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Gooner

Mini First.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Mini-First-1.4/242313/

Seems an odd one to me this. Whilst I know Mini now have a lot more competition than when they first came to market in 2001, this seems to be a step too far in devaluing the brand and I cannot see who would really want one instead of a One which is not much dearer (at least for those who can afford £10k+ for a supermini).

Apart from the styling and kudos of the Mini badge, I don't see what this can offer over the much better equipped high end models of regular superminis. Though I suppose at least it brings the mini a little closer in price to a Fiat 500.
Martin

I wonder how many people will actually buy one?  It will get them into the showroom and then they will come out with something more expensive.  Either that or they will put more profitable extras on it!
PG

Martin wrote:
I wonder how many people will actually buy one?  It will get them into the showroom and then they will come out with something more expensive.  Either that or they will put more profitable extras on it!


That may well be it. But I'm also guessing that the insurance will be cheaper than a One and so maybe the First aspect is aimed at younger drivers who want a MINI but can't afford one? And if you add aircon to the First it's probably not a bad car to pootle around in and it will go round corners too.
Martin

I suppose it makes sense with the scrappage allowance, but if you have something worth more than that, then a less than 12 month old MINI One would make more sense to me.  It would have aircon, alloys and probably a load of other things to make it nicer to live with for the same money.
Frank Bullitt

Now the ONE get's A/C and it's an extra on the FIRST, the difference between the two for non-sadists is £730 - other than colours (exterior and interior) and A/C it is only possible to get options in one of three packs (SALT, DESIGN and TECH).

Make mine a ONE with PEPPER, multi-function 3-spoke, sports seats and glass roof; the MINI sweet-spot.
Humphrey The Pug

Only 74bhp too.

I should imagine that once people are in the dealership and if they are after finance the higher models will look far more attractive on a PCP, that's mainly the idea of boggo models, get people in on a price point and then they realise they can get a better spec for only a few quid more per month.

Cheaper models have lower profit margins than the higher spec versions anyway.
Grampa

PG wrote:
I'm also guessing that the insurance will be cheaper than a One and so maybe the First aspect is aimed at younger drivers who want a MINI but can't afford one?


Insurance for MINIs is already surprisingly cheap - insuring my 17yr daughter's MINI One (all done properly in her own name) was around £70 cheaper than we were quoted for a Clio 1.2

I'm sure a lot of people get carried away speccing MINIs - they've developed the knack of making them an attractive spec but that much more attractive if you spend a bit more - the end price of our Cooper was near as dammit the price of a standard S, but it's got a lovely interior.

If people start doing this with a First, bearing in mind they also get a better engine, then with the small price difference they'll end up going for a One.
Gurney

This isn't an all 'new' engine so presume it has been electronically dumbed down, Mini have previous on doing that.

Interesting to see how it does.
woof woof

"The First scores on other economy fronts, too. In exchange for just £185, you can cover service and maintenance for the next five years."

Seems like a good deal.
Grampa

Gurney wrote:
This isn't an all 'new' engine so presume it has been electronically dumbed down, Mini have previous on doing that.


Same as they did with the first One and Cooper - didn't take long before the chip companies were offering a cheap deal to restore the 'lost' power - I wouldn't be surprised if that happens again.

woof woof wrote:
"The First scores on other economy fronts, too. In exchange for just £185, you can cover service and maintenance for the next five years."

Seems like a good deal.


MINI TLC (which is what they call the five year service deal) has been available on all MINIs since the previous one was launched in 2001 (think the original cost was £100).

Wonder if anyone's been stupid enough not to add it to their purchase.
kraftwerk

The cheapest, basest versions of city cars are often the most interesting. Apart from the hottest, highest-spec versions.
Guitar Zero

The Mini One is way more interesting than the First.

It's got steelies for starters and not those fuck awful hubcraps.

and aircon

and just enough power so as not to be a menace to society.
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