Learn me Mini Clubman

My boss is thinking about getting the clubman and seeing that I'm the only car guy in the office, I have been helping him look. He's looking at the non-S model. I did some research on the car and priced it out with the bare essentials and it comes out to like 25K.

The mileage is good which is what he was looking for. He needs something to zip thru traffic with...

I know it's a fairly recent model but I was hoping someone had some feedback on this model. One more thing the non-S model has a whooping 117 hp. You figure about 2700lb chassis with 117lb, would probably be pretty dangerous on the on-ramps of NYC. How are the mini guys couping with this???

Just posted this morning: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/new-cars/2008-mini-clubman/

Zero to sixty is still less than 9 seconds. That should be good enough. Think ahead, downshift.

If you are getting an automatic, I'd say no based upon my experience with the prior 2006 auto with the CVT auto tranny. Not sure if their auto tranny on the Cooper has improved.

If you are getting a manual, I think it would be OK. I lived in NYC for 30+ years until 2 years ago so I know the on/off ramps you are talking about. The regular cooper is probably quicker than most if not all of the Mini Vans and SUVs cruising around.

The Mazda3 might be a good option also especially if you are buying an automatic. Its about $5k cheaper, bigger engine and a bit bigger overall.

I personally like the Clubman but I have never driven one so I can't say from any real experience. 118 hp to lug around 2885 lbs does not sound encouraging. Also, in the bulk of the article you say " There were some pretty gnarly panel gaps around the sunroof trim, and the headliner felt awfully flimsy" and then Tim sums it up by saying "the fit, the finish the handling is all gorgeous". So I am not sure what to think about that. Anyway, as much as I like the Mini I think there may be better alternatives.

It looks funny. As in, "What the hell is wrong with that mini coming this way?" kinda funny, or, funny like a clown on fire being chased by bees kinda funny.

Not good.

Joey

Feedyurhed wrote: I personally like the Clubman but I have never driven one so I can't say from any real experience. 118 hp to lug around 2885 lbs does not sound encouraging. Also, in the bulk of the article you say " There were some pretty gnarly panel gaps around the sunroof trim, and the headliner felt awfully flimsy" and then Tim sums it up by saying "the fit, the finish the handling is all gorgeous". So I am not sure what to think about that. Anyway, as much as I like the Mini I think there may be better alternatives.

We actually sampled more than one Clubman Cooper. Tim had one out in California, while we had a second one here in Florida. The Florida car did have some lose trim. I think it mostly snapped back into place.

A Mazda 3 or a Honduh Fit would be more practical.

Clubman: its a mini, 30+mpg, Most powerful

Fit: 300lbs less then the clubman, similar power, 4 doors, least expensive

Mazda 3: Most space, most power, <30mpg

U-G-L-Y, You ain't got no Alibi, you ugly. Yeah, yeah, You Ugly.

Thats my feelings on it.

I like the way they look, and would buy one if they weren't so expensive. I'm liking the VW Rabbit as a cost/efficiency compromise. The Rabbit needs to go a lot of miles before the poor MPG rating catches up to the higher buy in on the Mini.

Given the choice, I'd have a Fit. It's hard to beat the combination of practicality, efficiency, and reliability.

I'm pretty sure I'd go with a C30, if it could do 5 mpg better, although the MS3 is awfully compelling.

Has anyone else noticed a big resurgence in hatchbacks lately? Just a few years ago they were nearly extinct.

Tim Baxter wrote: Has anyone else noticed a big resurgence in hatchbacks lately? Just a few years ago they were nearly extinct.

Probably related to the decline of SUVs. People are realizing they can still carry all their stuff, it's easier to load, rides better, and get decent gas mileage.

If I needed a little four-door people mover (or rather, if I didn't need to tow and thus didn't have the Xterra)

I'd be all for the newer Scion Xb. It's almost my idea of the perfect toaster—it's essentially a Camry wagon and the 2.4/5-speed combo is fun to hustle around. I've been driving one for the past week, averaging 25mpg around town driving like a jackass.

$16,900. FTW.

Per Schroeder wrote: If I needed a little four-door people mover (or rather, if I didn't need to tow and thus didn't have the Xterra) I'd be all for the newer Scion Xb. It's almost my idea of the perfect toaster—it's essentially a Camry wagon and the 2.4/5-speed combo is fun to hustle around. I've been driving one for the past week, averaging 25mpg around town driving like a jackass. $16,900. FTW.

I just think the older Xb looked sooo much cooler. They really grew on me. This is from the guy who has a TON of first year brochures from the auto show at the Scion booth cause I was sure they wouldnt last, and one day I would be rich off selling them on ebay.

The new ones just look huge to me.

Joey

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/22/video-mini-clubman-vs-go-kart/ clubman vs go kart..

very fun...

Lesee, small car in NYC? Okay, I commute across NYC twice a day in a Corolla, although this week I am doing it in a 1.6 Miata.

Chief Advantages: with the top down, there is no place better to observe the fine NYC women in midtown at rush hour.

Disadvantages: You can't see beyond the rear bumper of the car in front of you. This means you can't see that the reason traffic is stopped is because of the idiot limo disgorging passengers in your lane two or more cars up. Good for your blood pressure, lousy for actually getting someplace. Even in the Corolla I sit high enough in bumper to bumper traffic to see further ahead.

Go with a Fit. Good visibility and manueverability because it sits somewhat taller than a Mini.

Sure, the new XBs are considerably bigger than the first gens and that can be considered bad...or good. The fact that it still remains quite economical around town (city mpg 25ish) is cool. I dunno, I like the idea of a funky Camry wagon.

I'm going to miss it when it goes away today. I didn't feel that way with the Clubman or the earlier Xb (or the Fit for that matter.)

Per