The Mini Cooper S Coupe Is Designed Like A Hat, Does It Drive Like One? | 2012 Mini Coupe Review

Who doesn't love a car designed to look like its wearing a backwards baseball cap?!
In today's video, I take a look at a 2012 Mini Cooper S Coupe. A car that was targeting the youth with its unique 'backwards hat' inspired design. It's a more sporty, faster Mini Cooper S with less seats. It even has a retractable spoiler! Come along as I take a look at and drive this wonderfully quirky, rare car with ‪@100PercentJake‬!
Shoutout to EuroAsian Bob for letting me borrow the car!
Check out his inventory here: www.euroasianauto.com
'Like' me on Facebook: / elliottalviscars
Thanks for watching!
#HatCar #Mini #RetractableSpoiler

[@100PercentJake]

I have driven many hats, this one was the most fun.

[@ElliottAlvis]

100PercentJake So you’d say this hat fit you well?

[@100PercentJake]

@@ElliottAlvis Like a glove.

[@Believer21777]

Just picked one of these up for my wife she loves it.

[@davidtsang1807]

I was so lucky to pick this one up last year, and now I'm so happy when driving it! It's got so much fun and handling with just right amount of power.

[@ElliottAlvis]

David Tsang that’s great David! It truly is a fun car, I’m so glad I got the chance to spend some time with one. Thanks for watching!

[@euroasianbob9268]

After watching this video on my car, I hate to sell it even more! Lol. Glad you guys got to enjoy it. I love sharing with my friends. It is going up on Cars & Bids in the next few days. Will throw up the link when live.

[@ElliottAlvis]

Thanks again for the opportunity Bob! This car is going to draw a lot of attention on Cars & Bids.

[@noboringcars1227]

I had the 2014 JCW and I miss it all the time. I took mine on the track and I can tell you it is quite capable and can keep up with much bigger sports cars. The short wheel base can get tricky on hard braking but it is fun, capable, unique and as the video stated it is quite practical. Losing the back seat gives it more storage than any other two-seater I know. I used mine for work hauling sales gear for several months and it was fine. I believe the value will hold up well over time.

[@joshdarland7386]

Best quickie I've been apart of in awhile.

[@ElliottAlvis]

Josh Darland glad I could satisfy that itch for you bud.

[@gary_michael_flanagan_wildlife]

I own a C6 Z06 and I STILL miss my 2012 MCS turbo. I did lots of work to it and it really wakes up even more with some tuning. These cars are so fun!! The vette is awesome, but with a mini you are fearless, doing whatever you want basically hah thanks for the video. I’ll probably get another one someday! Maybe a first generation this time

[@ajw828]

I remember Top Gear hating on this car so hard when it was introduced. Definitely changed my mind from the last couple videos. Great work! Need New Balance and Whole Foods links in the description below.

[@ElliottAlvis]

A.J. W. Lol 😂 yeah I always thought these were neat, I’m glad I got to drive one!

[@leesimms9599]

@@ElliottAlvis z,z,,zzzz,,,,z,,,,,,,,,z,,,,,,,,z,,,,

[@Piracanto]

Ah, I'd love a Mini. Middle Age Crisis is coming, maybe then! Loved the outtakes at the end!

[@dustibreaux4854]

I’m in the process of trying to buy one! I can’t wait!!

[@blackthanos5957]

Just got one. I also have driven many hats this one is top tier.

[@MrMystri]

@Black Thanos Hi. Do you recommend? I'm thinking of getting one

[@willr69420]

Elliott Elvis and 100% Jake - 2 bright spots in my DAY!

[@Scale_Slotcars_Latvia]

Gotta love all the big girls complaining about visibility... Drove trucks all my life using side mirrors only, visibility is perfect in this car!

[@BrownsFaninIowa]

Laguna Green! Rare color (and gorgeous as well)! All N18-motor second gen MINIs are a blast. Common complaint on the R58s is the decreased rearward visibility thru the much smaller side and rear windows (as compared to the R56). Some friends have actually sold their R58s on this issue alone -- they felt the lack of visibility was just too severe. Then again, I have one friend who loves them so much she has two -- and one is JCW-spec. The convertible versions of these (R59) are very coveted in the MINI community -- and hard to find. 2012 base Cooper = 121hp. Cooper S = 181hp. JCW = 208hp

[@ElliottAlvis]

Greg Beachy fantastic information Greg! Thanks for commenting and thanks for watching!

