Thinking about it..should I go for it? Saw it today at the dealership and fell in love with it..test drove the MCS (not cabrio though) and its much nicer than the MC..

Anyone have any experience? Whats the noise level inside the cab? any complaints?

:smile:

 

Visibility with the top up is aweful to the sides and the rear because of the very thick "C-Pillars" and small rear glass window (no rear wiper/washer either). The tall rear headrests and roll bars also contribute to impair vision.

Expect some cowl shake and vibrations over harsh pavement. The MINI Convertible is a very stiff car for being an open top but the hatchback hardtop will always be more solid feeling, less heavy and sharper handling.

If you are used to the practicality and cargo space of the hachback MINI, you will lose a substantial amount of cargo space on the Cabrio, just because it is no longer a hatchback and the roof top mechanism takes a lot of space back there.

Otherwise, it is a beautiful car if you are willing to live with these obvious compromises and are going after the full open top motoring experience.

As for your current '02 MINI, try to sell it privately (versus trade-in) if you want to get the most possible for it.

 

I test drove an '05 MCS recently and is was fantastic! Made me consider trading in my '03 Cooper, too.

If you think you'd enjoy open top motoring at all, yeah, do it. Any of the potential drawbacks I've heard of would be well worth it, imo. Good to know, but not real deal-breakers. The car is good.

Me?...well, I've become pretty attached to my Cooper and will be keeping it. The MCS I drove was crazy-fast...my only use for that much power would be in accumulating traffic tickets I'm afraid. I've grown quite fond of '02-'04 Cooper styling, too.

 

Recently I test drove a Cool Blue '05 MCSC and the car felt slower than the hardtop version. If you are going after max performance, handling and acceleration, the hardtop is the best bet.

The Cbario is a very nice car, just not for me as I have never been into rag tops.

 

Dude.....Sweet!!!!!

Mode the CR*P out of it