Mini Convertible Cooper 2dr Car Review - March 2012

The car has a four cylinder petrol engine. The maximum power output of 122 bhp at 6000 rpm with torque figures of 118 lb-ft at 4250 rpm handles city driving fairly well and it has a top speed of 123 mph. Acceleration is average; the car takes 9.8 seconds to travel from 0-62 mph.

But that said the Mini is a great car to drive. It handles well and the steering is responsive. The engine is quiet; wind and road noise are not overly excessive when the roof is down thanks to some great wind-blockers. Dashboard mounted heaters also help to keep occupants safe and warm when the top is down and provide a great interior environment.

The Mini looks great, with or without the top down. On the inside, the only criticism is that some of the extras modern motorists have come to expect are not featured as standard.

Standard equipment is largely the same as in the Convertible One model and includes: power steering, central locking, stability control, air conditioning, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, rear parking sensors and an advanced stereo system with both CD and MP3 compatibility. Alloy wheels become an additional standard features but other options are only available for an extra charge.

A built-in sat nav is available for £1,345 whilst Bluetooth connectivity is priced at £295. The air conditioning can be upgraded to climate control for £235 with cruise control and a leather interior priced at £175 and £1,145 respectively. A metallic paint finish is also available on the exterior for an extra £340.

This four seater car offers ample space within the front but rear passengers will be a little cramped. The seats and steering column adjust but taller drivers may find that the seat doesn’t push back far enough for their liking.

Boot space is unsurprisingly limited with just 125 litres offered when the seats are all in place. Folding the rear seats down you can get 660 litres. When it comes to safety there are driver, passenger and front side airbags all fitted as standard. There is also an alarm and immobiliser.

This model comes with a three year warranty for unlimited miles to give buyers additional peace of mind.

Priced at £17,235 this car is fairly expensive to buy considering its size and class. Minis typically hold their resale value well however, so if you are looking for a long term investment, this could be the car for you.

Running costs are also fairly manageable in this model thanks to good efficiency levels and this means those looking for an extra boost of power may find the higher purchase price a justified expense.

The engine achieves 49.6 mpg which is fairly gentle on owners’ finances in terms of fuel expenses. Carbon emissions are low at 133 g/km and the vehicle falls into a fairly mid-range road tax band (E).