Used 2011 MINI Convertible

Fresh from a complete makeover last year, the MINI Cooper and Cooper S Convertibles roll into 2010 with even more to love. Sporty handling, distinctive styling and more interior space than its small exterior dimensions might imply the Cooper Convertibles also excel in fuel efficiency and high resale value. Of course, top-down motoring joy is what attracts most buyers to the brand, and the MINI Cooper Convertible rarely, if ever, fails to deliver. The popularity of MINI has helped to expand America’s acceptance of small cars and in many ways defined the premium small car market. Competitors are few, but might rightly include the Mazda Miata MX-5, Volkswagen’s Eos and New Beetle Convertibles and, at the higher end, Audi’s TT and the BMW Z4.

Its light, easy-to-use clutch, responsive steering and quick-shifting transmission make commuting in the 2010 MINI Convertible a blast. In Cooper trim, the MINI Convertible has adequate acceleration but needs to be shifted down a gear or two to maintain speed when driving uphill on the freeway. The Cooper S comes equipped with a turbocharged engine that provides ample power with virtually no lag. Peak torque is available from 1600 to 5000 rpm, resulting in quick and worry-free merging or passing maneuvers. An interesting feature is a standard Sport button which quickens throttle response, increases steering effort and speeds up shifts in MINIs equipped with automatic transmissions. The result is a car that’s easy and livable during daily drives, yet with all the sporting flair you’d want available at the touch of a button.

The MINI Cooper’s interior is truly one-of-a-kind, with backlit armrests in the doors, handsomely sewn seats and a bold dash featuring a huge center-mounted speedometer. For such a small car the MINI makes the most of its available interior space. Those riding in the front seats enjoy excellent head and legroom. However, rear passengers may feel cramped with tight shoulder space and nearly non-existent legroom. The dash panel is stylish, but the layout can be confusing and, though the knobs and switches look good, their similarity and positions make them somewhat difficult to operate. Like the rest of the MINI, the interior can be customized to suit the buyer’s taste with a variety of dash trim colors, seat materials and metal, wood or carbon-fiber accents.

This second-generation MINI Cooper Convertible’s body and power top look similar to that of the first generation new MINI, but includes a number of changes, such as headlamps mounted to the body instead of the hood and a simpler front bumper design and a taller hood to accommodate new European pedestrian crash standards. The rear of the MINI Cooper Convertible features a flip-down lid (in place of the Hardtop’s hatchback design) covering a small trunk. The convertible top is designed to mimic the hatchback’s roofline, but unlike the hardtop Cooper, the Convertible’s rear quarter windows can be lowered. The soft top is power operated and includes a clever sunroof feature allowing it to slide back and expose the front seats to the open air. Press another button and in just 15 seconds the entire top retreats behind the rear seats.

Sport Button
The Sport Button is a wonderful solution that allows MINI drivers to live a double life. During daily commutes steering and throttle reactions are relaxed, making time behind the wheel less fatiguing. Push the Sport Button and the MINI transforms into a fun and focused driving machine.

The Two-Stage Convertible Top
The MINI Cooper Convertible’s power top can be partially retracted to act as a sunroof or fully retracted for a completely open-air experience.

The 2010 MINI Cooper Convertible’s standard equipment includes a push-button engine stop/start, AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers and MP3 capability, air conditioning, six-speed manual transmission, color-adjustable interior lighting, 16-inch alloy wheels, tilt/telescoping steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, tachometer, Openometer (keeps track of how long you drive with the top down), leatherette seat fabric, a power-retractable soft top and power windows and mirrors. Standard safety features include Dynamic Stability Control, anti-lock brakes (ABS), Active Rollover Protection Bar, tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and front seat side-impact thorax protective airbags.

The MINI Cooper and Cooper S Convertibles can be outfitted with numerous options. Although most are available as stand-alone additions, MINI combines many of its popular options into packages. The Premium Package includes Harman/Kardon audio, automatic air conditioning and chrome-line interior and exterior accents. The Convenience Package includes universal garage remote, Bluetooth connectivity, rain sensing wipers, automatic headlamps and center arm rest. Also available are Sport, Navigation and Cold Weather Packages. In addition to the options available from the factory, MINI offers a wide range of dealer-installed accessories for customers to further customize their cars. Also available is the John Cooper Works performance package, which significantly improves horsepower, suspension tuning and braking.

The 2010 MINI Cooper and Cooper S Convertibles both have 1.6-liter in-line four-cylinder engines. Power in the Cooper is acceptable, but the turbocharged Cooper S engine is a powerhouse, with 177 pound-feet of maximum continuous torque from 1600 to 5000 rpm, and an “overboost” feature that temporarily increases engine torque to 191 pound-feet for extra bursts of acceleration. An easy-shifting six-speed manual transmission – or the optional automatic – allow either engine to operate in its ideal rpm range, maximizing performance and efficiency.

1.6-liter in-line 4
118 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
114 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 28/36 (manual), 25/33 (automatic)

1.6-liter in-line 4 turbocharged
172 horsepower @ 5500 rpm
177 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1600-5000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/34 (manual), 24/32 (automatic)