CD Article: 2008 Mini Clubman

[CD_Editor]

First Drive:


With more cargo room and a real back seat, the new Mini Cooper Clubman and Cooper S Clubman are more comfortable and more practical than the Mini hatchback, reports Managing Editor, Grant Yoxon - but still "a hoot to drive."

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Read the article | View the photos | All The First Drives

[TopGun]

I really like our Cooper S Cab...so I took a long look at this at the Auto Show.

I could easily get into the back seat without even moving the front seat up...a big plus.  The extra door being on the passenger side makes getting the little guy into his seat more work than if it was on the driver's side.

I was very, very disappointed to learn the characteristic engine and exhaust "pops" that make the supercharged car so fun to drive are gone.

I'll have to drive one...but I don't think I'd buy one given the price point...and the fact that BMW has cheesed me off by making importing one (which is 30% less) a very expensive proposition.

[Seafoam]

I like it. It's a nice addition to the mini lineup with a bit more space. The only thing i'm not fussy about is the dark colour around the taillights. I'd much prefer this area to be body colour. 

[Mitlov]

Family friendly sport compacts are the next big thing.  MS3, five-door GTI, Civic Si sedan, even the Caliber SRT-4 and the HHR-SS.  Mini had an opportunity here, but I think they blew it.  With a suicide door on each side, and pop-out windows in the suicide doors (think RX-8 or Element), the Clubman S could have been a real contender for two-child families.  As is, it really only works if you only have one kid, and you know you're going stay that way for the length of the vehicle.  That's a much smaller target market.

[Seafoam]

Family friendly sport compacts are the next big thing.  MS3, five-door GTI, Civic Si sedan, even the Caliber SRT-4 and the HHR-SS.  Mini had an opportunity here, but I think they blew it.  With a suicide door on each side, and pop-out windows in the suicide doors (think RX-8 or Element), the Clubman S could have been a real contender for two-child families.  As is, it really only works if you only have one kid, and you know you're going stay that way for the length of the vehicle.  That's a much smaller target market.

You may be right ,but those cars you speak of are all four door cars. The Mini was always just a two door car even the original British version. I could be wrong about that[pickup ,panel van]I'm sure someone will correct me if i am wrong.I think it would look weird with four doors.
 

[Demosthenes X]

  I'm not sure people really cross-shop the Mini with the Mazda3 or what have you.  Everyone I know who has a Mini is either young, with no plans of starting a family, or older, and it is a second or third vehicle.  I think the Clubman was designed to attract buyers who wanted a Mini but found it to small, not families...  Mini seems entirely to small for a family, even if it had two suicide doors.

Is anyone else disappointed about the "Mini SUV"?  Bleh.

[Mitlov]

Family friendly sport compacts are the next big thing.  MS3, five-door GTI, Civic Si sedan, even the Caliber SRT-4 and the HHR-SS.  Mini had an opportunity here, but I think they blew it.  With a suicide door on each side, and pop-out windows in the suicide doors (think RX-8 or Element), the Clubman S could have been a real contender for two-child families.  As is, it really only works if you only have one kid, and you know you're going stay that way for the length of the vehicle.  That's a much smaller target market.

You may be right ,but those cars you speak of are all four door cars. The Mini was always just a two door car even the original British version. I could be wrong about that[pickup ,panel van]I'm sure someone will correct me if i am .I think it would look weird with four doors.
 

So two suicide doors would deface Mini history, but one on the right side is somehow okay?  Makes no sense to me.

[mmret]

Family friendly sport compacts are the next big thing.  MS3, five-door GTI, Civic Si sedan, even the Caliber SRT-4 and the HHR-SS.  Mini had an opportunity here, but I think they blew it.  With a suicide door on each side, and pop-out windows in the suicide doors (think RX-8 or Element), the Clubman S could have been a real contender for two-child families.  As is, it really only works if you only have one kid, and you know you're going stay that way for the length of the vehicle.  That's a much smaller target market.

You may be right ,but those cars you speak of are all four door cars. The Mini was always just a two door car even the original British version. I could be wrong about that[pickup ,panel van]I'm sure someone will correct me if i am .I think it would look weird with four doors.
 

