Yesterday our 2007 Mini Cooper S spent the day at the Streets of Willow road course -- parked outside the pit lane. To offset the lack of track time for our happy red hatchback, I took the long way up to the desert that morning. On my way out of LA, I turned onto Oro Vista Road in Sunland, CA, which becomes Big Tujunga Canyon Road, and then I turned onto the Angeles Forest Highway (here's a map for those interested).
In addition to the Mini's lively, mischievous personality, I was again impressed (and yes, delighted) by how well everything comes together in this car as you're going through turns -- the way the steering feels, the way the suspension reacts, the resistance of the pedals, the euphoric revviness of the engine following a smooth heel/toe downshift...
I enjoyed all this on a crisp, smog-free late autumn morning. By 10 AM, it had already been a good day.
Erin Riches, Senior Content Editor @ 7,470 miles
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