MINI had a tough task following up the R50 and R53. To gain a larger audience, there’s little question the car had to become easier to live with. That meant, less rattles, less of a jarring ride, and a more refined engine. But the challenge (at least with the latter two) was to do all of this and retain the car’s charm and performance feel. Based on some early European reviews of the new car, indications were mixed. Could BMW possibly create a vehicle worthy enough to follow-up the incredibly successful R50 and R53? Apparently they could and they did. Not only is the new MINI has fun to drive on the road and track, it’s refined and effortless in many ways the previous car was not. It achieves a balance that the 2002-2006 MINIs simply never had.
Nothing exemplifies this balance more than the sport button. Driving in the Cooper and Cooper S with the sport button turned off (the default position) there’s little question the car is meant to be easier to drive for the masses. Its steering is lighter, the throttle response is more laid back, and the overall feeling is one of comfort compared to the previous car. One could easily be fooled (as some journalists have been) into thinking that BMW missed the mark with the new MINI with the sport button in the off position.
With the sport button on however, the car comes alive. In a fraction of a second it becomes a more refined version of the car that preceded it - the R50 and R53. In fact the steering felt weightier and the throttle response was noticeably sharper than the stock 2002-2006 Cooper S.

With the sport button (made possible by MINI’s new electronic steering and some clever ECU tuning) MINI is able to appeal to a larger base of customers while offering a car that retains the key attributes that have made the previous generation such a success. A classic case of a win-win.

The interior of the new car follows many of these same principles. The center stack has been thoroughly redesigned with an emphasis on reducing its width and giving both driver and passenger more legroom. A great improvement for long trips and track days alike for all of us over 6 feet tall.
However, in making this change, there were some design choices made that many current owners will surely lament. The biggest complaint seems to be the apparent cheapness of the center stack face plate. Because the climate controls, radio, and toggle bank are no longer separate components, they are all covered with a single piece of black textured plastic.
Read the end of 2007 MINI Cooper and Cooper S Review

A Chinese company has come up with one of the strangest inventions ever - a retro brick cover for your shiny new super slim phone. The BW-A888 clips over your existing phone and makes it look and feel like its from the 1990's. Apparently it even includes a compass, extended battery life and loudspeaker.

BMW wasn’t sure that the New Mini would be a success. After the long-running farce of its Rover sell-off and the need to switch production of the Mini to Oxford, the car arrived late on the market in the summer of 2001. There were plenty of people at BMW who were worried that the car would be a flash in the pan. Corporate nerves were reflected in the bargain entry-level price for what was a particularly sophisticated small car.

But BMW needn’t have kept its headquarters’ lights burning into the Munich night. The Mini took off, not only in Europe but, unexpectedly, in America. In the first full year of production the Oxford plant made 140,000 cars. In 2005 it made just over 200,000 Minis. Up to June this year, 831,412 Minis have been built.

True, these figures may be modest by supermini standards, but you can’t judge the Mini by ordinary supermini standards. Much of the European car industry has enviously eyed BMW’s ability to sell a Mini at maxi prices. Rival makers – such as Audi – are preparing their own prestige babies.

So, five years after we drove the first new Mini, comes the second-generation model. And, despite the mildly modified looks, it really is new. Indeed, one senior BMW official told us that it is effectively a new car. Although the bulkhead and floor structure have been carried over from the current Mini, virtually everything else is new, or substantially modified, from the front bumper to the rear lights.

Starting at the front end, the Mini has got a brand-new drivetrain in place of the old Tritec engine. Co-developed with Peugeot/Citroen, the all-aluminum 1.6-liter unit gets direct injection and a twin-scroll turbocharger. The upshot is a maximum output of 175hp and 177lb ft of torque at just 1600rpm. Under hard acceleration, an overboost system delivers a brief 192lb ft slug of torque.

All Minis get a six-speed manual Getrag gearbox and the option of an efficient six-speed automatic transmission. Paddle shifters will be an option but the continuously variable transmission (CVT) has been killed off. The Cooper S is also available with a limited-slip differential.

Incidentally, the Mini Cooper will use the same engine, but it will be fitted with BMW’s unique Valvetronic intake system. Without a turbo, this engine will deliver 120hp and 118lb ft of torque at a peaky 4250rpm. The entry-level Mini One will also get the new engine; the Mini convertible, however, sticks with the old Tritec engine.

As soon as you pull on the distinctive door handles and the frameless window jumps down half an inch, you get a sense that the new car exudes a sense of polish and precision that the original didn’t have. True, the first car – mostly developed by the old Rover Group in the UK – had immense character and endearing eccentricities, but it was also riddled with quirks and outright faults. For some drivers, quirks are a car’s character; for others, they’re reasons not to buy.

Although the interior of this pre-production car is disguised, improvements are clear. The driving position remains straight-ahead excellent, and there’s noticeably more room in the footwells. The Cooper S seat is better; it is now wide enough, sensibly bolstered and smooth to adjust.

The new dashboard uses the same design theme as the old car, but is also new. The central speedo is even bigger and houses (rather small) fingertip controls for the radio and trip computer. The new climate control panel is also small and uses distinctive rocker switches for fan speed and temperature control.

