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Lodging Planner for Dunsmuir Railroad Park - Oct. 11 - 13, 2024

  Three days of MINIs, friends, forests, and old railroad cabooses. NOTICE: To all Registered Club Members interested in attending this 3-da...

Amy Tokic Goes Topless And Gets Frisky With Mazda And MINI

Amy Tokic writing for AutoGuide.com test drives the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the MINI Cooper Convertible.  Here are her plusses, minuses and ratings.  First, the Miata:
Mazda Miata Pluses:
Super cute looks, quick acceleration, smooth shifting, convertible top speed (on and off), keyless entry and start, ease of convertible top.

Mazda Miata Minuses:
No room for my purse, small trunk, extra cost for the hardtop model, some rearview visibility issues.

Mazda Dealership Experience:
I’d give it 8 out of 10. It was fun to drive and a great overall experience in the dealership.
Second, the MINI Cooper Convertible:
MINI Cooper Convertible Pluses:
Cool key, compact size, plenty of room for a small car, great service package included (once a year service with a loaner car while it’s in the shop).

MINI Cooper Convertible Minuses:
Stiff and slow ride, no rear visibility, gaudy gauges, too-cool staff gave me high school flashbacks (not in a good way).

MINI Dealership Experience:
5 out of 10. It can be summed up in one word – Meh. And yes, meh is a word. Colum did tell me that it may be because MINI is actually owned by the Germans… perhaps my dealership experience was Germanic