Quandary!
I look at the various photos of the R57, and then I look out the window at my current Cooper Cabrio.... I keep thinking that I'm very happy with my current car, and that the new one doesn't appear to offer any thing significantly different or so much better that it is actually worth committing to the new model!
Sure, a new car will have a warranty, the economy will be a bit better and the emissions will be a bit lower, the pop-up roll bars will improve rear view, and the overall build quality may be improved. But, from the pictures, it doesn't look like the roof design has changed much (if at all), the rear screen does not look any bigger, IMHO the front end does not look as good as my R52, and I still have not warmed to the R56 style central console and controls.
I was seriously considering a Cooper D Cabrio, as my new job involves the mileage to make this worthwhile. But all the rumours imply that this model will not be launched next spring, and may not arrive till 2010
So, what do you think? Should I:
a. Keep my R52, accept the higher risks of expensive breakdown & roof wear and lower economy?
b. Commit to a launch delivery of an R57 (petrol)?
c. Wait and see before making any commitment?
(Just to make life more complicated, I have worked out that, for the same money I will have to spend on changing from my 2004 model to a new 2009 model, I could keep my current R52, buy a brand new small cheap car for my work commute, and
still have money in the bank!!!!)
Cheers!
Ian