

 

[AVToller]

After seeing the new-new-Mini for a while, I've decided to just accept that the styling is a big step backward from the previous generation.

The styling details on the '07s are almost childish in execution.  The "purposeful styling" that the Germans do so well (and why their cars age so well) is comparatively non-existent.

The '07 looks like a Japanese interpretation of the '06.

 

Does that mean the reliability might become acceptable? 

[ovr50]

Had the chance last week, when in Calgary, to drive a friend's 2005 Mini Cooper S with the John Cooper Works package. All I can say is "Holeeeee....Crappppp.....does that thing even go/stop/handle". 

Particularily handle, like a go-cart. My buddy did a couple things with it I would never try but the car just asks for more. Very neat fun (but expensive as his was equipped).

[Wolfe]

Personally I think my 2007 Miata is a better "drivers car"
RWD is better than FWD!
I also get better gas mileage of 6.66 Liters per 100 klms.
The speedo position on the Mini is just stupid.

I think that the Mini and the Miata chase different segments of the market. Both, btw, are very good driving vehicles with their own interesting strengths and unique weaknesses. IMO, if you don't place the speedo in the middle of the dash, then you loose the heritage of the Mini -plain and simple. Ymmv.

Both the MINI and Miata are on my shopping list when it comes time to get a new car. Ovr50 has nicely summed up why the MINI is on the list. 

[mdxtasy]

Personally I think my 2007 Miata is a better "drivers car"
RWD is better than FWD!
I also get better gas mileage of 6.66 Liters per 100 klms.
The speedo position on the Mini is just stupid.

I think that the Mini and the Miata chase different segments of the market. Both, btw, are very good driving vehicles with their own interesting strengths and unique weaknesses. IMO, if you don't place the speedo in the middle of the dash, then you loose the heritage of the Mini -plain and simple. Ymmv.

Both the MINI and Miata are on my shopping list when it comes time to get a new car. Ovr50 has nicely summed up why the MINI is on the list. 

A Mazdaspeed Miata would do all that but topless.