The New Beetle vs the New Mini

[joshwa]

The VW Beetle - the original - was and is the coolest car on the planet, and the original mini was good...

But... why is the modern mini much better than the modern VW Beetle? The modern VW Beetle is just not cool... it's a complete girl's car... with special flower holder inside, whereas the original was suitable for anybody. The new mini is much better than the new beetle, appealing to both men and women.

Your thoughts?

[leeglf]

i dont like the new mini it really bugs me that they can call it a "mini" just because it has a simular shape as the original!

have you actually stood next to one its hardly mini they should of called it the "midi" and the original mini "mini" probably had more boot space!

i cant really say much about the new beetle as i have not seen one close up but from what i hear they are as you say a bit girlie!

give me the original beetle and mini anyday!

[5lab]

the mini appeals (imo) because it is a) actually a good car (handles well, etc) and b) in a complete niche - a luxury supermini. the beetle doesnt because it is a) pap (its a mk4 golf made worse in every concievable way) and b) competing against much better cars - all it has going for it is the looks.

neither car have anything to do with the origonals - both are just marketing exersizes, the mini has just been a bit more successful

[joshwa]

I would say that the Mk1 Golf (and GTI) are somewhat a classic car, and the new Golfs have done a much better job of being good cars (some would say great) than the new VW Beetle when compared to the original Beetle...

I think VW should start from scratch and do a completely different Beetle. Perhaps a modern day version of the original that looks exactly the same on the outside, but with modern safety standards?

[Koolpc]

I can't stand the new Mini. That is definitely a girls car! I used to have the old beetle and loved it to bits. May get one again in the future.

[Funkstar]

How old is the "new" Beatle now anyway? must be about 10 years as i remember liking them before i had my license. Sure they have had minor revisions in there, but it is still essentially the same car.

How long has the Mini been out? a few years and already they are completely re-engineering it for the new version next year (i think it's '07 it's out).

If you look at it that way, the Beatloe has done extremely well without having a major relaunch. They also don't seem to need all the special editions and heavy advertising that BMW do. Of course that says a lot about VWs strategy for the car, it isn't nearly as iconic as the BMW Mini is now, but sales can't be doing badly or they would have dropper it or over hauled it.

[5lab]

the beetle doesnt really sell very many - so i wouldnt say it's done 'extremely' well. its been facelifted this year - its currently 7 years old (first out in 99). the mini has been out 6 years, and is due for replacement next year - which is pretty much in line with most new cars - focus - astra - golf etc.. most cars now have a 6 year lifecycle.. i strongly doubt there'll be another beetle for a few years.. it's not selling nearly as strongly as the mini - which incidentally is the *lowest* depreciating car it is possible to buy, and also the *only* small car from which a company pulls a major profit

[Funkstar]

i was sure the beatle was a lot older then the mini. I'd have thought there would be a new revision of it to bring it in line with the MK5 golf, but they are maybe waiting for the MK6 that will come early because of dissapointing sales of the current car.

[harry1]

beetle is shocking imo just an ugly car

new mini although i would never ever buy one is a nice little car and the engines are quite nippy to, plus i like the design of the dashes

[Konan555]

I think VW should start from scratch and do a completely different Beetle. Perhaps a modern day version of the original that looks exactly the same on the outside, but with modern safety standards?

Keep it rear engined? My they're hillarious to drive on snow.

[steve threlfall]

i dont like the new mini it really bugs me that they can call it a "mini" just because it has a simular shape as the original!

have you actually stood next to one its hardly mini they should of called it the "midi" and the original mini "mini" probably had more boot space!

Its aimed at the US market aswel though. Needless to say, it really is a tiny car over there

[Butuz]

Both car's mentioned are a shadow of their original selves, with little of the redeeming and groudbreaking quality's that the originals brought to the table.

Neither of them interest me, and I am huge mini fan.

Butuz

[Funkstar]

Classic Minis are great, my mum has one. You feel like you are going a lot faster than you actually are because you are so close to the ground. Counrty roads are great, leave it in 3rd (only 4 gears) and use left foot breaking. fun.

Only problem is the tiny wide wheels are rubbish is the wet, parking is a nightmare without power stearing, they are noisy, cold, and a bugger to get in and out of.

Wouldn't like to drive one every day, good fun though once in a while.

[kopite]

To me the new mini takes everything away from what the original mini was about. ie small, Nimble and handling like a go-kart. The new one has safety features in it!!


The new beetle is really girly espcially when you consider they have a vase in the dashboard rofl

[5lab]

To me the new mini takes everything away from what the original mini was about. ie small, Nimble and handling like a go-kart.

i'd disagree - the new mini handles exceptionally well, with no torque steer on any models (equal length driveshafts) and they still have a classless chiq that was what (imo) made the origonal sell so well. it's not a breakthrough in any area, but it is still top of the pile in a lot of ways..

[joshwa]

I think we should deisgn our own modern day versions of them and post them up here