Over 70% of MINI buyers are males - you just notice the women :eek:
(
http://www.jdpower.com/autos/mini/cooper/2006/hatchback)
I have a 2004 MCS and a 91 318i. The MINI does almost everything better, but the 318 is one of the few cars that is as fun to drive. It was the MCS that brought me to the 318 when I was looking for a car for my kids. I wanted a lower powered, good mpg, 4 door, that was a good handling car and didn't have all the nanny electronics. That the car has the M42, is rear wheel drive, and light, makes it fantastic.
The MINI is a great drivers car and is quite fun and controllable when you "get on it". The supercharged engine feels a lot like the M42: high reving, surge of power as you climb the rpms, and lots of sweet noise. The new model is reportedly more civilized (to the dismay of some) and faster. Not quite E30 to E36 but you get the idea.
Don't you ever compare a MINI to a VW (unless its a late 70s Scirocco):rolleyes:. Its like saying an E30 is just a big Jetta.
Oh yeah, Great pics. You've caught pretty much all of the new models updates.