To fire up the car, you push the large, circular key into a slot in the dashboard and press the stop/start button. All the controls, indicators, rocker switches, the handbrake and the control weightings are a step forward over those on the old car.

On the low-speed handling course (which was broken up enough to imitate public roads) the Cooper S demonstrates much greater civility than the outgoing car. The ride is very compliant, and at low speeds the electrically assisted steering is beautifully weighted. You may complain that the steering lacks real feel; it’s certainly much lighter at the rim. This, says BMW, is because many female drivers requested it. More sporting drivers might lament the loss of effort required, but the Mini can be positioned with outstanding fingertip ease, and it’s quick enough, with just 2.7 turns lock to lock.

The comfort of the new Cooper S is also a surprise. Thanks to redesigned front suspension and taller suspension towers, the new car has an extra 8mm of front wheel travel. That and the lighter engine transforms the front-end ride.

This is a quick car without doubt, but the smoothness of the engine’s response and turbo’s near-seamless integration makes driving the new Cooper S less of an event than in the old model. Although the old supercharged version wheezed and rattled a bit, it felt alive. The new Cooper S is more refined and very quick, but it lacks the visceral thrills of the old car.

From what could be gleaned at Zandvoort, the Cooper S is easy and satisfying to drive quickly. Excursions onto the rumble strips failed to encourage a single rattle or squeak in the cabin. If there was one complaint while bouncing off the redline, it was the engine’s characterless blare.

So, until the official launch of the car in October, that’s what we know about the second-generation Mini. It’s much newer than it looks, better built, more comfortable, more refined, and slicker in every way.

More articles about Mini Cooper

Four years after its debut, driving a Mini Cooper is still just about the most fun to be had on four wheels. That may be the reason the Mini has succeeded where others have failed. The concept of a premium small car, one that is neither equipped in a bare-bones fashion nor sold at a rock-bottom price as a economy-first commute module, was virtually unknown, in the U.S. at least, until the Mini. There was no logical reason the Mini should have succeeded in the American marketplace, but succeed it did.

Emotion trumps logic. Because there is no way to keep from smiling and enjoying life while driving a Mini. That's the result of a combination of both the driving experience and the Mini's unique style. It's thoroughly modern in design and execution, although it does leverage a certain amount of ever-popular 1960s nostalgia - which is its right, as the original Mini was perhaps the most important car ever to be built in England, and one of the most influential vehicles ever built. It was the first car to successfully combine a transverse engine and front-wheel drive, and so is the spiritual ancestor of the majority of cars made today.

Because of its diminutive size - all of 10 feet long - and lack of power, the original Mini didn't make much of an impression in the US. At home in the UK, it was different. The Mini was a phenomenon that transcended social classes. Commoners bought them, royalty bought them, celebrities and rock stars bought them, and the Mini was an integral part of the English landscape in the early 1960s.

Performance sold then as now, and Formula One constructor John Cooper was retained to build high-performance Minis. The Mini Cooper was born, first with a 997cc, 55-horsepower engine, and eventually with 1275ccs and 76 horsepower. With excellent handling and about 1400 pounds to pull, the Mini Cooper S 1275 could show its heels to many a larger and allegedly faster car, including some two-seat sports cars.

The original Mini stayed in production from 1959 to 2000, although the Cooper was discontinued by 1971. The second generation was in development when BMW bought parent company Rover Group in the mid-1990s, and a commitment to the car from BMW ensured that the second-generation Mini made it to production. Since its debut in 2002, changes to the current Mini have been, well, minimal. Mini is now the brand name, with Cooper being the model. The regular Mini Cooper has a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 115-horsepower; the Cooper S adds a supercharger and intercooler to extract 168 horses from that same displacement. Convertible models of both debuted in 2005.

A modern Mini is larger and more luxurious than an original, but it still has its predecessor's cheeky attitude. In any trim, a Mini is considerably more upscale in appointment than one from the 1960s. Windows are power-operated, not of the manual sliding variety. The seats and interior trim look suspiciously similar to BMW parts, not a bad deal at all. It may be small and economical, but a Mini in any form is far above a basic econobox in specification, comfort, and performance. I thoroughly enjoyed my week with the Cooper S. I also had the chance to drive it on a local race track a couple of weeks beforehand, and it got my vote for the most fun car of the day. Not the fastest, just the most fun. The Cooper S is balanced, with great acceleration and braking, fine cornering, very good comfort, and more interior than expected from its size.

APPEARANCE: There are no major changes to the Mini's looks for 2006. It's still a small two-box vehicle very much in the mold of the original if larger at a whole 12 feet in length. There is considerably more style than on the old ``flying shoebox,'' with sculpted fenders and hood, and rounded body contours, but the wheels are still as far to the corners as possible. Of course, the modern 16- or 17-inch wheels, with low-profile performance tires, are a little larger than the ten-inch wheels and skinny tires on an early-`60s Mini, but even with the Cooper S's flat air-dam front bumper fascia and letterbox hood scoop for the supercharger intake, a Mini is not an intimidating vehicle.

