2013 MINI Cooper Paceman All4

I hear this car was coming and I didn't really understand it, they are doing well with the Countryman (The Paceman is a 2 door version of the Countryman). Smart All Wheel Drive for intelligent traction. It is a lot bigger than your standard MINI but I feel it even handles better. I love 2-door cars and this is a great package.

Being an S makes it even better and if you opt for the John Cooper Works Special, Yeee Haaa! You're in for a great ride, and that is what this car is all about, with electric power steering you might want to be aware of this when you're flogging it through the mountain turns in the East County. It is very aware of your ever move, acceleration is there when you need it as long as you opted for the S version, Turbocharged Direct Injected 1.6-liter 16 valve, 4 cylinder engine that develops 181 horsepower and 171 pound foot of torque, Getrag 6-speed manual that is tight and very quick! Fuel mileage is great, 23 city and 30 freeway and a combined number of around 26 depending on how you hammer it!

Handling is another standout for the Paceman, ALL4 which is all 4-wheel drive all the time when the car feels the need to adjust power front to rear it is done by computers, and you just aim and shoot. Stopping is important so you get a set of hefty four wheel disc brakes with ABS, (Anti-Lock Braking), CBC (Corner Brake Control), to enhance agility and handling, EBF (Electronic Brake Force), DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), DTC (Dynamic Traction Control, adjustable sport leather wrapped steering wheel (I consider the steering wheel a very important safety feature, must be able to hang on!).
On the topic of Safety you get a Rigid Constructed body, 7 airbags, Crash Sensor system, and engine immobilizer, seat belts for all four occupants along with head restraints.

The 2013 Paceman is full of standard features that may allow you not to look at the option list, but if you must there is something for everyone.
For example my tester came with a package called Premium Package 2 which consisted of the following:
Dual Pain Sunroof, Steptronic Paddle-Shifting Automatic Transmission, 19-inch alloy wheels, black headlight housings, Run flat Tires, center armrest, heated front seats, Anthracite headliner, Cockpit surface done in Piano Black, Xeon Headlights, Satellite radio, Harmon Kardon Sound System, and white turn signal lights.

The second package that came on this Paceman was called the MINI Connected Navigation Package consists of voice activation, Bluetooth with USB port, Smartphone integration, and a MINI Navigation System.
The warranty on the MINI is great as well, 4-year 50,000 mile warranty, 4 year roadside assistance, and a program called "Boot To Bonnet No Cost Maintenance" which gives you 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first) all factory recommended services!

What were my driving thoughts and would I buy one? Not fair, I own a 2006 MINI Cooper S JCW GP 0101 and I would have the Paceman sitting next to my GP in a heartbeat, the price? Not cheap, but worth it! The Paceman starts out $26,800 mine with all the features and being an S model with 2 optional packages it ran it up to $39,650 plus tax and license (Includes $700 freight charge).

Go to www.miniusa.com and build your own!

To hear more about the vehicles I drive you can go to www.you-auto-know.com or listen live every Sunday at 7 to 10 PM PST on KCBQ AM 1170 and don't forget KUSI Wednesday and Friday at 6:40 AM PST and Saturday and Sunday at 7:40 AM PST.