http://jalopnik.com/5067242/2009-min...man-s-part-two

a not so good review of the Clubman . I really can't agree with much of what is said here. Regarding the handling comments, perhaps their model didn't come with the sport suspension parkage.
And the weight, there is not that much difference in the weight of the coop vs clubman. I think they are letting generalities of the physical differences bias their driving.

In general I am not so impressed with many auto blogs of today.

 

Ya, if you look at the first part of the review, they tear it apart in that one also. I just think its another individual who doesn't like the design and let it affect their review.

 

Agreed...it's one opinion against another and there are plenty of them out there these days.

 

I've never found Jalopnik reviews (opinions) to be very valuable. I'll check out their site for the photos but they have their favorite cars and everything else must neccesarily be crap.

If you've ever test driven a clubbie S and a MCS back-to-back, they're almost indistiguishable in performance. I don't even find the ride that much different.

 

Well, I kinda agree with a lot of what he said, if you are evaluating it as a performance car. If you drive it without hitting the sport button and with the DSC engaged it can be quite uninspiring.

And, if you step from a modified WRX into a Clubbie (or MC) it will feel a bit slow.

I also noted that they chose to load up the car ($32k) so they could compare it to other cars that are pricier.

Kinda like he took it for a test drive for a couple of minutes.

charlie

 

I saw another review somewhere where the writer drove an R56 MCS (and loved it), but then complained about the radio on/off **** being away from the rest of the sound system controls. It was obvious (and slightly discrediting) that he didn't even know the car well enough to grasp that the diplay in the speedo was about lots more than the audio (such as OBC, bluetooth). These guys really need to know what limb they are going out on before they choose to saw it off.

 

We own a Jeep liberty, which many panned for trying to be a road car and a 4x4 vehicle and doing neither well. But we love it for being a road car and a 4x4 and doing both well enough to suit us.

The mini has the drivability of a sports car but enough utility to make it useful for our family. It does both well enough to suit us.

Auto magazines don't like cars that don't have a sharp focus. They must be fast, or sturdy, or cheap, but sacrifice any speed for utility and the abomination must be trashed. (Plus they are so sold on the swept back sport car styling right now that nothing else will make them happy.)

 

In these days of internet mags the reporters are getting less and less reliable. Most seem it is their place to say something dramatic just to get attention. I think many of them have driven a few minutes in a lot of different cars so consider themselves qualified to judge them. I guess it is a good gig. Go around and test drive everything you can get your hands on, then spend a few minutes writing up a one pager.

For real reviews I still rely on the printed magazines with reviewers whose experience I have followed for many years. Despite their tendency to rate expensive cars higher, R&T is still my 'go to' car mag.

charlie

 

There are actually three parts to the Jalopnik reviews -meh (all by "interns" trying their best to channel Jeremy Clarkson)

They aren't always so vitriolic. Earlier this month Jalopnik named the base Clubman to a top 10 list of cars for a weekend trip: http://jalopnik.com/5058808/ten-best...l-weekend-trip

And there is my favorite post from the summer with the Clubman vs. go kart video: http://jalopnik.com/399035/mini-club...versus-go-kart

 

I defended our brand new Clubbie in the comments in part 1 That'll show 'em!

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Too new to have a sig

 

One thing that makes me scratch my head is under the performance review: the said (and I quote!): We really miss the supercharged MINI engine of old.

What? Have they REALLY tested an older, original MINI? I strongly doubt it. Like a few you said, it seems they have an axe to grind with the Clubman and bash it just because they can. I wonder what kind of cars they drive. For a FRONT wheel drive car, the Clubman S has pretty good performance. Also, the longer wheelbase irons out bumps better. I test drove both the Cooper and the Clubman. And their whining about the plastic on the interior? Well, almost all vehicles out on the market today have cheap, cruddy plastic whether it's Honda, Volvo, GM or Mercedes. I speak from experience. Believe me, the Clubman's interior materials are FAR ahead of what you'd expect for the price range. A case: my '00 Intrepid had to have the sun visor clips, door sill trim and a few other parts replaced because they were made from very cheap, crummy plastic that cracked in the sun. Also, the air deflector over the sunroof broke. The Clubman is wayyyy ahead in terms of quality.

 

That review is a joke.

Why would you evaluate the car as a 'performance car', with a tester that has an automatic transmission?

I doubt that they actually even had the car as a tester. From what I can see, the photos show a manual, but they said that it's an auto...?

Just another bunch of idiots commenting on a car they probably haven't even seen upclose or driven.

 

So, it's just another dirt bag review.
Most of us owners laugh at those who badmouth the Clubman.

How many people are greeted with questions from OTHER car owners in mall parking lots?! 65' Vette and the Clubman, that's who.

Reviewers are by nature negative and I avoid them.
All I have to say is "Over 30 mpg combined!" to a truck owner who scoffs at me and I can count on his little Mrs. to hit him in the arm.

 

I wouldn't pay attention to reviews like this one. Just ask those like me who have test driven Clubbies sooooo many times, but can't get one yet

 

I love my Jeep Liberty too!

Anyway, I didn't like that review at all, they wasted so much time talking about Hell Michigan and everything else. Not a worthy review of anything in my opinion...

 

If this car is soooo bad, then how come its selling for over MSRP in many places and in a market/economy that is sooo down that even Honda/Toyota sales are down?

 

I myself never had love for the club at all, but everyone has a opinion , I also have hate for Toyotas, all but the prius

 

You haved to admit though, it is one of the ugliest cars on the road....a mini-Aztek!!!! Saddest of all is that folks are getting used to it's ghastly appearance. So much for maintaining our cultural aesthetic sensibilities.

 

btw. Part 3 came out
http://jalopnik.com/5069653/2009-min...n-s-part-three

 

LOL @ Jalopnik ... their entire modus operani is to be controversial and raise eyebrows ... I actually agree with most things they said (except for the handlign part)

and if you look at the photos, the testers in question look like kids intheir late teend at best ... at that age I was inclined to like balsier/rawer cars myself.

 

I just can't believe they really think the clubman lacks on curves compared to an R56. Almost every other reviewer out there says the cars are extremely similar in handling. Maybe the R56 has a slight edge, but you have to be a little crazy to deny that the Clubman also has excellent handling skills in the twisties. Maybe it's just R53 snobbery, or dislike of Mini in general.

They also picked one of the less sporty configs if that was what they were looking for--both the auto tranny and sunroof add weight to the package.

Anyway, I'll stick to reviewers like Dan Neil at the LA Times who are good writers and know a thing or two about cars. Plus, he called the Clubman "a bigger, better Mini."

Anyway, I don't think jalopnik is for me. I got the Mini for the combination of fun factor, performance and gas mileage, which is a tough package to come by. If all you want is the cheapest ***** to the wall car you can find, then obviously the Clubman isn't it.