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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday September 13, 2006 - 35 New Mini keeps things interesting Continued from Page 24 Auto EVERYTHING sophisticated vehicles. Measuring a little over 3.6 metres (12 ft.) long, the MINI looks friendly and approachable thanks to its short hood, upright front windshield and windows that appear as a continuous band around the vehicle. With its wheels pushed out to the corners and flat roof, it also exudes a sporty vibe, suggesting that something more aggressive lurks beneath the cute sheet metal. In the case of the $30,600 Cooper S, this is indeed true. Under the hood is a transversely mounted, 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine with a supercharger generating a punchy 168 hp at 6,000 rpm and 162 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 revs. This is mated to a standard high-performance 6-speed gearbox or a 6speed manumatic with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. With an additional 53 ponies on tap over the regular Cooper model, plus an additional gear in the works, the S really moves. Though it doesn't fall into the pocket rocket category, it accelerates strongly -- zero to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds -- and hits its sweet spot mid-range, perfect for passing and getting up to highway speeds. On-ramps have never been so much fun. For 2006, the John Cooper Works Package is available as a factory- installed option and moves the MINI into high-performance, hang-onto-your-hat territory. Features include Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), 17-inch wheels, a limited slip differ- ential, carbon fibre detailing and modifications to the hatchback's engine, boosting horsepower to 210 hp and shaving the zero to 100 km/h time to 6.6 seconds. A higherrevving compressor for the supercharger, upgraded exhaust and adjustments to the cylinder head and engine electronics all play a part. With a $5,900 price tag, only serious drivers will likely consider it, but it truly transforms the car. With a stiffly sprung sport suspension, the Cooper S rides hard and can rattle your jowls at times. Those looking for comfort over performance will likely prefer the base Cooper's softer tuning. In either guise, the MINI sticks to the pavement like a magnet, with go-kartlike handling and pinpoint steering. It can be pushed hard into the corners without objection and can stop on demand with equal aplomb, thanks to effective disc brakes and 4-channel ABS. Electronic systems like automatic stability control, traction control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Cornering Brake Control, which evens braking forces from side to side, help keep the Cooper S on its intended course without interfering prematurely. This helps ensure a dialled-in, yet controlled, driving experience. Visual exterior clues on this model also include a rear spoiler, centre mounted dual exhaust that emits a wonderfully throaty sound, specially designed bumpers, aerodynamically optimized side sills, 16-inch wheels and a hood scoop. This year there are two new trim packages available for hatchback models. The Checkmate features 17-inch wheels, a silver roof, mirrors and bonnet stripes, checkered trim, plus exclusive blue and grey cloth/leather upholstery and steering wheel. The Quicksilver is more understated with silver exterior accents and special metallic paint colours. Inside, the MINI looks like no other car on the road with retro inspired touches mixed with modern styling cues. A dial for the tachometer is mounted behind the beefy steering wheel and a supersize speedometer dominates the centre stack, just like the old days. Old-school style toggle switches operate the power windows and doors, while the sport seats are covered in cloth or leatherette that can be ordered to complement the exterior colour of the car. Stainless steel pedals, silver bezels and a chrome ring on the gearshift add an edgy, high-tech look. Standard features on the Cooper S include 50/50 split rear seats, manually adjustable front seats, multi-function steer- ing wheel with cruise control, air conditioning, premium 6-speaker sound system with CD player and MP3 capability and an illuminated and cooled glovebox. Six airbags, including front and side bags, are also standard. Options worth considering include a panoramic sunroof and heated seats, which are included in the $1,990 Premium Package, along with chrome interior accents and an auto dimming rearview mirror. Though rear seat legroom is tight, front passengers have lots of room to stretch out. There's 150 litres of luggage space behind the back seats, which expands to 670 litres with the seats folded down. There are several accessories available, including bike racks, ski holders and roof bins if more storage space is needed. With style, top-notch driving dynamics and up-to-date features and amenities, the MINI Cooper S is a modern and easy to live with daily driver. It's also an affordable way to indulge your dream of driving a go-kart every day.-kart every day of the week. So you want to buy/lease a car in the 2007 minefield? Watch your step. Hey, its simple. Find the car you want, look at the interest rate. If the payments are okay, you go for it. Here's where the paranoia comes in. What if you are paying too much? What if you got a great deal on a U.S. imported used car but you can't get service under warranty. What if you run into (just kidding) somebody who will not only sell you a ride but take you for one? Could somebody out there want to take advantage of you? Are you depressed yet? Listen, it's not so bad if you know where the potholes are. It's easy and it'll cost you less in both the short and long term. Get good, solid advice from an expert. Any list of the dumb things I've done in my life will need another page. Among the few very smart things was to walk into the tiny office of Marc Rousseau, ensconced in the back of a Datsun, yes Datsun dealership in the fall of 1983. It was early days at Marc's new company, Multi-Line Auto Sales and Leasing. So I said, "why you?" And he told me. He had no axe to grind but mine. He didn't need to move this many of that model and some of that model, not to mention try to clear some of the turkeys that weren't catching on. He wasn't stuck with only 3 year leases, or 4 year leases at one interest rate from one place. He could act as a broker, find the right vehicle y y and make the best deal of my needs and my budget, and by doing that bring me back again and again. It made sense to me and I've been coming back for 23 years. And not just to Marc: he has imbued all his people with that same service philosophy, customer's needs drive everything! One thing I've observed is that the automobile business has morphed and morphed again over the past 23 years. A lot of this morphing has had to do with Canadian and U.S. dollars and every time Multi-Line has been able to find the right adjustments because they are beholden to no one but their customers... a simple idea, seldom found. We've had cars going out of Canada to the U.S. with great impact on supply and demand... and pricing. Now we have the reverse. We've had leasing be the first choice for most people but now buying seems to have the upper hand. We've had cars that were the best cars and cars that were the best "deals". (Frankly, General Motors has put most of the domestic auto industry in the "deal" business.) We've had interest rates used both as a lure and as a club. The big caution light says Think Ahead. That beautiful hunk of metal that has you hyperventilating will be around for a few years and when it comes time to replace her, you don't want to be in a world of hurt. The sand has passed through the time: once again and now I'm in the market to replace my beloved leased Acura. I have my experts. While I've been heavily involved in the communications side of the automobile business, I've shopped nowhere else for 23 years and when I look at all the possibilities, Multi-Line can show me the potholes so I can avoid the pratfalls. They're on the south service road, between Dorval and 4th Line. You can see their sunshine yellow premises and great cars from the QEW, Hey, I'm just a lucky opportunist. I've got friends in the car business! Bob Fleck www.multiline.ca