Reply #9: I don't get it.

[CanuckAmok]

The whole point of the original was to be a cheap ride. Not just economically, but in the sense of the weird British licensing tax at the time, which was based on stuff like wheel diameter and cargo capacity (that'w why there were several three-wheeled British car models in the 70s; they were less to license/insure than four wheel models).

These new ones are basically BMWs. I don't know about the US market, but up here they're, like, $30,000 and up. The key-word here is "exclusivity".

When they first came out, the dealers couldn't keep them in stock. The dealerships "storefronts" in high-end shopping neighbourhoods. The one in Vancouver had two Minis: one in the showroom, and one you could test-drive.

Now the BMW lots are jammed with them, new and used. They flooded the market with what was basically a trendy novelty car.

I mean, I wouldn't say no to one if it was given to me, but put the price on-par with a Civic or a Cavalier, and then we'll talk.