HatchWagon

Death of a suburban staple: The station wagon - Feb. 15, 2011

What an unbearably useless article. Why does it seem like the people who write articles about cars for major news sources know the LEAST about them? It’s great when they just make up crap that sounds good to go along with their stupid hypothesis.

Case in point:

And the 2000s were the decade of the crossover, combining the best features of both van and SUV. With their combination of capability and capacity, they remain one of the fastest-growing segments.

Crossovers combine the best features of both a Van and an SUV?

What are the best features of a van? The only possible thing that vans have going for them is interior volume, especially height from floor to ceiling. Has the writer ever even BEEN in a crossover? They may have high roofs like a minivan, but the floors have been raised to make them LOOK like they’re kind of like an SUV, effectively making them have about the same amount of room as a wagon would… oh, except since it’s basically just a LIFTED wagon, it has worse driving dynamics and handling while simultaneously getting worse gas mileage than a wagon would. At least it can tow and off-road like an SUV, right? Oh, it can’t because it’s just a lifted car? Hrm…

So, unless the “best features of Vans and SUVs” are bad driving dynamics and bad gas mileage, I’m going to have to disagree with the original claim. Next time, do some research and don’t just copy talking points out of car brochures.

23 February 2011

18-mini-paceman-detroit (by cool3c) The MINI Paceman gets the “thumbs up” for production. (Ba dum ching!) It’s official… MINI will produce the Paceman. The prevailing theory (and a logical one) is that the production version will add two suicide doors (optional?) and replace the Clubman as the model between the Hardtop and the Countryman. Future “family car”?

18-mini-paceman-detroit (by cool3c)

The MINI Paceman gets the “thumbs up” for production. (Ba dum ching!)

It’s official… MINI will produce the Paceman. The prevailing theory (and a logical one) is that the production version will add two suicide doors (optional?) and replace the Clubman as the model between the Hardtop and the Countryman. Future “family car”?

13 January 2011 • MINI Cooper Paceman JCW Concept Production Produce

According to a recent White Roof Radio interview with MINI’s head of engineering, 29% of MINIs are sold with Manual Transmissions. That leaves 71% of MINI owners who either misunderstand what MINIs are about, or they hate fun, or they are disabled… the latter of which is the only good excuse for buying an automatic MINI. That said, 29% is a lot higher than BMW’s current take rate for manuals - 2%… and I’m sure many other marques are comparable or worse than that. Sad.

According to a recent White Roof Radio interview with MINI’s head of engineering, 29% of MINIs are sold with Manual Transmissions.

That leaves 71% of MINI owners who either misunderstand what MINIs are about, or they hate fun, or they are disabled… the latter of which is the only good excuse for buying an automatic MINI. That said, 29% is a lot higher than BMW’s current take rate for manuals - 2%… and I’m sure many other marques are comparable or worse than that. Sad.

12 January 2011 • MINI Manual Transmission Cooper BMW

I’d still much rather have a car than a crossover, but the color on this new MINI Paceman concept is amazing. Additionally, a “5-door” with 2 suicide doors would be sportier than the Countryman, but may still be able to be classified as a “family car”. Or how about this color on a JCW Coopster?

I’d still much rather have a car than a crossover, but the color on this new MINI Paceman concept is amazing. Additionally, a “5-door” with 2 suicide doors would be sportier than the Countryman, but may still be able to be classified as a “family car”. Or how about this color on a JCW Coopster?

5 January 2011 • MINI Coopster R60 Countryman Paceman MINI Cooper JCW

Blaine did a little something to his hair for the game! Watch for us during the game at 4:30 on TBS.

Blaine did a little something to his hair for the game! Watch for us during the game at 4:30 on TBS.

10 October 2010

Blaine driving getting into the Braves spirit! :)

Blaine driving getting into the Braves spirit! :)

9 October 2010

Lotus Exige (by Mark Barrett) Let’s see… time to calculate how to save up and buy this in cash.

Lotus Exige (by Mark Barrett)

Let’s see… time to calculate how to save up and buy this in cash.

25 September 2010 • Lotus Exige Krypton Green

Nice heritage (by [ JR ]) Heritage Ford GT and Gulf Livery RUF… drool.

Nice heritage (by [ JR ])

Heritage Ford GT and Gulf Livery RUF… drool.

21 September 2010

I need a bigger garage… 440hp, Adjustable Suspension, 14” Brembos, available *functional* aero, brake ducting. Definitely hoping we see some at the Woodward Dream Cruise next weekend.

I need a bigger garage…

440hp, Adjustable Suspension, 14” Brembos, available *functional* aero, brake ducting. Definitely hoping we see some at the Woodward Dream Cruise next weekend.

13 August 2010

MINI Countryman - First Look: Well, got my first in-person experience with the MINI Countryman today at the MINI Takes The States “MINIcross” in Atlanta. I’m on an iPhone, so I’ll keep it short for now and add more later, but a few first impressions: Smaller than I even thought or pictures make it look. But still very roomy. A 6’+ tall person can sit behind a similar person in the front with plenty of room to spare, which is more than I can say for some midsize sedans. More to come later, maybe.

MINI Countryman - First Look:

Well, got my first in-person experience with the MINI Countryman today at the MINI Takes The States “MINIcross” in Atlanta.

I’m on an iPhone, so I’ll keep it short for now and add more later, but a few first impressions:

  • Smaller than I even thought or pictures make it look.

  • But still very roomy. A 6’+ tall person can sit behind a similar person in the front with plenty of room to spare, which is more than I can say for some midsize sedans.

More to come later, maybe.

7 August 2010 • MTTS MINI Cooper Countryman