What is the point of the newer Minis?

[LewisAndClark]

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?

like I don't doubt any of that - my point is the new Mini surely is not as aero-dynamic as other modern cars? But then I guess a lot of the massive SUVs etc aren't either...

Because they're cool as shit!

unlucky no it isn't particularly poor aerodynamically compared to other modern cars. It has the same drag coefficient as a Renault Clio and a smaller drag coefficient than a Ford Focus.

Aerodynamics are but one factor amongst many in how efficient a car is and not an absolute determinate.(ie you can have a relatively unaerodynamic car that is fuel efficient and vice versa)

Do you all honestly sit there worrying about aerodynamics and drag coefficents when you buy a new car?! I just took the mini for a test drive, had loads of fun, loved how it looked and bought it.

Aaron

Me no.I'm at the bargain basement end of the market and my car buying decisions revolve around the'what's available for under £1,000 and can be run without costing an arm and a leg in either petrol or repairs for at least three years. The answer is usually something Japanese made. Not bothered what.

I was just intrigued that another poster had somehow got an odd notion that Minis were somehow dreadfully unaerodynamic or inefficient, when compared to other cars.

From this on a mini forum ...it does have a bad drag coefficient - less efficient than cars from 30-40 years ago.
I don't fret too much about drag coefficients -I'm also budget end of the market but usually a couple of £k - think you are mad to buy a new car with the level of depreciation you get...
Drag coeff effects fuel economy (and being greener) - my point was it supposedly is fuel efficient - but a car with everything else the same but a more aerodynamic body shape would be more efficient....it is style over efficiency.
I know to get fuel usage figures manufacturers strip cars down to shells -you could never get the same mpg in real life on the road. And all the fuss about fixing the onboard computers...
I have issues with A ratings etc for appliances too - don't trust them - as seen by Dyson vs Miele taking each other to court over what wattage their vacuums actually use...
The point I am making is that I don't think a Mini can actually be a particularly 'green' car...although from the figures it would seem to be...which could be misleading.

They are huge especially when you compare to a original mini, which truly is mini.
It's just a name now and people need big cars these days but what I don't understand is monster 4x4 landrover style cars, they don't even fit in car parks and our roads aren't made for them.

I want one after seeing one that was refurbished and a great engine.

I drive a 6 year old Mini. It's pretty good but it's more like a tank than a car. Barely fits in our (admittedly small) garage. But it does the job. Naff all boot space however.

My neighbour has one.
It looks from the outside as though it may be quite spacious. And it would be if it weren't for the clunky plastic almost characature style of the dash and everything else inside! It looks really cheap and is so bulky - barely any space at all.
Not my cup of tea, But he probably hates my BMW 4x4 just as much!
Different strokes and all that really.

A Mini isnt a Mini unless its got a big hole in the footwell, a wire thing you pull on to open the door and a gearstick about three feet long. Oh and the subframe (whatever that is) has to go, resulting in a failed MOT.

Yanbu OP and why oh why do they have to be so goppingly, eye assaultingly ugly?

The new Mini engine is off the old K series bikes

No, it isn't. Are you smoking crack?

a gearstick about three feet long Those really early ones with the magic wand gearstick and floor starter button are work a lot of money now - even with a rotten subframe :)

YANBU - they're horrible.

My old mini had to have a new subframe, poor old thing. No idea what it meant but it cost a lot and didn't do much to improve the suspension!

I was also well acquainted with the national breakdown people who used to come out regularly as it would never start in cold weather.

Still miss it though and get all misty eyed when I see an old style mini around. Not many of them left anymore......just another sign of me getting old. In my youth, they were everywhere.

UmbongoUnchained
Yep!
I think lots of peeps hate because they are very expensive compared to fiesta, golf etc...
But cool too look at plus my kids and thier friends love it as do I😊

I have a Mini Countryman 4all super and it is awesome! Can fit two children with car seats in and a boot big enough for a travel system and a supermarket shop. I love it 😍

I don't think the dashboard is clunky. It's beauuuutiful!

I've got a Mini (cooper S) and it's one of the most fun cars I've owned. Spends a lot of time in the garage though at great expense! I'm not a massive fan of the bigger ones but as I've only got one child mine suits me fine. I used to dream of an old style Fiat 500 when I learnt to drive 20 years ago!

I think lots of peeps hate because they are very expensive compared to fiesta, golf etc..

A similarly specced MINI will be cheaper than the equivalent Golf! So trying to pull the 'jealously' schtick about a hairdresser and estate agent chariot will just make you look daft.

"Hairdresser and estate agent chariot" Hahahaha! Wtf?! Who judges car owners like that?!! It's not 1995!

We get it. You don't like the new minis. I personally love mine and, seeing as I drive it every single day, I'm guessing I have more knowledge on how it runs, its mpg, how many people it holds and and whether or not it copes well at 80 mph.

Fair point Arron but more pressingly...

How much do you charge for a cut and colour [ducks]

LOL! Judging by the shade of yellow I accidentally dyed my own hair the one time I tried it, I'm thinking I would have to pay you!

I'm the MN lowest of the low. A SAHM of school age children. I know. I hang my head in shame every day not

And they are so ugly and characterless now