Topgear Magazine. June 2004

[MJ.]

Just to let you know that the Convertible has been reviewed in topgear magazine, and considering their usual attitude to small convertible's like the mini, it's a good reception.

[dalboyne]

Drat! I live in Luxembourg, so can't get hold of the mag easily!! As I placed my order today, I hope I didn't jump the gun! So why do they like it, and what don't they like about the cabrio?
Cheers
Ian

[Jonnyspin]

any chance of a scan?

[colorblind]

Yes that would be nice if yomeone could scan the Test... might add some good rep points

[Paul]

Please don't post a scan of the test on MINI2, I hate it when people steal my content (not least as that's copyright theft), and I dont want to be encouraging others to do the same to other publications.

[rentagas]

This is a very complimentary review of a cooper convertible from an influential UK car magazine and I'm sure will reflect their view in the linked TV programme-good for residuals. Of course anyone from the UK can buy it-but it has a wider appeal outside the UK where it is not available. It would be wrong to post scanned images on this site but those of us with a copy do have email!

[dalboyne]

Thanks rentagas - any criticisms of the car?

[rentagas]

Top Gear is more of a lads mag than a cold analtytical consumer magazine than say "what car" and as such is very influential in it's target audience (and residuals)
They therefore discussed the mini's "new man" in touch with his feminine side aspects of the car as opposed to the sweaty TVR oil and guts types.
So it is "unbelievably nice", the reviewer doesn't usaually like convertibles and this "looks a bit funny" loosing the stand out features of wraparound glazing and clever roof in the coupe. It has "chunky c-pillars", poor rear vision, an unsightly view of the roof mechanism from inside the rear compartment and a small boot. The seats are more shelves for Selfridge's bags than seats. They liked the roof and the handling- "very tidy indeed". A "great drive". "Firm ride" (not sure which suspension they had). Not quite as solid as the coupe but an excellant effort "gearchange, steering and handling are all as good as ever"
For Top Gear it was a very positive response
There -not broken any copyright laws -but the pictures are nice

Reading the what car/4car and paul's review a pattern emerges, a well built well executed conversion with few of the limitations usually ascribedb to such cars-except it's a bit cramped. Every one is waiting for the S go cart.

[Goonery]

For TG thats a good write up I agree. If I was writing it I'd concur with almost every point. It must be realised that any cabrio developed from a saloon/Coupe platform will have a few drawbacks, but having said that, its certainly the best I'v driven compared to similar sized and priced competitors by a big margin.


BTW, whoever was behind me in the Darksilver 'S' with the Digicam yesterday near Chichester, hope you can keep up next time .