Comparing a Mini to a Volvo and conclude that the Mini is too expensive doesn't make sense without any other context. People don't realise that your average mass produce cars, irrespectively of size, cost almost the same to manufacture; why would the Volvo you posted be more expensive than the Mini, does it genuinely cost that much more to make? They have the same number of wheels, the same number of engines, the same number of driveshafts, transmissions, dampers, brakes, electronic modules, body panels, light bulbs, seat belts, probably airbags, hell, even the same number of seats. A longer wheelbase doesn't add a great deal more to the manufacturing cost. In fact, I would go as far as say that the JCW has had more development time put into it and, historically, John Cooper Works was never a cheap upgrade over base Mini. Large cars offer greater margins exactly because of our perception that, somehow, they cost that much more to make, which is why everyone is hell bent on making SUVs. Just add slightly better plastics, silver trim around the buttons, an extra screen (with picture quality from the '90s), two air vents at the back and Bob's your uncle, flog them at twice (or more) the price of the smaller car in the range. So yes, I fully understand why a fully loaded JCW would cost the same as a run of the mill S90 Momentum, even in T6 trim, or a RAM. Would I buy one though? I think I would rather get a second hand Stingray ;-)
A brand new 2018 JCW for under $25k (£18k)? I'd buy it for that, here they start at $35k (£25k) for the base manual hatchback and without any options. And they're made here, too! So, out of curiosity, I configured the base hatchback on the...
Comments (14)
From right here in Australia... the equivalent of US $50, 718...
Nope but I would happily sell you one....
Mini's are expensive in UK aswell. It's due to its parent company BMW.
thats nothing, you can buy an audi rs3 for just 96000€
Comparing a Mini to a Volvo and conclude that the Mini is too expensive doesn't make sense without any other context. People don't realise that your average mass produce cars, irrespectively of size, cost almost the same to manufacture; why would the Volvo you posted be more expensive than the Mini, does it genuinely cost that much more to make? They have the same number of wheels, the same number of engines, the same number of driveshafts, transmissions, dampers, brakes, electronic modules, body panels, light bulbs, seat belts, probably airbags, hell, even the same number of seats. A longer wheelbase doesn't add a great deal more to the manufacturing cost. In fact, I would go as far as say that the JCW has had more development time put into it and, historically, John Cooper Works was never a cheap upgrade over base Mini. Large cars offer greater margins exactly because of our perception that, somehow, they cost that much more to make, which is why everyone is hell bent on making SUVs. Just add slightly better plastics, silver trim around the buttons, an extra screen (with picture quality from the '90s), two air vents at the back and Bob's your uncle, flog them at twice (or more) the price of the smaller car in the range. So yes, I fully understand why a fully loaded JCW would cost the same as a run of the mill S90 Momentum, even in T6 trim, or a RAM. Would I buy one though? I think I would rather get a second hand Stingray ;-)
But why sell a JCW for $50,000 when someone can go somewhere else and get the exact same car for half the price?
A brand new 2018 JCW for under $25k (£18k)? I'd buy it for that, here they start at $35k (£25k) for the base manual hatchback and without any options. And they're made here, too! So, out of curiosity, I configured the base hatchback on the...
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