I hope I have not overstated the case here. I live in Los Angeles, so I obviously drive freeways, I'm usually quite happy in the
MCS on the freeways.
It's just the balance of what makes for "fun" tips quite a bit if you have one of those hour and a half, bumper to bumper, stop and go nightmare commutes every day. Under these conditions I can almost see why someone would buy a Cadillac or a Buick, as horrifying as that sounds. When you are in gridlock the Lexus would be a little more relaxing than a MINI (or a Porsche) I think. But the MINI isn't that bad. Even when I'm at a dead stop I have a smile on my face in the Cooper S. And there is no way I would give it up for a couch on wheels.
When the roads open up, and get less straight, these MINIs bring a lot of joy. A lot like having a 911 in the stable, for a lot less expense.
Keep us up to date. Good luck with the research.