Mini Cooper Roadster
For anyone who doubted that Mini really was the ‘fun’ brand, the Roadster was conclusive proof that the relatively small car could still put a smile on your face. For many, the best bit was lopping off the coupé’s odd roof arrangement to reveal a purposeful, stumpy bundle of fun.
This is a proper sporty roadster that has been tuned specifically with larking about in mind, from its twoseat format to the weight distribution being rather more centralised than in the softer Mini Convertible.
As for engines, it might be worth upping your budget and tracking down the 2.0 John Cooper Works (JCW), which has 208bhp and will get to 60mph in just over six seconds.
Other petrol models are available, of course. Most buyers will opt for the bog-standard 1.6 Cooper, which is adequate enough, but the Cooper S Twinpower turbo delivers more immediate performance. It is only mildly slower than the JCW model. The practical choice is always going to be the 2.0 SD diesel, which is said to return more than 60mpg and is reasonably perky into the bargain.
The list of standard kit is pretty comprehensive and includes power steering, central locking, stability control, air conditioning, electric windows, electric door mirrors and rear parking sensors. The in-car entertainment system means there’s a CD player and MP3 compatibility.
Mini’s official ‘TLC’ servicing packs may still apply to the car and could save you the cost of a couple of services. Don’t pay a silly premium for it, though, if the seller talks tough.
We were surprised by the level of reader support for the Roadster we receive, but more than enough have reported that it is great to live with. Indeed, once you press the button, the electrically operated roof disappears faster than most other models’ roofs at well under 10 seconds and at vehicle speeds of up to 20mph. Meanwhile, you can flick the spoiler deployment switch at any speed.
There is an okay boot, which is adequate for soft bags for a weekend away, and the standard load-through facility means that you might get a set of golf clubs rather than a set of skis in the back.
Overall, the Roadster is good value and it should be a doddle to resell when the time comes. Running costs are reasonable, with decent fuel economy across the range. Most of all, it is super fun to drive.
This is a proper sporty roadster tuned with larking about in mind