is see the mini as a sort of fashion statement car, here in england i dont think ive seen alot of car people driving it, its mainly women, and the type of men who are into fashion, and daft haircuts etc. you know they think theyre cool, and so they have to have a cool car to match. its a bit sickening, theyre buying it based on style, and they probably couldnt tell you how to open the bonnet.
the mini is a good car, ive driven a cooper S at a track day for a few laps, and it was wickedly fast to drive. but the people i see driving them just arent the sort of people who buy the car for its performance or handling, they just bought the mini cooper S coz its more cool than the regular mini, its more expensive therefore its gonna make the trip to the clothes shop all that more better.
tbh id rather have the civic type R, or the Alfa 147 GT, or even the Focus RS i think they are better cars, simply because you dont see one every where you go. i can count 8 minis, 5 of which are coopers or cooper S' on the way to lectures everymornin. and its a 10min walk