OK, I put a down payment on Wednesday. By the way, the US dealers were announced over the weekend, everywhere except Texas (some TX law about companies not being able to be selective on who gets what - don't ask me, I'd guess George W.'s oil friends were involved somehow). The deposit was $1k (on a S, of course), is fully refundable, with them expecting my car to be ready in April (first allotment will be in March, but will be sold as-is; April's will be for customers who know exactly what they want; Cooper and S will be both available from get-go).
The engine is a joint Chrysler-BMW facility in Brazil, but there's already rumors that BMW will do the next gen's engine all on their lonesome. The electronics and rear suspension are pure BMW. BMW took over the project once they were unhappy with Rover's attempts. It'll have 162 or 163 hp; Cooper Garages already has a package consisting of intake, exhaust and supercharger pulley that is supposed to generate 197 hp. I'm sure that there will be more to come.
US doesn't get the MINI One, which has 94 hp, I believe (can you imagine that?). Price for Cooper: 18k, S: 21k. More or less in line with GTIs. Maybe a little expensive, but lots of safety and electronics in the package.
Some really good options, including a panorama roof (kind of like a small version of the one on the new M-B c230), couple of leather options, including a beautiful two-tone, BMW's traction control, then the always-silly navigation control, and other options. I'm sure if you're an idiot, you can get one for close to 30k. I'm guessing that mine will be around 24. My dealer has already told me that they will be charging MSRP only.
14 colors will be available, with the side-view mirrors and roof available in white, black, or matching color. Yes, Paul, there will be vinyl available to give you the Union Jack option - I'd consider it if I weren't going with the sunroof.
This is all hinging on my crx holding up until April. If not, then I may look at the 9-3 again.
If you want any more info, http://www.minius.com is the US' website; http://wwww.mini2.com is a great independant site, and the current month's edition of Car has a review of it - exceedingly positive review, I might say.
If you've not fallen asleep reading this yet and have any other questions, let me know. BTW, I think that all comparisons to the first Mini are silly - this is a totally different car, whether good or bad is up to you.

• What do you all think of the NEW Mini Copper about to come out?, Phil, Wed, 20 Jun 2001 21:20:41
  • Saw one last weekend on PCH in Malibu (more), mfatic, Fri, 22 Jun 2001 18:00:32
    • BMW Z3 a "clown shoe"? (LOL), John A., Fri, 22 Jun 2001 20:24:11
  • All answers inside..., tommy, Fri, 22 Jun 2001 09:52:59 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Forgot: Warranty:, tommy, Fri, 22 Jun 2001 09:54:47
  • fabulous but does it meet expectations?, John A., Thu, 21 Jun 2001 13:03:41
  • More retro crap... Afraid of the future?, TWD, Thu, 21 Jun 2001 11:11:54
    • I am Afraid of the future. Honda Insight...thats whats coming., tlrm, Fri, 22 Jun 2001 16:48:55
    • Whoa! Easy there killer!, Dinger, Thu, 21 Jun 2001 11:59:15
      • Hummmm...Dinger, Killer, Thu, 21 Jun 2001 16:36:50
        • I agree with your point: its just brand managing., tlrm, Fri, 22 Jun 2001 16:57:56
      • Re: Whoa! Easy there killer!, EricU, Thu, 21 Jun 2001 16:24:40
  • a 160 hp Mini is going to cost $20k+ ...., JMC, Thu, 21 Jun 2001 09:37:49
    • I'll buy a base model. Better than a golf or Jetta,, tlrm, Fri, 22 Jun 2001 16:51:49
  • Autoweek loved it except..., Wavey, Thu, 21 Jun 2001 08:33:58
  • New Mini is sweet, engine looks primitive, Coolknight, Thu, 21 Jun 2001 02:30:55
    • Re: New Mini is sweet, engine looks primitive, David Hanley, Mon, 25 Jun 2001 23:27:33
  • looks great... BUT..., Martin Voshell, Wed, 20 Jun 2001 23:20:01
    • Whole car and engine are from BMW. n/m, Kalle, Thu, 21 Jun 2001 01:53:34
      • Re: Whole car and engine are from BMW. n/m, Nathan Work, Thu, 21 Jun 2001 08:51:06
        • it very much is a chrysler engine..., Martin Voshell, Thu, 21 Jun 2001 15:55:16
        • Sorry Nathan - isn't so, Bill D, Thu, 21 Jun 2001 11:50:12
          • I heard that the Chrysler deal fell through, and that Chrysler, tlrm, Fri, 22 Jun 2001 16:45:56
  • Make mine Blue with Union Jack painted on the roof....., Paul , Wed, 20 Jun 2001 22:32:31
  • excited, but expect to be dissapointed, curt, Wed, 20 Jun 2001 22:18:07

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