2008 Mini Cooper Review
If small cars have to be cheap stylefree appliances to make it in America someone forgot to tell the makers of the Mini Cooper. This former British icon has been a hit since its 21st century resurrection and its oneofakind look is only one reason. Honestly the market seems to embrace it more for its credentials as a real performance machine.
Consider that more buyers choose the turbocharged 172horsepower Cooper S over the 118 HP base Cooper and the 6speed stick over the 6speed automatic. These things rarely happen but then its rare to see a car with such supersmallsize catquick steering and BMW chassis tuning. At times it almost feels agile to the point of feeling twitchy and the ride is a tad firm but for the most part the Minis all about good times behind the wheel.
With its 20K starting price and fuelsipping 1.6liter engine the Mini is even practical so long as your transportation needs never exceed two humans. The back seat simply has nothing to offer anyone with legs and the trunk is too puny to handle more than one guys luggage. Fold the back seat down however and the Mini becomes a roomy twoseater one that can park in spaces where no other car would fit. Anyone seeking a more normalsized car can opt for the nineinchlonger Mini Cooper Clubman though its still smaller than 95 of the cars out there.
Probably the only thing wrong with the Mini Cooper aside from its arguably high MSRP is the interior design which was made gimmicky overwrought and antifunctional for the sake of style or BMWs idea thereof. Another thing to keep in mind is that the convertible models still use the rougher Chryslerdesigned engine from the original Mini.
If none of that bothers you join the club.
Whats new for the 2008 Mini Cooper: No change
About the writer: I’m an automotive writer and I love to drive cars.
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