Right now I have a 2011 mini cooper non-s, my family has owned a total of 5 minis since 2006. I brought my mini to the dealer the other day for some maintenance work and got a roadster s as a loaner when they told me the work would take longer. I had a great time driving that car, but I'm not crazy about convertibles. My next car may very well be a coupe, but I just want to get other people's opinion about it. I like the looks of the car, its more aggressive looking in my opinion, but still has the fun look of a mini. Just want to hear opinions good or bad thanks.
2nd Gear
I have a 2012 Coupe S. It is MINI number 5 for me (my wife has number 4) Hands down, the best MINI I have owned. GPG (Grins per Gallon) is off the charts! Get one and have some fun!!
6th Gear
I also drove a Roadster first and was planning to get one. For me the Coupe is more practical (I've learned the sun is not always my friend). But don't take our word for it...get out and take some lengthy test drives!!!
3rd Gear
bought a 2011 mini hard top s....then the coupe came out....mini coopers are special and unique ......get a coupe, as i did in 2012...wow! fun factor x 10
5th Gear
Test drive it enough to know for sure that you will be okay with the limited visibility, and you might consider ordering that backing up sensor thingie. (technical term
) It certainly is more difficult to see the back end, for parking, etc. You get used to it, but it is not as open and easy to see for merging into traffic, etc.
We love ours, and of course would recommend it, but not everyone is going to be happy putting up with the inconvenience of the visibility.
) It certainly is more difficult to see the back end, for parking, etc. You get used to it, but it is not as open and easy to see for merging into traffic, etc. We love ours, and of course would recommend it, but not everyone is going to be happy putting up with the inconvenience of the visibility.

3rd Gear
Buy it you will like it! I have had mine over a year now and like it more now than when I bought it. I have no complaints at all.
yeah I figured the visibility wouldn't be as good, but the roadster i believe is worse than the coupe with the convertible top (my parents had gotten a cooper convertible and the visibility was awful) as I realized when driving the loaner i had gotten. Backing up for me wasn't too bad, although its not so easy to see cars coming especially if you're backing out of a space with larger cars on either side. Its something I know I'll get used to, so I don't think I'd pay for a back-up warning system thingamagig. To me it would be just an added part I have no use for and would probably become an annoyance.
3rd Gear
The backup sensors have there place, but I usually back into all parking that I can and then no problem when leaving. As for lane changing, you have to adjust your mirrors out so you can see straight back and to the side. The inside mirror was the hardest to adjust for me, not really, I just had to get used to the wing in my view. Now I don't even notice it. Good luck and I hope you are motoring soon.