New Cars 2012: Mini Cooper Coupe

For years, the Mini has been about one bodystyle, one car, and a few select models. Ever since BMW took hold of the brand, its legacy has been further diminished with each passing generation. Introduced in 2001, the first series consisted of the Mini One, the Cooper, and the Cooper S. In 2005, the convertible bowed, and in 2007, the vehicle entered its second generation. Complete with bigger, more ungainly exterior styling, the interior stayed largely the same, with the exception of a navigation system. In 2008, the real blow would be laid on this formerly-wonderful car's heritage. I do realize the original Austin did have a Countryman variant.. but.. it wasn't overly huge like the new iteration. In 2010, the single biggest crime against the iconic nameplate would be brought public; Mini had an SUV. The Countryman. Ripping away everything Mini (and Alec Issogonis) stood for, the Countryman was a four-door mini-SUV (get it?) that catered to yuppies would have only heard of the brand through obnoxious fashionista trends and celebrity ownership. While I say this not to demonize the image of the brand, I intend only to remember the heritage this nameplate once had, and has since been lost. Sure, the Cooper S, and its JCW variants are great handlers, and sure they are a joy to drive... but they're too big to be called a proper MINI.
For 2012, a new bodystyle joins the already growing ranks of available choices; this time, a "coupe." First of all, in a car that was originally designed as a hatchback, the coupe roofline simply does not work. It flows horribly, and no doubt the rear visibility is somehow worse than the convertible (never mind the proper speedster that's coming out) with the roof up. I suppose the roofline renders this one a bit more sporty, perhaps?
Inside, much is the same as the siblings; German efficiency, with a dose of illegible gauges and premature wear and tear, I'd imagine. Like other BMW products, the Mini's interior looks great when new, but if its used as a daily car, the ages shows--quickly. I can't count how many nearly new MINIs have already lost luster of the painted parts inside, including the doorcards, the dashboard, and the A/C trim. Quite sad that a premium car has such a low rent interior. Then again, this is BMW; interior quality has always been hit or miss, especially in "trendy" cars. No surprise there, really.
So what's it cost? At about $25,000 base, the Mini Cooper Coupe isn't exactly cheap; a VW Beetle undercuts it--sort of. But when you step up to the Cooper S, version, and then the JCW versions, expect to pay north of $35,000. For that money, a used 1 Series almost seems like a better deal; more horsepower, rear-wheel-drive, and decent aftermarket support--and they both look rather dowdy. Even so, I know which one I'd take home--and it isn't the newest disruption to the MINI legacy.