COMFORT: No laws of physics were broken in its design and construction. The Mini is not really larger inside than out, it's merely one of the most space-efficient cars made today. True to the original in concept, the larger box holds passengers and cargo, with the smaller box in front for the drivetrain. There is plenty of space in the front buckets for two six foot-plus adults, with two smaller people in the rear. Rear access is improved by a spring-loaded front passenger seat that easily moves forward when someone wants to get into the rear seat, and automatically returns to position afterwards. The interior is highly-styled, with an interesting oval motif to the interiors of the doors, and all three mirrors. But fashion does not override function. The only nod to nostalgia is the large white-faced speedometer mounted in the center of the dashboard, where it was in the original Mini. Seat comfort is up to BMW's high levels, and visibility is excellent. The available full-length dual-pane panoramic sunroof allows excellent top visibility for all occupants, and has both smoked glass and a shade to protect from excessive sunlight.

SAFETY: Minis have maxi safety features, starting with a strong unibody structure with a safety cell around the passenger compartment and front and rear crumple zones. Dual front, front side, and side head curtain airbags are standard, as are four-wheel antilock disc brakes. Dynamic stability control is available.

RIDE AND HANDLING: The old Mini's reputation was built on handling abilities far above its station, and the new one is even better. It's short and wide, with a low center of gravity, and a firm tuning to its fully-independent MacPherson strut front, multilink rear suspension. Steering effort is near-perfect, and turn-in response is immediate. Grip from the tires, the optional 205/45 VR17s on my test car, is excellent, and is improved by the optional, highly-recommended, limited-slip differential, which sends torque to the driving wheel that can best use it. If not the best-handling front-wheel drive car ever made, the Mini is certainly among the top few. Although it's at home at speed on the track, it's just as much fun to drive at legal speeds in the everyday world, and its small size makes city maneuvering and parking a snap.

PERFORMANCE: Small size can make a vehicle seem faster than it really is, but in the Cooper S's case there is no illusion. It's quick, with a 0-60 time of 6.87 seconds, and it's fast, with a top speed of over 130 mph. Fuel economy is very reasonable, with EPA ratings of 25 city, 32 highway. I got 25 overall, with my foot to the floor as much as possible, and I've gotten 30 in highway driving in the last S I had. The modern Cooper's fuel-injected, twin-cam, 16-valve four-cylinder engine would have been exotic technology in the day of the original's 8-valve pushrod unit with SU carburetors, and the S gets a power boost to 168 horsepower (at 6000 rpm) and 162 lb-ft of torque (at 4000 rpm) from a mechanically-driven supercharger. It gets to the front wheels with a minimum of fuss by way of a six-speed gearbox with excellent, precise linkage and equal-length halfshafts, to banish torque steer. There is decent low-end power, but the engine likes to rev, and higher in the rev range the supercharger does its best, with a noticeable whine and solid kick. A Cooper S is the closest thing to a street-legal shifter kart going.

CONCLUSIONS: Banish boring driving with a Mini Cooper S.

SPECIFICATIONS 2006 Mini Cooper S

It's just a fact of life - we are living longer. And it's not just because of tofu, sunscreen and medical breakthroughs. Automakers are to thank (or curse) for this as much as doctors, since they are competitively blending performance and creature comforts with cutting-edge safety technology that tries to stay one step ahead of you - and everyone else on the road.

While pedestrian-friendly bumpers and cars that can drive themselves may seem like the faraway future of automotive safety, so did many of the features that are now industry standards for 2006-'07 models. It makes us wonder if the Jeep Grand Cherokee Concierge concept from 2002 - with an integrated heart defibrillator - might catch on as part of the next wave of safety.

Below are our top 10 choices for safety technologies, complete with a list of the automakers that offer them and their estimated costs.

1. Tire-pressure monitoring
   The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has required that all U.S. passenger vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less be equipped with a tire-pressure monitoring system by the 2008 model year. But it's already a safety feature in most new autos. (For example, BMW will have it as standard equipment on all of its models by the end of 2006.) Sensors at the wheels are able to alert you if the air pressure is too low by an audible warning, a light on the instrument panel, or both. You may also see more cars with run-flat tires (the Corvette, among the current offerings), which allow a vehicle to continue to run at a relatively high rate of speed for 50-plus miles.
   
   
   • Available from: Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hummer, Hyundai, Infiniti, Isuzu, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Mercury, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Pontiac, Porsche, Range Rover, Rolls-Royce, Scion, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.
     
     
   • As an option, it typically costs less than $100.
2. Adaptive cruise control/collision mitigation
   Modern cruise control goes beyond just maintaining a constant speed. Thanks to sensors and the use of radar, cruise control can now adjust the throttle and brakes to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you if there are changes in traffic speed or if a slowpoke cuts in. If the system senses a potential collision, it typically will brake hard and tighten the seatbelts. Once it knows the lane is clear or traffic has sped up, it will return your car to its original cruising speed, all without your input. Of course, you may override the system by touching the brakes. The Mercedes-Benz and Maybach systems go by a less obvious name: Distronic.
   
   
   • Available from: Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Jaguar, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Range Rover, Toyota and Volvo.
   
