As it name implies, the Mini Cooper is a line of automobiles small in stature but great in gas mileage. The British Motor Company began to manufacture them in the early 1960s as a sort of English version of the Volkswagen Beetle -- a little budget car for the masses. The current line of Mini Coopers consists of nine models, each with a different base price as of November 2010.
The MC base hatchback has an MSRP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price) of $18,800. Its fuel economy rating rating is 28/37 (City/Highway). It has a 1.6-liter, 118 horsepower, I4 engine with four valves.
The MC base convertible is almost identical to the hatchback except in MSRP ($24,250) and a slightly inferior fuel economy rating of 28/36 (City/Highway). The car's interior dimensions are also just a tad smaller at 74 cubic feet (versus 76 for the base hatchback).
The MC Clubman Hatchback is a MINI station wagon with an MSRP of $20,450. Its specs are virtually identical to those of the base hatchback aside from greater room in the interior (80 cubic feet). The fuel tank is also larger at 13.2 gallons (compared with the 10.6 gallon size of the base hatchback and convertible).
The Clubman S Hatchback carries an MSRP price tag of $24,050 and has a more powerful 172 hp motor and a slightly less efficient fuel economy of 26/34.
This model sells for a substantially higher MSRP of $31,000 with a 208 hp engine. Fuel economy is 25/33.
The JCW convertible is virtually identical to the hatchback besides the removable top and an MSRP of $34,000.
This model has an MSRP of $28,800. Aside from a slightly smaller amount of elbow room (76 cubic feet vs. 80 cu.ft.), the JCW Hatchback is virtually identical to the JCW Clubman Hatchback.
The S Convertible has an MRSP of $27,150, a 172 hp engine and a fuel economy of 26/34. The S Hatchback has an MSRP of $22,300 and is otherwise identical to the S convertible besides the lack of a removable top.
An MSRP is not the final price of the vehicle. For instance, all new Mini Coopers are subject to a $700 delivery fee. Sales taxes also will apply depending on where you buy the car. Fortunately, dealers often offer factory incentives and other discounts, especially during difficult economic times. Additionally, there are literally dozens of different options to be added to your car such as an alarm system ($500) or a rear fog lamp ($100). To simplify matters, Mini sells packages of bundled features such as a cold weather package ($500) with items like heated seats, a convenience package ($1,250), and, for the luxuriously inclined, a premium package ($1,750) with options like a sunroof and Harman/Kardon audio system.
