Test drove Cooper with manual transmission.
Fantastic car.
Just don't drive it on "green mode".
On"sport" it's very entertaining,plenty of power but a little more body roll than in the S.
I wouldn't be surprised at all if a lot of buyers go for a loaded Cooper instead of a bare S.

 

I went to the launch event at Vista as well. I personally am not completely sold.. The F56 is "MINI-esque" and a caricature of its former self IMHO. It drives well, and the technology is inline with models from the parent company. This car will definitely succeed in bringing in and converting folks who are new to the brand as well as those who thought the R53/R56 models were to quirky.

For those of us coming from the 1st & 2nd Gen "New MINI's", only time will tell.

 

I have to admit is growing on me,but i will definitely wait for the JCW.
Until then i will have to steal the keys of my daughter's Cooper when it arrives and in that way satiate my MINI craving.

 

You may a point there. I have never had a MINI before, and think the F56 is awesome. I have had a bunch of BMWs over the years - 17 to be exact. I am going with MCS 6MT partly because I do not wish to lay out the serious money for a M235i since I am now retired - but still want a seriously fun to drive car. Hope I am right.

 

Does anyone know if the second one pictured is the white silver color or pepper white? Or another color altogether?

 

Looks like the silver to me
The Pepper is a creamy vanilla ice cream color.
The first 3 colors look different though
Could be the lens.

 

Looks like White Silver to me.

 

I don't think the car I drove on Friday had the black piece of trim in the turn-signal on the side scuttle. It was just a big orange lens that looked peculiar. The S on the lot had the silver S insert.

The white lens looks better.

 

Doesn't even the basic MINI in the configurator show some sort of trim around the side turn signals. Just a bulb/lens by itself seems odd.

 

I think it was missing.

 

Stopped by Jacobs MINI here in the Chicago 'burbs yesterday.
They had two (2) in the showroom, and NONE for test drives!

They did have a S sitting side by side with a '13 S and they were very different in my eyes.
Right away I noticed the bonnet scoop, the new model scoop is like a squinted eye, half the size of the S models before.
This looks strange to me at first glance.
I kept looking at the hood as I walked around the car and couldn't get past the, what I called, "slit in the hood" for a scoop!

Just one mans opinion here, but along with the rear tail lights sticking out 3/4 inch with no chrome outline, kinda strange looking.......like that "JUKE" car and the bug eye headlights.......all seems out of balance.

 

Such is the case in evolution ... things that serve no purpose soon disappear

 

Weston - so the base cooper with manual was really fun? LIke you, I feel like the base is going to far outsell the S. I'm someone who would've never considered a prior gen justa...but the f56 I feel like the base is the better value. How did the 3 cylinder feel in regular driving? Did you feel like it was stressing to make power?

THanks!