It's official: the MINI Cooper is dead. It was pronounced dead on arrival on Monday, August 14, 2006. What a sad turn of events.
Let me explain.
When the new MINI Cooper debuted back in 2001, it was probably the most uniquely designed consumer car available for under $30k. Everything about it was exciting - the design, the technology, fuel consumption, etc. I bought one right after I first test drove it. I was that impressed.
5 years pass, and I have owned not one, but TWO MINI Coopers in that period of time. That's how near and dear this car is to my heart (Even though the second go-around it was just a "weekend car").
But just recently something really surprising happened. BMW and MINI announced that aside from the engine upgrade to the 2007 models, of which I have no objection, they would be making some tweeks to the exterior design and then a complete redesign of the interior. Because I love the MINI, I became worried.
First of all, WHY CHANGE SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T NEED CHANGING? The 2006 MINI Cooper and Cooper S is ahead in design terms by far of any other car in its price range. It is SO unique, which is what I think is the primary characteristic of a MINI. Something, I'm afraid to say, that has been surrendered in the new 2007 models.
The new 07 MINI Cooper is still a MINI to the average buyer. But look closer. The headlights are no longer attached to the hood. Why? Not for aesthetic reasons, that's for sure. It's because it's cheaper to manufacture. On the inside: much less plastic and other materials in place of ugly rubbery materials. Why? Again, NOT for aesthetic reasons, as MINI and BMW claim on their web site, it's because it's cheaper.
So it would seem that MINI and BMW have sadly made the decision to sacrifice uniqueness and character in place of cutting manufactory costs. MINI claims that the new car is "higher quality" - and that may be true for some points (such as upholestry and lighting), but that could made without the complete overhaul that they did.
In short, the new MINI Cooper looks noticeably less like what we have grown to know the MINI Cooper to be. And the Cooper S is much less sporty and appealing than its predecessor. On the inside, it is utter disappointment. I was going to buy another one soon, but after I saw the 07 models, I have rethought that. Too bad.