MINI Cooper

I bought an 8-yr old Mini Cooper (M) over 1 year ago and must say that from the moment I bought it, I started to think twice about how good Japanese cars are. From the solid build to the well thought-out styling, this car impresses in all ways. Thanks to the stiff and strong body, handling is tighter than any Subaru WRX hopes to be (that was my previous car for 2 years). The interior may feel plasticky, but it's part of the fun factor of having gigantic rev and speedometers. Interior space is also amazing for such a "tiny" car, as it could comfortably sit 4 regular sized adults. Other 2-door cars such as the Scirocco, GT86 and Audi A1 FAIL when it comes to rear headroom. Despite not being the "S" model, I love the responsiveness of the engine. Whether you're tapping the accelerator or flooring it, the car feels like it's genuinely doing what you're asking it to do. Perhaps it's also due to my choice of manual gearbox; the proper way to drive a Mini, IMHO. Some other reviews remark that it is expensive to own. True, given the high margins of the dealership. The trick is to get a 2nd hand one and budget a couple K for repairs, just in case. And with the high OMV and export value (compared to Japanese cars), the depreciation of such an iconic, eye-opening car is too low to even worry about.... Read More

The MINI Cooper may seem and feel small, but it's a more than adequate car. This is the first continental car I hav driven and the first thing I realised is its weight and the relatively heavier steering wheel. On the road, it's responsive and powerful enough to climb uphill without being dragged down. It's best when driven on long straight roads where you can feel how zippy this car is. It's a little annoying when there is start-stop traffic. Its interior is definitely attention-grabbing with the large speedometer in the middle and when deciding between the Audi A1 and the Cooper, the iconic interior styling won the day and made the decision easier. I just wished that bluetooth connectivity and the enhanced Radio Visual Boost screen were standard fittings.... Read More