Disclaimer: They're not out yet, and I haven't driven one, so I'm pretty much going on specs.

I really like the look of the new Mini, and having sat in a few at the Detroit Auto Show, I think they have one of the slickest interior layouts I've seen. But on the performance and price side of things, I'm really disappointed.

Weight balance: 63:37 (!)
Weight: 2500 lbs empty (the Mini is substantially smaller than a Civic)
Power: 163 hp/155lb-ft from a SC 1.6L engine (surprisingly weak. Although I suspect 200+ may be fairly easy to obtain with some tweaking)
Power/Weight: 15.3:1 (RSX-S is 13.5, WRX is 12.7, S2000 is 11.5)
Base price: $19850 (ouch)
Price how I'd spec it: $22000 (Sport package, Fancy wheel+Cruise, HK sound [which is quite good] $550)

Also, I doubt that most of the dealers (who seem to have exclusivity over a very large area, 1 dealership in all of Indiana for example) will be offering these things anywhere near MSRP.

To me, this doesn't seem like a very good deal. For not much more dough, one could get into an RSX-S, a WRX, or any of a handful of other cars which will probably be much faster (though without the "cool" factor that the Mini will have).

Thoughts?

 

So let all the college girls fight over them because "they look cute." I have no problem with that. They can keep 'em.

 

My BMW dealer sell those at almost $25k

 

You forgot the best part, The engines are made in Brazil and the whole lot is assembled in the UK.

I don't know about you, but neither of those centers of industry instill a lot of confidence in me.

 

I must admit, I was completely disinterested in the Minis until I saw a Cooper S at the LA auto show.

They had a red one with white roof, bonnet stripes and upgraded wheels. I thought it was freaking cool as hell.

I contacted my local BMW/Mini dealer (Crevier in Orange County) and was prompltly told that all I could do was put my name and number on an interested list. The contact person told me that new Mini comes in April and the S won't be available until August. The contact person refused to talk price. Since Crevier was (and might still be) charging a huge "market adjustment" (that's hose Joe Average speak for a Dealer reach around) of $10 - $15K for an M3, I can't imagine you'll be able to buy a Mini for anything near MSRP.

At $22K (with all the goodies), I might be interested but if you're gonna start bending me over for anything above sticker, you can forget it.

Sorry, rant over.

As to disappointement over the stat's, no doubt on paper, the car seems to be outclassed by the WRX or RSX type S. However, since I am less than thrilled about either the RSX or WRX, I guess I can't say much.

 

It's a shoebox on a roller skate.

 

I can't deal with the gauge being in the middle of the car. It'd be like monitoring your speed with the radio. I also don't understand all the recent fascination with using a small displacement engine, then boosting it to make up for the lack of displacement. Forced induction cars can also get crappy fuel mileage, and large displacement engines can get decent mileage. It's all in the ankle. It must be a European thing.

Looks like the VW Cabrio will have competition for sorority girl's affection.

 

...but of course as S2000 owners, WE are not the intended market for this car. So, BMW will just go on its way to market and sell these cars to their niche market, and the dealers will make mega markups on it. Sigh! Its just an example of our free market at work.