Is a Mini Cooper S suitable to learn to drive in?

[ToneyCaroney]

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

[ToneyCaroney]

Thanks all, very useful and a good tip re the insurance for the first year with a full licence. It does go up a bit but hardly ruinous so all ok there.
Next step, take it for a drive.....

Cheers.

[ToneyCaroney]

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.

Edited by ToneyCaroney on Thursday 26th May 16:55

[ToneyCaroney]

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.