Turning on the headlights
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Having a convertible is a little like having a supercar or an off-roader - even if you don’t use everything the car has to offer, it’s nice knowing that it’s there. The MINI Convertible really eggs you into dropping the roof though, with an ‘Always Open Timer’ to record how long you spend with the roof down - and this sense of fun is a big part of the car’s appeal.
It’s only recently gone off sale as an all-new MINI arrives to take its place, but the MINI Convertible already felt like a rarity in the market, given how few other vehicles now let you put the top down. Even fewer have the MINI’s retro styling, compact footprint, and agile handling. Read on to find out what to look for if you’re buying a MINI Convertible.
The appeal of a convertible needs no introduction - and you’ll either get it, or you won’t. If you do subscribe to the idea that every dry day is better spent with the roof down, then the MINI Convertible is a pretty good way of getting those thrills, taking the already fun MINI hatch and lopping off the roof for an extra dose of Vitamin D.
There aren’t as many compromises as you might expect either. The rear seats are cramped, but they aren’t that spacious even in the hatchback, and the boot has shrunk too, but again, it’s not like the hatch has an estate-sized space back there. The rest of the cabin is much like the hatch, the only real downside being that with the roof up, rearward visibility is nothing like as good as the standard car.
MINI’s work to reinforce the car’s structure means it still feels solid even over rough roads - typical convertible wobbles are minimal. And while it’s a little heavier than the hatch, the MINI’s fun handling is largely unchanged - there aren’t many other drop-tops at sensible money that are quite so entertaining to drive.
One that undoubtedly is just as fun, if not more so, is the Mazda MX-5, an even rarer car at the budget end of the market for being a proper sports car. It’s only a two-seater though, so if you really do need the MINI’s small back seats, the Mazda won’t quite cut it. The Fiat 500C is worth a look, with a fold-back roof that retains the roof pillars, and the older DS3 Cabriolet has a similar arrangement. Otherwise, you’ll have to look towards larger and more expensive drop-tops like the Audi A5 Cabriolet or BMW 4 Series Convertible.
The most difficult decision when buying a MINI Convertible won’t necessarily be choosing a model or an engine, but finding a car in your ideal specification - the huge number of colours, options and accessories that MINI offered with the car means that used models can vary wildly in specification. Some colours and trims are easier to find than others, but you may be waiting a while if you want something rarer.
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Specification-wise we’ve got a soft spot for the regular Cooper, with its lively 1.5-litre engine, but driving enthusiasts might want to find a more powerful Cooper S or John Cooper Works for true hot hatchback performance.
The MINI Convertible’s exterior dimensions are:
The MINI Convertible’s boot space is:
Some early MINI Convertibles, having been launched prior to the tax changes in April 2017, are taxed based on CO2 - which means the most efficient diesel models, with CO2 under 100g/km, are free to tax, and the more frugal petrol models are as little as £20-35 depending on spec. From April 2017 onwards you’ll pay a flat rate of £190 a year.
The MINI Convertible range as a whole falls between groups 16-33 depending on engine and specification, with a Cooper D offering the cheapest insurance rates, and a petrol Cooper just a little more, starting in group 19. Cooper S models are groups 25-30 depending on spec, with John Cooper Works versions covering groups 31-33. At the lower end a MINI Convertible should be cheaper to insure than a Mazda MX-5, which runs from group 24-34 depending on the model.
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£956 offWhat is the most popular colour for MINI Convertible ?
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How many MINI Convertible cars are available for sale?
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