So two suicide doors would deface Mini history, but one on the right side is somehow okay?  Makes no sense to me.

Mitlov has a point. Besides you can always "hide" the rear doors. The RX8 is a coupe in my eyes.

[Seafoam]

Family friendly sport compacts are the next big thing.  MS3, five-door GTI, Civic Si sedan, even the Caliber SRT-4 and the HHR-SS.  Mini had an opportunity here, but I think they blew it.  With a suicide door on each side, and pop-out windows in the suicide doors (think RX-8 or Element), the Clubman S could have been a real contender for two-child families.  As is, it really only works if you only have one kid, and you know you're going stay that way for the length of the vehicle.  That's a much smaller target market.

You may be right ,but those cars you speak of are all four door cars. The Mini was always just a two door car even the original British version. I could be wrong about that[pickup ,panel van]I'm sure someone will correct me if i am .I think it would look weird with four doors.
 

So two suicide doors would deface Mini history, but one on the right side is somehow okay?  Makes no sense to me.

Ok ,I see what you mean. If it didn't look like it had four doors [suicide on both sides] it wouldn't alter the appearance too much. I was thinking strictly adding two more doors like the other cars you mentioned above.

[TopGun]

I think the Clubman was designed to attract buyers who wanted a Mini but found it to small, not families...  Mini seems entirely to small for a family, even if it had two suicide doors.

My wife and I are 40 this year (not sure if that's young or old to you)...and we've got just the one little dude.  Although we consider the Cooper S Cab a 2nd vehicle, I could live with replacing my Protege5 with a Clubman.

It's a matter of deciding what sacrifices I can live with to achieve driving pleasure.

Having 2 Minis in the family seems kinda lame though...

[huota]

^ My wife and I are +30 with a 3 year old guy and our only car at the moment is a '08 Cooper. So far it has been sufficient for us, it helps not having to have a stroller anymore, the little guy has enough space for his car seat in the back. The car is fun to drive, economical and just overall easy to live with in an urban setting. And it is a superb winter car thanks to its great handling.

[jww]

...
Having 2 Minis in the family seems kinda lame though...

No worries, just give the one you don't want to me.   

[TopGun]

...
Having 2 Minis in the family seems kinda lame though...

No worries, just give the one you don't want to me.   

We might need both if we need to actually bring some stuff somewhere!!   

[TopGun]

Just came back from my first drive in the Clubman S (brought our Cooper S Cab in for an oil change).

I am sooooo disappointed.   

While the stats show that this engine is superior to the old mill in power, torque, and fuel economy...it is soulless.

The badge might say Mini...but I think they've taken much of the personality out of the car...which is what made it such fun.

Given this particular example was $37,000...that is way more money than I'd ever spend on something I'd forget I was driving about an hour after I owned it.

[davidm]

Just came back from my first drive in the Clubman S (brought our Cooper S Cab in for an oil change).

I am sooooo disappointed.   

While the stats show that this engine is superior to the old mill in power, torque, and fuel economy...it is soulless.

The badge might say Mini...but I think they've taken much of the personality out of the car...which is what made it such fun.

Given this particular example was $37,000...that is way more money than I'd ever spend on something I'd forget I was driving about an hour after I owned it.

Interesting, I was just shopping for a Mini and comparing 06 vs 07 Cooper S's (autos unfortunately).  I went 07 as I found it generally more refined, much faster, and a substantially better auto tranny.  For sure the car is less quirky (engine-wise), but the added low-end grunt and better auto made it a much better driveline IMHO.  I also liked the suspension setup better - much more BMW, taught but smooth.  The interior is different, I like the additional space, but I prefered the more "classic" controls of the old one.  For sure they are surprisingly different cars given how similar they look on the outside.

Sat in a clubman and couldn't fall in love.  Back hatches seem cool at first, but the divider and the way they close I really didn't like.  I also don't like the extended rear quarter glass with the chopped glass on the passenger side.  They didn't flow the door as smoothly as on the RX-8.