   
   
   • As an option, it should cost $600-$3,100, but could be more if it's part of a package. (The Lexus LS 430 Ultra Luxury Selection package includes Dynamic Radar Cruise Control for $13,570, for example.)
3. Blind-spot detection/side assist/collision warning
   This technology is designed to alert you to cars or objects in your blind spot during driving or parking, or both. Usually it will respond when you put on your turn signal; if it detects something in the way, it may flash a light in your mirror, cause the seat or steering wheel to vibrate, or sound an alarm. This is more of a short-range detection system.
   
   
   • Available from: Audi and Volvo.
   
   
   
   • As a stand-alone option on the Audi, it's $500; Volvo is TBA.
4. Lane-departure warning/wake-you-up safety
   This is similar to blind-spot/side-assist technology but with more range. It judges an approaching vehicle's speed and distance to warn you of potential danger if you change lanes. However, because it doesn't necessarily require the turn signal, it can also warn if it determines your car is wandering out of the lane, such as if you are distracted. This could come in the form of a vibration through the seat or steering wheel, or an alarm. Down the road expect lane-departure warning to even be able to monitor body posture, head position and eye activity to decide if the driver is falling asleep and the vehicle is behaving erratically. At that point, the system may even be capable of slowing the car down and engaging stability control. Just in case.
   
   
   • Available from: Infiniti.
   
   
   
   • As an option, packages run $3,600-$10,500.
5. Rollover prevention/mitigation
   Most automakers offer an electronic stability control system, and some offer a preparation system (seatbelts tighten, rollbars extend). However, what we're talking about is more intelligent than that. If the system senses a potential rollover (such as if you whip around a corner too fast or swerve sharply), it will apply the brakes and modulate throttle as needed to help you maintain control. DaimlerChrysler calls it Electronic Roll Mitigation, Ford named it Roll Stability Control, and GM's is Proactive Roll Avoidance. Range Rover's is Active Roll Mitigation, while Volvo's is called Roll-Over Protection System. But they all have the same goal.
   
   
   • Available with stability control systems from: Acura, Audi, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Jeep, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Range Rover and Volvo.
6. Occupant-sensitive/dual-s tage airbags
   All humans are not created equal, and airbags are evolving to compensate in the form of low-risk, multistage and occupant-sensitive deployment. Technology can now sense the different sizes and weights of occupants as well as seatbelt usage, abnormal seating position (such as reaching for the radio or bending to pick something off the floor), rear-facing child seats and even vehicle speed. While driver, passenger and side curtain airbags are nothing new, sensing airbags are popping up (so to speak) everywhere.
   
   
   • Available from: Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jeep, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Mercury, Nissan, Pontiac, Rolls-Royce, Saab, Saturn, Scion, Volkswagen and Volvo.
7. Emergency brake assist/collision mitigation
   This brake technology is different from an antilock braking system or electronic brakeforce distribution, in that it recognizes when the driver makes a panic stop (a quick shift from gas to brake pedal) and will apply additional brake pressure to help shorten the stopping distance. It may also work in conjunction with the smart cruise control or stability control system in some vehicles if it senses a potential collision. It is often called brake assist, although BMW, for example, refers to it as Dynamic Brake Control.
   
   
   • Available from: Acura, Audi, Aston Martin, BMW, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Saab, Scion, Subaru, Toyota, Volvo and Volkswagen.
8. Adaptive headlights and/or night-vision assist
   Night vision can be executed in different forms, such as infrared headlamps or thermal-imaging cameras. But no matter the science, the goal is the same: to help you see farther down the road and to spot animals, people or trees in the path - even at nearly 1,000 feet away. An image is generated through a cockpit display, brightening the objects that are hard to see with the naked eye. Adaptive headlights follow the direction of the vehicle (bending the light as you go around corners). They may also be speed-sensitive (changing beam length or height), or compensate for ambient light.
   
   
   • Available from: Acura, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Cadillac, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Volkswagen and Volvo.
   As an option: Prices vary; it's $700 as a stand-alone option on the Mercedes-Benz S550 but $6,550 for part of the car's Premium III package. The cost for most night-vision systems falls between those figures.
   
   
9. Rearview camera
   Rearview cameras not only protect your car, but also protect children and animals from accidental back-overs. Backing up your car has graduated from side mirrors tilting down or causing chirps and beeps to real-time viewing. New-school tech involves a camera that works with the navigation system to provide a wide-open shot of what's happening behind you to help with parking or hooking up a trailer.
   
   Available from: Acura, Audi, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Subaru, Toyota and Volkswagen.
   
   As an option: Expect to pay anywhere from $750 to $1,000 - or more, if part of a package.
   
   
10. Emergency response
    There are a variety of ways vehicles now and in the future will handle an emergency situation. For example, DaimlerChrysler's Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS) turns on interior lighting, unlocks doors and shuts off fuel when airbags deploy, while Volkswagen's also switches on the hazards and disconnects the battery terminal from the alternator. In addition, GM's OnStar and BMW Assist both alert their respective response centers of the accident and make crash details available to emergency personnel.
    
    Available from: Acura, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, GMC, Hummer, Jeep, Land Rover, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Volvo.
    
    Optional: Some services may require a monthly fee, but provide additional capabilities beyond emergencies.

