MINI2 - MINI Forum - View Single Post

rellik666 · May 8th, 2008, 09:31 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by BrianDromey (original)

Its taken me a while to be absolutely sure a MINI is for me. If you name a car of similar money I've probably taken (more than) one for a test drive. So off I went to the local FIAT dealership, I was struck by the decrepit, slightly grimy showroom which smelled like the workshop. Certainly not a good start. The car itself did not do much for me, it really is very, very small. The build quality certainly is not up to the standards of the MINI, but the price is attractive.

The sales guy was OK, but the guys are struggling with the challenge of a car with so many options. The drive was not too impressive, I felt the seat was very high and I just did not like it. I did not feel the build quality and materials came close to the MINI.

If FIAT are going after MINI owners/buyers they are going to have to work a lot harder at getting the presentation of the dealerships right and getting the slaespeople up to speed. It was apparent that FIAT have not sold a product like this for a very long time, if ever. Even if all the MINI dealerships are not quite what they should be at least they give the impression of a professional and polished product. Its part of the experience of owning a MINI, IMHO.

The quality, drive, dealers and girly looks of the car put me off it. Its not in the same league as the MINI.

Brian.

I have to say I am of the same opinion. And I thought it was just because we were so far away from everything!

Dealer had no Idea what soever! He basically went online to the FIAT incubator to spec the car! I could have done that at home! He had no idea about how the options and different spec levels worked and made up things about the car.

I had trouble sitting in it, with my head touching the roof in the passenger seat in a Lounge version. The seats don't move up and down, they just tilt, very annoying, especially when you feel like you are driving a small transit van!

I quote...."This is a great city car.........excellent fuel consumption" then...."the engine works best when it is reved really high!" Well thats great for moving between traffic lights isn't it and great for the fuel consumption.......but then again.....it apparently "runs on air!"

Anyhow, the interior trim was scuffed and dirty, the build quality, was well ok...but nothing special.......I don't know how long it would last though.........

And yes I do keep mistaking Micra's for the 500...........even though Micra's only seem to come in two colours here..........that baby blue colour and awful metallic pink!

No comparison in my mind.........I'd rather buy a swift! Especially when the car I specced came to $35K ~ GBP14K..

May 8th, 2008, 09:31 PM	#87
rellik666 Keeping The Top Off! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Melbourne Local Time: 06:59 AM Posts: 494 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by BrianDromey (original) Its taken me a while to be absolutely sure a MINI is for me. If you name a car of similar money I've probably taken (more than) one for a test drive. So off I went to the local FIAT dealership, I was struck by the decrepit, slightly grimy showroom which smelled like the workshop. Certainly not a good start. The car itself did not do much for me, it really is very, very small. The build quality certainly is not up to the standards of the MINI, but the price is attractive. The sales guy was OK, but the guys are struggling with the challenge of a car with so many options. The drive was not too impressive, I felt the seat was very high and I just did not like it. I did not feel the build quality and materials came close to the MINI. If FIAT are going after MINI owners/buyers they are going to have to work a lot harder at getting the presentation of the dealerships right and getting the slaespeople up to speed. It was apparent that FIAT have not sold a product like this for a very long time, if ever. Even if all the MINI dealerships are not quite what they should be at least they give the impression of a professional and polished product. Its part of the experience of owning a MINI, IMHO. The quality, drive, dealers and girly looks of the car put me off it. Its not in the same league as the MINI. Brian. I have to say I am of the same opinion. And I thought it was just because we were so far away from everything! Dealer had no Idea what soever! He basically went online to the FIAT incubator to spec the car! I could have done that at home! He had no idea about how the options and different spec levels worked and made up things about the car. I had trouble sitting in it, with my head touching the roof in the passenger seat in a Lounge version. The seats don't move up and down, they just tilt, very annoying, especially when you feel like you are driving a small transit van! I quote...."This is a great city car.........excellent fuel consumption" then...."the engine works best when it is reved really high!" Well thats great for moving between traffic lights isn't it and great for the fuel consumption.......but then again.....it apparently "runs on air!" Anyhow, the interior trim was scuffed and dirty, the build quality, was well ok...but nothing special.......I don't know how long it would last though......... And yes I do keep mistaking Micra's for the 500...........even though Micra's only seem to come in two colours here..........that baby blue colour and awful metallic pink! No comparison in my mind.........I'd rather buy a swift! Especially when the car I specced came to $35K ~ GBP14K.. OH MY OH MY! I own a Sidewalk!Almost.........