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2007 BMW
Mini Cooper
Convertible
Fun & Frugality
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K athleen C arr
The Cooper Convertible offers
the excellent handling and cute,
retro style of the Cooper hatchback
with the added fun and versatility
of a one-touch soft-top roof. The
Mini convertible is in a league of its
own: excellent-handling with all the
charm and economy of a regular
Mini, plus the added fun of a high-
quality soft-top that goes down at
the touch of a button.
Though the hatchback Mini got
a redesign for 2007, the convertible
continues on largely unchanged
for this year. Expect a redesigned
convertible for the 2(X)8 or 2009
model years. In the meantime. Mini
has added the Sidewalk package,
which adds a few thousand dollars
to the base cost and features inte
rior and exterior upgrades.
Our compliments on the genius
design of this soft-top; being such
that the fabric can even fold back
half-way (up to 16 inches), making
a sunroof. Unlike most sunroofs,
which are directly overhead, this
one is slightly in front of you, so
front-seat passengers actually can
see the sky while their heads remain
shaded. The half-top can be opened
when the car is driv ing at speeds up
to 75 mph and even features a
heated rear window. In addition,
the top can be lowered or raised
from up to 49 feet away using the
car's key fob. This has got to be the
cleverest top ever.
The Cooper Convertible comes
with a choice of two inline four-
cylinder engines. The base model
gets a 1.6-liter 115-horsepower en
gine, while the Cooper S gets a 168-
horsepower supercharged engine.
The 1.6-liter engine of the non-su-
percharged version provides brisk
acceleration perfect for city driv
ing, merging or passing on the high
way; we found it be lively 0-to-60
mph in 9.8 seconds, while Mini re
ports 8.9 -it still feels zippy.
A five-speed manual transmis
sion is standard for the base model,
while the C w per S gets a six-speed
manual. Optional for the base model
is a continuously variable automatic
November 7, 2007
A u f© R e v i e w
News and reviews on new motor vehicles
Specifications: 1.6-Liter, 16-Valve, inline 4-Cylinder Engine; 5-Speed manual transmission; 26-City
35-Highway MPG; $ 27,400. MSRP
transmission (CVT) and optional for
the S is a six-speed automatic. We
preferred the standard manual; gear
changes are a delight thanks to light,
precise throws teamed with a smooth,
progressive clutch.
When it comes to handling, most
feel that the 2007 Mini CooperCon-
vertible is a star thanks to its im
pressively firm suspension and
sharp steering. Steering is tight in
the Mini, and the handling contrib
utes a large part of this car's fun
factor." That excellent handling is
achieved through the convertible's
retuned suspension. "It's no sur
prise that the drop-top versions
handle just the same as their hard
top brethren, due to underbody
reinforcements and a rear crossbar
with integrated roll-over headrests.
The Mini's acclaimed go kart cor
nering capability is left intact.
The Coo per convertible's quirky
dashboard and controls are a bit
confusing; the switches are in all
kinds of weird spots. Minis are also
know n fo r b ein g e n d le ssly
customizable with interior color and
trim combinations. Newfor2(X)7 is
a special Sidewalk package that
adds several special touches to the
interior. Features include English
Malt Brown leather upholstery and
gearshift, two-tone sport leather
multifunction steering wheel with
cruise control, chrome line interior,
a center armrest, automatic air con
ditioning, sport seats and a Harmon/
Kardon HiFi sound system. The
Sidewalk package also adds subtle
exterior features.
Despite its compact size, the Mini
convertible is probably the safest
car in the compact class. To protect
passengers in a crash, the Mini Coo
per Convertible provides four front
and side air bags. It also comes with
an accident sensor, which automati
cally unlocks doors and turns on
interior and hazard lights upon im
pact. If the air bags have been de
ployed, the car will cut off the fuel
pump to reduce the risk of fire.
The Mini convertible surprises
and delights with its serious motor
ing capabilities. Its chassis is ex
tremely rigid for a topless car, so
Drop the top and enjoy the ride
Fun and frugality may never have
combined so purely and completely
as in the Mini Cooper convertible.
And from what we’ve seen o f the
second-generation version, which
is right around the comer, none of
that is likely to change.
S ports
Blazers Home Opener Thursday
thanks to M ultnom ah
County and the Willamette
Light Brigade.
"The Rose Garden is
now once again the place
The Portland Trail Blaz
ers have announced that
to be and fans can expect
only standing room and
an enhanced game expe
single seats remain for
rience, both on opening
opening night vs. New Larry Miller
night and every other
Orleans on Thursday, Nov. 7 at game this season,” said Trail Blaz
7:30 p.m. at the Rose Garden.
ers president Larry Miller. "We
The first 15,000 fans entering have ayoung and exciting team and
the RoseGarden willreceiveacom- we have made significant upgrades
memorative cap, courtesy of Wells to the building, including a new
Fargo. The lights on the Morrison high-definition scoreboard, a new
Bridge will shine red and white to state-of-the-art sound system and
support the start of the season. a new restaurant, Pyramid Taproom
First of four-
game stand
Oregon receiver Jaison Williams celebrates his touchdown during the first half o f their college
football game against Arizona State in Eugene, Saturday, Nov. 3. (AP photo)
at Schonely’s Place, named after
our legendary broadcaster.”
Tickets are moving fast for the
remainder of the opening week.
