Quote Originally Posted by vt_maverick View Post
Don't know if you've driven a Mini, but they are a blast to drive. With the wheels pushed out to the corners you feel like you're driving a go-cart, and the clutch travel in the 6-speed is so short it's like pushing a button. This is definitely not your dad's Mini. Interestingly the reviews say that the new Countryman actually sacrifices some of that sporty performance to add room.
That's my point - if they were to make the mini stylish enough to lose the clown-car looks, they might well have to sacrifice drivability in the process.