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The sad thing is an original Isigonis style 1980s mini estate gives more chance to put a full size dog in the back, with the rear seats up, than the current mas

The sad thing is an original Isigonis style 1980s mini estate gives more chance to put a full size dog in the back, with the rear seats up, than the current massive Mini Clubman estate that's cramped for a Yorkie with the back doors closed. It really is comical seeing original Mini and new next to each other -- the new one is not, by any stretch, "mini". I keep thinking my retirement project should be an EV 1980 mini estate with upmarket seats and instruments -- as that's honestly what I want to buy in an EV. Something starting that light should have lots of range and performance scope...

lostlogin 7y ago
The idea of loading up that suspension ‘system’ with batteries makes me twitchy, but it’s such a great car that the extra effort that would be required would definitely be worth it.
- NeedMoreTea 7y ago
  That's true, so now it needs all new running gear, and becomes an insane labour of love like the Eagle E type. Still fancy a try though. :)
jmull 7y ago
I put a couple of greyhounds in my Mini (I think it's still the same basic size as the current gen). It is certainly much larger than the original, but smaller than a Clubman so I have to wonder what your Yorkie looks like ;-)
- NeedMoreTea 7y ago
  I've only seen a Clubman in the street from the outside, and the estate bit looked like 20cm or so with the seats up. Obviously that's at the windows line so there's probably a bit more room lower down... So with seats up less than a Shepherd (or greyhound) shoulder width. Seats down, sure...
decebalus1 7y ago
As a driver, I would rather have larger crumple zones or places to put curtain airbags and such than space to be able to fit a full size dog in the back. Regulations aren't always bad or a burden on the industry (or for that matter on the dog owners). Having an EV 80's chassis would be a great idea for a hobby build or something to take out for a Sunday drive to the country. But I would'd drive that death trap daily.
- RankingMember 7y ago
  Agreed. I think it's important to include safety in the conversation when making comparisons between today's vehicles and those of decades past. It's apparent that pursuing safety over things like "max # of canine accommodations" has yielded positive results. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_vehicle_fatality_rate_in_U.S._by_year https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_vehicle_fatality_rate_in...
  - NeedMoreTea 7y ago
    At the expense of increasing pedestrian fatalities.
    - RankingMember 7y ago
      Pedestrian fatalities are included in the linked stats, but the proportion of pedestrian fatalities has been increasing. There are a number of potential explanations, including the increased prevalence of SUVs and trucks against which pedestrians fare worse, but nothing concrete yet. Vehicles are being designed with pedestrian safety in mind, but if a greater proportion of people are driving SUVs and trucks to get around, I think it's logical that more pedestrian fatalities would follow.
      - lmm 7y ago
        > Vehicles are being designed with pedestrian safety in mind They're kind of not. The US still doesn't require any pedestrian safety ratings on cars sold there.
nmeofthestate 7y ago
The fact that Fiat sell an SUV version of the 500 does my head in. It's about wringing everything you can from your brands, I guess.
- pwinnski 7y ago
  I drove my 500e next to the four-door 500 this morning, and was astounded. I don't see how that huge thing is in any way related to my tiny car!
  - TylerE 7y ago
    That's because it isn't, other than the badge. Different platform, different engines...
- usrusr 7y ago
