Light on its feet, too. Owners of the will have first dibs on the new one, and every buyer can expect to be offered some sort of special perk for their largesse. Commenting wheels, we have to say that this car comes with special performance tires for maximum traction on the race track. The overall driving position is excellent, with good steering wheel extension and pedal spacing for simultaneous rev-matching and braking. Even taller drivers and passengers can find a cozy position. It has a clean title and all the car maintenance were made in a Mini Cooper shop. The 2-door Hardtop has a rear hatch-style door that lifts high for easy access to the cargo hull.
The ride is harsher than ever, thanks to stiff-sidewall tires, big wheels, and a firm suspension setup; the steering is tuned with even more precision and communication. Base models have a 121-horsepower 1. Still, power felt strong on the straights, and the Recaros proved grippy and supportive, though they might be a bit narrow for larger frames. The exterior enhancements are all in the name of aerodynamics red stripes excepted. Mini says its Hardtop, for example, can haul 15 bags of cement. The recipe proved so popular, it was repeated when the Mk2 Mini came to the end of its life in 2013. The fastest allowed on the road will be remembered for corners rather than flat-out speed.
We made it to 60 mph in 5. Ultimately, though, it has too many refinement issues to recommend over sporty alternatives like the and hatchbacks. That said, its button layout is particularly clumsy. An electronic front diff lock is also part of the safety repertoire. DealRatingFilter selectedRatingList, null ; ratingFilter. Bluetooth is now standard and satellite radio is made optional. For such a small vehicle, the Mini displays little to none of the nervousness that can plague other subcompacts at freeway speeds.
I needed to be able to fit in a very small garage space and drive up and down the hills of San Francisco to get to work. There were no other cars entering the freeway with me, and my circular entrance ramp was dry and all mine. However, the rear seats offer little legroom and are best reserved for smaller children. Why You Can Trust Us U. It cost £22,000 new, but nowadays you can pick one up for less than half that.
Hardtop versions stand further out with available contrasting-color roofs, while Convertibles use black fabric tops that when up create large interior blind spots. No other Mini can claim those kinds of numbers. The ride is firm, but the steering is accurate. Base models are naturally aspirated not turbocharged and make an adequate 121 horsepower. There are two fairly well-defined sides to the argument.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Cooper a perfect five-star rating in rollover crash testing. Unless you seek a bargain project or Concours-winning perfection, this is the amount of money you want to pay. The front Kumho Ecsta V700 tires are positioned with more camber and less toe-in in an effort to reduce understeer and improve steering feel. Yet, it was the g-forces that had our test team, including our racer-on-retainer Randy Pobst, grinning. Cylinder heads are known to crack if the engine has ever been allowed to overheat, and that can require around £500 to fix. All the trick interior bits meld well with the exterior body kit and its high-mounted roof wing another Mini Challenge influence , side skirts, front air dam, and rear diffuser. Just make sure you pack a can of tyre foam and have some breakdown cover, ready for if you do ever suffer a puncture.
The brakes offer right-now response but take some mastery to modulate successfully. The brake pedal lacks feel at initial toe-in, then, bam! Good way to start the day. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, with an automatic optional. The Mini Cooper hardtop and convertible are available in three trim levels. The provides such a great blank canvas for customization and sport upgrades.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2013 Mini Cooper a rating of Good, the highest offered, in its seat and moderate overlap front crash tests. Perhaps more impressive is how solid these cars are on the highway. The super-stiff suspension turned out to be less than ideal, however. Driving It Minis are nothing if not fun. ColorFilter selectedColorList, 'exteriorColorFilter', 'exteriorColorName', 'Color', 'colors', null ; colorFilter.
Regrettably, both models have small rear seats and cargo areas, and each rides uncomfortably on rough road surfaces. Minis command a premium price when new, but retain their value very well over the years. Passengers tend to hang on and loose items need to be secured. This is a car that decimates the notion that 3-second zero-to-60 sprints and 500 horsepower are the key to driving bliss. Instead of having a lazy engagement, the hydraulic clutch is much quicker and more aggressive. And those revs build in a completely linear manner. Third, the new suspension setup seems to work well with good control and little roll, though the car will still plow when pushed hard, and it's tough to get any rotation unless unorthodox measures are applied.
It needs to be crept over a speedhump at no more than 5mph. Mini says some of the body tack-ons actually improve aerodynamics to the effect that lift is reduced at both front and rear axles by 90 percent at the rear and underbody cladding helps improve airflow in the engine bay to aid cooling. SinceLastVisitFilter false, 1557250894103 ; listingsSearchManager. After hitting some rough patches of road and seeing my flowers become airborne, I slowed down and doubled my efforts to steer clear of potholes and heaves. News Best Cars has been ranking and reviewing vehicles since 2007, and our team has decades of experience in the auto industry.