Driving in the city is a sport unto itself. There's a lot you can do, though, to make urban driving easier, both when choosing a car and while out on the road. Here are some tips that will make nasty drives into the city less stressful and more enjoyable.

1. Get a car that fits: Whether you find street parking (when you're running late, of course) is often a direct function of your car's size. Even the paid parking lots seem to have spaces only for "compact" cars. If you do a lot of city driving, having a smaller car — in width as well as length — will not only make parking easier but will help prevent dings, dents and scrapes. You can research a car's exterior dimensions on the "Reviews and Specs" tab in our New Cars section . For instance, the Mini Cooper is 143.1 inches long and 66.5 inches wide.

2. Think carefully about manual vs. automatic: Manual-transmission cars are fun, less expensive and often more fuel-efficient, but driving them in stop-and-go traffic can make driving stressful and tiring, particularly in hilly cities like San Francisco. So weigh the trade-offs between the two transmissions if you know you'll be in town frequently.

3. Do the mpg math. City drivers inevitably get worse fuel mileage, hence the distinction between "city" and "highway" mpg estimates on the window sticker. When you think about buying a car, combine the sky-high cost of fuel with the manufacturer's lowest mpg numbers, and you'll have some idea what to expect at the filling station. Check our "Top 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars for 2005" and "Top 10 Most Fuel-Efficient SUVs and Pickups for 2005". Note that hybrids such as the Toyota Prius, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Lexus RX 400h and Ford Escape Hybrid can run solely on electric power at low speeds, so they get top marks in stop-and-go traffic.

4. Look for parking assist technology. No one likes the sound of a truck in reverse ("beep, beep, beep"), but the electronic chime of parking assist will help you squeeze into small spaces with less trouble. (It may also prevent you from running into a person or object behind you.) Rear parking sensors are fairly common, and some luxury cars offer them in the front as well, among them the manageably sized 2005 BMW X3 SUV. High-end models of some cars, like the Toyota Sienna, Lexus RX 330/RX 400h have an optional rear-mounted camera instead. The camera projects an exact image of what's behind you on the navigation screen, which can be easier than relying on your ears alone.
New technologies could make parking even easier. In 2004, Volvo showcased Parallel Parking Assistance (PPA) for its Volvo YCC ("Your Concept Car"). At the touch of a button, PPA confirms that your car will fit into your chosen space, then an Autopark feature actually helps the car steer itself into perfect position. This type of technology is already available on the Toyota Prius as Intelligent Parking Assist — but only in Japan.

5. Drive with mileage in mind. Don't speed up just to slow down. If you lean on the accelerator when the light turns green, then again on the brake one street down, you're hurting both your car and your gas mileage. Instead, go lightly on the accelerator and coast where possible. If you're bumper-to-bumper, improve your fuel economy by slipping the car into neutral instead of constantly riding the brake. (This doesn't apply to hybrids which typically shut off the gas engine when stopped in traffic.) And don't try to get around the city on less than a quarter tank. Not only are city gas stations expensive, they're hard to find.

6. Pick a lane and stick to it. Believe it or not, changing lanes frequently will get you there only a few seconds earlier, while greatly increasing your chance of a collision.

7. Remember to replace your cabin's air filter. City driving means smog and soot. Your air filter protects you and your occupants from breathing the worst of the fumes and the particulates they carry. By the time some stranger has written "Wash Me" on your rear windshield, it's already too late for your lungs.

8. Make your car crime-resistant. Take it from an ex-Manhattanite: You can't be too careful. Try to park in an area that's well lit and has a lot of pedestrians nearby. Don't leave valuables — including gym or shopping bags — visible in the car. (This writer once had a car broken into for the mere 35 cents left in the open change holder.) If possible, put any valuables in the trunk before you park, so that no one is watching you stow your stuff curbside. And more importantly, be proactive in securing your car by layering it with anti-theft protection like a starter disable switch, a wheel lock and a car alarm. If you want to know what the thieves know, an absolute "must read" is our "Top 10 Ways to Steal a Car (And How to Defend Against Them)".

9. Approach with caution. Driving is made exponentially more difficult if you're new to a city. Locals know which roads to avoid, but strangers do not. It pays to check ahead of time to see if construction has turned your chosen path into a virtual parking lot. If a two-lane interstate becomes an eight-lane expressway as you approach the city, get into one of the right-hand lanes. This allows you to slow down enough to read unfamiliar signs. If your exit sneaks up on you and you're not in the correct lane, don't try to cross several lanes of highway traffic to make it. Let it go. Then get off at the next exit and work your way back if necessary. If the next exit is a ways off, check a map: Triangulating to your destination might be faster than doubling back on the highway.

10. Use navigational aids. Good navigational aids are useful at any time, but particularly if you're traveling to a new city (or an unfamiliar part of it). There is a guide for every budget:

- At the top end of the price scale are GPS navigation systems, which you can have installed in the car (around $2,000) or purchase aftermarket.
- Another great product is XM Satellite Radio's streaming real-time traffic feature, which updates the navigation screen on freeway conditions in 20 major cities. It's found on the 2005 Acura RL, but we expect to see it on more vehicles soon.
- On the lower end, Rand McNally sells a (literal) world of maps, including Thomas Guides, downloadable cell phone maps and custom maps. Perhaps the most useful maps for urban driving are its laminated city maps because they cover only a specific city area, are easy to fold and work with, and last forever.

