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Jul 17th, 2009, 04:58 PM
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To me, the MINI Cooper Convertible is an automotive paradox. How can a car be geared towards driving enthusiasts and at the same time be such yuppie, poseurish machine?
Imagine my embarrassment when I, a serious automotive journalist, was quickly transformed into a stereotype when, while blasting down the highway with the top down, had a cross-wind blow the collar of my Lacoste polo up around my neck. And yet, while my popped collar may have drawn a few smirks from onlookers, it was I who was smiling behind the wheel of one of the best-handling front-drive machines ever made.
MINI likes to describe the cornering abilities of its vehicles as go-kart like. I'd take it to the next level saying the last time I took a corner as vigorously as in my Cooper Convertible was in an open-wheel Formula Mitsubishi… or perhaps a Lotus.
More: 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible Review (http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/mini/2009-mini-cooper-convertible-review-1152.html) on AutoGuide.com
To me, the MINI Cooper Convertible is an automotive paradox. How can a car be geared towards driving enthusiasts and at the same time be such yuppie, poseurish machine?
Imagine my embarrassment when I, a serious automotive journalist, was quickly transformed into a stereotype when, while blasting down the highway with the top down, had a cross-wind blow the collar of my Lacoste polo up around my neck. And yet, while my popped collar may have drawn a few smirks from onlookers, it was I who was smiling behind the wheel of one of the best-handling front-drive machines ever made.
MINI likes to describe the cornering abilities of its vehicles as go-kart like. I'd take it to the next level saying the last time I took a corner as vigorously as in my Cooper Convertible was in an open-wheel Formula Mitsubishi… or perhaps a Lotus.
More: 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible Review (http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/mini/2009-mini-cooper-convertible-review-1152.html) on AutoGuide.com