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2008 Mini Cooper Convertible
2008 Mini Cooper Convertible
Swiss Army Mini
Instead of making drivers compromise, the Mini Cooper Convertible's unique fabric top adds an extra degree of versatility to a supremely fun vehicle.
The hardtop Mini Cooper was redesigned recently, but the convertible maintains its old body style (which looks almost exactly like the new one) and engines for now.
The Mini Cooper Convertible has a power-operated fabric top that incorporates a glass rear window with a defroster. The fabric top can be opened part of the way, like a sunroof, or it can be fully lowered, like a traditional ragtop.
One significant downside to the Mini Cooper Convertible is that the top obscures rear visibility, whether it is up or down.
The base Mini Cooper Convertible comes powered by an adequate 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). A CVT uses belts and pulleys that are infinitely variable, instead of traditional fixed gears.
A higher-performance Mini Cooper S Convertible is also offered. Read about it here.
The car’s taut suspension delivers crisp cornering. Antilock brakes with cornering control and electronic brake-force distribution along with front side airbags come standard. Stability control is optional.
The interior of the Mini Cooper Convertible is as stylish as the exterior. Metal toggle switches substitute for some of the usual plastic buttons, and an extra-large speedometer sits at the center of the dashboard. The unique styling might not be for everyone.
The Mini Cooper's rear seat can accommodate two average-sized adults. The trunk, however, is tiny.
A number of distinctive custom paint schemes and interior color combinations can further dress up the Mini Cooper Convertible, along with a litany of practical, performance-oriented and cosmetic accessories.
Is the Mini Cooper Convertible for You?
| Buy the Cooper Convertible if | You like to think small and love convertibles; you live in a densely populated city; high style and high efficiency are priorities; you enjoy nimble, sporty handling. |
| Keep Looking if | You need seating for five; you need a large trunk; you prefer high power over high efficiency; you feel safer in large cars. |
| Who Fits? | With an interior that's roomier than you might think, two adults fit comfortably in the supportive front seats. Two more can squeeze in the back without too much discomfort, but rear-seat access can be tough and rear foot-room is minimal, especially with tall people in the front seats. |
| Closest Competitors | |
| Did You Know? |
The Mini Cooper is a modern-day embodiment of the original Mini, which debuted in 1959 as a tiny, four-seat car designed to efficiently navigate the U.K.’s narrow roadways. It gained prominence throughout the 1960s via its championships in international rally racing, as well as its mushrooming image as a fashionable petite car owned by the likes of the Beatles, Peter Sellers and even Enzo Ferrari. |
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