"CB" (jrcb)
06/20/2015 at 19:12 • Filed to: Yea or Nay
1
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"CB" (jrcb)
06/20/2015 at 19:12 • Filed to: Yea or Nay | 1
| 25 |
The slightly larger brother to the Cooper, the Clubman offered more luggage room, more rear legroom, barn doors, and a nifty third door on the right side for getting into the back easier. It came with the same engines and trims as the same generation Coopers, meaning that you could get it in S and John Cooper Works forms (which means allegedly a sub-six second 0-60 time for the 2014 JCW), it was pretty quick.
So, what does Oppo say? Is the Clubman a cool ride, or would you not get caught dead in it? Personally, I dig it, and they’re dropping in price, so I think it would be a neat ride. Also, the Clubvan, although slow, was rad. I mean, look at it!
According to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , they imported less than fifty of them to the United States, which makes them super rare.
G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
> CB
06/20/2015 at 19:14 |
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I say yea.
Because Racecar
> CB
06/20/2015 at 19:16 |
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I’d buy one and hold on to it as a collector’s item, these things scream utilitarian so they could gain the value of a 60’s panel van in due time.
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CB
> Because Racecar
06/20/2015 at 19:16 |
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The Clubvan, or the Clubman? The Clubvan, definitely a collector’s item. The Clubman? Maybe not so much.
Alfalfa Romeo
> CB
06/20/2015 at 19:17 |
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I’m kind of at a crossroads with the clubman. I wouldn’t pass any harsh judgements on someone who drove one, but I’m not sure if I want one.
duurtlang
> CB
06/20/2015 at 19:18 |
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I like them. Maybe even more so than the regular Minis. I consider these, the Clubman and the normal hatch, the only acceptable Minis. Countyman/Paceman are horrible imho, and I’m not a fan of the rest.
CTSenVy
> CB
06/20/2015 at 19:19 |
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I’ll say cool ride, I just wish they didn’t have that giant speedo, and it wasn’t in the middle of the dash.
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Because Racecar
> CB
06/20/2015 at 19:20 |
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I could see the Clubman becoming a collectors item at some point. It’s essentially a Mini station wagon, the design is nice and looks like it will age well, I would pick up either with intent of collection. Worse case scenario is you still have this weird, old Mini with no miles to drive or pass down the family tree.
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CB
> Alfalfa Romeo
06/20/2015 at 19:21 |
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Fair enough. Better than my coworker who was dropping some rather rude insults towards me when I said it was cool.
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CB
> CTSenVy
06/20/2015 at 19:23 |
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There’s a digital readout in the tach on the steering column, but I see your point.
Steve in Manhattan
> CB
06/20/2015 at 19:23 |
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Rented a Clubman a while back - slushbox of course, so I can’t speak to what a manual is like in that car. Otherwise, I thought it was unimpressive, but it wasn’t unpleasant to drive. Rated it a meh.
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CB
> Steve in Manhattan
06/20/2015 at 19:26 |
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If I were to ever buy one, I’d probably go for an S. They seem to be in the same ballpark range in price ($10k-$15k), and give it a bit more go.
1111111111111111111111
> CB
06/20/2015 at 19:42 |
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Fat fuck if you ask me.
Sir FR-S (Formally CR-Z)
> CB
06/20/2015 at 19:56 |
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I love the rear barn doors
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Steve in Manhattan
> CB
06/20/2015 at 19:59 |
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Of course, the one I rented was a base model. I think I read somewhere that the clutches in the earlier Mini family were undersized and wore out prematurely. I don’t know what the newer ones are like. Still, it was a pleasant enough little car, just nothing memorable.
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CB
> Sir FR-S (Formally CR-Z)
06/20/2015 at 20:01 |
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They are pretty neat, I will admit.
MultiplaOrgasms
> CB
06/20/2015 at 20:17 |
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Unlike Most current MINI offerings, the Clubman actually does have a historic pendant, even though that one was called Countryman and the original Clubman was a Cooper with a different front end. As for the car itself, typical MINI but with a little more space inside.
Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed
> CB
06/20/2015 at 20:17 |
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As long as it’s an S. 1000x nay for the countryman though.
boxrocket
> CB
06/20/2015 at 20:28 |
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If I had to have a Mini (highly unlikely, but more likely than a VW/Audi compact or GM product), it’s likely I’d opt for the Clubman, because extra space means more room for activities and stuff. I like the rear wipers and door setup, but the pillars where the doors meet is arguably too large.
NoneOfYourBiz
> CB
06/20/2015 at 21:32 |
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They’re awful.
For the price, there are a tonne of other cars that are better in every way.
Did I mention they’re awful.
Don’t. Do. It.
Because they’re awful, you just look like an idiot driving one. People will point and laugh at you. (can confirm: have pointed and laughed at people driving the Clubman...any Mini really)
Owners all seem to be rabid fans of the vehicle but they just aren’t good.
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CB
> NoneOfYourBiz
06/20/2015 at 21:43 |
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But why are they awful, if you don’t mind me asking? Is it just the price thing, or is it something else?
Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull
> CB
06/20/2015 at 22:27 |
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Barn doors are rad. End of story.
Cé hé sin
> CB
06/21/2015 at 04:53 |
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Fun fact: the Clubman is designed and made in Britain but the door arrangement (two on the right) is optomised for lhd due to the location of the fuel flap.
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CB
> Cé hé sin
06/21/2015 at 09:12 |
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I noticed the doors always being on the right in the photos. Thanks for the explanation!
greasemonkey235097
> CB
06/21/2015 at 21:53 |
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I read somewhere that the wheelbase of the Clubman basically killed the go-kart feel of the mini, although personally i think since BMW released this vehicles, there is nothing mini to them
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CB
> greasemonkey235097
06/21/2015 at 22:04 |
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I heard something similar about the handling. I can’t imagine an extra foot would make it not fun to drive, though.