2008 MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works Package Review

BMW specifically designed it to look like the old original MINI, and to cash in on the heritage factor.

Think about that for a moment. You go out today and buy the VW or the Mazda, then crash bang wallop, next year the new model comes out. Now you're driving around in what everyone's calling "the old version".

Not with a MINI! BMW specifically designed it to look like the old original MINI, and to cash in on the heritage factor. Therefore, it's a little difficult for them to go off track and design a completely new looking one. In fact, very few people can tell the difference between an 06 MINI and the new current shape.

In my mind, this makes it the perfect little vehicle to own long term, which nicely brings me back to, why spend the extra money for the JCW package?

My answer is, why not. If you are going to buy the best small performance car on the planet, pay the extra money and get the whole kit and caboodle. After all, you're never going to want to sell it!!!

You think that I'm joking, but I'm not. To prove that point, I'm going to tell you a true story...I've just had a conversation with a friend of mine. He owns a new Porsche Cayman, and his wife has a Boxster. He also owns a Land Rover and a few vintage race cars. He purchased a Cooper S when they first came out. He drove it, his wife did, and now his daughter has it. However, she is going away to Europe to study, so he tells me, and he's decided to sell off his Cayman and go back into the MINI for the summer.

Doesn't that just say it all!!!!
photo:BMW, Kevin Corrigan