The 2004 Mini Cooper and a Big Problem
Written: Jan 28 '04 (Updated Jan 28 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great ride, fun to drive, technologically advanced, turns heads,
Cons: Safety and size
The Bottom Line: A wonderful automobile, but one that I cannot recommend. The Mini Cooper is just too small.
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| hwz1's Full Review: 2004 MINI Cooper |
It has been a year or so since I last squeezed into a Mini Cooper and I had forgotten how small they were. It it one thing to see a Mini on the street, but to get in one you really get the feeling that you are venturing into one of your kid's toy cars. But then you feel the Mini accelerate and you know that this is not kid's toy, but more likely, an adult toy. The car drives and handles like a dream and still manages to garner looks on the street.
So, should you buy one? We will get to that in a bit, but first there are some things that you probably need, or at least want, to know about the Mini. I am not a big car guy and do not know a lot of the technical stuff, but I do know what works, what doesn't, and what turns heads.
THE SPECIFICS:
* 56.2" height, 57.5 width, 143.9 length
* 2524 weight
* 4 cylinder, 1.6 transverse engine
* MPG 28/37 premium unleaded
* Top speed of 124 MPH
* 0-60 in 8.5 seconds
* 5 speed manual transmission
* 4 wheel anti lock brakes
* All season traction control
* 6 way adjustable seats
* Remote keyless entry
* One touch window operation
* Auto emergency function
One thing to keep in mind with the 2004 Mini is that there are a lot of different options available. The list above is by no means all inclusive of what the car brings to the table, but it is a smattering of some of the options that you will find as standard issue.
WHAT I LIKE:
1. The cool factor is still around with this car. You can still cruise down the street and have people turn their heads and point. The movie, "The Italian Job" also helps in this area. I mean how it is pretty easy to make a car look cool when Charlize Theron is driving it. But seriously, this is a good looking car that may look a little odd to some, but will continue to turn heads. The Mini usually comes with a roof that does not match the rest of the car and this makes it look a little different, but also quite cool.
2. This thing can really move. The Mini is a quick car, but not out of this world quick. However, for the price, you are going to be hard pressed to find a car that is as quick as this one. I thing that the Mini actually feels faster than it is because it is so small. Regardless, you can feel the power when pushing the car to it's limit.
3. The agility of the Mini is a plus. What do I mean? Well, for one you can squeeze into a parking spot that most other cars cannot even think about. Same goes with swinging in and out of traffic (Not that you should try this, but...) and making your way through tight spaces. Basically, you are driving one of the smallest cars on the road and that means that you can go a lot of places where other cars cannot go.
4. The race car-like styling is quite cool and eye catching. Take a look inside a Mini and see what I mean. The Tach is on the steering wheel- seen this on a Buick? The doors have racing designs on them and you will not find any faux wood on the insides of them. The car is set low to the road and has a wide stance. The gauges are prominent and large enough to be read from another car. The bottom line is that this is a sporty car that will provide a little taste of what racing must be like from an appearance and performance perspective.
5. The technological features are impressive, but not overboard. The Mini has one touch windows that work like a dream. Wiper blades that are sensitive to the speed that you are traveling. An alarm that is tripped if the battery is disconnected. Keyless remote entry options. An emergency system that automatically turns on the flashers if there is a problem. In other words, this thing has a lot of cool technology features that you will grow to love. My one touch windows are wonderful and get used multiple times everyday. When you go back to a car without them, you will see how lucky you are to have them.
6. The Mini really does a great job when it comes to performance. The Mini, without a doubt, is a fun car to drive. You have a small car that is very fast, handles like a dream, and produces a powerful sound when accelerating. Take it out in the country and see how it handles turns. You will feel uncomfortable taking them so fast, but the odd thing about the Mini is that it has a wide frame. Hence, handling is improved. Do yourself a favor and rent "the Italian Job". You will get a few good ideas for driving the Mini. Just do not try them at home.
7. The Mini has a decent sound system. The key is that there are six speakers located strategically, but the sound is akin to twice that many speakers. Why? Remember that you are in a small car. The coolest thing with the system is that it adjusts to your speed. Hit the highway and you will hear the sound at the same level as you just did on the quiet country rode. The system automatically turns the volume up as you speed up.
8. Find me a sporty car that gets the same kind of mileage as the Mini. The Mini will get you just under 30 MPG in the city and close to 37 on the highway all while not looking like a Ford Festiva. In a time when gas costs more than $1.50 a gallon, your MPG is important.
WHAT I DO NOT LIKE:
1. One thing and one thing alone. You can tell me a million times that this is a safe car and has proven to be so over and over in testing and I still will not care. In this day and age it seems as if every other auto on the road is an SUV and when a Mini and an SUV collide the Mini is not often going to win.
The Mini has six airbags that are an obvious help. The wide frame means you are not very likely to flip it. The small size and speed mean you can maneuver in and out of trouble easier. I do not care. If you hit something in the Mini, you lose. Plain and simple.
I am sure there are plenty of people who will cite tests that have been conducted to show the safety of the Mini. I just do not care. Lets be honest with ourselves and realize that those with more mass around them typically win in collisions. The Mini does not have much mass and will not win many collisions. Hence, my problem with the car is that it is just not all that safe of a place to be. If you can afford the Mini, you can likely afford to purchase something that is still fun to drive, but also has a little more size to it. The result may mean a better chance of making it through a collision.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
I love the 2004 Mini Cooper, but I will never own one for the simple reason that I want something that provides the illusion of more safety. The car is wonderful; quick, beautiful, handles well, technologically advanced, etc. If you can stomach the thought of almost always being the smallest car on the road, then you will love this car. Otherwise, it will be tough to ever truly enjoy it.
If you can handle the size, should you be a buyer? I would suggest that those who should buy should do so as a second or third car. The Mini is not all that practical as a main car because of the size. I am a golfer and can get my clubs in, but it is not an easy process. You will never use this to carpool or pick up the kids from school. As a second car, it is a great option, but those looking to make this their main car are in for some difficulties. I would suggest looking to rent a Mini for the weekend or from time to time if you want the thrill and can handle the size.
I find it difficult to come up with a final rating for the Mini Cooper. I love the car, but hate it because of the dangers associated with it. Hence, I am going to give it a rating somewhere in the middle. Love it, but worry about it.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 18,500
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Epinions.com ID:
hwz1
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Location: Philadelphia, PA
Reviews written: 845
Trusted by: 923 members
About Me:
Just got a big promotion that will move my new wife and I to Atlanta.
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