A BMW under $20K...sort of
Written: Apr 11 '02 (Updated Apr 26 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Super stylish car at a super cool price, impressive standard features
Cons: The crash and mechanical reports aren't in yet, will it hold up?
The Bottom Line: A lot of style for under $20K. Impressive standard features and color options. Finally, a boutique car affordable by many.
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| laurapetrie's Full Review: 2002 MINI Cooper |
Overview:
They’re here! The 2002 MINI Cooper, the latest car from BMW has arrived. Though they’ve been widely marketed in Europe since the 1960’s, this is the first time that they are widely available in the US. They’ve enjoyed a cult following similar to that of the original VW Beetle, yet they haven’t until now been widely available.
History:
The Mini started in England in 1957 as the answer to a challenge of designing a car that was not only fuel efficient but also with the financial reach of just about anyone. In 1958, the first prototype was made, it featured a transversely mounted engine which allowed for more interior space in a smaller car than was usually the case.
The Mini was launched in England in 1959 at a price equivalent to $786.75. The next year it was offered for sale in the US, but it was only sold in the US until 1968 when it failed meet the new emissions standards which had gone into effect .
It’s rumored that in 1965, London fashion designer Mary Quant created her famous mini-skirt as a reaction to the wide-spread proliferation of the Mini in England. By 1969, 2 million MINIs had been produced. Even without the US market, the number of Minis produced had doubled to 4 million by 1977.
The Mini came to BMW in 1994 when BMW acquired The Rover Group, producer of the Mini. In 1996, “Classic and Sportscar Magazine” named the Mini the “#1 Classic Car of All-Time”, that same year, BMW announced plans to release a new Mini in the early part of the new millennium, it also announced that the Mini would become the MINI.
The MINI was introduced to the US in January 2001 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It was finally introduced to consumers in March, 2002 through MINI dealers nationwide.
Appearance:
Unlike the New VW Beetle, which was loosely based on the “original” Beetle or the PT Cruiser that was designed to look retro, the MINI is pretty true to its original form, only better. True to the original Mini, the MINI still has the classic features of the short, stubby hood, the chopped off look of the back end, the squarish roof and most of its original charm.
Even though it reminds me of a more stylish VW Golf, the look of this car is undeniably European and retro chic. It is available in 14 colors, 5 of which are “metallic” and cost $400 extra, 2 of which are only available on the MINI Cooper S. The colors range from the usual black and silver to the more showy “Liquid Yellow”. The MINI comes in even more combinations, allowing buyers to customize at no extra charge by selecting roof and mirrors which either match the body color or contrast in black or white. Chrome line bumpers can be added for $120. Interior choices include a variety of colors in leather, leatherette or cloth.
MINI Cooper:
The lower of the 2 models, the MINI Cooper starts at $16,850. It’s got a 115-horsepower, 16-valve 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. The front wheel drive car will go from 0-60 in 8.5 seconds, get up to 124 mph and delivers 110 pound-feet of torque. It’s got MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. Not bad for the price.
The standard features are generous. They include air conditioning and an anti-theft CD audio system with 6 speakers and wiring for a 6 disc changer. Leatherette upholstery is standard, cloth upholstery is available at no additional charge and leather upholstery is available for an additional $1,250.
A 5-speed manual transmission is standard and a CVT (Continuously Variable automatic Transmission) with lever-mounted 6-speed Steptronic mode is available for an additional $1,250. The manual transmission gives 28 mpg city and 37 highway, the CVT gives 25/32.
There are 3 convenience packages available, the cold weather package is a reasonable $300 and will get you heated seats, mirrors and washer jets. The premium package runs $1250, its highlights are cruise control, auto a/c with a carbon air filter and a panoramic dual pane sunroof. The sport package also runs $1250 for premium wheels, front fog lights, sport seats and a rear spoiler.
The hatchback and 50/50 split fold down back seats provide 25 cubic feet of cargo space.
MINI Cooper S:
The higher end MINI, the Cooper S has the same features as the Cooper, a few more and starts at $19,850. The main difference is the engine. As you’d expect, this one is slightly more powerful. It’s got a 163-horsepower, 16-valve 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. This model will go from 0-60 in 6.9 seconds, get up to 135 mph and delivers 155 pound-feet of torque. A 6-speed manual Getrag transmission is standard; the CVT is not available on this model. The transmission offers 24 mpg city, 33 mpg highway.
The convenience packages on the Cooper S are virtually identical to those of the Cooper. Features that are standard on this model but not on the Cooper include traction control, sport suspension, 16” alloy wheels (vs. 15” on Cooper), body colored grill and sport bumpers, center mounted dual tail pipes and a chrome fuel filler flap. Size dimensions between this and the lower model vary by mere inches.
Safety Features:
Both the Cooper and Cooper S have identical standard safety features. Both have anti-lock brakes, flat tire monitor, driver and front passenger front and side airbags, daytime running lights and a crash sensor that automatically turns on hazard and interior lights and unlocks the doors. BMW says that the car is outfitted with front and rear crumple zones and a strong passenger area. I tried to find crash test ratings, but none are available yet.
My MINI Experience:
It seems that I've made an error in not including my own limited experience with the MINI in my first version of this review. So I have decided to include it.
I test drove the MINI and have been put on a 3 month waiting list for a black on black Cooper with the CVT. Fully loaded, it came in at just around $23K.
I drove the MINI for about an hour taking it on back roads as well as the highway. It doesn't take much to impress me since I currently drive an early 90's VW Cabriolet and have never owned or driven a new car. The ride seemed smooth to me, but not as smooth and quiet as the "full-blooded" BMWs that I've ridden in. I think that the MINI's ride is on par with other cars in its price range, but those looking for BMW-like ride will be disappointed. It looks like a European sports car, but it doesn't exactly drive like one.
Test driving with a salesman in the car makes me nervous, they want to talk and I just want to concentrate on driving, seeing what it's like, what I like, what I don't and above all, not doing anything stupid in a car that I don't own. From what I could tell, the Cooper idled smoothly at stoplights and had good pick-up when merging onto the highway. For the price, there wasn't anything "tinny" about it which was my initial expectation given the price. The car looks every bit as stylish in person as it does in the photos.
I really liked the sunroof, it's almost as big as the roof itself. I didn't get to open it because it was raining on the day that I drove it, but I know I'll enjoy it. The standard stereo was awesome, it sounded better than the one I had put into my car. I preferred some of the style details of the Cooper S over the Cooper but I don't know how to drive a manual transmission and don't want to learn, so I had to settle for the Cooper.
One thing that I wasn't thrilled about were the leatherette seats, they seemed a little cheap so I upgraded to leather. All in all, I thought that it was a lot of style for the price and I think I'll enjoy driving it.
Where to buy it:
20,000 MINIs are coming to the US this year. They will be sold through select BMW dealerships that have set aside floor and lot space and designated sales staff to handle them.
Miscellaneous Information:
MINI has a website that offers a build your own MINI feature as well as a dealer locator and more product information. It’s located at www.miniusa.com
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 23,000
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laurapetrie
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Location: New England
Reviews written: 47
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About Me:
Capri wearing glamour queen!
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