Goliath lost.
March 14, 2002 12:07 PM   Subscribe

Goliath lost. This and other pro-small billboards are popping up in downtown Atlanta. No doubt they have cousins (little ones, I'm sure) springing up in your cities. I couldn't believe my eyes, because the billboards seemed to be promoting the ever-so-British Mini Cooper.

The Mini is... well... just like it says, the veritable opposite of the stereotypical American SUV. Yes, it is the type of car Mr Bean would drive. But when you see them in their natural Anglo habitat, you can't help but notice they're just perfectly suited to zipping to and from wherever. The site lets you find a dealer, build your own Mini and save it for future reference. The catch is that you have to fill out an opt-in form, but with lines like this as part of your agreement, how could you resist?

"- I agree to chase squirrels around the park now and then and giggle like a madman while doing it."

Yeah. I want one. But will the American public?
posted by grabbingsand (77 comments total)
 
My brother-in-law is seriously considering one, and we live in Oregon fercryingoutloud. You're not allowed residency here without a truck or an SUV.

On a side note, on the snowy road to Mt. Hood, guess what kinds of vechicles were more likely to be stuck in a ditch. Yep, SUVs.
posted by Tacodog at 12:14 PM on March 14, 2002


I totally want one. With the optional parking distance control and continuously variable transmission this seems like the perfect city car. At least until the Smart car is available here.
posted by bshort at 12:17 PM on March 14, 2002


I'm curious about one thing that I couldn't (although I may have stupidly missed it) find on their pages.

What sort of gas mileage do these things get?

They're supa cool and everything, but if they're tiny I'd want them to at least get some decent MPG. Also, I'm about 6'6", so I'd definitely want to take a test spin in one to make sure my gangly frame even fit in the thing before deciding it was for me.
posted by almostcool at 12:25 PM on March 14, 2002


Yes, I badly, badly want one. Unfortuantely, since it will be featured in the new Austin Powers movie, many people will want one. And BMW is creating a "false shortage" to drive up the demand. Bastards!
posted by ColdChef at 12:26 PM on March 14, 2002


I want one too and I don't even know how to drive a standard transmission. But my girlfriend swears the things look completely unsafe; if you were hit by a minivan, would the chassis crumble? Does anyone have any british safety records on these cars? Not that I plan on getting into any accidents.
posted by akmonday at 12:27 PM on March 14, 2002


I want to get one just to drive it through Italian sewers.

But really though: *drool*
posted by Kafkaesque at 12:28 PM on March 14, 2002


akmonday, These are new designs. The old Mini safety records wouldn't really be applicable. Both my parents, however drove Minis in England in the 60s. Both had large accidents and walked away unhurt.
posted by Kafkaesque at 12:29 PM on March 14, 2002


Speaking on behalf of the American public (and I assure you, I do): Yes, I want one.
posted by jheiz at 12:30 PM on March 14, 2002


You know, I live in manhattan, so I'd never even considered getting a car. But now I want one. Thanks.

Very cute site too, nice usable flash. I like the little flying mini-helicopter that comes in, I'm sure there are a lot of other easter eggs.
posted by malphigian at 12:32 PM on March 14, 2002


almost - the FAQ says they don't have official numbers from the "requisite government authorities" yet, but they estimate 26 city/43 highway for the Mini Cooper based on European results.

I want one.
posted by starvingartist at 12:34 PM on March 14, 2002


The gas mileage is notably absent on the mini site, but this says that the "[a]verage combined city/highway fuel economy ratings for the British cars is 42.2 mpg for Mini One and 43.3 mpg for the Cooper."
posted by panopticon at 12:34 PM on March 14, 2002


Easter eggs continued. Leave the site open for too long and/or beneath another browser window, and it will pop up a message suggesting that you should go outside because "We here at MINI are concerned you are not seeing enough sun and stars...."
posted by grabbingsand at 12:37 PM on March 14, 2002


