Introduction
Introduction
What's New – The 2008 Clubman is a longer version of the Mini Cooper, bringing more cargo space and interior room to those who fell in love the original's image but needed something a bit more practical.
Competes With: Honda Fit, Scion xB, Volkswagen Rabbit
What We Think: Years after its debut, the Mini Cooper continues to attract buyers with its fun nature, accented by smiley-face styling and go-kart like handling. But as much as they loved it, some shoppers simply needed more space. The Cooper Clubman addresses that problem, but leaves too many others unsolved for our tastes.
Review: 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman: Settling – it's not something we like to do, but often times it's just a fact of life. The difference between getting what we truly want and living life with the runner-up is tiny. You might even call it mini. If only that house had a bigger back yard, if that ideal job was ten miles closer to home, if that hot woman from the bar had one less tattoo and one additional tooth, if the cute little Cooper provided just a little more space…the list goes on.
You're visiting the wrong website in regards to tattooed women and real estate, but we can address your Mini dilemma. Apparently, the folks responsible for the modern-day Cooper realized that many of you were digging the style they created but just couldn't get past how darn small the car actually was. To rectify the situation Mini introduces the 2008 Cooper Clubman, looking much like the original but offering more cargo space behind two neat barn-style doors and increased rear seat room that can now be accessed by a rear-hinged passenger side panel. We're talking a matter of inches and fewer than 10 cubic feet of bonus trunk space, but if the only thing that kept a Mini Cooper from inhabiting your garage was a lack of space and practicality, the Clubman might be the funky, smiley-faced little wagon thingamajig you've been hankering for.
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2008 Mini Cooper Clubman – Notable Features
What stands out most about the 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman is the added length, which allows for more rear seat leg room and a larger cargo area. The fun and quirky character that has attracted so many buyers in recent years remains, yet is tweaked a bit with a side access door and two small rear doors, each opening outward and featuring separate wipers. Fold down the split rear seat and the Clubman offers up 32.8 cubic feet of space for hauling items that just wouldn't have fit in a Cooper.
Though longer, the Clubman essentially mirrors the shorter Cooper in terms of safety and convenience features. Notable items a voice-activated navigation system with real-time traffic, standard stability control, an optional limited-slip differential for the S model, and available lifetime Sirius satellite radio service that stays with the car.
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2008 Mini Cooper Clubman – Models and Pricing
Like the regular Cooper, the Clubman model is available in base and turbocharged S variants. With the exception of engines and a few visual tweaks, all Clubmans come similarly equipped including standard stability control, front-side and side-curtain airbags, power mirrors, and leatherette upholstery; cloth upholstery is available at no charge. Buyers of the elongated Mini Cooper will also enjoy steering wheel-mounted controls, a trip computer, keyless entry, air conditioning that cools the glovebox, rear wipers, and power widows with an automatic up/down function. Tunes come from a six-speaker sound system featuring a CD player, speed-compensating volume and pre-wiring for Sirius satellite and HD radio services.
Standard features are nice, but what really attract the majority of Mini buyers are the numerous options. Available on all Clubmans are the $1,500 Premium Package that adds a dual-pane sunroof, automatic climate control, and an upgraded 10-speaker audio unit; the $500 Cold Weather Package, which tacks on heated mirrors, washers and seats; the $1,500 Sport Package that, depending on the trim level, adds bits like a sport suspension, sport seats, bonnet stripes, and upsized alloy wheels; and the $1,500 Convenience Package boasting rain-sensing wipers, a front center armrest, a USB port paired with Bluetooth capability, and more. Many of the items within these packages can be had separately.
A six-speed automatic transmission is available to replace the standard six-speed manual for $1,250 and buyers can contact their dealer for details and pricing on John Cooper Works suspension and brake kits. Going farther down the options list you'll find metallic paint ($500), front and rear fog lights ($100-500), a factory aero kit ($1,250), various types of leather upholstery ($1,000-2,000), a voice-activated navigation system with real-time traffic ($2,000), and Sirius satellite radio with a life-time subscription ($1,000). A limited-slip differential is available on the Cooper Clubman S for $500.
Whatever options you choose, they'll be added to the 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman's base price of $20,600 or the Clubman S's base price of $24,100. A $650 destination charge is included.
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