2012 Mini Cooper Coupe John Cooper Works

Pros: speed, handling, size, interior

Cons: better bluetooth support

Summary: Since the other user reviews here are from people who don't own this car (and probably have never driven it), I thought I'd chime in as an actual owner. I mostly agree with the CNET review, but not with his assessment of the interior. Material and build-quality of the interior is at a BMW level, it's first rate. The design--as with all MINIs--takes some getting used to. BMW takes great pains in keeping the fun spirit of the original MINI, while at the same time being contemporary, and this is a hard balance to maintain. But after a few months of owning mine I've gotten used to it and have actually learned to love its playful character. You do get used to how everything works, and once there everything becomes pretty second nature.

I also don't agree with the loud noise of the interior. Hey, it's a sports car, so it's not going to be the same as a spongy Taurus or Impala. Potholes are a problem, as with all sports cars, but the MINI was built in more civilized, 'socialist' Europe, with its well maintained streets, and so it's a bit more challenging owning one in the Third-World conditions of the USA. But with its awesome turn-on-a-dime handling, one gets pretty good at swerving around the fruits of American capitalism.