I'd like one, too. But unfortunately, with all the Canyoneros and Humvees around here, if you ever got in an accident, the phrase "Goliath Lost" would be the exception instead of the rule.
posted by crunchland at 12:44 PM on March 14, 2002


I don't know, I guess they were around for a while. In reality though, the car isn't really practical, I mean, it's just a bit smaller than a beatle, if not the same size. They are kind of expensive. The gas mileage isn't really impressive. I'd rather have a prius or some other hybrid car, even if just for the cool factor. And lastly, I think it's kind of ugly, come to think of it, there aren't many english cars I like, Land Rover looks kind of good, I guess, but, what other cars do they have in the UK? For some reason I can only think of Rolls Royce/Bentley. What about Porche?
posted by tiaka at 12:44 PM on March 14, 2002


Hmmm, well I'm in the market for something myself, the honkin SUV is going to my wife, but I was looking for something sporty. However, I have to do alot of highway driving, and noise is a factor. I'd have to drive one to be sure, but I want one...
posted by jkaczor at 12:47 PM on March 14, 2002


tiaka: how about a Jaguar?
posted by o2b at 12:51 PM on March 14, 2002


The gas mileage isn't really impressive.

Are you kidding? On the highway the thing gets almost as good mileage as the Prius or the TDI Beetle, without an absurdly complicated powertrain or the hassles of diesel fuel.

what other cars do they have in the UK?

Jaguar. Jaguar, Jaguar, Jaguar.

They also have a marque called Vauxhall, but I could never drive one of those. There are no atheists in Vauxhalls.
posted by kindall at 12:51 PM on March 14, 2002


When I saw the "Goliath lost" billboard yesterday, my first thought was, "But David was armed..." If I were in a Mini vs. SUV accident, I'd want a slingshot at the least.
posted by precipice at 12:53 PM on March 14, 2002


Having pried people out of wrecks many a time, I can say without hesitation there is nothing like surrounding yourself with steel. If all cars were Minis, there wouldn't be much of an issue, but here in the US there's an awful lot of really big vehicles on the road...

That said, I'd love to own one. Cooler than a VW bug and even less practical for a 6'4" guy with a wife and two kids.
posted by tommasz at 12:55 PM on March 14, 2002


They also have a marque called Vauxhall

Isn't Vauxhall Chevy? For the record, I want a Mini as well, but I'd rather peel off my own skin than deal with that forced scarcity gag manufacturers are running nowadays (S2000, PT Cruiser, etc).
posted by yerfatma at 12:56 PM on March 14, 2002


Isn't Vauxhall Chevy?

Isn't it all GM? Chevy in America, Vauxhall in the UK and Opel in continental Europe. I think.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 1:10 PM on March 14, 2002


Um, is it just me, or does such a tiny car seem a tad bit over-priced? I could get a nice Honda Accord for the same/similar price... I mean, they're interesting and all, but still.
posted by crankydoodle at 1:11 PM on March 14, 2002


Jaguars are Fords.

So are Astin Martins. So are Land Rovers.

So are Volvos.
posted by NortonDC at 1:15 PM on March 14, 2002


it's like brazil :) but on my big wheel i can go anywhere!
posted by kliuless at 1:16 PM on March 14, 2002


GM owns Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, EV1, GMC, Holden, Hummer, Oldsmobile, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall, and I think 30% of FIAT Automotive, which only includes the automotive arm of FIAT, but does not include Ferrari & Maserati.
posted by riffola at 1:19 PM on March 14, 2002


NortonDC: As are Mazdas, sort of. Ford has a 33 percent controlling stake in the company.
posted by raysmj at 1:21 PM on March 14, 2002


Is there any UK only car company left? Rolls Royce and Bentley are owned by BMW too.
posted by riffola at 1:22 PM on March 14, 2002


Riffola - I hope at least the Bristol Car Company is still English. Not that anyone could afford one.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 1:27 PM on March 14, 2002


How is 33% a controlling stake? I don't get it.
posted by NortonDC at 1:30 PM on March 14, 2002


NortonDC: I have no idea. Mazda's not been so hot for Ford. I love my Protege, though.
posted by raysmj at 1:37 PM on March 14, 2002


I've been drooling over the Mini for six months or so. The waiting lists in the US are prohibitive though. The Cooper S will have quite a bit of zip to it, in a super-stiff frame. Safety? Excellent for such a small car if the press is to be believed. 6 airbags for your collision pleasure.

