OK so I have had this mini for a few weeks now and logged in a little over 1500 miles as I pulled down my driveway tonight. I figured id share some personal feelings on the car and some general things as well. I am coming from all trucks before this mini, so my impressions may be different then some guy who has had cars all his life. Here we go....
First and most important-
this car handles unbelievable. I know you have heard it before but I cannot get over the feeling of taking a turn or a ramp and feeling like your connected to the road by cables. I am in total control of the road and actually am very confidant despite the mini being a sardine can compared to my previous truck. The brakes are pretty good, although I must say I think they are a little spongy feeling. They do a good job and are very good at stopping... but I feel like my pads are made of sponge sometimes. The acceleration is very nice! You don't get THROWN back in your seat like if you were in a Ferrari but its got a nice punch. After 3,900 RPM the power is where it really comes in. The interior is very simple yet feels very futuristic and advanced. I like the control bar with all the switches and the stereo / a/c is easy enough for old people to figure out!
As far as build quality I think its functional and tough, but not bomb proof. It doesn't feel like a "truck" so maybe thats why I say that.
I mean coming from a truck I had things like 30 cup holders and enough room to fit about 6 females( 6 hot females to be exact)
I can only have 3 now...
But I digress! I was never afraid of silly little things like potholes, bumps, road hazard, water, etc etc... I had a commanding view of the road and I took up the entire lane so I had people respect me and not cut me off every time they felt like it. The bad things about my truck which I love with my mini however is... every time I get behind the wheel of my mini its pure joy. I love driving everywhere. It really isn't marketing bull crap about the whole "your 1 hour lunch break doesn't seem so long anymore" I want to drive it right now in fact
. Its amazing on gas( even with my foot nailed the the floor all day) . I used to spend about 80 dollars a FILL UP on my truck. Id spend roughly 100 dollars a week on gas. Now I spend about 60 a week. Like I said above I love the way it handles and drives. A few things that concern me about the mini though. When I'm driving and I go over a manhole cover, or a small bump on the road etc.. I feel like my car is going to fall apart and my rims are gonna look like pretzels. When I hit the gas and drive "spirited" for a while I think my engine is going to explode and my tranny is going to fall down. When I had my truck with its beastly engine (6.0 liter 315HP V8) I could nail the gas all day and I would feel very confidant it wouldn't break on me. Maybe I have these small concerns with my mini because I did do an extreme change from Goliath to David and never knew the changes of going to a car. Am I just being paranoid with my engine/tranny and the car taking the road well? I have no idea... I hope someone here can help me on that. I am clueless on it. Overall I have to say I am pleased with my mini and really have no regrets trading in my hummer for it. Maybe this review made no sense at all.. but perhaps it can help someone who may be in the same boat as I was. If you've read all this... thanks!
Would I recommend mini coopers to people if they asked me?
YES 
Aug 14th, 2005, 05:38 AM
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