Is a Mini Cooper S suitable to learn to drive in?
Discussion
My missus wants to learn to drive and fancies a (BMW) mini. A friend has a very well cared for 10 year old Cooper S for sale and, well, it sounds more fun than a Cooper or One to me. But, its not really for me, is it?
Insurance cost is perfectly reasonable, even on the Cooper S, due to our middle-agedness. So, is it a reasonable proposition for a learner driver or should we really be looking at a non S version.
Thoughts gratefully received
Insurance cost is perfectly reasonable, even on the Cooper S, due to our middle-agedness. So, is it a reasonable proposition for a learner driver or should we really be looking at a non S version.
Thoughts gratefully received
Had a regular Cooper for my first car, those are more then quick enough to get into trouble, but considering we arent talking teenager here, crazy antics arent an issue.
Id give it a try, i think throttle response is the biggest thing, provided it can easily be driven in a civilized manner, i dont see why it wouldnt work.
Id give it a try, i think throttle response is the biggest thing, provided it can easily be driven in a civilized manner, i dont see why it wouldnt work.
Reg Local said:
A Cooper S will be fine to learn in.
There is no real need for learners to limit themselves to low performance cars - they're only as fast as you make them go. If insurance isn't a problem I'd go for it.
Agree with this.There is no real need for learners to limit themselves to low performance cars - they're only as fast as you make them go. If insurance isn't a problem I'd go for it.
Unless you're using the performance a Cooper S doesn't feel any different to drive than a regular Cooper.
Can't see a problem if insurance is decent.
I taught my ex-wife to drive in a Rally prepped 1275 Cooper S. No power below 3500rpm and then it came on cam with a thump. Straight cut close ratio 3 synchro gearbox as well.
She managed that quite well so I can't see why your wife shouldn't cope with a modern standard one.
I taught my ex-wife to drive in a Rally prepped 1275 Cooper S. No power below 3500rpm and then it came on cam with a thump. Straight cut close ratio 3 synchro gearbox as well.
She managed that quite well so I can't see why your wife shouldn't cope with a modern standard one.
Great stuff! Most encouraging. May just need to consider the pas then. As you mention, Octane83, a good way to get her into cars. Fortunately, despite being a non driver, she's definitely a petrolhead so the 'S' sounds like a good match.
Thanks all for your comments.
Thanks all for your comments.
Edited by ToneyCaroney on Thursday 26th May 16:55
ToneyCaroney said:
Great stuff! Most encouraging. May just need to consider the pas then. As you mention, Octane83, a good way to get her into cars. Fortunately, despite being a non driver, she's defunitelt a petrolhead so the 'S' soumds like a good match.
Thanks all for your comments.
R56 came out in 2006 except the Cabriolet which was 2009 and the One which was 2007Thanks all for your comments.
f1nn said:
It'll be fine.
In fact the R53 Cooper S (I'm not sure when they changed to the R56, so the one you are looking at may be the turbo'd version) is the most disappointing car I can remember driving, so I can't see an issue with learning in it.
Yes, it's an R53. Interesting you didn't like. I guess driving it will reveal all. In fact the R53 Cooper S (I'm not sure when they changed to the R56, so the one you are looking at may be the turbo'd version) is the most disappointing car I can remember driving, so I can't see an issue with learning in it.
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