I didn't make him an offer but I let he down nicely and thanked him for his time.
He let me have a good drive in the car but it didn't do it for me.
No bluetooth - a problem for me since I've got used to a decent handsfree.
Didn't have as much power as the '08 - seemed a little sluggish with a more pronounced hestitation around 2,500rpm
It supposedly boosts to 13lbs of pressure - a little less than the A500 so the 'S' acceleration is more linear. The JCW goes to 19lbs.
Small trottle travel - a lot less than the 500.
Car was quick but it didn't feel it - lacked the 'fun' factor.
Muted 'single' pop of the back exhaust when slowing down.
Had 17 inch wheels and on a man hole on a dual carriageway it gave quite a thud on the front wheel like it hit the bumpstop.
On a bumpy section owner was a little nervous and I had to drive around little bumps in the road to keep him happy.
Back end very tidy and car had a go kart feel about it (posted a pic of its rear suspension - unlikely it would ever appear on a A500).
Not raw enough - it would need resorting to handbrake turns to get a thrill - unlikely I would do that on a test drive or even in my own car.
Clutch felt a bit heavy and the gearbox although precise took a bit of work to change gear. Had to 'find' 6th gear.
Poor visibility compared to higher up position of the 500.
Felt the OH wouldn't get on to well with it if she had to drive it.
Couldn't see how fast I was going - speedometer in the wrong place.
The '08 was a better drive but this '07 was a little disappointing despite looking better with the Cream colour (like the BNW) and the black roof.
Had Xenons which the owner raved about.
He mentioned the price of 2 replacement run flats (17s).
Good quality plastics and it was noticeable when I got back into the 500 which seemed a little cheap.
There was a comment on the MINI forum of owners stating that it was a perceived as a 'gay's car'. That person then gave someone a go in their car and they showed them how fast it was & then 'they' couldn't say it was a gay's car.
Get the impression that blokes driving MINI Cooper S are more conscious about what people think of them whilst guys driving 500s couldn't give a toss.
Saw 3 other cream MINIs on the way home.
Sitting low down in the MINI you feel you are in a little car a bit like its boot.
Fiat / Abarth have nothing to worry about with the MINI / Cooper S - once they can get prospective buyers into the 500 first so that they can get used to the high 'sit and beg' position. Once adapted there's no going back.
I would sum it up by saying that the MINI lacks passion.
