42 replies to this topic

[taffy1967]

Partly. The Mini came about because of the Suez crisis mainly. There was a fuel shortage and the main design brief was a small car which won't use a lot of fuel AND have enough room for a family plus luggage. Better than bubble cars by a long shot.

Exactly as no bubble car ever won the Monte Carlo Rally several times, or starred in The Italian Job or got owned by The Beatles, Peter Sellers etc.

[MiniMonty]

Hmmm.... (and snore...)

time to close this methinks.

Mini vs Beetle might as well be Mini vs Ferarri Dino or Mini vs a loaf of bread.
Pointless.

This is a Mini forum for discussion / debate of all things Mini.
Starting a fight between the Mini and anything is neither pretty or productive.
But it is definitely pointless.

Best wishes
Monty

[postmanpat]

Its not a thread about which is best, its about the differences.

I personally wouldn't choose to buy a car just because it won races 40 years ago. I don't buy a car based on its history, I don't care who designed it or where it was made as that doesn't alter the drivability or ease of maintenance. Whether its been in a film or not is irrelivant.

Point was for pros and cons like some people managed to do. Beetle is bigger. Mini probably better on petrol. Both cheap to insure. Which is easiest to maintain etc - them sort of things, not which has the worst history or better film about them! Could also add the maturity that surrounds the cars too, forums with arrogant 17-20 year olds who think they know everything (minis) or an older crowd that know where the line is (vw, old fords)etc etc.obviously not the same for all mini forums but for arguments sake look at half the members here compared to the ones in 16v or turbominis. Big difference.

Hmmm.... (and snore...)

time to close this methinks.

Mini vs Beetle might as well be Mini vs Ferarri Dino or Mini vs a loaf of bread.
Pointless.

This is a Mini forum for discussion / debate of all things Mini.
Starting a fight between the Mini and anything is neither pretty or productive.
But it is definitely pointless.

Best wishes
Monty

[Mini_the_Minx]

Its not a thread about which is best, its about the differences.

I personally wouldn't choose to buy a car just because it won races 40 years ago. I don't buy a car based on its history, I don't care who designed it or where it was made as that doesn't alter the drivability or ease of maintenance. Whether its been in a film or not is irrelivant.

Point was for pros and cons like some people managed to do. Beetle is bigger. Mini probably better on petrol. Both cheap to insure. Which is easiest to maintain etc - them sort of things, not which has the worst history or better film about them! Could also add the maturity that surrounds the cars too, forums with arrogant 17-20 year olds who think they know everything (minis) or an older crowd that know where the line is (vw, old fords)etc etc.obviously not the same for all mini forums but for arguments sake look at half the members here compared to the ones in 16v or turbominis. Big difference.

Hmmm.... (and snore...)

time to close this methinks.

Mini vs Beetle might as well be Mini vs Ferarri Dino or Mini vs a loaf of bread.
Pointless.

This is a Mini forum for discussion / debate of all things Mini.
Starting a fight between the Mini and anything is neither pretty or productive.
But it is definitely pointless.

Best wishes
Monty

I find the maturity comment quite offensive actually. I own a Mini and am on this forum (for immature 17-20 year olds, apparently) and also use to own a Mk1 Escort AND a Mk1 Golf and was part of the old Ford and VW forums too (the ones for mature people)

It is impossible to fairly compare both cars as everybody has a different view and different experiences. I personally adored the Escort but disliked the Golf and also worship my mini's.

Owning a Mini is as much about its heritage and making a statement as it is about running it cheaply. I think your mis-interpretting pride for immaturity in most cases nd are only showing yourself to be the childish one in attempting to cause an argument out of something that was meant to be a mere question.

Of course the people on here will generally big up the Mini, after all it is a forum for all things Mini!!!

[postmanpat]

No I'm not looking for argument I say that based on some of the replys in this thread and others, by all means not everyone within that age group applies but its the minority that ruin it for the rest.

As I keep saying though which doesn't seem to have still sunk in (how old are you?) This isn't about which is the best car, its about the differences. Its all opinionated and that's what I want. Obviously on a mini forum people prefere minis but does that mean beetles are bad and that's it, end of story?

[Mini_the_Minx]

I would be 19.

I wouldn't say Beetles are bad but obviously everybody is going to think Mini's are better and assuming that most of us on here haven't actually owned or driven a Beetle its going to boil down to opinions and broadcasting of said cars.

[Heather&Henrietta]

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!!!!

loving the new signature Shifty and have to agree about the results!

i like beetles, they alway seem to be head turners.

i would have one for the right price, but would never have one of them instead of a mini
my mini is first priorty and wouldnt buy one until my mini is at the standard i have got planned for it

i also like the original split screen van/buses

I've always liked beetles, for style and easy personalisation like the mini. I know a few people that own beetles. I've watched a guy in the academic year above me in college buy a really old beetle - where the front end has literally been destroyed by rust. Over the period of 2 years, I watched as he's replaced the front and back end and completely restored it, and quite frankly, it looks fatastic! He's sprayed it matt black and matt purple with black interior. He's not at all against minis, and so he was really pleased when he found out I had Henrietta for xmas last year...
Another guy at my dad's work has one, and sh'e beautiful, orange and cream, although he's put some chrome minilites on her which look a little odd, but she's a beauty. And whenever I visit my dad or pick him up from work I always get a nice smile from him!

