In 1995 I bought my first new car - a 5-speed 95 Civic EX.
Non Honda people didn't understand Honda enthusiasts... They only thought a Civic was an "economy car", not "one of the only chassis with a true unequal-length dual-wishbone suspension under $60k, and of all of them - the lightest".
I think there's a similar misunderstanding on Minis.

Mine gained a fully upgraded suspension and eventually a supercharger, and I autocrossed it, and loved it.
Cooper S? Also supercharged. Light. Autocross contender.

26 years later, I still own my Civic... and also a newer, factory turbo one, as my everyday car. But this isn't about those...


Really - I want replace my motorcycle.
Motorcycles are fun, but... I've always been a bit disappointed. Once you get a full face helmet on, and a jacket, gloves - the gear to ride - you lose that open air, wind in the face experience. And the wife doesn't like the risk.

I thought of selling my motorcycle and picking up a small convertible. So as one does - I started casually browsing. Of course I stumbled on something that got my imagination going, in an online ad:


Convertible. Yes.

Cooper S...
Light, sporty, probably handles as well as my light Civic.

2006... Let's research... Its one of the last/best supercharger years. And there are lots of upgrades and enthusiast parts.
Funny, my Civic is supercharged and has pulley upgrades and I loved the parts availability and customizing options.

Manual transmission. You really need that to autocross. And I grew up on manuals.

Heated seats - can serve the same purpose as my bike's heated grips, to extend the top-down season into the cooler weather.

Simple. No lane-keeping, driver-overriding nannies - or a touch-screen linked to everything. A car I can wrench on, as well as a true driver's car.

It's even a color I love, and with a little personality - perfect.

Damn - this car is checking all the boxes to not only replace my motorcycle, but my Civic also...
Maybe it's time...
Maybe it's a sign...

Maybe I should go drive a couple hours and test drive it.

Maybe I did.

Welcome to your new home, Cooper S.


Also funny how it even makes my Civic hatchback look huge


Looking forward to getting into this car like I've always gotten into my Honda... And my air-cooled VW before that...
oh hey, minis are technically German also, right? BMW? Maybe another sign...

I know one thing. I love it so far. 😎
And I'm already registered for an autocross event this upcoming weekend.