Maybe it'll fit under an SUV?
posted by kahboom at 1:40 PM on March 14, 2002


Oh, it'll have to be British Racing Green, white roof and mirrors, white bonnet stripes. Yum.
posted by kahboom at 1:41 PM on March 14, 2002


crankydoodle -

It's small, but take a look at the standard features - I haven't gone to Honda to run an actual comparison, but I don't think you could get an Accord with 6 airbags, ABS, AC, PW/PD, remote entry, flat tire monitor, alarm w/immobilizer, etc. that goes almost 124 mph for that MSRP. Add about 3 grand for the supercharged "S".....Dark silver w/white roof and mirrors and the 17" wheels....mmmmmm.
posted by jalexei at 1:45 PM on March 14, 2002


Pesky, clunky, annoying, silly, over-designed website. Ick. (Insert Flash flame here.)

I remember a newspaper article several years ago that said that the reason you could buy European-style tiny little cars in the USA was because they didn't meet some government regulation or other. The article was talking specifically about French "TPV" style cars (toute petite voiture?); substitute "Inspector Clouseau" for "Mr. Bean".
posted by gimonca at 1:47 PM on March 14, 2002


oops - forgot the 6-speaker CD stereo....
posted by jalexei at 1:54 PM on March 14, 2002


i love the mini from the outside, but when i looked at one at the chicago auto show, i found the interior to be absolutely hideous. too round and cheap-looking-but- trying-to-look-nice for me. I don't think actually fitting in the front seats would be much of a problem for tall people - i have a vw golf and my 6'8" friend fits fairly comfortable in the passenger seat, and i don't think the front seats are any smaller in the mini. however, if you plan to carry anything in the hatch, you might want to look elsewhere.

it's too bad about the interior, though. i really wanted one till i saw it. then again, that's a matter of taste.
posted by chrisege at 1:59 PM on March 14, 2002


Along with Bristol the following are true UK automobile manufacturers (I think): London Taxis, McLaren (although their cars are powered by BMW, and their race cars are currently powered by Mercedes), TVR, Spectre, Proton, Lotus, and Caterham.
posted by riffola at 2:05 PM on March 14, 2002


Crankydoodle's comment is typical of American automotive sentiment: The more the consumer can get, the better. Expensive small cars don't sell. Think of the Audi A3, which is a popular and excellent car that is not even available for purchase in the U.S.

If I had no need for a trunk, I'd much rather have an $18,000 Mini Cooper than a Honda Civic (no way you're getting an Accord this cheap). The Mini has a fun-to-drive quotient--also undervalued in the States--that no other economy car can match. And hell, it's awfully inexpensive for a BMW.
posted by werty at 2:08 PM on March 14, 2002


I called my local dealer (Bill Jacobs BMW, Naperville IL) and they said demand for it is pretty high already. I couldn't talk to anyone about it though, because the salespeople were in training to sell it.
posted by schlaager at 2:10 PM on March 14, 2002


Just came back from rollerblading along the Hudson. Saw a billboard along the West side highway that said: "Goliath lost." Thought: wonder what that means. Came back and opened up MetaFilter.
posted by oddovid at 2:13 PM on March 14, 2002


err....i got one. picked it up on september 11th with armageddon about to take place (apparently), on my way to work to find out if i got made redundant (i didnt) and my sister working in manhattan (OK).

i was pretty numb for a week or so after that. but after a while i started to realise....people we're looking at me. i mean, walking into lampost/falling off bike looking at me. that £45,000 maserati parked next to me in the car park? ignored.

i got it.... because i thought it was going to be a great car. not to pose (though its hard not to when there are less than 1000 cars in the world). quite simply:

It is one of the most fantastic cars to drive. Ever.

