Used 2017 MINI Convertible

Few cars blend fun driving manners, spunky style and premium appeal like a Mini Cooper. When these British cars returned to America 15 years ago, they proved a subcompact could be an aspirational statement maker rather than a penalty box. Today’s expanded lineup furthers that mission while bolstering technology and refinement. The 2017 Mini Cooper Hardtop is now available as a larger 4-door, while the Convertible trades hatchback practicality for carefree, open-air motoring. All models use zippy turbocharged engines that further Mini’s case of making go-karts for grownups. While you could spend thousands less and get more practicality in a Honda Fit, Kia Rio, Ford Fiesta or Chevrolet Sonic, you’d miss out on the charm, customization, premium appeal and sheer delight inherent in every Mini.

Whether you choose the standard Hardtop 2 Door, the larger Hardtop 4 Door or the Convertible, you’ll get a sporty subcompact with sharp handling and quick reflexes. While sheer muscle isn’t what a Mini is about, even the 3-cylinder base model has a respectable 0-60-mph time of 7.3 seconds. That figure only improves as you step up to the more rewarding 4-cylinder models. No matter what’s under the hood, Minis make the most of it with a chassis that enables corner-carving ability that has to be experienced to be believed. They’re not kidding with the whole go-kart analogy. On the highway or on rough pavement the ride can be rough, it’s definitely loud inside, and the quick steering can make the car feel nervous. Whether you choose the standard 6-speed manual transmission or the quick-shifting automatic, every Mini Cooper is a hoot to drive and will turn those frowns upside down.

There’s a dichotomy between the 2017 Mini Cooper Hardtop and Convertible interiors’ blend of modern tech and retro styling. The huge circular center display now houses the standard 6.5-inch infotainment screen, while the various toggles have a retro look yet control modern functions like the keyless ignition. There’s nothing retro about the comfortable seats, clever packaging and available head-up display on the windshield. Hardtop 2-door models and the convertible have seating for two in back, while the 4-door has room for three, with the center seating position available if you absolutely must cram in five people.

The Mini Cooper’s signature "bulldog" stance means it’s low and squat, not furry and drooling, and it directly contributes to why these little cars handle so well. The 2-door and 4-door Hardtops are hatchbacks, while the Convertible has a tailgate that can be used for tailgating (176-pound threshold). There’s also an "easy-load" feature that lifts the lower portion of the fabric roof to create a wider opening. Finagling it into place takes practice, though, and we recommend packing light in this open-air toy. At a still-diminutive 157.4 inches in length, the Hardtop 4-door is roughly six inches longer than the 2-door models.

SMILES PER GALLON
Minis have a long tradition of doing more with less, and that’s certainly the case with their powertrains. All models reach into the 30-mpg range, with a base 2017 Cooper Hardtop and its miserly 3-cylinder engine hitting the 38-mpg mark.

3-IN-1 CONVERTIBLE ROOF
One of the coolest features of the 2017 Mini Convertible is its half-open setting. So in addition to fully open or fully closed, this mode offers a sweet and airy in-between that slides the front portion of the fabric back like a panoramic sunroof.

The standard 2017 Mini Hardtop and Convertible come with a turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, 6-way manually adjustable Leatherette seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 6.5-inch Visual Boost Screen audio and information system, and automatic climate control, while Convertibles get a power top. Cooper S models get a more powerful 4-cylinder turbo engine, sport seats, run-flat tires, LED fog lights, larger wheels and tires, and bigger brakes, plus sporty-looking features like a hood scoop. John Cooper Works editions get a more powerful version of the 4-cylinder, even bigger brakes and a stiffer sport suspension. All Minis come with three years/36,000 miles of no-cost maintenance.

One of the best things about a Mini is the ability to customize it to your tastes, from interior and exterior aesthetics to performance upgrades. Mini says there are more than 10 million different combinations in all. As for major options, a 6-speed automatic transmission is available for all models. Other major highlights include a navigation system, head-up display that projects driving information onto the windshield, rearview camera, harman/kardon premium audio system and dynamic damper-control adjustable suspension. The Active Driving Assistant features adaptive cruise control and the ability to warn of an impending forward collision and ultimately apply the brakes.

Three cylinders may not sound like a lot, but the base Mini Cooper gets 134 horsepower out of its 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-banger, which is more than the old base 4-cylinder engine from a few years ago. More power is available in the Mini Cooper S models thanks to the 189-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. The JCW trim, offered on the 2-door Hardtop and Convertible, puts the most powerful engine ever in a Mini: a 228-horsepower version of that 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. Power goes to the front wheels through either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic. While Minis are fuel-efficient, note that they require premium-grade gasoline.

1.5-liter turbocharged inline-3 (Cooper)
134 horsepower @ 4,400 rpm
162 lb-ft of torque @ 1,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 28/38 mpg (manual, 2-door Hardtop), 27/36 mpg (automatic), 28/37 mpg (manual, Convertible and 4-door Hardtop)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Cooper S)
189 horsepower @ 4,700-6,000 rpm
207 lb-ft of torque @ 1,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/32 mpg (manual), 25/32 mpg (automatic), 25/33 mpg (automatic, Convertible)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (John Cooper Works)
228 horsepower @ 5,200-6,000 rpm
236 lb-ft of torque @ 1,250-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/32 mpg (manual, Hardtop), 25/32 mpg (automatic, Hardtop), 22/31 mpg (manual, Convertible), 24/32 mpg (automatic, Convertible)

Note: Due to changes in EPA testing to more effectively reflect real-world conditions, some 2017 models show slightly lower fuel-economy scores than their 2016 versions.