Overview & Reviews
For 2006, the Mini Cooper can be equipped with a new Checkmate package, which includes special wheels, stability control, unique trim and graphics, HID headlamps and foglamps. The John Cooper Works package, formerly a dealer-installed option, can now be fitted at the factory.
- Not enough horsepower in base model, questionable seat comfort, not much room for passengers and cargo, some low-grade interior materials.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 133.00-
What a Blast! - 2006 Mini Cooper
By Ken w/Evans help - October 16 - 1:13 amThe Mini Cooper S acceleration and handling are awesome. This car manuevers better than any car I have ever had the chance to drive. BMWs and Audis are unable to keep up. The performance of this vehicle is the selling point but there are so many other features on this car. The window automatically rolls down 1/2 inch when you open the door and then closes up tightly when you shut it. No more ear popping. The car is so tight that you can be in a high gear at low speed and it still drives smoothly without chugging along like other cars would do. Hold down the button on the key fob and all the windows and sunroof open automatically. The car will let you know when you have a flat tire. Go test drive one!
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Think About It - 2006 Mini Cooper
By Bob S - September 7 - 7:50 pmI love the personality of this car! I love the overall design--inside and out, but this car is not really meant for urban driving, especially in areas where there are potholes. In two years I have had to replace the struts twice and the brakes once and the run-flat tires while convenient provide for a jarring ride. The ride on expressways is great and acceleration is great. Think about how much the car costs and if youre ready to deal with its quirky issues. Also, not as good on gas as one would expect--I averaged 19 mpg, not the best for a car of this size.
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Devil in the Details - 2006 Mini Cooper
By jim - June 18 - 3:06 pmLoud...very loud road noise from lack of any soundproofing insulation whatsoever and those iron run-flat tires. At speeds over 30mph, be prepared to blast the radio/CD player. Windows...could the doors have been made just a little taller to fully retract the side windows? Underpowered in the automatic transmission. In urban traffic where one has to floor it to enter a lane, the darn thing goes to top rpm and dies. Overall the car needs about 50-75 additional horsepower.
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My Ford was more reliable. - 2006 Mini Cooper
By bstndance - June 3 - 11:13 amI leased my Mini and had a great two year relationship with the car. Suddenly, after the two year mark its all downhill. It started with the fan always running even when the car was off. That turned into a water pump problem. Then the check engine light comes on randomly. The interior falls apart easily. The mini emblem on the steering wheel popped off when I pressed the horn. The windows and sunroof sometimes open when I unlock the car using the electronic fob. Now, the battery suddenly up and died in the middle of the day. I ran into a store for 15 mintues, came out and it was dead. Got jumped but the car died again the next day. Cant wait for my lease to finish!
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Some issues, but a joy to drive - 2006 Mini Cooper
By driverone - September 14 - 5:23 pmI was at the dealership taking advantage of the 36,000 mile maintenance warranty more often than Id like. First 36,000 miles: ball joint wore down, three sets of front tires (too much fun to drive), thermostat went out, front brake rotors replaced, tailgate sensor replaced, cd player skipped (radio replaced). After all is said and done, the MINI was a great car to drive. Even the convertible is faster than most cars on the road. Its easy to play leap frog in traffic with this little go-kart. Too bad they went to turbo, because hearing the whine of the supercharger was very comforting. I will miss the MINI, but not its potential for high maintenance costs and the small cargo area.
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Annoyances Trump Fun - 2006 Mini Cooper
By goldsbar - June 21 - 4:40 pmIve owned several fun cars in my life and this one just doesnt measure up. The annoyances really got to me after a while. Not a lot of engine for the price. Run flats had horrible grip off the line. Tires chirped at the slightest provocation. Horrible gas mileage - low 20s - for the size of the car and power. Engine was annoying and very economy car like. Didnt give that "I want to go faster" feeling. Huge blindspot with the top up. Yes, it was fun to drive even at slow speeds which is important. Handling is very good but not great by any means. Better cars for the money out there!
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Great Car! But.... - 2006 Mini Cooper
By JKPowers67 - May 19 - 4:23 amThe Mini has been a great around town car, providing solid performance and a lot of fun. If my driving were still largely in town I would never get rid of it. However, I now commute 70 miles per day over rougher surface highways and the road noise is very significant. It makes it hard to talk on the phone, and in a quiet car (no music) its just annoying. Reliability has been good, but the minor things that have come up required a 2 hour drive to pick up the car. The whole experience has been great, but its time to move on. I pick up my Infinity G37 this afternoon. But Ill really miss my Mini.
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Great Car - Horrid Gas Mileage - 2006 Mini Cooper
By Joe Metro - October 16 - 1:03 pmWe received our MINI in May 06 - we live in the hills of San Francisco. It is the perfect city car in terms of being able to park anywhere. The power is great and it easily accommodates two men and a dog. Our big gripe is that it is only getting 14 mpg in the city - after break in. We have taken it to the dealer to inspect but they insist nothing is wrong and that low mileage is typical in this model. So why do the claim it "sips gas"? We are very disappointed that our MINI is as bad as an SUV on mileage.
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Great Car, Not very reliable - 2006 Mini Cooper
By JW - July 22 - 7:33 pmI have had my MINI Cooper S for about 9 months and it was great car to drive. However, I had to have the transmission replaced by the dealer due to the faulty flywheel design. I recommend the car. But a buyer needs to be prepared to deal with some quality issues.
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06 Hyper Blue Cooper! - 2006 Mini Cooper
By BK - September 14 - 7:00 pmThis car screams! I always look forward to driving it, whether on an 800 mile round trip to the mountains, or a 2 mile trip to the store. Acceleration is super, as is braking. Cornering is something to look forward to, as there is no detectable lean, even when pushing what I would call normal "around town" driving. I have never had trouble merging onto the freeway, making that last-minute 3-lane lane change if I have to, or parking. My biggest worry is if someone dings one of the doors. I have the GPS system, which is not only hugely useful, but great fun. It gets twice the mileage of my V-8 SUV, which I keep because its paid off, and sometimes I need to haul wood or dirt - not for a Mini!
