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What carries a transmission from Germany, an engine from Brazil, and is assembled in Great Britain? That would be the Mini Cooper S, still a head-turner though it has been in production for two years. Kids love this car. Virtually every grocery bagger and fast-food worker we encountered during our week with the Mini gave it a thumbs up. Problem is, few of them can afford one. The suggested retail for the S version we drove is $20,449. That price includes a manual Getrag six-speed transmission and no options whatsoever, though the S carries a more powerful supercharged engine than the ordinary Mini. The list on a basic Mini is about $16,500, still out of reach for many younger car buyers.
The Mini is shorter overall than any other car in the U.S., measuring just 142.8 in. One way the small size manifests itself is in the passenger compartment. Front-scat occupants have a decent amount of...