Topic: CD Article: 2009 Mini John Cooper Works

[Autos_Editor]

Test Drive:


"A Mini Cooper S coupe with a serious injection of oats," the 208-hp John Cooper Works Mini is "deceptively quick" and "hugely entertaining", says contributor Peter Bleakney.  However, torque-steer and a rough ride are also part of the package, he says.
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[ovr50]

Friends of mine in Calgary have a JC Works Mini, not the new '09, but an '06 IIRC. A bit less power but still awesome. I have driven their car.

I would concur with the comments in this review - it is a total blast to drive and incredibly glued to the road. The tradeoff is the torque-steer and harsh ride but when you are driving this thing aggresivelly, those traits just fit in with the package. As a daily driver tho, I'm not so sure I would want it. Probably the S or even the regular Mini would be the better daily driver. I think I would find it hard to drive the JCW Mini in a docile, passive way...   BTW, my friend's car is bright yellow with black stripes - a cop-magnet for sure!!

Still, it is a hoot.....

[Iso Octane]

Now that's-a pricey meatball. 

[Arthur Dent]

Sure looks like a fun. Looks a slightly gaudy/boy racer but for the price I think I'd look elsewhere.

[Giant Dwarf]

Very neat car and I really liked that article -- Bleakney's language in that article was most fitting -- he obviously 'gets' that car.  He did mention "some bespoke suspension tuning" -- which I'd like to know more about.  This suggests to me that the suspension options are completely customizable from the factory / dealer -- I'd like to know what these options are. 

I also find it interesting that the list of competitors includes the likes of the Mazdaspeed3, Caliber SRT4 and Sentra SE-R -- all of which are at least $10k less than the tested price of that car.  Realistically, I think the people shopping in the MINI JCW's snack-bracket might otherwise consider a Subie STI; Mitsu Evo or even one of the MINI's 135i relatives for the same cost -- all of which would kick sand in the little MINI's face. 

[safristi]

..I'd like someone ta GIVE ME THA WERKS.....................................tuned Head.....Big BLOWER....what am i missing 'ere...............

[bmorton]

Now that's hard-core compared to my '08 Cooper, both in terms of performance and price. Fortunately, even the lower-grade Minis are still a lot of fun.

[Jameel]

$43K, that's a bit pricey.

[Honda Owner]

 I can think of a lot of cars I would rather have for that kind of dosh. A BMW 323i comes to mind.

[Snowman]

I can think of a lot of cars I would rather have for that kind of dosh. A BMW 323i comes to mind.

or an STi 

[johngenx]

Forty three grand for a Mini?  Way too much money.  At least $10K too much.  As noted, there are WAY too many great performance rides for that much, or less.  STi, EVO, WRX, Ralliart, Speed3 just to name a few.

The 135i is as faster (or faster) than the E46 M3 and doesn't try to amputate your hands with the steering wheel.

At $29,995, the Mini would look pretty good.  At $39-43K, it's stupid.

[The Mighty Duck]

I would buy one of these, but only if I were in a position that I already had a garage full of other cars and was looking to fill space.    Seriously, though, if you've got the disposable income, I think the Cooper JCW is a great city car with a lot of potential for fun.  And if you've got that kind of disposable income, the price isn't a big deal.