The games include Friday, Nov. 9
vs. Memphis, when the first I ().(XX)
fans receive a free Greg Oden
Bobblehead courtesy ofWellsFargo;
Saturday, Nov. 10 vs. Dallas, which
includes a special halftime ceremony
honoring soldiers who have returned
from duty in the Middle East; and
Tuesday, Nov. 13 vs. Detroit, when
the team honors its rich heritage with
a special ceremony celebrating the
1990 and 1992 Western Conference
Champion teams.
Ducks Move to No. 3
Veterans of All Wars Parade and Planning Committee
Invite You To:
Have shot at national championship
The 33rd Annual Veterans’ Day Parade & Program
(AP) — Picked to finish in the
middle of the Pac-10, Oregon has
thrust itself into the heart of na
tional title race. Dennis Dixon threw
four touchdown passes and the
fourth-ranked Ducks defeated No.
6 Arizona State 35-23 on Saturday,
their second consecutive victory
over a Top 10 team.
Oregon moved to third place in
the Bowl Cham pionship Series
standings released Sunday. Loui
siana S tate U n iv e rsity took
advantaged of Boston College’s
first loss of the season, moving to
second w ith unbeaten K ansas
looming in fourth.
Undefeated Ohio State (10-0) is
still in first, and could lock up a
second straight appearance in the
BCS national championship game
on Jan. 7 with victories against Illi
nois and Michigan in its last two
games.
LSU (8-1) has at least three
games left and probably four with
the Southeastern Conference title
gam eonD ec. I. Winning out could
get the Tigers a spot in the title
game at the Superdome in New
Orleans.
That’s no lock.
Oregon (8-1) and Kansas (9-0)
are close enough to at least have a
shot at passing the Tigers, even if
LSU doesn’t drop a game.
The BCS could be heading for a
repeat of last season, when Ohio
State locked up the top spot the
week before Thanksgiving and sev
eral teams jostled for the other spot
over the next two weeks.
It came down to Florida and
Michigan and the Gators got the
votes they needed to pass the
Wolverines in the final BCS stand
ings. The outcome didn't sit well
with Michigan and showed the glar
ing flaws in the Bowl Champion
ship Series.
The system hasn't changed and
the problem of trying to chose be
tween several worthy contenders
to play in the title game could come
up again in the coming weeks.
LSU has a BCS average of .941.
The Tigers are second in both the
Harrisandcoaches'poll, which makes
up two-third of a BCS average, and
are No. 2 in the computer ratings.
Oregon's BCS average is .918
and Kansas is at .843. The surpris
ing Jayhawks still have a big game
against sixth-place Missouri left on
the schedule and a possible Big 12
championship game. Winning both
wouldgive Kansas' numbers a sub
stantial boost.
Oklahoma’saverage is .839. Mis-
souri, West Virginia. Boston Col
lege, Arizona State and Georgia
round out the top 10.
In the AP Top 25, the first five
teams are Ohio State, LSU, Oregon,
Oklahoma and Kansas.
LSU, which has been living on
the edge for the past month, won
another close game Saturday. The
Tigers came from behind to beat
Alabama4l-34.
Kansas routed Nebraska 76-39
and O klahom a pounded Texas
A&M 42-I4.
If all these teams keep winning,
how impressively they go about
their business could determ ine
which gets a shot at the title.
When: Sunday November 11 th, 9:45 A.M.
Where: Hollywood District between NE
40th and 48th Ave. and Sandy Blvd.
The parade includes veterans groups,
community groups, representatives
from all military service organizations
and local high school bands. The
parade will conclude with a ceremony
at Ross Hollywood Chapel Veterans
Memorial Flag Pole. War memorabilia
available for viewing. Covered seating
for seniors and disabled will be avail
able at the ceremony location.
Local Weightlifter Qualifies for Greece
A northeast Portland weight-
lifter is on the fast track to reach
ing the top o f his sport.
A fter sw eeping past the com
petition April 28 in his first cham
pionship at the O regon State
Natural com petition, Julius “The
A ntidote” Thom as won a gold
medal Sept. 22 at the USA All
Natural in Los Angeles.
He now qualifies to com pete
internationally and is trying to
secure sponsors in order for him
to represent the U.S. team in
Greece.
To make a contribution or for
more inform ation, call T hom as’
Julius "The Antidote" Thomas
manager at 503-270-1620.
PSU Home
Finale Saturday
PGE Park at 1:30 p.m. when seasons. The V ikings are 2-7
the P ortland State U niversity overall and 2-4 in the Big Sky
host the M ontana State B ob C o n fe re n c e . M o n ta n a S ta te ,
cats in the final home gam e o f w hich was in the top 20 ju st
the season for the V ikings.
tw o w eeks ago, com es o ff a
PSU has lost four straig h t bad road loss at N orthern C o lo
gam es heading into this week, rado and a home loss to N orth
the longest losing streak in four ern A rizona.
Sponsored By:
Ross Hollywood Chapel and The Hollywood Boosters Association
This Saturday afternoon a
jair o f team s headed in the
wrong direction will meet at
i
’ Please donate this holiday season to the “Toys For the Deployed" at the parade & at
Ross Holiday Chapel, 4733 NE Thompson, Portland, Oregon 97213
Please drop off your unwrapped toys by December 15,2(X)7.
For more Information Contact: Lynn at 503-281 -18(X).
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