I thought I would be safe from the wiles of the second-generation New Mini: The steering isn't quite right, the torque steer can be annoying, and the red body/black roof color scheme of our 2007 Mini Cooper S is not at all what I'd choose for myself. But yesterday I realized our long-termer has gotten to me. I never get up early on weekends, yet there I was, at 8:30 in the morning, still not fully awake, speeding toward some good roads -- just so the Mini and I could have a conversation.
We talk about different things every time, because there's just so much happening with this chassis and almost all of it's interesting. Also entertaining is the rapidfire response of the turbo 1.6 in sport mode, and I never tire of working through the gears even if redline (6,500) comes a bit early for my taste...
Recently, I was having a sort of light philosophical (well, "philosophical" might be a stretch) discussion with another journalist about what it is that makes the Mini so desirable. What we settled on, I think, is that, yes, the styling is one of a kind, and yes, the driving experience is entertaining, but what binds everything together is that wonderful feeling you get whenever you walk up the to car and climb inside: anticipation.
It never gets old.
Erin Riches, Senior Content Editor @ 5,559 miles
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