While the EPA says that the Cooper is a subcompact based on

Sill plates remind you every time you enter or leave. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

interior volume, its appeal is truly universal, unrestricted to any vehicle category in particular. It is a car for first-time new car buyers and multi-multi-millionaires alike, for high school teens or for septuagenarians looking for a modern trip down memory lane, and because of this there's just no telling what kind of person will be behind the wheel when you drive up beside one.

It's not difficult to see the appeal either - you get one of the best front-wheel drive chassis' on the market, top-drawer technology, big-car features and a real depth of quality, not to mention a sense of occasion on the inside. And even though the Cooper S has a 1.6-litre engine that sips fuel and is quite thrifty to insure, the cost of entry isn't cheap.

The most basic MINI available for purchase, the Cooper Classic without xenon headlamps, DSC and a restricted options and colour palette starts at $23,500 - inarguably the best value for the money in the MINI lineup and my pick of the litter. There's also the regular Cooper that costs $25,900, and strapping on a supercharger bumps the price up to $30,600. Adding the Checkmate package costs an additional $2,350. Pile on a few other options, such as the Premium Package, which adds a panoramic sunroof amongst other options, Chrome Line exterior, and the high-quality Harman/Kardon premium sound system as this car did, and it'll nudge thirty-seven grand, which is BMW 3-Series money. For those who wish to have the ultimate Cooper S Checkmate, the Works Package can be added for an additional $5,900, which when the total has been calculated and the dust has settled, is reasonably-equipped 3-Series money. 

It's

Checkmate may not be as quick or special as JCW GP, but it's special nonetheless. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

long been known that the current MINI is on its way out, to be replaced by an all-new model starting sometime in 2007. We've heard about the new turbocharged motors, six-speed gearboxes, and have some idea about what to expect in terms of its looks, inside and out, after seeing MINI's city-themed Tourer concepts. And while it'll offer even more of what buyers crave, offer more performance, more features than ever, there will always be a soft spot in my heart for the current Cooper. Even though the Checkmate Edition Cooper S isn't as spectacular as the stripped-out JCW GP limited edition Cooper S available in Europe, our Checkmate is a wonderful last hurrah for a car that brought the MINI name back to life in all its former glory.

Specifications (MINI Cooper S Checkmate):

• Price Range (Cooper S Checkmate MSRP): $32,950 - $46,430
• Price as Tested (MSRP): $37,125
• Body Type: 3-door hatchback
• Layout: front engine, FWD
• Engine: 168 hp, 162 lb-ft of torque, 1.6L, 16-valve DOHC I-4, supercharged
• Transmission: 6-spd manual
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS, EBD, CBC
• Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 3,655 / 1,688 / 1,416 / 2,467 mm (143.9 / 66.5 / 55.7 / 97.1 in)
• Curb Weight: 1233 kg (2720 lbs)
• Tires: 205/40R17
• Capacity (trunk/folded): 150 / 670 L (5.29 / 27.3 cu ft)
• Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 9.6 / 6.5 L/100 km (25 / 36 mpg)
• Observed Fuel Economy: 9.9 L/100 km (24 mpg)
• Warranty (mo/km): 48/8,000 km comprehensive
• Competitors: Acura RSX Type-S, Audi A3, Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged, Dodge Caliber SRT-4, Honda Civic Si, Hyundai Tiburon, Mazda RX-8, Mitsubishi Eclipse GT, Volkswagen GTI
• Website: www.mini.ca