3 ms·

I don't think that's a lack of attention to detail from Mini. Just a decision made with the knowledge that people don't buy premium cars based on rational decis

I don't think that's a lack of attention to detail from Mini. Just a decision made with the knowledge that people don't buy premium cars based on rational decisions. If they did, I'm not sure Mini (or BMW for that matter) would exist... I don't think this is the case for airplanes.

namibj 8y ago
Are there any somewhat affordable cars that skimp on the "bling" to archive this sort of efficiency?
- joncrane 8y ago
  What I've found is that each make of car has it's "way" of doing things. I've found that Toyotas have a consistent placement of controls, as do Hondas, but they are not the same to each other. I haven't driven enough other makes of cars to know definitively, and they can change between generations. It may be a way to foster brand loyalty. I find Honda's way more intuitive, but Toyota's is fine, too.
- joezydeco 8y ago
  I'm happy with my 3rd generation Mazda3. http://images.nadaguides.com/ChromeImageGallery/Expanded/White/640/2018MAC170010_640/2018MAC170010_640_11.jpg http://images.nadaguides.com/ChromeImageGallery/Expanded/Whi... The IVI display is out of the way but accessible (there's a jogdial on the center console to control it while driving). HVAC controls are manual and very easy to use without looking.
  - namdnay 8y ago
    The problem is how to reconcile manual controls (which are great) with Carplay/AndroidAuto (which is even greater). The only control I have over Carplay without using the touchscreen is next/previous song and volume :(
    - joezydeco 8y ago
      The Mazda unit is supposed to be Carplay-enabled in the next couple of months. I'm curious as well to see what happens. I would hope the newer versions of CP allow for use of external control devices like the jogdial.
- namdnay 8y ago
  I guess entry level Dacias would probably be your best bet? https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/motoring2/2015/12/03/9-Dacia-Sandero-spec-1-xlarge_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqrWYeUU_H0zBKyvljOo6zlkYMapKPjdhyLnv9ax6_too.jpg?imwidth=1240 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/motoring2/2015/12/03...
- gnopgnip 8y ago
  Volvo is better about physical switches than comparable cars.
crooked-v 8y ago
My purchase of a Mini was mostly motivated by 1. wanting a physically small car (I'm bad at parking) 2. ...that wasn't anemic at highway speeds 3. ...and could (uncomfortably) fit a couple of friends if necessary, or some flat-pack furniture boxes 4. ...all without being either bland or ugly as sin.
- namdnay 8y ago
  And (4) is where BMW make their money! Or you'd have bought a Suzuki Swift :)

namibj 8y ago

Are there any somewhat affordable cars that skimp on the "bling" to archive this sort of efficiency?

joncrane 8y ago
What I've found is that each make of car has it's "way" of doing things. I've found that Toyotas have a consistent placement of controls, as do Hondas, but they are not the same to each other. I haven't driven enough other makes of cars to know definitively, and they can change between generations. It may be a way to foster brand loyalty. I find Honda's way more intuitive, but Toyota's is fine, too.
joezydeco 8y ago
I'm happy with my 3rd generation Mazda3. http://images.nadaguides.com/ChromeImageGallery/Expanded/White/640/2018MAC170010_640/2018MAC170010_640_11.jpg http://images.nadaguides.com/ChromeImageGallery/Expanded/Whi... The IVI display is out of the way but accessible (there's a jogdial on the center console to control it while driving). HVAC controls are manual and very easy to use without looking.
- namdnay 8y ago
  The problem is how to reconcile manual controls (which are great) with Carplay/AndroidAuto (which is even greater). The only control I have over Carplay without using the touchscreen is next/previous song and volume :(
  - joezydeco 8y ago
    The Mazda unit is supposed to be Carplay-enabled in the next couple of months. I'm curious as well to see what happens. I would hope the newer versions of CP allow for use of external control devices like the jogdial.
namdnay 8y ago
I guess entry level Dacias would probably be your best bet? https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/motoring2/2015/12/03/9-Dacia-Sandero-spec-1-xlarge_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqrWYeUU_H0zBKyvljOo6zlkYMapKPjdhyLnv9ax6_too.jpg?imwidth=1240 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/motoring2/2015/12/03...
gnopgnip 8y ago
Volvo is better about physical switches than comparable cars.

crooked-v 8y ago

My purchase of a Mini was mostly motivated by 1. wanting a physically small car (I'm bad at parking) 2. ...that wasn't anemic at highway speeds 3. ...and could (uncomfortably) fit a couple of friends if necessary, or some flat-pack furniture boxes 4. ...all without being either bland or ugly as sin.

namdnay 8y ago
And (4) is where BMW make their money! Or you'd have bought a Suzuki Swift :)