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Road Test: 2002 Mini Cooper

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I don't like it from what I've seen of the pics. Sounds like it's a pretty nice ride performance-wise though. I prefer a nicely set up '96-model Civic for design though, except that it's way way WAY too common.

hell .. whatever. A car is a car. As long as it's not a geo metro, it's a cool ride. 😛
 
Originally posted by: Squisher
Most here are right, it's the best damn oversized roller skate ever made.
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Heh - If you think this one is small, you should have seen the original 1959 one! 🙂

 
They are everywhere around here. I see on almost everyday. They are the stupidest looking thing aside from the Aztec on the roads today. I find it a shame that people seem to like the Yellow ones too...
 
Is it me, or is there going to be a ~25% markup on these things? I just checked a Cooper S out on carsdirect.com, and they wanted $25k for the sucker! I'm sorry but I don't think that car's worth $25k. Anybody remember the PT cruiser's price? How many Mini Coopers are going to be brought to the US? I hope good old supply & demand doesn't hike the price of this car up...
 
I test drove a 2002 Mini Cooper(standard, not S) a couple of weeks ago.. it's an absolute blast to drive. As far as the size, I'm a big guy so I slid the seat all the way back before I got in, I couldn't even reach the pedals ! It is amazingly roomy inside, for the front seat people anyway. The ride is quite firm but the handling is like a go-kart, absolutely amazing.

I'm lucky they didn't have an S that I could buy on the spot, it would have been very hard to resist getting one just for the sheer driving fun.

As far as safety, any small vehicle is going to have some limitations, given that the Mini is engineered by BMW, I'd think it's a bit safer than most small cars. I'd stick with a bright colored one though just to help other drivers see it. 🙂

 
Originally posted by: Dead Parrot Sketch
I test drove a 2002 Mini Cooper(standard, not S) a couple of weeks ago.. it's an absolute blast to drive. As far as the size, I'm a big guy so I slid the seat all the way back before I got in, I couldn't even reach the pedals ! It is amazingly roomy inside, for the front seat people anyway. The ride is quite firm but the handling is like a go-kart, absolutely amazing.

I'm lucky they didn't have an S that I could buy on the spot, it would have been very hard to resist getting one just for the sheer driving fun.

As far as safety, any small vehicle is going to have some limitations, given that the Mini is engineered by BMW, I'd think it's a bit safer than most small cars. I'd stick with a bright colored one though just to help other drivers see it. 🙂
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DROOOOOOOOOOL 🙂

I have to find a dealer around here😀 I'm seriously looking into purchasing one. I work now, but I'm no Donald Trump. As for markups, BMW has strictly told dealer not to f*&k with the MSRP or feel the wrath.
 
I checked out the S at the auto show. Car is very well designed and the retro look is carried out quite tastefully both inside and out. I like small cars and I believe me even driving around in my Accord scares me with the way people "drive" SUVs in LA.
 
I want it! I want it! I want it NOW!

This is going to be the hottest selling small car since the New Beetle, I would guess.

Now they need to get Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) to promote it!
 
Originally posted by: eleutheria
I want it! I want it! I want it NOW!

This is going to be the hottest selling small car since the New Beetle, I would guess.

Now they need to get Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) to promote it!
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OMG!! That would be PERFECT!!😛 Crock Dundee did wonders for Legacy Outback sales.
 
NFS4, do you have some sort of review on the 'S' model? As it stands I think this car is an overpriced underpowered toy, maybe a review of the 'S' could change my mind.
 
$16.5k for something that can't get up a hill properly when it has more than one person in the car? 🙁

Still I bet it's a nice ride.
 
Originally posted by: bunker
That doesn't sound much better. For the fun to $$ ratio I'll take a focus svt.
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Given the 9 recalls the Focus has had (the recent one on the SVT version) and Ford's mounting quality problems with their vehicles, I personally wouldn't bother (and I happen to like the Focus and SVT Focus alot).

Also, given that a Cooper S would handily out accelerate and out handle the SVT Focus, I wouldn't mind ponying up the extra $$$ for it.
 
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: bunker
That doesn't sound much better. For the fun to $$ ratio I'll take a focus svt.
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Given the 9 recalls the Focus has had (the recent one on the SVT version) and Ford's mounting quality problems with their vehicles, I personally wouldn't bother (and I happen to like the Focus and SVT Focus alot).

Also, given that a Cooper S would handily out accelerate and out handle the SVT Focus, I wouldn't mind ponying up the extra $$$ for it.
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You cant even compare a ford with anything. P-lz.
 
I think that thing is cool. Even if you don't like the looks of it, you have to admit that it is distinctive. You can't say that for quite a few of the cars released in the nineties. I like the way the industry is headed. A bit too pricey for the S, though.
 
the only thing holding me back from buying this in the next six months is the interior. More specifically, the idiotic placement of the speedo and the tach. I really really hate it. Oh, and I want leather interior too, i hope they have it.

edit: review says if I order the nav system the speedo goes behind the wheel. blah, having to pay to get the speedo back where it should be?

 
Wow....I wanted one of these until I read the reviews NFS4 posted. I didn't realize how devoid of utility it was! At least the S has some power, but for my money I'd just as soon A) save up for an equally useless S2000 or Miata or B) Drop $25k into a complete restore of an equally useless classic car that is at least convertible.
 
i'd prefer an older one.

i worked for a guy that use to owned and raced a purple mini cooper s. he won 3 national vintage car championships in that thing. it was SUPER SWEET.

why'd ya have to go and sell it, bob? you could have waited 5 or 8 year for me! 🙁
 
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