2007 MINI Cooper Review
Years after the original left the marketplace, BMW resurrected the MINI Cooper in 2002. Though a brand-new design, the new Cooper still has the look and feel of the original. Other than the introduction of the beefed-up GP edition in 2006, the Cooper has seen little change until this year. The 2007 Cooper is all-new. The MINI Cooper was the “North American Car of the Year” in 2003.
The BuyingAdvice Team Says:
The allure of the MINI Cooper is puzzling. It has a weak engine, almost no cargo capacity, and it’s anything but sleek. Despite that, it’s a fixture in pop culture history, from the Beatles to the recent remake of The Italian Job. It’s a fun, nimble machine, but practical it’s not.
What’s New For 2007:
What is the Predicted Reliability:
The MINI Cooper received three out of five stars from J.D. Power for initial reliability. The last generation only had a problem with the shift cable coming loose. The only significant recall on the Cooper was on the 2004 S model, due to an incorrectly programmed flat-tire monitor. Expect above-average reliability. The basic warranty lasts for four years or 50,000 miles.
Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:
Crash test data is not yet available. All Coopers come with anti-lock brakes, full side airbags, and tire pressure monitoring. The S adds traction control, and stability control is included with the Sport package.
Pros and Cons:
Pros
+ Great gas mileage
+ Fun
+ Stylish
Cons
- Tiny interior
- Puny engine
- Basic model lacks traction control
Head-To-Head Competition:
The Cooper is a unique little vehicle, but you pay a lot for its uniqueness. For the same price, you can buy a Honda Civic LX that has a standard automatic, almost twice the cargo room, and 20 more horsepower. For over $1,000 less, you can buy a Saturn ION with a larger engine, an automatic, and almost twice the cargo capacity. However, it misses out on the Cooper’s ABS and side airbags. The Volkswagen New Beetle costs $900 less and also offers more engine power and interior space, along with traction control but at the cost of side airbags and ten miles to the gallon.
What Others Are Saying:
“The car’s interior is as stylish as its exterior, with metal toggle switches for some function controls. Well-equipped even in its base form, the Mini offers such high-end options as a navigation system, premium Harmon-Kardon stereo, run-flat tires and Park Distance Control. A number of novel custom paint schemes and interior color combinations are also available, as well as a litany of practical, performance and purely cosmetic accessories.” – Forbes
“Four years after its debut, driving a Mini Cooper is still just about the most fun to be had on four wheels. That may be the reason the Mini has succeeded where others have failed.” – The Auto Channel
“Here’s some advice: Don’t buy a Mini Cooper unless you own an enclosed, lockable garage. Otherwise, you’ll get to talk to your neighbors until 11 o’clock at night. They’ll come a-knocking, begging rides, trailing kids with disposable diapers and disposable cameras. And during those rides, other travelers will shout questions at you. From their moving cars.” – Car and Driver
Read more about the 2007 MINI Cooper at the MINI manufacturer web site.
