Oops, it's not a Mini! It's the all new Scion, xA and xB, currently available in CA and will be available for the entire US in about a year.

Here's Scion's web site: http://www.scion.com/

Its 1.5L 108 hp engine making it an interesting alternative to the MC. TRD is already making many performance parts for it and soon, a possible supercharger is on its way. Although Scion doesn't have the heritage of a MINI, but it is build in Japan with Toyota's impeccable quality behind it.

What's your opinion?

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2004 JCW MCS

 

the question remains: Bean or Box?

The Scion target demographic is different than the MINI, I don't see them as competetors, more like compliments to the niche market industry.

 

I thought you were talking about this one!!

 

Nice stretch limo MINI but if it were a true four door then each door would be a tad smaller. This one looks like an 8+ passenger bus!
The SCION is too Toyota/Nissan-like in design for me. It lacks the european flare that is so appealing with the MINI.
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ALOHA

 

I like this 4 door....Mira Gino

 

>>The Scion target demographic is different than the MINI, I don't see them as competetors, more like compliments to the niche market industry.

I agree. For one, I would guess that the "average" Mini buyer is significantly older than the Scion buyer.

 

That Mira Geno sure does like like an old model Mini though.

 

I don't think it much matters to anyone what the MINI community thinks of another make of car.

What I do like is . . . .



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Pebbles,
I like your 4 door MINIvan
The opposite facing side doors (implied by the adjacent mounting of the door handles) and twin rear opposing doors look good. Inside there is much leg room for back seat passengers-maybe add an entertainment center and small frig or other storage behind the seats. Maybe expand the rear boot so it is lower and deeper or has a room for a compact spare.

Here's the reality of it. More space and larger size mean heavier and more underpowered unless someone at BMW has enough brains and ***** to put the MCS engine or similar like a turbo in that 4 door beast. Also heavier and longer wheelbase means that the suspension needs to be beefed up a bit more and that adds more cost and weight.

It's really tricky keeping the price down and not creating a whallowing baby (MINI) whale that doesn't have much of the genuine MINI driving characteristics which we all enjoy whether in MC or MCS. When is the last time you had some real fun driving a minivan of any sort? Some can be sporty but it isn't that easy to pull off.

Thanks for the nice picture. It would make a really good mail truck with right handed steering wheel.

 

>>Pebbles,
>>I like your 4 door MINIvan
>>The opposite facing side doors (implied by the adjacent mounting of the door handles) and twin rear opposing doors look good.<<

You probably know this, but the rear passenger compartment doors on the 4-door MINIvan are commonly called, "suicide doors" for what happens if you open one at high speed. Your description sounds more educated, but I always liked, "suicide doors". :smile:

R.E.

 

Question....If you post something and notice you have a misspelled word or want to change something, is there a way to do this?

 

>>Question....If you post something and notice you have a misspelled word or want to change something, is there a way to do this?
Yes, for every post that you make you can edit the post after the fact by going back to it and looking for the small pencil and paper icon in the lower left hand corner of the message area. Click on that then you can get the original post back and edit then submit again. Alternatively you can delete your original post.
If you started the thread then the whole thread dissappears gone forever. You can edit the title of the thread if you originated it.
"suicide doors"

 

YTou guys seen that new Limo Mini?

 

<<. When is the last time you had some real fun driving a minivan of any sort? Some can be sporty but it isn't that easy to pull off. >>

My mom used to drive a Nissan Quest. Their motto was "The Minivan that drives like a sports car". She used that quote each and every time any of us made fun of her mom-mobile, and boy she sure did drive that thing like she thought it was a sports car!!

 

Slow, boring, and horrible handling. Definitely not a MINI.

 

>>Slow, boring, and horrible handling. Definitely not a MINI.


Beg to differ there, Vince. How adding an extra pair of rear doors is going to affect the handling dynamics of the car itself? Ever driven a BMW 330 in sedan and coupe versions?

We really like the idea of a MINI Traveller station wagon. Would be the perfect car for those of us thinking of starting a new family, that need and want a bit more practicality from our MINIs in the customary neat and fun package.

We both hate Minivans and SUVs. Hopefully MINI will recognize an ever growing market that craves all the attributes of the current 3 door hatchback design with a more family oriented design and better cargo space.

MINI, please bring it on.

 

>>The SCION is too Toyota/Nissan-like in design for me. It lacks the european flare that is so appealing with the MINI.

Actually, the SCION is a division of Toyota. It's just a lower model Toyota. But with my experience, having had a Toyota, they are really reliable, but for what you get, they're overpriced. I am not sure about the SCION, though. I know it doesn't have as much power, and yes, it does lack the european flare that the MINI has. I'm not surprised if people chose to fix the SCION up.

 

Anybody see "60 Minutes" last Sunday? One of the stories was about how companies hire folks to go on web chat-rooms and forums to start conversations about their products. They say it helps create a "buzz."
Anyhow, just a thought...

 

>>Anybody see "60 Minutes" last Sunday? One of the stories was about how companies hire folks to go on web chat-rooms and forums to start conversations about their products. They say it helps create a "buzz."
>>Anyhow, just a thought...
>>

Yes, I did watch "60 Minutes" with my wife. I wish I'm getting paid for starting this post. :smile:


_________________
2004 JCW MCS

 

davecsumini: keep in mind that the troubled MINIs get more press time on this site becuase itis more engaging to talkabout a aproblem than to keep commenting on posts that say "my mini has had no problems"

I nly have had 1 very small problem with my MINI and love it, and im not alone.

 

>>davecsumini: keep in mind that the troubled MINIs get more press time on this site becuase itis more engaging to talkabout a aproblem than to keep commenting on posts that say "my mini has had no problems"
>>
>>I nly have had 1 very small problem with my MINI and love it, and im not alone.

Thanks! That's comforting to know!
:smile:

 

Talk about ripping off the mini look...