2007 MINI Cooper

Pros: Guy magnet!
Cons: Controls are confusing and the owner's manual even more so

I bought the MINI for 2 reasons - it has the best visibility of all the 26 or so 2007-2008 cars I tried (but that's not saying much) and it had the least-painful headrest of all those same 26 cars I tried (but that isn't saying much, either). It was the best of all the incredibly too-big, can't-see-the-front-or-rear, way-uncomfortable 2007-2008 cars I test drove. There is a LOT of computer programming to do when you get this car, but unfortunately, the manual is horribly written to the point of being incomprehensible.

Pros: Cute & efficient, fast pick-up, lots of storage for both stuff and passengers alike
Cons: Doesn't have wings

My hubby & I bought our 2007 Mini Cooper S last March in a smoky silver with a sexy black double sun roof & a 6-speed manual transmission ... and we love it!
It's so cute that I want to kiss its sweet little hood, whenever I get in.
The BMW engine kicks butt on the highway with great pick-up. Excellent for city parking in & around the NYC area & it'll bypass any wasteful, SUV gas-guzzling monster on the road (think The Italian Job).
What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in speed & gas efficiency.
If only Mini offered a hybrid, they'd be perfect.
We opted for the winter package, which includes warmed seats, heated side-view mirrors & heated window-washer fluid. Interior switches are easy to locate & operate.
The only challenge is the radio, which I'm still trying to master (there is such a thing as too many options!).
Love it, love it, love it.

Pros: speed/handling/comfort/style
Cons: touchy convertible controls when back shelf not just perfectly seated.

Only had it a week but love it so far. Handling is incredible, like a slot car on steroids. Super acceleration, great comfort. A little noisy, but, hey - it IS a convertible. The "sun-roof" capability of the convertible top is really neat to use, even while going up to 75 mph.
I love that the company has a sense of humor (little cover on the convertible top control reads: "Do you REALLY want to close the top? - be honest!")

Pros: Gas efficient, curve/road hugger, customer service outstanding, fun, customizable.
Cons: Small for tall people. Not as many dealerships as other makes.

My first Cooper was an '03 Cooper hardtop. Never had a problem with it. Now I have an '06 S Convertible. The little car flies, I love it when people in lumbering trucks ask me if it's legal on the highways. Is 150mph fast enough? The dealerships are awesome, you are treated like royalty. The oil changes are only every 10,000 miles but you must take it to the dealer. They have it most of the day, doing any computer chips updates, looking over things, replacing all fluids, and washing it. The Cincinnati dealership would drive me to the local mall to shop and have lunch so I wouldn't sit around all day!
I can fill it up for about 30.00 and drive for at least a month. I drive locally, and once in awhile an hour to Raleigh to shop.