The Independent American Magazine for all Mini Owners
Issue link: http://mc2.epubxp.com/i/33538
Kudos For Countryman I wanted to say thanks for the show- casing our Countryman on the cover. Well, it looks like ours, anyway! We took delivery last week and it is every- thing MINI has promised and more. It is much like my ‘02 MCS, yet so different… Comments on the Countryman: Well, I am still attempting to put the words to the experience. I have three Minis - a 1973 Mini 1000, the 2002 MC S and now the 2011 Countryman Cooper S All4. The Countryman all Wouldn’t Take A Countryman As A Gift In predictable car magazine fashion, your article concludes that "the Coun- compliments and expands the whole MINI experi- ence. It is everything MINI, just with four doors, all-wheel drive, and in a roomier package. The drive is VW Powered MINI Install An Auto-Up Circuit Experimental Rotary Hybrid Make Your Own Cold Air Box Mini Sports Cars That Weren't December 2010 - January 2011 Issue 29 tryman seems likely to have a bright and exciting future." Sure. And so does the Porsche Cayenne. The Countryman has the same corrosive effect on the Mini brand as Cayenne has had on the Porsche brand. It permits poseurs to pretend they are among the true believers when they actually have no clue. “Mini's Chief Designer insists that the concept of Mini-ness is less to do with size and more to do with authenticity,” writes Griffey. Well, there is no authenticity in that fat, bloated, clumsy semi-station wagon. Yes, Mini built station wagons and pickups and Mokes. They had authenticity. This thing does for Mini what Aztec did for Pontiac. Thinking that I should reserve judgment until I saw one, I trekked to my local MINI, but the ride over bumps and such, is not; it is softer but firm. Fit and finish is great, no complaints during the first 500 miles and none expected We bought the Countryman All4 to replace a 2006 VW Beetle my wife used for work as winters in Iowa can be quite slippery. The All4 system was the main selling point, plus our previous experience with the 2002 S had us sold on MINI. So the Countryman is to be her commuter for work plus our 'family' car when we take passengers. The entry and exit into the rear seats is flat, no dropping into the car nor climbing up as in my 4x4 pickup — very important when your parents are involved. Anyway, kind of the long and short of it: quite a different experience than when I got the ’02, that was a pre spec car, on the lists for over a year. Both were the 1st in the state, again, not planned just happened. Mike Etzel Marion, IA dealer in my R53 for the launch, some free coffee and a chance to win one. It is a good thing I didn't win. I wouldn't have one as a gift. Scott Johnson Cincinnati, Ohio. Issue 30 MC2 Magazine 17 i n th G edi e cr ee, M ! W e, an been a good on i ke, i e ar d th ts f w e h ad yks f a d kn ou or th e gl an ow r exper n n ou r cov ce w ds i i d w e ki er ca th th en r w e M . as y axi M or ou s r, w INI h e’d h as s av o f e s ar ai d s o compar th It i s r n son BM y r e comparas deci at vei eeds of th efesh e Aztek to th at to be vi n compang n ced is a gr ess i ave a bi n 1 ig th W h motornodu ee i e both agr i w n as i w th . So i tr e or squ Thanks for readi eak th i n gi r al an ou n th ded th , I thc h 959. I h d h d n 2, and thanks for your opi g adver n i e pu gh an C eat car -- w ad l ot h ng M bl n ter ave hou i ear or space l d di lte thdn . It di f se af n ig to r i , an ecei e C u abl ou d I w as a hge cr e, M tr ik th etter crti ou tr ic of th as i ti ve a l nyman wical of M n lmi ave chd i u t sai e C ged somew an aps, than ce ie C INI di an nyman i d th vi s a good i si on h at th d si er 't. P h ew M e n n at si ni e br h e br ect on th ons. INI, as wg lu e Aztek f as to be a f or th ati e get so f . I h n e same rul br l ad n eason d e ew ou ot th . Y gh ou r n INI (as l tr ar ce th R i dea an n e or t w ou s. t of an d thal Mn gi 53) -- w an l nyman wl ii i d... per ger th h hch i aps n ot. Presorted Standard P U.S. Postage AID Lebanon Junction, KY Permit #487 Change Service R 4640 Chico W Bremerton, W ay A 98312 equested Is It True To Its Roots? Countryman Has Arrived ! Also In This Issue: Last Minute Holiday Gifts Under $100 Last Minute Holiday Gifts Under $100 Mini Heritage: Page 48