Mini Dealer Dallas

The other day a friend of mine asks my opinion of the Mini as she has plans on buying one-a Mini S JCW in fact.

So I went through the usual stuff: 1.6-liter (DOHC), 208 hp, 16-valve, in-line 4-cylinder aluminum-alloy engine, 6-speed Aisin Agitronic Automatic transmission (she wants an automatic), 0-100kph in 6.5 seconds (they’re used to metric here), either 16” or 17″ alloy wheels with run-flat all-season or performance tires and so on.

Ride wise I told her it’s a fun car to drive.

Safety wise, it’s got CBC (Cornering Brake Control), ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) among other things. Side impact protection and six airbags.

Handling is superb. Knowing she’s single, I said that this would be a good buy.

I wouldn’t have it she had a family knowing that the legroom at the back isn’t that great not to mention the pains for a rear seat passenger in a 2 door. Plus if she had kids it’s rather hard finding a car seat.

Overall she’ll have a blast in this car.

The Mini Cooper and in particular the Mini Cooper S is probably one of the better/practical designed cars to arrive on American shores. From the UK. Just ask anyone who has to drive home during rush hour in either L.A. or New York. Its 1.6 L I-4 SOHC 172 hp engine with intercooled turbo has more than enough horses under the bonnet (as the brits would say) to whiz you in and out of traffic snarls.

At an MSRP of $23,700, the Mini Cooper S beats its closest competitors not only in price but also in other departments. After taking one out for a test drive I have to say it was a fun ride. Two years ago, I took out a Mini Cooper S that had a stick shift. This one had a 6 speed automatic and the steering mounted paddles were a total joy. The bigger tires resulted in sharper turn and you can really feel the grip on the road.

My verdict? It’s a great car for single people or couples with no kids. I heard finding a child seat will be a challenge. Mini Cooper has increased its fun to drive factor yet keeping maintenance and running costs at bay. 26mpg city and 34mpg highway isn’t too bad is it?

Find out for yourself by test driving one at your local Mini Dealer.

Mini Cooper

Visions of Stella, the beautiful nerves of steel safecracker played by Charlize Theron in the movie Italian Job comes into mind when one sees a mini.

Born out of necessity in the UK due to fuel shortages brought about by then worsening crisis in the Gulf of Suez,the British Motor Company took on the challenge of creating an “orderly saloon that could still compete with the onslaught of fuel-efficient microcars on the market.”

The first mini came out in August 1956. Since then 5.3 million have been sold worldwide.

The mini S is the racing version created by British race driver John Cooper of the classic mini.

It has a turbocharged 16-valve inline alloy engine, electronic assisted steering, Aisin 6 speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters (optional) among other things.

With 172 horses under the bonnet, the mini S has a top speed of 139 mph and 0-60 in a decent 6.7 seconds.

The classic on the other hand has a top speed of 126 mph and 0-60 in 8.5 seconds.

Nowadays they may not break any speed or acceleration records but they will get you from point A to point B in style.

Your local Mini Car Dealership should be showing the latest MINI car models soon since MINI has just announced the 2009 JCW (John Cooper Works) MINI Cooper cars at this year’s Geneva Auto show.

The three-door JCW MINI car is equipped with a revamped engine similar in design with the John Cooper Works Challenge Series cars.

The engine produces 207-horsepower at 6000 rpm and 192 pound-feet of torque between 1850 and 5600 rpm.

A six-speed manual transmission handles excessive torque.

Engine components are designed to sustain additional output and heat.

They are capable of reaching 148 mph and can accelerate to 62 mph in just 6.5 seconds.

The larger Mini Clubman takes 6.8 seconds.

A sport-button changes the electric-assisted steering to a sporty program with higher steering torque and changes the sensitivity of the accelerator pedal.

A standard sport suspension can be augmented with optional harder dampers and stronger front and rear stabilizers.

An optional John Cooper Works chassis lowers the car and replaces the dampers with harder ones.

Enhancements inside the 2009 JCW MINI cars include an anthracite headliner and gloss piano black trim.

The new car models utilize lighter rims, brakes and distinctive 17-inch alloy wheels that weigh less than 22 pounds each.

The complete line of Mini options and accessories along with John Cooper Works performance and appearance parts will now be available on JCW cars.

Before BMW’s purchase of the John Cooper Works brand, JCW devices were available as a dealer-installed option on MINI models.

They should be showing up at MINI Dealerships soon!

In an otherwise depressed auto industry, the Mini car is doing quite well.

Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, GM and others will roll out new mini car vehicles at Paris Motor Show.

BMW Sales of Mini cars jumped 11 percent to 16,257

Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Motors Corp. will introduce new models this week at the Paris Motor Show

Among Hyundai’s other new offerings to be shown is the i10 mini car.
Kia will show off its Soul crossover compact car at the show.

The Soul hit showrooms in South Korea last week, and is Kia’s first crossover model to challenge Toyota Motor Corp.’s Scion xB in Europe and the U.S.

Toyota will debut iQ mini-car which will be the smallest four-seat car on the market,