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2007 Mini Cooper - Ride and Handling

Handling
The Mini is responsive to a fault. The steering is quick and immediate, even more so with the Sport mode engaged, with zero play on center; we found ourselves correcting frequently on freeways to keep the Mini straight. The payoff is great cornering, with the sport suspension making the most of the mildly aggressive rubber for fun handling. The high limits are well controlled, with mild understeer at the limit and only a hint of tail waggle before the stability control kicks in. The downside is a harsh ride quality that exacerbates the Mini’s short-wheelbase hop.

Fun to Drive
The Mini is an absolute blast to drive most of the time. If you want a willing partner to drive up any twisty road, through the hip part of town to be seen, or even just zip down to the corner market for some milk, the Mini’s virtues are unparalleled. However, when you just want to drive in relative silence 30 miles to work in traffic, suddenly the Mini’s party-all-the-time nature starts to get a little grating. You might wish for a little more compliance from the suspension, a little more power from the engine, and a little more stability from the steering.