At first, you may find yourself changing the station when what you really want is to turn up the volume. However, if cargo is stacked in this space with the seats down, rear visibility is limited, which may be an impediment to safe driving for some. I needed to be able to fit in a very small garage space and drive up and down the hills of San Francisco to get to work. There was no flat rotation, the Paceman tending to feel like any other random car on the road, giving a bit of outward lean through the turns. The effect of the electric steering is most apparent in tight, slow parking lot maneuvers, where very little effort or wheel motion is needed to make large changes in direction. The navigation system itself is pretty weak.
The standard Pirelli P Zero run-flat tires probably contributed to that roughness. Still, you give up ride comfort for its sporty handling. Navigation is an add-on for the Technology package. Another advantage of electrically assisted steering, from the performance perspective, is that steering ratios can be optimized for various portions of a curve, and not just varied with vehicle speed. Access to it is anything but convenient.
In the Mini, this means that the initial turn into a corner is cushioned slightly, so the car doesn't feel twitchy. I took car to Mini service and they repaired in within 2 days. In Sport, I would have expected it to aggressively downshift when I hit the brakes, but it exhibited no such behavior. There are no driver assistance safety features in the 2013 Countryman, while most competitors at least have an available rearview camera. Additionally, some competitors have higher-quality interiors with many more user-friendly tech features than this Mini crossover. Despite being the least-expensive Mini, the base Mini Cooper with a manual transmission is our top-scoring variant.
The 2013 Mini Cooper also offers several practical features for those who want a vehicle for their daily commute. The Mini Connected app is one of the coolest features of the Paceman, combining Google local search, Web radio, social media, and a unique connection to the car for driving enthusiasts. With this whole rig assembled, and the Mini Connected app running on my phone, I could select a globe icon off the Paceman's elliptical cabin tech menu and see a big list of Mini Connected features, topped by Driving Excitement. Of course, iPhone 5 users will also need a Lightning-to-30-pin adapter. The run-flat performance tires on the Mini Cooper S Convertible with a Sport Package made us dread rough urban roads filled with potholes. This has happened five times since we bought the car in August 2012.
Just beware that piling on the options, individualization, and extras equates to piling on the cash. Despite that, they make the most of their interior space, at least for those in front. The little controller joystick, however, works remarkably well for digging through the various menus offered on the screen. The Mini Connected app only works on the iPhone. Interior materials look good, but a mix of hard and soft plastics feels somewhat low-rent. Additional benefits like towing and roadside assistance may be available, so read the carefully. High in the center dash is Mini's trademark speedometer, which has nearly the circumference of the steering wheel.
Cargo space is fair in the hatch, at 23. It's like a big sunroof that can be opened at speeds up to 75 mph. The Mini Cooper Hardtop and Convertible are nimble, fun, and stylish, with endless opportunity for personalization. The audio controls sacrifice ease of use for design symmetry. The base Mini Cooper comes with standard 15-inch alloy wheels. The swing-out doors necessitate a split rear window, and each portion gets its own wiper.
Like the Countryman, Mini offers its All4 all-wheel-drive system on the Paceman, which might make it a more attractive model than the standard hatchback in regions with slippery road conditions. Mini uses a standard cabin technology package across its lineup, so you can get Mini Connected in any model. Which Used Mini Cooper CountrymanCountryman Is Right for Me? Overall, I really like this car for commuting and taking road trips with 1-2 people. More useful is the fact that I could post updates to Facebook and Twitter from templates. The Countryman delivers thrilling driving dynamics and sharp steering. Rearward visibility is an issue for all Cooper models, however, as the low seating position and high beltline block sightlines. Is the 2013 Cooper CountrymanCountryman the Best Model Year to Buy? I could listen to folk music from a station in Antarctica or Top 40 being played out of Estonia.
The All4 badge means this Paceman comes with all-wheel drive. Unfortunately, just like the regular Cooper, the Clubman takes premium gas. Or, opt for the Clubvan and forgo the rear seats altogether. Heating and air conditioning controls sit below the speedometer, and they're straightforward in base models. This car is easy to find parking, fun to drive, and gets good gas mileage. In short, the Mini Convertible is an impractical car. The interface made it easy to save stations in a favorites list.
Rear sightlines are good in the Hardtop. Notably, a fully redesigned Mini Cooper hardtop and convertible debuted for the 2014 model year. The wheelbase is about 3 inches longer, which helps the Clubman keep its wheels near the bumpers to improve handling, Mini says. Connect with me- Facebook- Instagram- Twitter-. . Additional benefits like towing and roadside assistance may be available, so read the carefully. Fuel economy hit As a convenient info-byte, the Mini Connected app showed the Paceman's fuel level from when it was last connected to the car.