Popular Mini flips its lid.

With all the oversized SUVs on the market, the Mini Cooper has made small cool again. Since BMW took over Mini brought it to U.S. consumers in 2002, it seems there aren’t enough of them to go around. More than 500,000 have been sold worldwide (more than 36,000 in the U.S.) last year.

While the buzz has died down from when we first tested the Mini three years ago, no car yet prompts more smiles and elicits more questions and appreciative “thumbs up.” Which means it’s time for a new model.

For 2005, Mini Cooper introduces a convertible — available as both a Mini Cooper and Cooper S — on sale since September. They are perfect Arizona cars, where all but summer and early fall brings agreeable temperatures and sunny days.

When it comes to automotive marketing, nobody has done it better than Mini. It first began with clever billboards and continues with ingenious magazine ads. And, clever marketing continues where buyers of the new convertible are lightheartedly asked to sign a contract agreeing to drive with the top down at least 90 percent of the time with exceptions for “rain, car washes, hair plug surgery and being within earshot of a kazoo concert.” It’s no wonder there are waiting lists and Mini enjoys the highest percentage of resale value for all cars sold, other than Porsche.

Mini Cooper comes in two model designations, the 115-horsepower Mini Cooper and the 168-horsepower Mini Cooper S (S for “supercharged”). Either model is available as a convertible with seating for four. Barely.

Standard equipment on all Minis includes air conditioning, CD stereo with six speakers, power windows with auto-down, power locks, keyless entry, intermittent wipers, five-speed manual transmission and 15-inch alloy wheels.

The Mini Cooper S adds a supercharged engine, a six-speed manual transmission, firmer front and rear anti-roll bar suspension and 16-inch wheels and run-flat performance tires. No spare tire! The Cooper S has exterior trim that distinguishes it from the base Mini including a hood scoop, sport bumpers, lower intake grille, wider wheel arches, fender mounted side grilles with a red “S” designation and twin exhaust tips below the middle of the rear bumper. The Mini grille is chrome where the S gets a body-colored with chrome-trim surround. Additionally, there’s an S logo on the rear, and a chrome fuel-filler cover completes the performance styling cues.

All Mini models get a mild facelift for 2005, including new headlights and taillights, a three-slat grille (the previous Minis had four), a new map light and illuminated door handles. We think only Mini buffs will know the difference. Also, the rear cup holder has been increased in size, a tray added under the center column and an additional tray under the brake handle. But the big news is the arrival of the convertible Mini.

To begin, the convertible arrives with a roof that is completely automatic, no manual latches to twist or snap open. A single-button operates a choice of two open-air modes. There’s a partway mode that leaves a sunroof section open some 15 inches at the front of the cockpit. Since the first 15 inches is a rigid panel, there’s no convertible-top material flapping in the breeze. Or, just keep the single button pressed and in a mere 15 seconds the top completely retracts behind the rear seats in traditional convertible fashion.

Retracting the top exposes twin roll bars with built-in headrests behind the rear seat. They’re completely functional, but do hinder rear visibility much more than desired. In anticipation, BMW engineers have included standard sensors that beep and alert the driver if he or she is getting too close to an obstacle in back.

My test vehicle, the S convertible, came with the only transmission available — a very capable six-speed manual shifter. On the road, the Mini is go-kart quick and handles efficiently. It goes where it’s directed without complaint as though on rails, but don’t expect a smooth ride. As the shortest vehicle sold in the U.S. (just 12 feet long), the Mini’s ride is firm and choppy yet handling is secure. That’s especially true with the S version, which has a stiffer suspension and wider, run-flat tires to help cushion bumps. The trade off is a car that is fun to drive with quick steering, fast acceleration and excellent braking. Simply put, this car is a blast!

Everything about the Mini Cooper, however, is bodacious. Its design, especially the interior use of bold colors, exaggerated gauges, retro-toggle switches and classic lighting is inviting. The interior features polished aluminum-finish bezels on the switches and instruments that carries over to the ball shifter and hand brake. Even the pedals are stainless steel.

Seats are firm yet comfortable. At 6’6” I drew numerous stares and unsolicited comments as I unfolded from the Mini. Yet front-seat room is ample if not excessive. However with the driver’s seat adjusted for my position, the back of my seat was literally touching the rear seat.

What is ample on the Mini are safety features. All Minis come with anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, front and front side-impact airbags, thorax head and body airbags, a crash sensor that automatically unlocks the doors and side-impact door beams. The S model adds traction control. Electronic stability control is offered as a highly recommended option. Amazingly, all this comes in a car that starts under $17,000.

The Mini Cooper is a fun, wind-in-your-hair car that won’t set you back a fortune, and when you’re ready to move on to another Mini or some other car its high resale will get you most of your money back.

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