Used 2011 Mini Cooper for sale Near Me

The Mini Cooper is available in two body styles-hardtop and convertible. These are further divided into Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works versions. There are no sub-trim levels and these distinctions are based on performance and equipment. The particular car being reviewed here is a Mini Cooper convertible and all the other versions will be reviewed separately. Even being the base model, the car is fitted with a good amount of kit. You will find that it comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, air-conditioning, cruise control, vinyl upholstery, multicolor ambient lighting, and full power convertible top.

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Since the Mini Cooper convertible is available only in one trim level, and hence users are saved from a lot of confusion. One can however the look and the many optional extras that the company offers and choose from to make the car unique. There are a host of personalization options that make the Mini Cooper stand apart from the rest of the cars in this category. Options include 17-inch wheels, sport-tuned suspension, LED headlights, parking sensors, 10 speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and so on. We recommend that you take a look at this list and personalize the car according to your taste.

One will find that there is only one power plant offered in the Mini Cooper convertible, and that is a 1.6 L four-cylinder gasoline engine that generates 121 hp and 114 pound-feet of torque. There is a more powerful 2 L engine available in the S and JCW trim levels. The transmission which comes as standard is a six-speed manual, and you will also find six-speed automatic transmission is available as an option. However, this car is faster than the numbers lead you to believe as it does capable of doing 0 to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds whereas the automatic is capable of doing 0 to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds. What also makes it stand apart is its sharp handling and great steering.

One look at the comparison charts and you will find that the Audi A3 Cabriolet has the most powerful engine in its class but the car is much more expensive. However, if you take the 0 to 60 mph times into consideration, then the Mazda MX-5 comes out on top as the best performer of this bunch. The Mini Cooper convertible is the slowest car in the segment, with all its competitors turning out to be sub-seven second sprinters in the 0 to 60 mph run. 

Although the 2 L engine is more powerful, fuel efficiency is where the 1.6 L engine truly brings out its strength. Even though the gas tank is quite small for even a subcompact at just 11.6 gallons, the car has good range figures due to the fuel efficiency. It returns a decent range of 325 miles in the city and 429 miles in the highway. If you look at the figures, you will find that it returns 28 MPG in the city, 35 on the highway, and 31 MPG combined. The figures dropped slightly for the automatic, which is rated at 30 MPG combined, 27 MPG in the city, and 35 MPG in the highway.

Even though all the subcompact performance cars have good fuel efficiency figures, the Mini Cooper has an edge over all of them. If you look all to the automotive market, you will feel that these are the cars that give you the best compromise of fuel efficiency and performance. The most efficient car in the class is the Mini Cooper but the Volkswagen Beetle offers a longer range due to its larger fuel tank of 14.5 gallons. The two other cars also offer good fuel efficiency figures but the Volkswagen and Audi are quite disappointing when compared to the Mini.

The interior of the Mini Cooper is a point of attraction for most people. It has a very iconic oversized, center-mounted speedometer and several other design bits that are quite quirky. It has a general sense of playfulness throughout its cabin. Even if you look at it from a value perspective, you will find that it is very laid out and there are lots of features. What’s interesting is that the convertible also offers a small sunroof for when you do not want the whole top-down experience. Ergonomics are also quite nice inside this cabin. However, cargo space is tight at just 6 ft.³ and the rear seats are pretty much useless considering they do not provide much legroom.

You will find that the rivals do not exactly offer a great deal in terms of space but the Mini Cooper is still small. What it provides us higher material quality than most of its competitors. The Mini Cooper is also very narrow and might not suit people with a large frame. Mazda only offers seating for two people which is a big drop in terms of practicality. The main interior features of the 2011 Mini Cooper convertible include:

• Audio and cruise controls and steering wheel
• Alloyed trim on the dashboard
• Single zone front air conditioning
• Cruise control
• Leather steering wheel
• Cooled storage compartment
• Front and rear cupholders

How intuitive is the infotainment system in the 2011 Mini Cooper convertible?

Like we have mentioned, the Mini Cooper has interiors that are delighted to be in. It does not just have good interiors but also in-car entertainment. The brand offers you touchscreen infotainment systems in two sizes-6 inches and 8.8 inches. Both systems are very intuitive to use and snappy in terms of response. It offers the Mini connected infotainment interface that has smartphone integration, easy access to social media and internet radio stations. Some of the standout infotainment features include:

• Optional Harman Kardon sound system
• AM/FM stereo
• Auxiliary audio input
• Speed sensitive volume control
• Six total speakers
• Radio data system
• Mast antenna

The Mini Cooper convertible is a true icon in terms of its design. It does not just have excellent proportions and great exterior colors but also very nice design details and styling. Although the quirky design had its fans, it was not well-received by the majority back when it was launched. Right now, however, it looks much better and definitely attractive in our eyes. The car has very modest dimensions but has design cues from the British icon all over. Its road presence is not much but still very meaningful.

The Audi A3 Cabriolet and the Volkswagen Beetle Convertible are much heavier than the other two at more than 3000 pounds. But you will find that the Mazda MX-5 is the lightest car in this category at 2332 pounds and the car definitely lets you feel that with the way drives. But the Volkswagen and Audi are two of the largest cars in the segment, while the Mini Cooper and the Mazda are quite small. In terms of ground clearance, it is the Audi that offers you the most and the Mini offers you the least. Major exterior highlights of the hatchback include-

•  Soft top full power convertible
• Hood stripes
• Iconic round headlamps
• Front license plate bracket
• Optional Union Jack taillights

The Mini Cooper Convertible has a very high safety quotient as well because a very well-built car that has not cut any corners in terms of safety features. Although there has been no recent update in terms of safety, the car comes standard with several features to make it say. The convertible comes with some exclusive safety features like pop-up roll bars and larger front airbags that extend higher up for added protection. However, the car has only been tested in 2010 and has scored four stars out of five in the NHTSA test and the IIHS gave it a decent rating. Some safety features include-

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Rear Parking Sensors
• Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Driver And Passenger Side Airbag Head Extension, Driver And Passenger Knee Airbag
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts
• Back-Up Camera

The Mini Cooper convertible is a very desirable modern icon. It is a car that has good performance, great fuel efficiency, high-quality interiors as well as excellent design. One can nitpick falls from the car suggest low cargo space and rear legroom. However, this is not a car that will serve the purpose of being a good family car or even a long-distance cruiser. It is one that is meant to be driven hard and fast and in that use case, nothing can be quite as rewarding as the Mini Cooper.