The Mighty MINI: Car of the Future?

It sits in my driveway and dreams of curves and long stretches of highway. Every time I walk to the window, its cute face with the large, round headlights makes me smile. I'm biased, because my first car was a Mini, so I was destined to succumb to its cuteness. My first car, small, economical and low-tech lasted until the oil pan sprang a big leak. I traded it reluctantly and I never forgot my early adventures in driving.

The new MINI, now in all capital letters, is a very different car from those old, stripped to basic machines. This MINI has racing on its mind. When the first models began to show up in movies and magazines, I was intrigued. It wasn't until a friend told me he bought one, that I learned more about this mighty machine.

"Test drive one," said my friend. "You'll be hooked."

He said he bought two, one Cooper and one Cooper S. He told me the Cooper S was the sportier, zippier version. He bragged about the details. I listened in amazement.

I finally got to test drive one in 2007. It was a second-hand car, a 2004 model but it gleamed and sparkled in the sunlight and every line and curve spoke of superior care. I had cruised the car lots, looking for a something to catch my attention and there it sat, in the middle of the driveway, and winked. I swear it did.

I was almost scared to test drive it. I already knew I would want it. But when the extra tall salesman handed me the keys and said, "Have fun! I'm not going to fold myself up into that thing," I couldn't resist.

The 2004 MINI Cooper S has a six speed manual transmission and it shifts like butter. Because I was used to driving muscle cars, I was not too impressed with first gear, but in second, it took off like a rocket. I made a mental note to shift early and fast, if I was going to race.

The MINI is built for speed and agility. Its short body sits perfectly balanced on the road and the wheels were moved out to the outermost points of the chassis for its characteristic bulldog stance, which makes the car hug the road and defy every curve. I felt no body roll and no drifting. The super tight steering gave me excellent control over the vehicle. With performance suspension, dynamic traction control, and a special drive shaft which lets MINI remain straight even in hard acceleration, this car excites even the most stoic driver. And I was more than excited.

My 2004 comes with a supercharger and gets anywhere from 31 to 34 miles to the gallon, but the newer models sport more fuel efficient turbos and deliver up to 38 miles per gallon. Either car brags with plenty of horse power for its small, lightweight aluminum engine. With 172 horses and 177 foot pounds of torque, it eats the quartermile in fifteen seconds. The newer model clocks in with 138 mph and does Zero to sixty in seven seconds.

Despite its cute exterior and its mean racing spirit, MINI has plenty of creature comforts for the distinguished driver. Hugged by the ultra-comfortable bucket seat, intrigued by an intelligent rain-sensor windshield, spoiled by fingertip controls for everything, including a fully automatic sky light and a sweet sound system, and seriously turned on by MINI's rapid response to my raciest driving, I am beyond enchanted.

You probably wonder if there is room for anything in this sexy micro machine. Surprise! The back seats fold down and you can load as much or more in your MINI as you could in a large trunk or small SUV. You won't have use of the back seat, so you probably can't take the kids when you buy furniture.

If you don't like standard transmission, MINI has an automatic as well. You'll lose some of the fuel efficiency, but you might like the unique paddle shift system. For extra space, there is the new MINI clubman, a slightly longer car with cargo doors in the back. For the race track, MINI presents the John Cooper Works MINI, a ferocious racing machine which is probably too much car for most of us.

MINI is fast, safe, comfortable and affordable. You can get one for under $25,000. The 3 year/36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty covers damn near everything. Fuel savings and superior handling makes driving a pleasure. MINI's cute exterior draws a crowd wherever you are. I smile, every time I see mine sitting in the driveway.

MINIis the car of the future. But I warn you, friend; don't test drive one! If you do, you'll be hooked.

Specs from my user manual and www.MiniUSA.com