The Mini Cooper coupe is a fantastic vehicle for a small car. It looks brilliant, with its contrasting stripes and beautiful finish on the body color. The bucket seats are very comfortable and the controls are just a finger tip away. The precision of the steering system makes this car very maneuverable. The power is enough to get up on the freeway and move with the big rigs. The air conditioning system is first class. The storage area in the back is perfect for two people's groceries. The fuel economy is the best I have ever had in a car. I have driven over 20,000 miles in this car and feel confident that BMW, who owns the label, has put solid engineering in the automobile. It is very stable, even at high speeds. The car has an automatic shift and it moves through the gears very easily. The pick up is sufficient that it can pass easily and get out of the way of hazards with the precision steering. The dealer was local and is always just a phone call away if I have any questions. I feel the fuel economy is the best I can do about transitioning away from fossil fuels because I cannot charge the electric cars at my rental abode. There is plenty of head room and the internal lighting is great for reading the controls any time, day or night. The exterior finish is shiny and the colors of the cars are very unique. I have never seen another one like mine on the road. I wish I had this car years ago.

Driving: It is a sports car, and it handles a little rough for my liking. When I first started driving it, I remember how loud it seemed inside the car. However, I am used to that now. I sit very low to the ground, so I think that has to do with feeling every little bump in the road. The car is not the S version so that means better gas mileage, but I find that the car is a little sluggish. The interior is very cute and more roomy than one might expect. I fit 20 bags of mulch (2 cubic feet each) in the car. I love the circular features that make it look retro. The outside is the reason I bought the car. The Mini is so cute on the outside, like a little baby, and it is the only car that made me understand car love. The gas mileage, as previously stated, is pretty great, but could be even better for such a small car. I do not like that I have to take it to the dealer for every little thing. The dealer had great service, but there is only one in the area and I had to take mine in 4 times in the first year before they finally solved the problem.

I bought my first MINI in 2003 and drove that car into the ground, a hard 150,000 miles. In 2007, I bought my second MINI, this time a manual 6 speed with a few extra features. The car itself is quite zippy, incredibly fun to drive, gas efficient, and generally a great car. It's stylish inside and out, with its unique profile on the outside and giant speedometer on the inside. Backseat passengers are going to be a little squished, and the trunk space is small (although the roof racks work great) but if you're in the driver seat, you're probably having a good time. Upkeep on MINI's can get quite expensive, and both of mine had a few major problems throughout their lifespans that required over $1000 worth of work.