2009 Mini Cooper S Convertible

This Mini convertible is fun for the most part and reminds me of my experience in the Honda S2000CR. At first it’s a little unsettling, and then it’s a lot of fun. I found the cabin quite comfortable. The gauges are very over-the-top and the neon plastic fittings are kind of crazy. But overall, there’s a lot of attention to detail in this ride, from the stripes to the chrome to the wheels.

Most significant is the fun factor. This truly is an addicting car when the weather is nice. The six-speed manual is golden. It’s truly an interactive, enthusiasts’ car. Dropping down gears during turns with the top down and enjoying the grip from this tight chassis is an absolute riot. Steering is precise and rigid.

The top works great, and even as the temperature dropped to a chilly low-50s reading, I left it down with the heat and the radio cranked.

The seats are very comfortable while still offering a good road view and driving position. The seatbelt flops all over the place and seems to have a penchant for getting caught in the door. With the top up, there are some humungous blind spots thanks to the rear-window cutout.

The open-roof meter is pretty pointless, and the huge odo is a gimmick. But overall, this is a well-done execution of a niche product that seems right for the times.

source: autoweek