  I once saw an original Mini, a BMW Mini and a Hummer H2 waiting next to each other at the traffic lights. The latter two looked almost same size next to that original Mini.
0xDEEPFAC 7y ago
Yea... is it just me or are cars just plain ugly these days (yuck). https://www.motortrend.com/cars/land-rover/range-rover-evoque/2017/2017-range-rover-evoque-convertible-first-test-review/ https://www.motortrend.com/cars/land-rover/range-rover-evoqu... https://www.diariomotor.com/2010/05/09/el-morris-mini-minor-original-frente-al-mini-countryman-david-y-goliat/ https://www.diariomotor.com/2010/05/09/el-morris-mini-minor-... Draconian safety laws for manufacturers mean less visibility with narrow windows on the front, barely back window (backup cams required), and huge a-pillars. So apparently we get safer cars but can see anything infront of us. https://www.wardsauto.com/news-analysis/new-pillars-enhance-safety-impede-visibility https://www.wardsauto.com/news-analysis/new-pillars-enhance-... Video of child not being seen by new car (he is unharmed though) https://www.liveleak.com/view?t=9p7iH_1570391082 https://www.liveleak.com/view?t=9p7iH_1570391082
- ryandrake 7y ago
  So many cars built within the last ten or so years look like the same boring identical bar of soap on wheels. Minus trivial details like the headlight cluster and grille, you really can’t tell most 4 door sedan brands abart unless you look closely. I wish the Cybertruck succeeds, not because I need one (I don’t) but because finally someone out there is trying to get a little creative with styling again!
  - 0xDEEPFAC 7y ago
    I actually go an opposite approach. I am buying old cars - the market is great here in the US. I got a 47k mileage 1991 Mazda Miata for 4500$! And the girlfriend loves how cool it is and shifting stick. You should try to snag something from the 90s before people realize how nice they are. Modern cars are spy machines needing constant software updates and nonsense features like "push button start" which is probably just a ploy to no longer have to make complicated ignition switches.
    - decebalus1 7y ago
      that's nice and all. But if you collide with one of these new spy machines, you'll figure out why it's not the greatest idea to prefer old cars when you can afford newer cars. Safety is not something it's worth being a luddite for. I agree with you, even as a software engineer, I find it disgusting the amount of computing power my Honda has for that matter. However, if I run off the road, I would rather be in my current Honda than in my previous Honda (pre 2000). I think the 2010-2012 strike a sweet spot for what you're saying. Reasonable safety, not a lot of software.
dwightgunning 7y ago
Mini owner here, often think about this too. There’s an MGB that gets around my area which has been converted to electric. It’ll be interesting to see if converting classics will become more common. Here’s hoping.
- taborj 7y ago
  > It’ll be interesting to see if converting classics will become more common It'll depend on the owner, really. Some folks want the style of the older vehicle but the technology of the future, so they go the EV (or at least Restomod) route. Many folks like the simplicity, the sounds, the smells, and the looks of the classics, so they leave them original (or make minor mods to make them more "livable" without sacrificing the original intent). As for size, I have a '71 MGB GT which can fit quite a lot in the back. But I like how it smells, how it rumbles, how it sounds, and that B-series motor, so it'll stay mostly original (though I have a hotter engine ready to go in it).
bryanmgreen 7y ago
Mass producing affordable small cars with modern safety and features is 100% a dream of mine as well. I don't see myself selling my 2018 Fiesta because I doubt any other new car could replace it - objectively speaking based on specifications.

