I had just pulled out of the parking lot, and decided that I needed to get an idea of just what this car could do, so I gave the accelerator a strong push. Immediately, I felt the car begin to speed up except for the slight hesitation, then that unmistakable sound…the hiss of the car’s turbo kicking in. The car responded instantly, and zoomed through the round-abouts with such sharp handling. My friends and I had the music up, and the top down on the 6-speed manual transmission, turbo-charged 2010 MINI Cooper Convertible, and it was a beautiful day to be driving. Prior to this experience, I would have never thought that such a small car could move and handle so well, but the MINI Cooper Convertible proved me wrong.
Colin Hornback Test Driving the MINI Countryman
I also had a chance to drive the new MINI Countryman, and was amazed at how much one could really fit into the car. The Countryman had similar power and handling as the Cooper Convertible, but with the added benefits of a larger rear seat, extra room in the boot (or trunk), and the new all-wheel drive feature. Some say the car handles like a go-kart, but I say it handles like any true sports car in that it is both responsive and agile.
When watching movies like the 2003 release of The Italian Job I have always thought that a MINI would never perform the way it is projected to in the movie except after thousands of dollars worth of mechanical work. However, after a 10-minute test drive in the 1.6-liter, turbo-charged Cooper Convertible and Countryman, I have to say that my perceptions have been changed. This is a car that I would be happy to drive everyday, and with a potential of up to 35-37 miles per gallon in the MINI Cooper Convertible and the MINI Countryman respectively, it certainly won’t hurt my wallet at the gas pump.
I’ve never really thought of myself as a MINI driver, but after one test-drive I’m beginning to visualize myself in that Cooper Convertible, cruising down the country roads near my home more and more. Think I’m crazy? Take a test drive for yourself and let me know how you feel afterwards!
Colin Hornback
One.0.Five Marketing
Team Coordinator