I agree w/Chows4us. Target audience for this type of review is likely to care more about cupholders than any performance virtue. I'm amazed at how many Americans care so greatly about their cupholders. I climbed up into an American SUV recently and was stunned to see a choice of cup holders molded into the center console. You could plant a Ficus tree in the larger of the two. Why do people need a half-gallon of liquid while they drive? I find the Mini's rear console cup holder quite adequate for storing a bottle of water (out of sight) until i need it... just like the stereo controls on the back of the steering wheel. They are there when you need them, but pleasantly out of sight and not cluttering up the cockpit.

 

I read something a while back that said the average late model 7 passenger mini-van had 10 cup holders. And a 6 passenger SUV had 9 cup holders. I guess car designers must think we Americans are quite thirsty or something. So if these same folks buy a MINI, they will be truly disappointed.

 

Yea, down with the sunroof. Get a MCS Cabrio like me!!!! (well, once i order)

 

MINI is a 4 passenger car with 6* cup holders! Although not many of them are usable. (*including the two on the glovebox door)

 

Nice.

 

Thanks, Coop-a-Looop. Now I know that either I'm not crazy or there's at least one other person who is as crazy as I am. Actually, I have an '06 and it sounds like it has a newer design that makes it more user friendly. Lets keep on enjoying that cupholder!

 

Am I the only one thinking, "why is cnet reviewing a car?" I mean that I am glad it got a high score but who are they to review it? I would believe Motor Trend or better Top Gear but cnet? Hm. I guess that the '06 MCS it the newest tech product.

 

Seven, if you bolt on the extra cupholder for the drivers side downtube you can pick up on Ebay. Thats a lot of cupholders for a clown car

 

I take writeups from companies that review everything under the sun--as opposed to strictly auto reviews--with a huge grain of salt. Talk about picking nits, man this review really struggled to find what they considered substandard. Although I agree about the cupholder (I removed mine a long time ago because it rattled) they are wayyy off base about the moonroof. That feature gets more positive feedback from passengers than anything else, with perhaps the center speedo coming in a close second Jimbo

 

It is an interesting review,,, but kinda of humorous given the detail of focus on the stereo and bluetooth support. Of course, the discussion on the cup holder and going poo hoo because it is not the ultimate green machine on emissions is almost silly. What kinda of reviewer is this guy?

I ordered my MCS because it combines great handling, zip within a fun, unique package that has character all its own. The fact that it does all that with average fuel economy approaching 30 mpg is icing on the cake.

If I may address some of the areas of this review,

1. Stereo is not the perfect player of MP3 CD's.... Are we reviewing a stereo or a car? Solution... Get the I-Pod Integration (valid it should be standard) and stick a 60 GB I-Pod in the glove book and go to town.

2. Bluetooth... ok,,, This is a performance car, hang up the cell phone, put the blackberry down and enjoy the ride. Again, that is not something I would ever consider paying extra for and if it was included standard, I would probably never configure it.

3. Cup Holder - Will it give me a place to set a small bottled water? Yep,,, I dont need a Big Gulp holder, if I did, maybe I should consider the luxo behemouth cruiser that gets 12 mpg.

4. Emissions - Mini meets the emissions laws, for those that feel a little green, it classified as an LEV... If you need more,,, Honda makes the Insight,,, which is more fun to drive?

Message to BMW / MINI... two thumbs up,,, could it be tweaked to make it better,,, everything can,,, keep going.

Message to CNET,,, stick to computers,,, reviewing cars is not your bag. Perhaps you are waiting for the energy transfer system that will charge your cell phone and blackberry without plugging it in.