Assuming your roads have bends that is. It is not a great highway car (though it still feels like a much bigger car than it is when you are on the motorway. And its incredibly secure and safe, by the way). But if your idea of driving is a 30 mile series of s-bends and switchbacks through the mountains rather than 250 miles of dead straight tarmacadam, then there are very, very few cars in existence that will give you so much enjoyment.

Will you buy it in the states? Sure. I think there's enough residual anglophilia, and the right sort of roads, for it to sell. (The minimum spec in the states is the same as the top spec in the UK as well, which partly explains the cost. The rest of it is explained by the fact that it is a BMW). Will there be hundreds of thousands on the road? No. But BMW aren't trying to create a car, or even a brand - they are trying to recreate an Icon. And so far they look to be doing a pretty good job....
posted by barnsoir at 2:20 PM on March 14, 2002


I *so* want one, but I'm worried that they're not terribly roomy on the inside. Anyone have any specs on leg/head/hip room in the Mini?
posted by likorish at 2:22 PM on March 14, 2002


If the American public don't want them, it just means that it'll be easier for this expat Brit to get one. ;) I saw them for the first time when I was back home for Christmas, and they are just gorgeous. Really. They turn heads. People wave at them. And the British advertising was cool as well. (It's different over here. In Britain, small is beautiful.)

In reality though, the car isn't really practical, I mean, it's just a bit smaller than a beatle, if not the same size.

Really, tiaka? My family drove Minis when I was little. In spite of what the soccer mom crowd might say, you can in fact fit two adults and three kids in an old-style model, so the new one (a good bit longer) should be no problem. Safety? If you're driving a Cooper S, you obviously know how to drive ;)

gimonca: I think the problem is that each part has to get special approval from the EPA before it's allowed in. It's not that the cars don't meet the emissions standards, because they're usually much stricter in Europe. It's just that you need to go through the bureacracy of testing everything according to the EPA rules and filing the paperwork. With bigger cars, familiar in the US market, it's not a problem, because much of the work has been done already: you can cite past precedent. But if it's a Cinquecento or Mini or whatever, you have to do all the work yourself. And it's expensive.

crankydoodle: a mate sent me a review from back home which said that if the new Mini had a BMW badge, you could sell it for £16k ($20k+). Instead, it's £10-11k for the basic spec in the UK, which is about $14-16k. (I now see that the US Minis have A/C and stuff, which I should have expected. The wife said no-one would buy a car without A/C over here.) So a bit of a markup, but not that much. (And US cars are cheap because they're gas-guzzling, high-maintenance boltboxes.)
posted by quirkafleeg at 2:23 PM on March 14, 2002


I saw one on the road yesterday, and it looked freakin' awesome. Red, with white roof, zipping along.

I want one. A much better redesign than the new bubble-beatle.
posted by Neale at 2:24 PM on March 14, 2002


Bah! I want an American electric mini that will take me from 0 to 60 MPH in under 4 seconds! Check the video
posted by roboto at 2:26 PM on March 14, 2002


And for the record, the Canadian version of the Mini site is a bit less annoying than the US version with all the silly bees.
posted by likorish at 2:27 PM on March 14, 2002


Nice car, but by the time you've specced out a Cooper S (the only one I'd consider... cute is not enough for me) with the Sport package, you're getting awfully close to the price for a WRX, which I'd much rather have. Alot more horses. Two more drive wheels. And uber-sexy styling.

Of course, since I bought a Sentra SE last year, it'll be a few years before I'm in the market for a new car again. Maybe by then Subie will have brought the STi over... turbocharged, 270hp rally goodness... *Drool*
posted by jammer at 2:35 PM on March 14, 2002


Heh. They make the Mini about half a mile away from me in Cowley, Oxford.

grabbingsand: Mr Bean would never drive a Mini Cooper.