If you do get lost, take a deep breath. Allow yourself to be late. If your car doesn't have a built-in compass, can you reorient yourself the old-fashioned way, using the angle of the sun? (Or if you're really good, the position of the stars?) If that doesn't work and you have GM's OnStar, now is the time to make that subscription work for you. If not, pull over to a safe area, then ask for directions. Sounds simple, but how much time is wasted before most people admit they need a little guidance?

Finally, the best advice one can give about city driving is not to sweat the small stuff. Cabbies may cut you off, pedestrians may jaywalk, drivers may rubberneck, but you'll get there — eventually. The real trick is to keep your blood pressure down and your spirits up.

And don't forget to feed the meter.

Dying for the pleasure of top-down driving but constrained by a budget? As temperatures rise in anticipation of summer, we've compiled a list of the 10 least expensive convertibles based on MSRP, including destination charges. Some are family-friendly four-seaters, while others are carefree roadsters, but all have a removable top so that the sun can warm your face and the breeze can ruffle your hair. Some models leave you more room to negotiate than others, so be sure to check out the True Market Value® (http://www.edmunds.com/tmv/ne...) for your region before going to the dealer.

1. Chrysler PT Cruiser, $19,995

2. Volkswagen New Beetle, $21,865

3. Mini Cooper, $22,000

4. Mazda MX-5 Miata, $22,658

5. Ford Mustang, $24,495

6. Toyota MR2 Spyder, $25,685

7. Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, $25,744

8. Chrysler Sebring, $26,145

9. Toyota Camry Solara, $27,020

10. Honda S2000, $33,465

It's Friday evening, and you're painfully aware that there's no "special someone" to meet for drinks and dinner or to share your free time with. Wallowing in self-pity, you wonder how you'll ever get through the weekend alone. Fortunately, you might not have to. That is, if you like to drive. We asked our staff of driving enthusiasts which cars they'd most want to drive if they were going solo on a star-filled summer's night in town or a gorgeous Sunday morning in spring. We're talking about cars that are so entertaining that you'll forget all about the empty seat next to you.

Responses ran the gamut from obvious choices like the Corvette and Mercedes SL65 to oddball picks like the "Wienermobile" and "Grave Digger" the monster truck. "Nobody likes to be stuck in traffic, especially if you're riding solo," said the editor who insisted on the enormous pickup. "In Grave Digger you can just drive over the traffic, crushing all those lovey-dovey, hand-holding couples in the process." To keep things simple, and legal, for those of you reading this, we pared down our final list to those cars that you can actually walk into a dealership and buy (or at least get on the waiting list). And who knows? Some of them just might be flashy enough to get you a last-minute date.

1. Chevrolet Corvette: "I think I'd be very happy to cozy up with the new Corvette," said our managing editor. And why not? There's nothing like good old American muscle (six liters' worth) wrapped in a classic body. Find an empty back road with a few curves along the way, and your latest heartbreaker will be a distant memory.

2. Mazda Miata: Described by one of our editors as "a good friend," the Miata has long been the best-priced package of top-down fun. Drive a Miata and others will know you're spontaneous and adventurous as you veer onto all the two-lane roads. Get the Mazdaspeed version and you'll enjoy a few more thrills along the way.

3. Ford Mustang convertible: The new Mustang will still get you plenty of looks from potential dates, especially if you order a topless version in bright yellow. And with its reasonable price, you can save up for your next relationship with a real human being.

4. Mazda RX-8: "It's weird, but I've never felt lonely in the RX-8," said our new vehicle reviews editor. Could it be the expert chassis tuning that makes the car feel like an extension of your body? Could it be the free-revving rotary engine and its unique sound? Try one and find out.

5. Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG: Just when you think you'll never forget your ex, along comes a roadster with a 604-horsepower twin-turbo V12 and handling so predictable that you can carve up an unfamiliar back road with virtually no guesswork. This would be the SL65 AMG, the über Mercedes drop top. Fortunately, the "lesser" SL500 and SL55 are around for those who can't drop $180K.

6. Mini Cooper convertible: Like the Mustang, the Cooper drop top is a good choice if you want prospective dates to know you're on the cutting edge. But forget about other people for the moment. Who wouldn't want to drive a sweet-faced car with adroit reflexes? Just try to say no to this car. Go ahead. You'll fail.

7. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution: The Evo may not win you the affection of others, especially if you go for the obnoxiously large spoiler, but once you're sitting in its Recaro driver seat, you probably won't care. The fervor with which the turbo four revs will take the place of any beating heart, and the razor-sharp handling will have your own pulse racing.

8. Dodge Ram SRT-10: If your goal is to woo a truck lover, you'd be hard-pressed to find better bait than the SRT-10. Mat the throttle in this 500-horse pickup and it jets forth like it's been shot out of a catapult, shoving you back in its cushy sport seats.

9. Ferrari F430: "Unlike the 360 before it, this one's got enough low-end grunt to readily spin the tires and rocket out of low-speed turns," writes our editor in chief. "But it's the sensual sounds and intuitive steering that really pull at your heart strings. It may not cuddle in front of a fire, but it has mastered the art of communication and definitely makes for a perfect dance partner."

