2009 MINI Cooper Hardtop

A car that makes driving fun again

By Chris (PA) on Monday, May 20, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 5,000

Pros: "Extremely fun to drive, surprisingly spacious"

Cons: "Pricey for its class"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"The 2011 MINI Cooper hatchback is a great model year for an updated classic. The interior is surprisingly spacious and comfortable, and doesn't ride too low to the ground. This vehicle brings fuel efficiency and a large fuel tank to the driving experience, leaving you with more time to just enjoy the drive. Handling is great and there's just enough power on the base model to have a little extra fun on the open road. The "sport" button included on all BMW models around this time adds some extra power, and the heightened steering sensitivity is great for cornering on winding roads. If you like driving manual transmission, the hill assist feature is great for hilly regions, and extremely helpful for beginners. I haven't had any problems with the vehicle, but it's only 2 years old at this point. Everything seems pretty solid, so I don't anticipate anything coming up any time soon either."

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Great Handling

By Spin (CA) on Sunday, May 19, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 5,000

Pros: "Handling, head room, and quality control."

Cons: "Air conditioning vent obstructed by steering wheel"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I've had my Mini for a year now and I enjoy it more now than I did when I first leased it. The first thing I noticed compared to other similar cars is the handling. On the test drive I was blown away. Taking corners at 60 mph with ease and driving over big speed bumps at 60 mph with little jolting. The doors close and seem solid, there is plenty of head room and I'm 6 foot. There is only one thing I don't like about the car that I think about all the time, is how can they design the left air conditioning vent behind the steering wheel, the cold air gets blocked by the steering wheel, just bothers me. Other than that I have no complaints."

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LOVE

By Sunshine (MI) on Wednesday, May 08, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 15,000

Cons: "Has a little character. Rattles and such."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Fun to drive, great pep to get you merging on the freeway in a jiffy, good gas mileage, shifter, door handles, other parts all solid metal unlike most economy compact cars (plastic and they break over time). Did I mention an absolute joy to drive??"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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So far so great!

By Eris on Tuesday, April 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 12,500

Pros: "fun to drive, unique interior"

Cons: "pricey, bumpy ride"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 7

"I've had this car for 2 years now and the only problem I can say I've had is a slight rattle in the driver's side door (what MINI doesn't have a unique noise these days?). I love my little car. I drive about 10 miles to work every day through suburban roads in the DC metro area. It's not the most comfortable ride, but the driving dynamics MORE than make up for it. I find my base version has just enough pep to get me around town in a fun and timely fashion! I was worried about reliability initially, but so far so great! I have a lot of people come up and talk to me about my car, or make "The Italian Job" comments, hah. Owning a MINI has definitely been a unique experience, one I can't say I've had in the past with "regular" vehicles."

8 people out of 8 found this review helpful

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Really love my car

By Carla (GA) on Sunday, April 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 30,000

Pros: "Great to drive, corners like a dream, very Eco"

Cons: "Limited leg room in back seat"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I bought this car new, off the rack when we were stationed in HI. It is perfect for traffic driving, small parking places and tight turning. It came with run-flat tires which I HATED. Mine barely lasted 20,000 miles before I had to replace 2. Then another one developed a leak, so I had to replace 2 more. That is the only issues I have ever had. With the back seats folding down, you can get a ton of luggage or whatever you need in the back of the car."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Love this quirky car

By Madge G. (MI) on Saturday, March 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 100

Pros: "Easy to drive, fun, great gas mileage"

Cons: "Expensive repairs, short lived clutches"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I just purchased my second manual shift Mini Cooper S. There are drawbacks, to be sure, but I am willing to put up with them because I love the car so much. The great things about this car: easy to get into little spaces, peppy, cute, fun to drive, and if you don't need the back seats (I usually don't), the rear area with seats down is as good as my husband's Jeep Cherokee cargo space. I have an easy time merging onto the highway because of all the turbo power (I'm a professional woman in my 50s, so not interested in hot rodding, but it is nice to be able to speed up quickly when necessary). Front seats are great for tall/long legged people. Gas mileage is fantastic, which is a nice feeling despite fact that the turbo takes premium gas only. The Mini is just sort of "me" and makes me happy on most days. Downsides (and there are lots, I admit): the clutch wears out quickly and is not covered under warranty unless "broken." This is a $2,000 problem, and for me it happened at 40,000 miles. Google about the longstanding problems with Mini clutches. This needs to be addressed! Another downside is that this is not a car that gives you a smooth, luxurious ride. It just isn't that kind of car, and if that's what is important to you, the Mini isn't the car for you. I personally don't care, but on the highway especially, the car is loud. You get used to it! Another drawback is that because car is noisy, the Bluetooth doesn't work well. Many times I have to switch to talking directly on my phone. In the snow, it isn't great (but neither was my big Ford Taurus which like my Mini, didn't have 4 wheel drive). The knobs don't always make sense (it is a quirky car, as I said). Oh, and the windows fog up in the winter (more so than other cars I have had). Still, the Mini has been my favorite car of all I have owned. To be certain, there are flaws. But it is a classic car that doesn't go out of style, and the "gimmicks" offered in other cars from model to model year just don't really apply to the Mini (I like it that the car doesn't change much from year to year, but of course if I wanted, there are tons of ways to accessorize and decorate it). Can't help feeling a lot of affection for this car!"

16 people out of 17 found this review helpful

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