Upcoming Chinese-built Electric MINI Cooper SUVs

This sounds very similar to my decision making process. I'm doing about the same proportion of city driving and don't need much space but what I did want was a fun drive. Every other EV I looked at didn't appeal to me or seem nearly as enjoyable. The only other EV I was interested in was the Honda E but, since that isn't coming to Australia, the choice was simple.

 

There are a bunch of US-based reshipping companies, many of them set up by Australians, that will ship US-purchased goods to Australia as a way of getting around the ridiculous mark ups. The most annoying mark up of all is on digital products (eg. Itunes music, movies, software, etc.) This is where you have Australian consumers paying 15-20% more for goods that are intangible (so don't need to be physically shipped anywhere) but still cost more. It's infuriating.

 

I had no idea it was that bad. That really sucks - sincerely sucks. I'm just shocked that the Tesla is so high compared to the Mini. I could see more uniform mark ups but not one similar item over another. Unless it has to do with UK based vs US?

 

I missed this one earlier. Yes the Honda E is another funky car. Have had great luck with Hondas. Not quite as much fun to drive, but better than many. No Honda E here either. I half expected them to announce for here but no go. I wish we'd get more EVs. We will eventually replace our Civic with an EV but a longer range one for campouts and such.

 

I like your style! You seem to write lots of letters.

Despite not having driven the Honda E, the impression I formed after watching many video reviews was pretty much the same as yours. It seems to be a very endearing, tech-loaded toy rather than a vehicle that's enjoyable to drive like the Mini. As far as gimmicks go, however, the aquarium and rear view cameras did look like a lot of fun.

 

I was a Honda person until I bought my Mini. Honestly at that point (2016) I felt like Honda had lost their edge. Their reliability isn't as high as it used to be. The fun driving I had on my cars was diminished. I drove the Fit and just felt like it went flat on me. The newer Si just weren't as fun as the old. The size of the Civics kept inching up. The type R is just over the top. They sadly lost me. So while I loved seeing the Honda E and what it could be here, I was already too emotionally removed from Hondas.

I wanted to look at a Clarity but I'm totally the wrong coast. Honda just hasn't kept up the way I would want them to for what I look for. Our other car is a 2018 Civic that replaced a 2003 Civic Si. So we'll still have a Civic manual in our house, but I'm already looking forward to the day when we can replace that car with an EV. I know it won't be Honda sadly. We're not old enough to have been driving as long as you, but we were loyal from 1999 on. Still sorta are, but we no longer are a 2 Honda household.

 

Not only Honda, just about everyone. The US market is a wasteland of generic-looking crossovers and pickup trucks. The VW Beetle is gone and even Fiats and MINIs are getting bigger. As much as I need a MINI Clubman in my life, I can't see jumping to an F54 (current) unless my R55 (2014) dies.

Thankfully the SE is a true MINI Hardtop.