42 replies to this topic

[postmanpat]

both iconic cars, both old, both rust, both 'cheap' and 'easy' to fix/maintain, both slow as standard..... so why choose a mini over a beetle?!

answers on a postcard please

[taffy1967]

Mini

Because it starred in The Italian Job.

Because it's quintessentially British.

Because it won the Monte Carlo Rally many times for starters.

Because it was a revolutionary design and all car manufacturers have copied it's technology.

Because the New BEETLE has copied the Minis and has a transverse engine mounted up front.

I could go on, but I'll leave it to someone else.

[tattooguy08]

i also want a beetle they make great hotrods!!!!!! one of my est mates has a beetle!!!

[postmanpat]

i wouldnt ask which people prefered on a mini forum its more of why they choose a mini. saying this now as it was a good response from Taffy and i dont want the kids coming in with silly 'why ask on a mini forum' kinda thing. but anyway, in a beetles defense:

vw have Herby

just because its british doesnt make every owner patriotic

wasnt in standard form to win Monte Carlo Rally but then i dont know if bettles were in it so cant really comment on that one

beetle is rear wheel drive so hasnt copied mini

new mini is a german....

[taffy1967]

vw have Herby

Herby is Disney drivel and it was the Mini who conquered the Monte Carlo Rally, not a Beetle, ever. The Mini has 'The Italian Job' (1969) which is very cool.

just because its british doesnt make every owner patriotic

True, but it's nice to know Britain was good for something iconic and the Mini was voted as the 'greatest car of all time', 'greatest classic car and second place as 'the overall greatest car of the 20th century'.

wasnt in standard form to win Monte Carlo Rally but then i dont know if bettles were in it so cant really comment on that one

Of course they were in standard form. They were just 1960's Mini Cooper S models and were actually slowed down by all the extra rally equipment that they had to carry (tyres and fuel etc). If the Beetle was in it, it was right at the back.

beetle is rear wheel drive so hasnt copied mini

The New BEETLE has copied Mini and that's another reason why it didn't win the greatest car accolades.

new mini is a german....

So was the old one, apart from the ones built in Mexico or wherever.

[postmanpat]

[yorkshirechris]

I agree with Taffy and would also like to add that the "new mini" is irrelevant as the main subject is comparing the classic mini to the classic beetle, is it not? the "new" versions of both are a different kettle of fish. This is a classic mini forum, if you want to debate on the new mini you might be better going to a BMW Mini forum

[Shifty]

I agree with Taffy and would also like to add that the "new mini" is irrelevant as the main subject is comparing the classic mini to the classic beetle, is it not? the "new" versions of both are a different kettle of fish. This is a classic mini forum, if you want to debate on the new mini you might be better going to a BMW Mini forum

Failing that, just bring a knife to a gunfight, results are the same!!!!

[Minisniper]

Hiya
I personally prefer the classic mini not the new ones. My partner who has had both, has just piped in and said from his point of view both cars have good and bad points regardless to whether they are british or german, both have stood the test of time although the beetle is older. As far as he is concerned although they are both quirky they can only be described as engineering disasters.

But don't listen to him, he drives a japenese 4x4 so what does he know??? NOTHING

Minisniper

[taffy1967]

Engineering disasters? Has he been reading that article in Mini Magazine? LOL

[Ethel]

Dubbas just feel wrong,

Engine at the wrong end, pedals upside down, no boot, horrible engine noise...

Neat fan belt tensioner though

[MiniMonty]

I sold two Mini doors to a girl on this forum.
She turned up with her boyfriend in a beetle.

Coudn't get the doors in the back of the Beetle.
They were on my drive for an hour and a half playing around with bungie rope and roof racks.
Hmmmmm....

Two Mini doors fit into the back of another mini in seconds.

Ho Hum.

Two world wars, one world cup.

[MiniDick]

I really like Beetles, not as much as the Mini, obviously. The only things I don't like about the Beetle, which the Mini is streets ahead, are the engine, which boils worse than a Renault 5 turbo and the pedals, which take some getting used to! I also like the fact that the Beetle has bolt-on wings which is a big advantage when doing a resto. Oh, and the Beetle was designed by Hitlers best mate, Porsche!!! (only a joke before I get slated)

Edited by MiniDick, 23 November 2008 - 10:36 AM.

[mab01uk]

both iconic cars, both old, both rust, both 'cheap' and 'easy' to fix/maintain, both slow as standard..... so why choose a mini over a beetle?!

answers on a postcard please

Mini - Legendary handling, steering and roadholding

Beetle - Does none of the above very well..................it even took Porshe many years and eventually lots of electronic driver aids to get that chassis layout to work safely!

[cambiker71]

I really like Beetles, not as much as the Mini, obviously. The only things I don't like about the Beetle, which the Mini is streets ahead, are the engine, which boils worse than a Renault 5 turbo

Er boils what? they're air cooled!