RUNNINGS

BY HARRY KIRSBAUM

here's something about
driving a convertible with
the top down that makes a
moon roof feel so confining.
So, on the first nice stretch of
springtime weather, I dropped off
my Mini-Cooper to take a spin in a
2005 Mini-Cooper S convertible.
Although the car still draws
smiles from people at stoplights, this
Mini's well-recognized lines are a bit
less noticeable with the top down.

T

But it's still great fun to tool
around in, and it still has the best
looking dashboard on the market.
The ragtop, which adds about
$5,000 to the cost, folds down in
about 15 seconds, and it has a set-
ting that allows the top to partially
slide back like a moon roof. And
the top's two-button control panel
is covered by a bit of humor that
the Mini's advertising is known
for (see photo).

Continued on page 12

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGIE BAAN