Mini Cooper
Six years after its return to United States distribution, the Mini Cooper is no longer a novelty retro. Yet until the Smart, the Daimler-Chrysler mini-car, arrives next year, the Mini Cooper is still the shortest car available in the United States.As such, the English-built sports car garners more than its share of comments. I've now driven the last three years of the Mini, and my experience and opinion remain the same. Everyone has something to say about the Mini, and it's the most fun car I've ever driven.In 2005 and last year, my weekly driver was the S convertible, the supercharged version with 172 horsepower. With my 2007 test drive, I still zipped around in warm, early fall California weather mostly with the convertible top down.This time, I had the standard 1.6-liter convertible with 115 horsepower and the Mini's new six-speed automatic transmission. There's a noticeable difference. The manufacturer says the turbo-charged manual transmission Mini produces 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds. The base model with automatic transmission is rated at only 9.1 seconds in the same test.But the lack of quickness never diminishes the fun.As I first wrote in 2005, anyone who likes to drive can appreciate the Mini and its good supply of funky features.Consider the huge speedometer in the middle of the dash. It's as big as a wall clock, and it's cool. There's also a small, digital miles per hour display above the steering wheel in the center of the tachometer.Yet, the large speedometer is the centerpiece of the dash, and it also features one of the car's instrumentation drawbacks. A small digital clock is positioned at the bottom of the speedometer and just to the left of the digital odometer. It's hard to differentiate the time of day from miles driven. Also, a swiveling cupholder (one of three), positioned to the right of the radio, just seems to get in the way.There are few other concerns:* The seatbelts are too-snugly positioned and hard to reach.* The rear aluminum roll hoops drastically obscure the view through the small, rear glass oval;* In its up position, the convertible top has "blind spots" between the front and rear seat side views.* And even by small-car standards, the Mini-Cooper has a small trunk.But the Mini has more positive attributes than issues.* There's plenty of front seat foot and head room, at least for a 6-foot, 185-pound test driver.* The cabin's tubular, metallic trim is sleek and modern, and the glove box cover and otherinterior areas get high marks in the "cool" category.* Windows and other automatic functions are engaged with bullet-style toggle switches on the dash. They're separated by hip-looking black, metal rings. And while not practical, the approach is unique and fun and therefore good.Another great Mini feature is the automatic convertible ragtop. Push a button between the windshield visors and the top goes up or down with a smooth three-step process in less than 30 seconds.The Mini Cooper's base model's price is $21,900. My test vehicle included more than $6,000 in options: $450 for its attractive "Cool Blue" metallic paint (and two wide, black hood stripes); $1,300 for the automatic transmission; and $1,400 each for Premium Package (sound system, air conditioning, chrome line interior, etc.) and Sport Package (16-inch alloy wheels, sport seats, front fog lamps, etc.). Add various lower-priced options and the standard $650 destination charge and the final price approaches $29,000.That's not a bargain. Nevertheless, potential buyers consider the Mini Cooper for its sportiness and driving appeal, and that's what they'll get. The vehicle's finest attributes are its steering and handling. The response maneuvering through parking lots or zipping along the freeway is impressive, particularly noting the car's size.The Mini-Cooper has a 97.1-inch wheelbase and its overall length is 143.1 inches. But driving the car on the freeway surprisingly doesn't include any notions of inferiority. And driving around town affords lots of advantages in tight surroundings.Bottom line: If you enjoy driving for the sake of driving, the Mini Cooper is worthy of attention. In any situation, it's a cocky little terrier and it can hold its own among the big dogs.The Weekly Driver: 2007 Mini CooperSafety Features Driver and front passenger and side impact airbags.Fuel Mileage (Estimates) 25 mpg (city), 33 mpg (highway).Warranty Bumper to bumper, 5 years/50,000 miles; Powertrain, 3 years/36,000 miles; Corrosion, 12 years/unlimited miles; 24-Hour roadside assistance, 4 years/50,000 miles.Base Price $21,950.00.