10. Lotus Elise: Drive a racecar or go on a date? For a few of our editors, that's not even a choice. The Elise is about the closest you can get to driving an open-wheel car on public roads, and with a price tag in the 40s, it's not the financial stretch you might expect.

Lists come out every year detailing the most stolen cars and, with that, what steps one can take to deter car thieves. Yet, a car is stolen in the United States every 24 seconds according to the Insurance Information Institute. Auto theft continues to thrive despite those lists and regardless of new anti-theft technology that emerges with every new model year.

What else can you do besides not drive the most stolen car in America and equip your car with anti-theft protection? We're going to give you the unique opportunity to look inside the mind of the car thief and learn how he steals cars. With the help of police auto theft experts and auto theft professionals, we've compiled this list of some of the ways thieves steal cars followed by suggestions of how to stop them from doing it to you.

We have no intention of providing new information to the wrong people and simply want to educate the good guys. We haven't disclosed anything that car thieves don't already know and we have left out specific details to avoid making this a "how-to." Knowing the insider tricks of auto thieves will motivate you to take the necessary precautions to defend your vehicle.

1. Bump against the car to check for a car alarm. Since it seems like everything from a loud Harley to a rumbling garbage truck can set off a car alarm, people have been conditioned to tune them out. Instead of a motion-sensitive car alarm, use one that has a pager that will notify you as soon as your alarm is activated.



2. Break the window or jimmy the lock to gain entry into a locked car. Don't tempt car thieves. Keep valuables out of plain sight. Take them with you or store them in the trunk. Also, if you have a stereo with a removable face plate, take it with you instead of tucking it away in the glovebox.



3. Cut the steering wheel itself if there's a steering wheel lock. Instead of locking just your steering wheel, "lock" your car's ability to go by using a starter disable switch and putting it in a place where only you can get to it.



4. Look for exposed wiring that can be cut or for the central unit of the car alarm to deactivate it. Instead of going to a big retail chain store, have your car alarm installed by a professional car alarm installer, preferably a reasonably shady one. Unlike retail chain employees, these experts know what it takes to make your car elusive to crooks.



5. Look for car alarm decals to figure out which method to use to eliminate the alarm. Never display stickers that advertise what sort of car alarm you have, or audio system for that matter. Consider using a hood lock cable so the thief can't get to your battery or car alarm mechanism.



6. Jump into an unattended running car while the owner is at the ATM, dropping off videos, etc. Never leave your keys in the ignition even for a quick errand. Car theft is a crime of opportunity, so don't make it easy for them to grab yours.



7. Look for the car's title, registration or anything with a home address on it. Keep your registration and insurance information with you and never leave personal information in your car.



8. Stake out sporting events, movie theaters and shopping center parking lots for the car of your choice since they offer the largest variety of cars in one area. Whenever possible, park in lots and garages that have security and/or parking lot attendants. If not, don't park in the farthest corner of the lot but rather near the entrance of these facilities to insure the most foot traffic (and the most potential witnesses). Also, opt for paying the extra couple of dollars for the monitored parking lot instead of using the free parking on the less-trafficked side streets.



9. Find the second set of keys the owner "hid" in the car. Don't leave spare keys in your car or in a magnetic box attached to the underside of your car. Thieves know where all the "hiding places" are.



10. Copy specific vehicle information and take it to the manufacturer to get a replacement key made. Instead of VIN etching the major parts of your vehicle, which doesn't turn most thieves off, drop your business card into the doors through the window slots to identify your car as yours.

Even though auto theft is a crime of opportunity, if a crook really wants your car, he'll do whatever it takes to get it regardless of steering wheel locks or car alarms. But with the above knowledge, you can slow him down, make your car inconvenient to him and, hopefully, discourage him from attempting to steal your vehicle. Layering your car with anti-theft protection, especially if it's at the top of the most stolen vehicles list, is a good start. But, as with anything that is of value to you, the most important protection you can give your car is to take a proactive approach to security when you leave it unattended.

Lists come out every year detailing the most stolen cars and, with that, what steps one can take to deter car thieves. Yet, a car is stolen in the United States every 24 seconds according to the Insurance Information Institute. Auto theft continues to thrive despite those lists and regardless of new anti-theft technology that emerges with every new model year.

What else can you do besides not drive the most stolen car in America and equip your car with anti-theft protection? We're going to give you the unique opportunity to look inside the mind of the car thief and learn how he steals cars. With the help of police auto theft experts and auto theft professionals, we've compiled this list of some of the ways thieves steal cars followed by suggestions of how to stop them from doing it to you.

We have no intention of providing new information to the wrong people and simply want to educate the good guys. We haven't disclosed anything that car thieves don't already know and we have left out specific details to avoid making this a "how-to." Knowing the insider tricks of auto thieves will motivate you to take the necessary precautions to defend your vehicle.

1. Bump against the car to check for a car alarm. Since it seems like everything from a loud Harley to a rumbling garbage truck can set off a car alarm, people have been conditioned to tune them out. Instead of a motion-sensitive car alarm, use one that has a pager that will notify you as soon as your alarm is activated.



