2009 Mini Cooper: Tester's Comments
2009 Mini Cooper ▼
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- MSRP: $18,550 - $30,800
- Invoice: $16,695 - $27,720
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Find out what the Consumer Guide Automotive testers had to say about the 2009 Mini Cooper. See if the 2009 Mini Cooper is right for you.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2009 Mini Cooper S Convertible |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | S |
| Arrival Date: | 05/04/2009 |
| Engine: | Turbocharged dohc I4 |
| Bodystyle | 2-door convertible |
| Transmission: | 6-speed manual |
| 4WD/AWD: | No |
| Base Price: | 26,800 |
| Price as Tested: | 33,700 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 2673 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 3104 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 431 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 15.499 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 27.81 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
Dark Silver Metallic Paint, Leather Punch Carbon Black, Cold Weather Package(Power-Folding Mirrors, Heated Mirrors and Washer Jets, Heated Front Seats), Premium Package(Multi-Function Steering Wheel, Anti-Theft Alarm System, Chrome Line Interior, Chrome Line Exterior, Automatic Air Conditioning), Sport Package(17-Inch Alloy Wheels [Web Spoke], Dynamic Traction Control, Xenon Headlights), Park Distance Control (rear)
From the Back Seat
Damon Bell
Mini Coopers are among my favorite cars, and this S convertible comes with all of the endearing Mini traits. However, the convertible body style also brings cowl shake, that slightly jello-y feel that's common among droptop variants of hardtop vehicles. Here, the cowl shake slightly undermines the otherwise slot-car-like handling. Plus, an S convertible commands a premium of almost $3K over its fixed-roof sibling...that puts its price into the realm of a very well-equipped Mazda MX-5 Miata, which doesn't suffer from cowl shake and is only slightly less practical (sorry, I can't see any adult squeezing into the back-seat area of a Cooper convertible and being happy about it). If you're an incurable open-air fanatic and only a Mini will do, go for it; a Cooper S convertible is a great car. For me, however, the wind in my hair isn't worth the tradeoffs in body-structure rigidity.
Don Sikora
Any Mini is personality infused and a ball to drive. In convertible form, our Cooper S test car looked fabulous--top up or down--and maintained much of the Mini's inherent goodness, but the stiff suspension seemed to amplify the drop-top body's flexibility.
Jack Stewart
The Cooper S offers fuel economy comparable to some hybrids, yet is quick and fun to drive. I like to drive with the top down, but I think poor rear visibility in the convertible makes the hatchback the better choice.
John Biel
They may look like economical and practical little "city cars," but Minis are really more upmarket boutique vehicles, none more so than the convertible. Almost all Minis are fun to drive, especially short-wheelbase jobs like the convertible, and those with the extra "go" of the turbocharged engine found in the S. Cowl shake, limited visibility, and minuscule cargo space detract a bit from the convertible driving experience, but on top-down days, those concerns will seem a little less important.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2009 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | S |
| Arrival Date: | 11/10/2008 |
| Engine: | Turbocharged dohc I4 |
| Bodystyle | 2-door hatchback |
| Transmission: | 6-speed manual |
| 4WD/AWD: | No |
| Base Price: | 28,550 |
| Price as Tested: | 31,550 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 1873 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 2376 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 503 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 17.325 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 29.03 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
Cold Weather Package (power-folding mirrors, heated mirrors and washer jets, heated front seats), Premium Package (multi-function steering wheel, dual-pane panoramic sunroof, automatic air conditioning), black bonnet stripes, Bluetooth and USB/iPod adapter
From the Back Seat
Damon Bell
A Mini Cooper S offers an unmatched blend of whimsical style, practicality, and tenacious, corner-carving agility. However, unless you're a real enthusiast, the John Cooper Works edition's upgrades are probably not worth its substantial price premium. A Mini becomes a much less-compelling choice when the sticker price creeps past $30K, as it did on our test car.
Don Sikora
The John Cooper Works Mini turns the performance and fun factors to eleven, but the tariff is a bit stiff. Any Mini is a ball to drive and surprisingly stingy on gas, but be sure to check out the Clubman if you want to motor with a touch more practicality.
Ed Piotrowski
Only die-hard Mini enthusiasts need apply to the John Cooper Works club. For everyone else, the JCW offers little of substance to justify its stiff price premium over the already excellent Cooper S.
Rick Cotta
It really doesn't seem as though you get $6000 worth of upgrades with the JCW package, but it DOES make for the ultimate Mini¿and that's really saying a lot.
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