The billboards were quite cute over here. Something along the lines of (and I paraphrase):

New Mini tries to attract attention of passer-by.
Succeeds.
The End.
It's a mini adventure.
posted by salmacis at 2:50 PM on March 14, 2002


I'm just saying that it's expensive, you can get a bigger car cheaper. I'm not saying SUV, but something midsize, a Saturn perhaps. That's how I figure it's less practical.
posted by tiaka at 2:54 PM on March 14, 2002


riffola - According to this Lotus fan club page, Proton is Malysian, and they own Lotus.

Doesn't sound very UK to me.
posted by NortonDC at 2:59 PM on March 14, 2002


Malaysian, sorry.

Another page seems to back that idea up.
posted by NortonDC at 3:06 PM on March 14, 2002


tiaka, about British cars: how about a Lotus. I so want an Elise and/or Exige. I don't care much for ownership to determine a car's nationality, I care for engineering. Lotus is still British to me.

As for the Mini, it does feature a good drool factor, but this drool is primarily based on nostalgia. It's an entirely different car, bound to be a lot less fun than the original, since it's so laden with, eh, stuff, therefore, incredibly heavy for its size.

I don't care for BMW's suspension savvy, supposed to give it a "kart feeling". The only way to get a true kart feeling is by cutting on the weight. "Weight is the enemy", said Colin Chapman. Oh, and overpricing and false shortage aren't part of the solution either...
posted by qbert72 at 3:06 PM on March 14, 2002


But that's what I mean, Jaguar and Lotus are very expensive cars, something in the order of $40,000, they're mostly sporty and look kind of nice. I guess.

I was looking at cars actually, and I think the japanese have it best, they have a very broad selection of good looking, weird and hip midsize to small size kind of cars without them being ridiculously overpriced. Well, atleast not for the most part.

I was at the chicago auto show this year, and it was actually very borring, all the cars were pretty much the same. I have no idea why anyone would want to pay 4 bucks to enter the place. It was first time for me. So, yeah, cooper's a good if interesting choice, certainly different and that's good.
posted by tiaka at 3:16 PM on March 14, 2002


Morgan Motor Co.(skip the flash) is UK based...

I want a +8...

puga
posted by PugAchev at 3:30 PM on March 14, 2002


Tacodog - I live in downtown Portland, and I love how SUVs have a hard time moving down some of the narrower side streets. I'm also convinced that a coupon for a free lobotomy comes with the keys for a Subaru... any Subaru.

I would buy a Mini, but I'll end up getting one of the new Honda Civic Si hatchbacks. (Req's email/pword: mefi@metafilter.com, mefi)
And hey, it comes in #CC0000! With 160 horsepower and a 2700 lbs street weight, you can't go wrong.

As for the Mini... Personally, I just liked the fishtailing Mini in the intro screen... ;)
posted by SpecialK at 3:52 PM on March 14, 2002


i drive a mini, an old one, and i can verify that they are bloody dangerous if squashed, that is unless you have a roll cage fitted. the construction is akin to a (hand-built) cake tin.
i believe the new mini has, erm, safety as a feature.
still the drivers of new minis here seem unaware of the vast cultural relevance of the car, it's history and the comaraderie associated.
at least that's what i think, when they don't wave back!
i liked this quote:

'The camaraderie between mini drivers has to be unique (you never see Ford drivers waving at each other). It may not be the safest car on the road, but if you're going to be in an accident you might as well do it in style!'
posted by asok at 3:53 PM on March 14, 2002


Think of the Audi A3, which is a popular and excellent car that is not even available for purchase in the U.S.

I've been told that's because VW doesn't want it competing with its Golf/GTI model. Sad, though -- the S3 (the sporty version) is pretty durned nice.
posted by redshifter at 4:22 PM on March 14, 2002


But my girlfriend swears the things look completely unsafe; if you were hit by a minivan, would the chassis crumble? ¶ If I were in a Mini vs. SUV accident, I'd want a slingshot at the least. ¶ Maybe it'll fit under an SUV?
I finally get to use my engineering education on MetaFilter!

