Used 2012 MINI Convertible John Cooper Works Convertible 2D

If you enjoy efficiency, expressive design and responsive handling, today’s 2012 Mini Cooper is tailor-made for you. The handling seems almost go-kart quick, helped, in no small part, by a rigid structure. And, if you can tolerate a few stylistic eccentricities within its interior, you’ll forge the kind of emotional bond with your Mini that hasn’t been seen in the U.S. since the heyday of the Beetle. In its own idiosyncratic way, today’s Mini is more than fun; it’s functionally recreational.

Even in its stretched Clubman form the 2012 Mini Cooper does not provide an expansive interior. And, once inside, you note the seating position and roofline put you almost underneath adjacent vehicles. So, if you don’t enjoy the cut-and-thrust of urban traffic, the Mini may not be your cup of English Tea. It’s also not for the financially timid. Despite a reasonable base price, adding but a few of Mini’s many options can quickly escalate the window sticker some $10,000! Finally, when introduced to the U.S., there was nothing in its competitive segment; today there are a growing number of legitimate competitors: The Fiat 500, Chevrolet Sonic(!), recently-announced Scion iQ and the always-desirable Volkswagen GTI.