Has anyone driven a Mini Cooper S? If the weather is nice I might go test drive one tomorrow. I've heard that the Cooper S is sheer fun to drive, like a go-cart. Sounds like a hard-roof Miata that is roomier, quieter and less cramped! There has been a neat S I see parked on the way to work, and one that shows up in my office lot from time to time. I guess my interest has just become piqued.

I had a bit of a shock at work today and depending on how things play out, I might not be comfortable signing for a $27,000 loan on an RX-8 in June. I'd still like to get a manual transmission car to drive when the weather's lousy as my Miata is not much fun with the top up, and I often miss having a clutch when I drive my G35. A $16,000 loan (after down payment) and corresponding monthly payment is much more palatable than a $27,000 loan when work is iffy. The Cooper S might fit the bill if I am not comfortable spending so much on an RX-8. Better gas milage and FWD for bad weather, too. Might not be a bad way to go at all.

I had a VW GTI 1.8T that I loved, but given how VW's quality control has hit the bottom of the barrel, I just can't trust a VW these days...

 

I've been a passenger in one. The build quality is excellent and the super-charger whine is delightful. The driver wasn't really pushing it so I didn't get to feel much performance but the ride was nice and it definitely goes around corners.

 

Haven't driven one yet, but almost got hit by one. Some yuppie girl too busy looking cute and not watching out for those little things called stop signs. But from the close up I saw, it looked like a nice little car.

 

i drove one around for a bit, looking at the numbers the car would seem really front heavy but i swear that thing drives on rails =)

 

Drove a Mini not the S 115 HP not bad but I can see where the S with its tuned suspension and 50 more HP comes into play More room inside than first thought off. Build quality top notch after all its made by BMW. Gas milage good but premium only even for the low power engine. First neutral handeling FWD car I've driven
but a price of over $20,000 US a little steep it was 18,700 MSRP but being in Aug 2002 Dealer markup But a good little car for the price.