Brad Ostendorf is a passionate car enthusiast with a flair for restoring old classics and a particular fondness for Mini Coopers. Brad Ostendorf spends his spare time transforming rusted relics into gleaming works of automotive art. In the following article, Brad Ostendorf dives into the comparison of the four main categories that define both a Mini Cooper and a Classic Mini Cooper defining why the Modern Mini is the new classic.

The Mini Cooper is a car that has drawn the attention of many thanks to its impactful design. However, it can’t help but rest slightly in the shadow of it’s predecessor. Is this place deserved?

According to industry experts, the main differences between the Mini Cooper and the Classic Mini Cooper are thought to be found in comfort, design, reliability, and overall interior space. However, in each of these categories, the Mini Cooper proves itself to accomplish all that the Classic did in a modern way.

The Comparison

Brad Ostendorf asks, what makes a car a classic? Furthermore, what factors decide whether or not a car should be considered worthwhile, or even better than previous models? So much goes in to the engineering, designing, creation, and execution of a car that it can be incredibly overwhelming to try and compare one vehicle to another.

However, with as much attention and interest the Modern Mini Cooper has drawn to itself, it is useful to understand where it stands when placed next to the Classic. In order to decide what makes a Modern Mini Cooper a classic in and of itself, Brad Ostendorf compares the two in the list of categories below:

1. Reliability
2. Design
3. Comfort

Brad Ostendorf takes a closer look at each of these below, getting a handle on what makes a car stand the test of time and how the Modern Mini Cooper meets that goal.

1. Reliability

Reliability is one of the very first concerns that a person car shopper finds themselves revolving in their mind. Will a car not only be worthwhile in terms of driving well right after owning it, but will it stand the test of time and the wear and tear of the road?

Brad Ostendorf says that the Classic Mini Cooper was a reliable vehichle even in its heyday. Today, however, it breaks down more often than the newer model. This means that while prices for repairs can be more expensive for the Modern Mini, they are less frequent than what it’s predecessor has to offer.

2. Design

Brad Ostendorf explains that design may seem, from a practical standpoint, like it has nothing to do with whether or not a car is considered a classic. However, the design of a car is often what draws a buyer to the vehicle in the first place and can even contribute to how well the car is maintained by the owner out of a sense of aesthetic pride.

The Modern Mini has many of the same design elements as the Classic, respecting its vintage heritage. However, it manages to be updated enough to remain attractive by today’s aesthetic standards, too.

3. Comfort

Finally, Brad Ostendorf says that comfort is just as vital to a new car owner. Needless to say, the Classic Mini Cooper is without several of the current, modern comforts like heating, and even safety features like seatbelts. The Modern Mini Cooper is small, but it holds all of these safety and comfort features we’re used to without limiting luggage space or two to three passengers.

In Conclusion

When comparing the Modern Mini Cooper to the Classic Mini Cooper, it is important to note the categories of design, reliability, and comfort. When it comes to choosing a car that endures through the ages in the popularity of consumers, how well it is crafted and whether or not it’s comfort and utility can be relied on are of the utmost importance.

The reliability of a Mini Cooper is comparable with that of the Classic Mini Cooper; though parts may be cheaper for a Classic Mini Cooper, ultimately, it is more likely to break down because of it’s advanced age. Additionally, the comfort provided by the interior space and modern technological advancements like air conditioning is better in the Modern Mini Cooper.

Finally, the design of the Mini Cooper is still as eye-catching and attractive as the original Classic Mini Cooper. It maintains vintage elements that call back to what made the first design so pleasing without reaching too far back into the past. All in all, the Modern Mini Cooper is certainly a classic in it’s own right!