The old Mini did well in frontal collision tests because of the enormous distance between seat and steering wheel. The new Mini could not possibly do worse and probably does much better given the massive increase in understanding of how to design cars to crumple properly. And there's still a good distance between you and the steering column. (Airbags, too. Does it have seatbelt pretensioners? It really oughta for the price.)

There are two problems:
  1. In light car vs. heavy car, heavy car always wins. Occupants of the lighter car bear proportionately higher loads. Nothing you can do about that, really – the options are make all cars lighter or make them all heavier. With SUVs everywhere (tippy, unsafe, gas-guzzling, but butch, practical, and profitable), things aren't really gonna change. Small-car drivers will remain disadvantaged.
  2. In tall car vs. short car, short car loses, because it is in fact possible for the tall car to override the smaller one (which, not surprisingly, is said to underride). You often get very significant intrusion into the passenger compartment. SUVs are again a culprit here, and are massively more aggressive in collisions with passenger cars than other passenger cars are. In effect, the taller car hits you directly, and, in the broadest possible terms, you're fukt.
posted by joeclark at 4:44 PM on March 14, 2002


Hell, everyone stumbles the first time. Just don't put gas in a Mini and you'll be fine!
posted by honkzilla at 5:12 PM on March 14, 2002


jammer said:

Nice car, but by the time you've specced out a Cooper S (the only one I'd consider... cute is not enough for me) with the Sport package, you're getting awfully close to the price for a WRX, which I'd much rather have. Alot more horses. Two more drive wheels. And uber-sexy styling.

I don't know if I'd call it sexy. Subaru's have some pretty schizophrenic styling.

But who cares? If I had 25 grand burning a hole in my pocket, I'd get a WRX wagon in a heartbeat. A station wagon that can leave cars twice its price in the dust would be lots of fun. Those who only care only about looks won't get it. Oh well.

Since when is everyone so concerned about safety anyway?

Wussies!
posted by mark13 at 5:19 PM on March 14, 2002


Well, the only British car for me has to be the new Reliant Robin.

It has many guises though.
posted by davehat at 5:23 PM on March 14, 2002


NortonDC: Thanks for clarifying that, I always thought of Lotus as a proper British company, didn't occur to me that Proton might not be British.
posted by riffola at 6:09 PM on March 14, 2002


I'd go with one of these instead.
posted by dobbs at 6:11 PM on March 14, 2002


"It's small, but take a look at the standard features..."

So? If I *really* wanted those things in the first place and the car didn't come with an equivalent, I could get them, probably cheaper if I did research, in the aftermarket.

"Crankydoodle's comment is typical of American automotive sentiment: The more the consumer can get, the better."
"I'd much rather have an $18,000 Mini Cooper than a Honda Civic (no way you're getting an Accord this cheap)."

How is that not everyone's sentiment? I certainly want to get the most for my money, and anything else would seem to me to be a waste of my hard-earned money.

And if you can't find an Accord for $18K then you're not looking in the right places. Will it have 17" rims, etc? No... but who cares? If you *really* want a nice set of rims you will get them in the aftermarket.

I now see that the US Minis have A/C and stuff, which I should have expected. The wife said no-one would buy a car without A/C over here.
(And US cars are cheap because they're gas-guzzling, high-maintenance boltboxes.)

My car doesn't have A/C. Don't often need it around here. It just depends on where you live.

And my wife's Chevy is almost 5 years old with 30+MPG and we have yet to do anything other than change the oil. Don't see how that's either a gas guzzler *or* high-maintenance. :)

Here's the jist of what I'm saying: I generally like a car to get me back and forth to work and that's it. Also, I like a car that I can get my family in, and while the Mini is "cute", it doesn't seem very practical to cart a baby seat around in, but that may just be me. Combine that with the price, and I'd rather go with something else. Even a Kia.

