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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

What is the point of the newer Minis?

74 replies

LewisAndClark · 05/08/2016 18:35

I'm sitting in a car park waiting for DD. There's a woman in a mini struggling to park.

They're HUGE. It's wider and longer than my little Ford Fiesta. It's not 'mini' by any stretch of the imagination.

AIBU to wonder what the point of them is? Why completely redesign a car and call it the same name when the name is no longer relevant?

OP posts:

mrgrouper · 05/08/2016 18:38

My first car was an old fashioned mini 22 years ago. They were classics. Do not like the newer ones.

topcat2014 · 05/08/2016 18:38

Don't get me started on the fiat 500 L (for large) - it is the size of a transit.

The original fiat 500 was only 9 feet long.

the point, I suppose, is to maximise the revenue for BMW from people who can barely remember the original car - never mind who had one.

LuckySantangelo1 · 05/08/2016 18:38

I guess because it's such a strong brand. They are incredibly popular cars.

Original poster

LewisAndClark · 05/08/2016 18:39

YES to the Fiat 500s as well. Totally pointless revamp. I loved the old ones and always wanted one when I grew up.

OP posts:

Ifailed · 05/08/2016 18:41

Drivers and passengers are larger. Hence the vehicle is.

Playduh · 05/08/2016 18:51

Simple. Childless couple buys a mini one. Loves it. Has a family, needs more room for car seats, prams etc, switches to a big mini.

HTH

almostthirty · 05/08/2016 18:53

I parked next to a mini the other day. It was longer, wider and taller than my estate car! Although I do like the Fiat 500 x as they have changed the style.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 05/08/2016 18:55

AIBU to wonder what the point of them is? Why completely redesign a car and call it the same name when the name is no longer relevant?

Yes, YABU. The smaller designs didn't sell, so they have got bigger - more people need bigger seats, and more space.

The point of minis isn't so much the size, anyway, that's just the brand name. They are highly personalisable, and quite well-made for that price range. They are very easy to drive, and they have good progression - start with a Mini One, upscale to a Sport when you want a bit more speed, then again when you need room for a child seat, then again when you need room for family stuff, then to a coupé...

They are made by BMW now anyway, there's little of the old brand left, other than the name and the British styling.

I had a Mini as my first car, I loved it.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 05/08/2016 18:57

Then again, this has made me think - I don't know anyone who chooses a car based on it's size. Maybe it's generational, but I don't think people want a small car. If anything, I think people want big cars (not long estate style, just big)

SisterMoonshine · 05/08/2016 20:34

Yanbu
It has no business being called a mini.
They should be called biggies now.
And the size of their tyres!

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 05/08/2016 20:46

Are you talking about a Mini Countryman? It's their version of an SUV and there is a 4 wheel drive version. I had one a few years ago and liked the higher driving position, but not a great deal else. Minis are overpriced and not that comfortable.

Topseyt · 05/08/2016 20:53

I would love a mini. If I could afford one. Last time I was looking for a car there were no good offers in the second hand market near us.

Cocolepew · 05/08/2016 20:55

I had a rant about this to the DDs the other day in a car park.
They walked off and pretended they didn't know me.

LikeDylanInTheMovies · 05/08/2016 20:58

quite well-made for that price range

People I know who have owned them beyond 6 or 7 years would be to differ. The faults seem to come think and fast and are hellishly expensive to fix.

It isn't the size of them that bothers me, so much that it has completely lost sight of what the mini was: an affordable, utilitarian, car at affordable prices (when introduced the original mini was the cheapest car on the road). The new mini is a lifestyle accessory and a triumph of style over substance for the "aspirational' (god I hate that phrase) it is no coincidence it is the car of choice for estate agents.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 05/08/2016 21:04

I love them but I still hanker after the old style minis.

My first car was a beige mini, back in 1991! It had no suspension to talk of and I used to bounce up and down the motorways but I loved it and still miss it.

Now I drive a ford galaxy but I'd love the new style mini once my dses have departed home. They look cool and are not to small. Tiny cars are notnveyrbpractical nowadays for most people; everything else has got bigger, car seats, buggies etc.....

OTheHugeManatee · 05/08/2016 21:08

The new Mini Cooper is great fun to drive - corners like a go-kart and nicely nippy. And they have good visibility and fun styling and can be parked on a sixpence. The dreary inverted car snobs on this thread can bite me

I8toys · 05/08/2016 21:12

I remember my dad's mini -with the sweetie dashboard in the 70's/80's - he was 6ft 4' and struggled to fit in it - not now sadly!!

BlossomHillOne · 05/08/2016 21:17

It's a car - You buy a car that fits your lifestyle. I couldn't fit three children comfortably into the older style mini - they fit fine for shorter journeys in the newer style one. It follows a vague Mini shape and looks ok.

I suppose you could ask why us your car called a Fiesta - it looks nothing like the original:

BlossomHillOne · 05/08/2016 21:18

That last sentence makes no sense - Really need sleep!

I will try again:

I suppose I could ask why your car is called a Fiesta - it looks nothing like the original...

Madeyemoodysmum · 05/08/2016 21:29

I have a original mini. It's bloody gorgeous. Gets loads of comments where ever i go.

I go like the new models tho They are nice cars but they are not minis nor ever will be.

Bring back the old model. It would sell everyone loves it.

Brekekekex · 05/08/2016 21:32

YANBU - every time I see one I mutter "it's not bloody mini!". This means I mutter a lot and it's possible I'm getting a reputation.

olderthanyouthink · 05/08/2016 21:38

^It has no business being called a mini.
They should be called biggies now.^

+1 This

BikeRunSki · 05/08/2016 21:50

The "new" ie:post 2001 ish BMW Minis are not so much about size as styling and the retro brand. I had an 02 reg from new for 6 years. Loved it. Sold it because I got a company car. Still remember it fondly. Couldn't ever have had an old Mini. No one I am related to would have fit!! I was once in love with a beautiful cream and burgundy original Mini. Black and white leather interior, lots of chrome. DH (6'2", mostly leg) couldn't actually drive it.

ginghambox · 05/08/2016 21:51

Certainly grown a bit.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 05/08/2016 22:00

All cars have grown! Most small cars are big compared to what they used to be and now we have seven seater monsters like I am guilty of driving

I sit very high up when driving due to the cars shape and I can't imagine how awful it would be to be in an old style mini behind me. You would see nothing. Times have changed and the mini has been reinvented for the modern era. I think it's a good thing overall.

I do still get very excited at seeing at seeing an old style mini though.

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