2. Break the window or jimmy the lock to gain entry into a locked car. Don't tempt car thieves. Keep valuables out of plain sight. Take them with you or store them in the trunk. Also, if you have a stereo with a removable face plate, take it with you instead of tucking it away in the glovebox.



3. Cut the steering wheel itself if there's a steering wheel lock. Instead of locking just your steering wheel, "lock" your car's ability to go by using a starter disable switch and putting it in a place where only you can get to it.



4. Look for exposed wiring that can be cut or for the central unit of the car alarm to deactivate it. Instead of going to a big retail chain store, have your car alarm installed by a professional car alarm installer, preferably a reasonably shady one. Unlike retail chain employees, these experts know what it takes to make your car elusive to crooks.



5. Look for car alarm decals to figure out which method to use to eliminate the alarm. Never display stickers that advertise what sort of car alarm you have, or audio system for that matter. Consider using a hood lock cable so the thief can't get to your battery or car alarm mechanism.



6. Jump into an unattended running car while the owner is at the ATM, dropping off videos, etc. Never leave your keys in the ignition even for a quick errand. Car theft is a crime of opportunity, so don't make it easy for them to grab yours.



7. Look for the car's title, registration or anything with a home address on it. Keep your registration and insurance information with you and never leave personal information in your car.



8. Stake out sporting events, movie theaters and shopping center parking lots for the car of your choice since they offer the largest variety of cars in one area. Whenever possible, park in lots and garages that have security and/or parking lot attendants. If not, don't park in the farthest corner of the lot but rather near the entrance of these facilities to insure the most foot traffic (and the most potential witnesses). Also, opt for paying the extra couple of dollars for the monitored parking lot instead of using the free parking on the less-trafficked side streets.



9. Find the second set of keys the owner "hid" in the car. Don't leave spare keys in your car or in a magnetic box attached to the underside of your car. Thieves know where all the "hiding places" are.



10. Copy specific vehicle information and take it to the manufacturer to get a replacement key made. Instead of VIN etching the major parts of your vehicle, which doesn't turn most thieves off, drop your business card into the doors through the window slots to identify your car as yours.

Even though auto theft is a crime of opportunity, if a crook really wants your car, he'll do whatever it takes to get it regardless of steering wheel locks or car alarms. But with the above knowledge, you can slow him down, make your car inconvenient to him and, hopefully, discourage him from attempting to steal your vehicle. Layering your car with anti-theft protection, especially if it's at the top of the most stolen vehicles list, is a good start. But, as with anything that is of value to you, the most important protection you can give your car is to take a proactive approach to security when you leave it unattended.

BMW has released the first set of official shots of its latest cheeky little Mini Coopers. Although, being 2.76 inches longer, the new Minis will preserve their distinctive looks, including the famous white roof and large headlights.

Inside, both the Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S feature the same 1.6-liter flat-four engine. The one installed into the Mini Cooper sports Valvetronic technology and produces up to 120 horsepower reached at 6,000 and 118 lb-ft (160 Nm) of torque.

More powerful Mini Cooper S is equipped with a turbocharger, which helps the tiny motor achieve a maximum of 175 hp @ 5,500 rpm, and peak torque of 177 lb-ft (240 Nm).

To make the hot Mini a little safer, BMW has introduced curtain airbags and seatbelt force limiters available to all passengers.

Leftlane News has lots of hi-res photos of both the new Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S.

New Mini will be 'slightly bigger, quicker'

The new Mini, set to be launched this winter, will be similar to the current model, although getting a little bit bigger to provide additional legroom and luggage space. BMW plans to employ a series of new petrol engines, which will help to move the heavier body. To move it fast.

British magazine 'What Car?' reports that the engines, co-developed with Peugeot-Citroen, will provide the car with more power, yet will be less gasoline-thirsty than the current motors. This has been achieved through the clever use of aluminum in the engine and suspension.

Initially there will be only two models available at launch in December: the Mini Cooper and the Mini Cooper S. The former will cost about $12,600 and the latter will carry a price tag of about $15,700. Mini Cooper will feature a 118 bhp 1.6-liter engine, while the Cooper S will be equipped with a 1.6-liter turbo, producing a maximum of 173 bhp and accelerating the car from zero to 60 mph in just 7.0 seconds.

Standard set of equipment will presumably include six airbags.

Mini Reviews

BMW has just announced pricing for the upcoming 2007 Mini Cooper S model. As it was predicted, the new Mini will be slightly more costly in comparison with the outgoing model, where the most significant price difference is shown on the least expensive Mini Cooper.

The 2007 Mini Cooper, KickingTires is reporting, will cost start at $18,050, which is $600 more than the price of the comparable older Mini. More expensive (and dynamic) 2007 Mini Cooper S will cost only $300 more and will start at $21,200.

Surprisingly, both Cooper and Cooper S convertibles will cost you exactly the same money as the outgoing open-tops ($22,600 and $26,050 respectively) and are effectively sold at a discount, considering the level of U.S. dollar devaluation over the last years.

BMW still doesn't say anything specific about when the new Minis will in fact come to dealerships, talking about "early 2007" term.

More articles of Mini.