lostlogin 7y ago

The idea of loading up that suspension ‘system’ with batteries makes me twitchy, but it’s such a great car that the extra effort that would be required would definitely be worth it.

NeedMoreTea 7y ago
That's true, so now it needs all new running gear, and becomes an insane labour of love like the Eagle E type. Still fancy a try though. :)

jmull 7y ago

I put a couple of greyhounds in my Mini (I think it's still the same basic size as the current gen). It is certainly much larger than the original, but smaller than a Clubman so I have to wonder what your Yorkie looks like ;-)

NeedMoreTea 7y ago
I've only seen a Clubman in the street from the outside, and the estate bit looked like 20cm or so with the seats up. Obviously that's at the windows line so there's probably a bit more room lower down... So with seats up less than a Shepherd (or greyhound) shoulder width. Seats down, sure...

decebalus1 7y ago

As a driver, I would rather have larger crumple zones or places to put curtain airbags and such than space to be able to fit a full size dog in the back. Regulations aren't always bad or a burden on the industry (or for that matter on the dog owners). Having an EV 80's chassis would be a great idea for a hobby build or something to take out for a Sunday drive to the country. But I would'd drive that death trap daily.

RankingMember 7y ago
Agreed. I think it's important to include safety in the conversation when making comparisons between today's vehicles and those of decades past. It's apparent that pursuing safety over things like "max # of canine accommodations" has yielded positive results. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_vehicle_fatality_rate_in_U.S._by_year https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_vehicle_fatality_rate_in...
- NeedMoreTea 7y ago
  At the expense of increasing pedestrian fatalities.
  - RankingMember 7y ago
    Pedestrian fatalities are included in the linked stats, but the proportion of pedestrian fatalities has been increasing. There are a number of potential explanations, including the increased prevalence of SUVs and trucks against which pedestrians fare worse, but nothing concrete yet. Vehicles are being designed with pedestrian safety in mind, but if a greater proportion of people are driving SUVs and trucks to get around, I think it's logical that more pedestrian fatalities would follow.
    - lmm 7y ago
      > Vehicles are being designed with pedestrian safety in mind They're kind of not. The US still doesn't require any pedestrian safety ratings on cars sold there.

nmeofthestate 7y ago

The fact that Fiat sell an SUV version of the 500 does my head in. It's about wringing everything you can from your brands, I guess.

pwinnski 7y ago
I drove my 500e next to the four-door 500 this morning, and was astounded. I don't see how that huge thing is in any way related to my tiny car!
- TylerE 7y ago
  That's because it isn't, other than the badge. Different platform, different engines...
usrusr 7y ago
I once saw an original Mini, a BMW Mini and a Hummer H2 waiting next to each other at the traffic lights. The latter two looked almost same size next to that original Mini.

0xDEEPFAC 7y ago

Yea... is it just me or are cars just plain ugly these days (yuck). https://www.motortrend.com/cars/land-rover/range-rover-evoque/2017/2017-range-rover-evoque-convertible-first-test-review/ https://www.motortrend.com/cars/land-rover/range-rover-evoqu... https://www.diariomotor.com/2010/05/09/el-morris-mini-minor-original-frente-al-mini-countryman-david-y-goliat/ https://www.diariomotor.com/2010/05/09/el-morris-mini-minor-... Draconian safety laws for manufacturers mean less visibility with narrow windows on the front, barely back window (backup cams required), and huge a-pillars. So apparently we get safer cars but can see anything infront of us. https://www.wardsauto.com/news-analysis/new-pillars-enhance-safety-impede-visibility https://www.wardsauto.com/news-analysis/new-pillars-enhance-... Video of child not being seen by new car (he is unharmed though) https://www.liveleak.com/view?t=9p7iH_1570391082 https://www.liveleak.com/view?t=9p7iH_1570391082

ryandrake 7y ago
So many cars built within the last ten or so years look like the same boring identical bar of soap on wheels. Minus trivial details like the headlight cluster and grille, you really can’t tell most 4 door sedan brands abart unless you look closely. I wish the Cybertruck succeeds, not because I need one (I don’t) but because finally someone out there is trying to get a little creative with styling again!
- 0xDEEPFAC 7y ago
  I actually go an opposite approach. I am buying old cars - the market is great here in the US. I got a 47k mileage 1991 Mazda Miata for 4500$! And the girlfriend loves how cool it is and shifting stick. You should try to snag something from the 90s before people realize how nice they are. Modern cars are spy machines needing constant software updates and nonsense features like "push button start" which is probably just a ploy to no longer have to make complicated ignition switches.
  - decebalus1 7y ago
    that's nice and all. But if you collide with one of these new spy machines, you'll figure out why it's not the greatest idea to prefer old cars when you can afford newer cars. Safety is not something it's worth being a luddite for. I agree with you, even as a software engineer, I find it disgusting the amount of computing power my Honda has for that matter. However, if I run off the road, I would rather be in my current Honda than in my previous Honda (pre 2000). I think the 2010-2012 strike a sweet spot for what you're saying. Reasonable safety, not a lot of software.

dwightgunning 7y ago

Mini owner here, often think about this too. There’s an MGB that gets around my area which has been converted to electric. It’ll be interesting to see if converting classics will become more common. Here’s hoping.

taborj 7y ago
> It’ll be interesting to see if converting classics will become more common It'll depend on the owner, really. Some folks want the style of the older vehicle but the technology of the future, so they go the EV (or at least Restomod) route. Many folks like the simplicity, the sounds, the smells, and the looks of the classics, so they leave them original (or make minor mods to make them more "livable" without sacrificing the original intent). As for size, I have a '71 MGB GT which can fit quite a lot in the back. But I like how it smells, how it rumbles, how it sounds, and that B-series motor, so it'll stay mostly original (though I have a hotter engine ready to go in it).

bryanmgreen 7y ago

Mass producing affordable small cars with modern safety and features is 100% a dream of mine as well. I don't see myself selling my 2018 Fiesta because I doubt any other new car could replace it - objectively speaking based on specifications.