Not that I would turn a Mini down if someone gave it to me. :)
posted by crankydoodle at 6:59 PM on March 14, 2002


For those of you unaware of the cult of the original Mini, you should read Peter Egan of Road and Track's account of driving one in a rally. I had a right hand drive '68 Cooper S that was an ex-race car, and the thought of buying a new mini is kind of like not wanting to watch Eyes Wide Shut for fear of it ruining the rest of your Kubrick movie going experience.

The old Mini elicited PermaSmile™. With it's buslike steering wheel, and a windscreen that provided a view of nothing but the road ahead, you truly felt connected to an experience rather than it being just a mode of transport. I'm 6'2" and my girlfriend at the time was 6 feet tall. We looked like circus clowns when we got out of the car, but loved every minute of it. I probably won't buy one of the BMW flavored ones, but I sure am glad that someone is pushing the fun small car metaphor a little further. I'm waiting for this to hit the states. Someday, the hatchback will catch on again after the SUVs die off.
posted by machaus at 7:07 PM on March 14, 2002


I have a WRX and love it. So I'm doing everything in my power to get my g/f to get a Mini Cooper S (S!). They are sharp cars.

I'm not so sure about BMW and the "false shortage" bit. These are new machines, there are a few problems with the ones on the road now. I would bet that they are trying to iron out some of the problems before the BIG launch.

Also, most of the dealerships aren't finished yet. These are BMWs, but the dealer will be purely Mini. If I recall correctly there are only 70 dealers in the US (??).

Read more opinions at mini2.com.

BTW, if you want one soon (within the 1 - 2 years), sign up NOW. You might get one before Summer 2003. ...at least with the S.
posted by tomplus2 at 7:58 PM on March 14, 2002


Eh. I'm sticking with my Unimog. Underride, override, heh heh.
posted by dchase at 8:04 PM on March 14, 2002


Wow this is weird, I was reading their site and I went out for the evening and came back and saw a pop-up dialog that said,

"Sorry to interupt, but haven't you been in front of the computer long enough? We here at MINI are worried you're not getting enough exposure to the sun and stars. Don't worry, we'll be here all week. So get going. Save your retinas for the road."

Looking at the source it looks like the page has to be up for 30 minutes, and of course you need javascript enabled.

I don't know if anyone is ever going to read this post, but I thought it was intresting.
posted by betaray at 11:13 PM on March 14, 2002


*grin* Good to see a web group with a sense of humor...
posted by SpecialK at 11:32 PM on March 14, 2002


jammer, mark13:

"mitsubishi will import a version of the racy lancer evolution vii beginning in the spring 2003....very shortly after it appears here, subaru's impreza wrx wil show up with a new sti version packed with about 50 more horsepower than the current wrx." -- car and driver, 'the information dirt road,' april 2002

cool
posted by carsonb at 2:13 AM on March 15, 2002


Pah! That great big thing's not a mini! Leave it for the style victims.

PS Doesn't the trend for bigger and bigger vehicles to protect yourself from all the other giant cars just lead to an arms race? One that motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists etc can't compete in. I'd far rather share the road with minis than SUVs.
posted by MrImpossible at 2:26 AM on March 15, 2002


In tall car vs. short car, short car loses, because it is in fact possible for the tall car to override the smaller one (which, not surprisingly, is said to underride).

So, THAT'S why my truck has a skid plate!
posted by groundhog at 6:36 AM on March 15, 2002


I am doomed to never own a Mini, sadly. My wife has a Miata, so if we ever want to buy more than one bag of groceries at once, I'll be the one driving the larger car.
posted by Kafkaesque at 8:51 AM on March 15, 2002




Much more fun!!
posted by xochi at 9:23 AM on March 15, 2002


I can't believe no one has mentioned The Italian Job.
posted by vbfg at 9:39 AM on March 15, 2002


Kafkaesque mentioned The Italian Job. My bad.
posted by vbfg at 9:41 AM on March 15, 2002



posted by rodii at 8:52 AM on March 17, 2002


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