over the S because I didn't want to spend the money and I didn't need a car that would do more than what the Cooper offered. I can't imagine the Cooper would have any trouble in the mountains. While I haven't been up one there are some good sized hills in Maine and when I'm going up and need more speed just pushing the accelerator gives it to me. It's not like my wifes automatic Civic which can bog on hills a bit. So are the Cooper shows no signs of this at all.
I do have a standard shift.
