59 replies to this topic

[yousmeg]

Ive always thought this shape Micra looks way more like a mini than the new BMW...

[starletman]

Dan thats very interesting, surely that would make it the most qualified to be the "new mini" does anyone drive a micra? can anyone tell me if there are alike to drive.

My wife had a new style micra,it was quiet comfortable reliable speedy for what it was and well specced with room for four adults,so nothing like a Mini.But it was butt ugly.

[xBR4DLEY]

Ive always thought this shape Micra looks way more like a mini than the new BMW...

Yeah thats the one I meant.

[sazal]

YAY! LUPOS!

I have one too and it is an ace little car! Great little car to drive and can be chucked around the bends!

[scb]

There not a single family car or car that can be owned by the ordinary man that will still be on the road in 50 years time, ergo, there is no modern day mini. Sadly.

[yousmeg]

There not a single family car or car that can be owned by the ordinary man that will still be on the road in 50 years time, ergo, there is no modern day mini. Sadly.

I dont think there are any modern cars which are completely classless, like the mini

[mini93]

There not a single family car or car that can be owned by the ordinary man that will still be on the road in 50 years time, ergo, there is no modern day mini. Sadly.

really? you dont think out of allll the cars you see daily, there isnt going to be one which lasts 50 years? or do you mean to be produced for 50 years....well if the latter of course not because customers want evolution in their products...

mini people seem daft sometimes ya know

[lowandslow]

only just spotted this thread and the wife owns a 1.4s lupo and i would say it's a 'modern mini' all the fun things about a car basic (nothing to go wrong), revy (doesn't care if you rev the crap out of it), and most of all fun to chuck about on the back roads. as far as i can see the only thing it doesn't have in common with the mini is that it's happy to sit at 80 errrmmm..... 70 MPH all day long, but then thats just progress i guess.

[scb]

really? you dont think out of allll the cars you see daily, there isnt going to be one which lasts 50 years? or do you mean to be produced for 50 years....well if the latter of course not because customers want evolution in their products...

I'm sure there will be the odd 50 year old car around in 50 years time but they'll be very rare. Theres still quite a few minis around. 40-50 year old cars on our road, other than the mini, are as rare as rocking horse extremement. The 50 years old cars on our roads in 50 years time are unlikely to have so many people making after market parts as is the case with minis these days.

I honestly don't think there is a current day car that catches the imagination or that is as loved by the people in the way the mini is, its progress as well really, a mini is so simple but there is no car these days that is quite so simple.

[E.L.M.O]

The Lupo is a great, great car.

Other than that its got 4 wheels, an engine and a steering wheel. OMG i see the similarities now!

[blackbelt1990]

Suzuki Swift? *runs*

[mab01uk]

Apparently the Lupo received heavy criticism for lack of interior space and for being overpriced, so Volkswagen addressed these concerns by deciding to build the replacement VW Fox in low-cost Brazil and by making sure that the design incorporated generous interior space............so not really comparable to the classic Mini in that respect, nor with it short life in production.
The similar SEAT Arosa version was also a lot cheaper than the Lupo so better value and a more sensible budget car choice.

It should also be remembered that many modern cars today are built on shared platforms and in the same factories........
The Fiat 500 is built in Poland (not Italy) in the same factory as the Fiat Panda and Ford KA and also uses the Panda/KA platform/ underpinnings.

The more recent Nissan Micras share the same platform as the 2005 on Renault Clio and Modus. Nissan Micras are functional but deadly dull to drive and own and not surprisingly have an image of an 'old ladies car'...............so really nothing like a classic Mini. Also interesting to note that both the Micra (1993-02) 3708mm long and Micra (2003-10) 3719mm mentioned are actually slightly bigger than the official New MINI Hatch Mk1 @ 3632mm and Mk2 3699mm long!

If all you want is a cheap to buy new small car with no image, then get one of these:
http://www.kia.co.uk...ge/Picanto.aspx

However for me the number one priority in a modern Mini is, it has to have the best handling & steering in its class and still be fun to drive and own..........which is of course the New MINI.

Edited by mab01uk, 06 February 2011 - 03:13 PM.

[tangerinebean]

[quote name='Sam14' date='Feb 5 2011, 10:40 PM' post='2044337']


That looks like a mini
Its a Daihatsu Gino


Is it just me that thinks this car looks mint?

Oh and +1 for the Lupo, cracking little car, but also the suzuki swift comes close.

[minibarnerz]

i think the fiat 500 should be the new mini, its a lovely little car and i think the only modern "small car" i would buy.

[monkey]

really? you dont think out of allll the cars you see daily, there isnt going to be one which lasts 50 years? or do you mean to be produced for 50 years....well if the latter of course not because customers want evolution in their products...

I'm sure there will be the odd 50 year old car around in 50 years time but they'll be very rare. Theres still quite a few minis around. 40-50 year old cars on our road, other than the mini, are as rare as rocking horse extremement. The 50 years old cars on our roads in 50 years time are unlikely to have so many people making after market parts as is the case with minis these days.

I honestly don't think there is a current day car that catches the imagination or that is as loved by the people in the way the mini is, its progress as well really, a mini is so simple but there is no car these days that is quite so simple.

I think you forget that seeing a 50year old mini on the road is also pretty rare! You only see so many minis as they were produced for so long. Most the minis you see are alot younger that 50years!