I spose the main influence to get a mini for me has literally been down to size, I wanted a small car as my parking is always terrible! And I wanted a car small enough to fit in our garage amongts my granddad's old wood cutting machines if I needed her inside for whatever reason.
I love both minis and beetles, and just like a flash lights and wave at minis and their drivers, I also wave and flash lights at beetles and their drivers. I don't always get a response, but it doesn't bother me.
And I have to agree with just_jack - I wouldn't have one instead of a mini, but I would have a mini AND a beetle if I could ever afford to tax, mot and insure both!

[abridger1275]

what it comes down to really is that both cars are iconic in their own different ways and people prefer whatever, for whatever reasons they may have and yh, and only being 17 and had an upbringing where ive seen both the vee-dub and mini scene theyr all very similar,all lovely happy, friendly people and people should be on this forum no?

[dave21478]

Im pretty shocked by some of these comments.

Im no moderator, but I think this thread should be closed as its obviously going to get out of hand, to say nothing of the nazi comments.

[Mini_the_Minx]

How can ANYONE buy a Beetle. I just don't understand it. I mean, a car, that Hitler and his HENCHMAN stole from a bunch of Czech blokes. Then conned millions of Germans through tax to buy the "peoples car", and never delivered them! What a horrific story. This car brought in money used to commit the worst crimes this world has ever seen. MENTAL.

In comparsion the mini. Designed in a short space of time, which innovated car design, and designed by a rather nice chap really. It's a cute car, down to its character and its past. Minis ftw! Oh, and it's 100% British. Just like our beef. Except you can drive a mini. You can't drive beef.

If you're going to hold VW and the Beetles history against it, you may as well slate Audi, Opel and Merc as they all had slave labour working for them during WW2, Jews, Gypsies etc. I think the IDEA of the Beetle was good, an affordable car which was in reach of the man on the street.

Probably because the majority of production was forced and used to contribute to the war effort, particular in later years. So it was probably not by choice that slave labour was introduced!

The Beetle certinally was a good idea. Unfortunately Hitler was too busy murdering many Europeans to actually put the idea into reality for those Germans that had paid for it. Terrible, terrible history of a car. I can't drive something that has such an horrific history. Beetle drivers are keeping the spirit of Hitler and the Nazis alive, IMO. That car represents him!

i have a beatle and a mini in my house i am always arguing with me dad on whos car is the best obviously its always my mini because no matter what he says beetles are for nazis and if you want to act like hitler and lose another war go for it because the british mini or the british will always win read a history book.(END OF RANT)

Hang on a minute...
The Nazis only built a few Beetles, it was a Brit, Major Ivan Hirst who re-started Beetle production
in occupied Germany to kick start the economy as part of the Marshall plan. The vast majority of
Beetle production was post war.

Dammit you beat me to it!!

Its a shame to spoil this thread with historical accuracy.

I'm not talking about production. I'm taking about the design. And my point still stands. Short of putting swastikas' over it, and traficators that salute the Furer, you couldn't make that car more Nazi than it already is. I hate those things.

998dave's last comment made me go through this post and your comments are a *banana picking* joke!!!

As was said above, only a few of the Beetles were manufactured under Hitler but what does that prove?? Nothing at all, and I'm sure a few VDub owners will put you straight! So if I were to drive a Beetle, that would technically make me a Nazi as I am German!!

To stereotype people because of the car they drive is as stupid as you were when you made those comments!! The Beetle is just as iconic as the Mini in its own way and just because you choose not to like it does not give you the right to then call whomever owns one/drives one/ likes them a Nazi or a follower of Hitler.

You obviously have no intellectual comparisons to make therefore have to resort to racism? Why had this not been closed earlier before it caused some offence to somebody?

It pisses me off everytime people discuss anything German be it the Bini or a Beetle, there is always some tit who has to use the words 'Nazi' and 'Hitler'.

[MonkeyHugger]

998dave's last comment made me go through this post and your comments are a *banana picking* joke!!!

As was said above, only a few of the Beetles were manufactured under Hitler but what does that prove?? Nothing at all, and I'm sure a few VDub owners will put you straight! So if I were to drive a Beetle, that would technically make me a Nazi as I am German!!

To stereotype people because of the car they drive is as stupid as you were when you made those comments!! The Beetle is just as iconic as the Mini in its own way and just because you choose not to like it does not give you the right to then call whomever owns one/drives one/ likes them a Nazi or a follower of Hitler.

You obviously have no intellectual comparisons to make therefore have to resort to racism? Why had this not been closed earlier before it caused some offence to somebody?

It pisses me off everytime people discuss anything German be it the Bini or a Beetle, there is always some tit who has to use the words 'Nazi' and 'Hitler'.

What on earth on you on about!

I've said it before so let me repeat for you, again. I'm talking about DESIGN. At the end of the day that car was a scandal. When I drive my mini about, I like to think I'm keeping a bit of british history on the roads. The Beetle is the same. My mini was made in 1987, about 27 years after the original design. Does that make it a different car. NO.

Would you like to point out on WHO Ive sterotyped? And WHERE I have been racist?

ALL I have said is, is that beetle owners keep Nazi history on the roads. Just as mini drivers keep British history on the roads. It really is that simple.

So don't sit there throwing around your gobless accusations just because somebodys got all upset over it.

Edited by MonkeyHugger, 24 November 2008 - 06:39 PM.

[Purple Tom]

Sorry, this discussion is founded purely on racism and frankly, offensive opinions that really should be kept to yourself. They could be highly offensive to certain groups of people and certainly don't show the members involved in a good light at all.

Closed.

[Bungle]

took me a whole weekend to remove the engine from my mini

i could of removed my beetle based engine out of my camper in an hour