[@BradleyWoodruff]

Can confirm. I park strategically to avoid backing up whenever I can.

[@simonwelch9092]

I have the 300hp 4 wheel drive Mini. Does put a smile on my face now and then :)

[@ElliottAlvis]

Simon Welch I bet that does put a smile on your face! Thanks for watching!

[@Autumnleavesexotics]

I just bought one of these! :D I love it lol

[@ElliottAlvis]

Kalicat24 congratulations! They are super fun cars. Thanks for watching!

[@TheCuenkita100]

I also have one, super fun car and fast 👍

[@loelpolo5510]

Great video!!! I have my hat car lol. I have a 2015 black Mini Cooper S Coupe and a 2014 silver Mini Cooper S Roadster they are so fun to drive!!!

[@ElliottAlvis]

That’s awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@jonathanziegler8126]

I was in the market for a new model Mustang 5 litre. I saw a Mini S Coupe on a lot in town. I pulled in, told my son in law to drive the Subaru home, and tell my wife I was buying my first car in 20+ years. Take away(?)... It is quick. The specs list top speeds at 140+ mph. Will it? Someone share. It handles well, but I live in the country and the roads can make the ride a bit rough. I also live in the high desert. May I make this suggestion, stay out of the snow, or at least have an alternative auto in case it snows too much. Acceleration is tops. The seats are comfortable, I am 5' 9" tall. I fit well. They are tough, I hit a deer. It did not make it, but the Mini did, a new hood, and front paint is what I need. Draw backs? Just a two seater, but it is just my wife and I now. Always put premium fuel in your Mini S Coupe. Also synthetic oil. It has a high performance engine, treat it that way. Though it can be expensive. Find a mechanic that will treat you fairly and is not afraid to work on it. Grease Monkey wanted 90+ dollars for an oil change. "Special European Oil" was the reason. A fellow in town did it for much less, with the right oil. And he is not afraid to work on it. Fuel mileage, 30 mpg? Maybe. The backwards hat? It drafts air down to the electric spoiler. That is the purpose, not to make the car look like the fourth member of The Outfield. Remember, they are collectors items. Treat yours with love.

[@dave11686]

Love it!

[@ElliottAlvis]

The Sock Monkey! Thanks dude!

[@yiyangcheng]

Yaaasss!! More Elliot and 100% Jake than “Toyota/Ford just change the game/world” lol

[@ElliottAlvis]

yiyangcheng you know it!

[@yiyangcheng]

Elliott Alvis it never lightens my day when i see “if you want to see another new car repair videos, remember to ring that bell! Boing!! -rock music plays-“

[@RodderFiles]

Found you from Tyler's last video, Subbed

[@ElliottAlvis]

Awesome! Glad to have you!

[@NewtonProductions1]

I think I’m going to get one I know someone who has it she said she’ll sell it to me it’s beautiful

[@HelenaLover95]

I'm thinking of buying one of these gorgeous cars! I'm just wondering, can you disable the automatic spoiler? I'm just a bit concerned every time it pops up it cuts off half the rear visibility!

[@mary_zhou1995]

😭love it so much

[@ElliottAlvis]

It’s a great little car!

[@RenaultFixChannel]

minis are super fun to drive, ive got 2020 Cooper DSG 136hp biturbo for some days to test drive it was sooo zippy with that DSG so bad that Cooper s have ZF standard automatic transmission

[@ElliottAlvis]

They are very fun cars!

[@MrSpeedcat85]

Total produced amount of coupes is about 30.000 pieces. JCW Coupes have been about 3.600 coupes only.

[@ElliottAlvis]

Yep, they are pretty rare!

[@CarsofGlasgow]

great video!! I haven't seen one of these in a while actually (and I live in the UK) haha

[@ElliottAlvis]

CarsofGlasgow Yeah they are really scarce! Thanks for watching dude!

[@CarsofGlasgow]

@@ElliottAlvis no worries at all, weirdly at a time there was a Cooper S Diesel too!

[@ElliottAlvis]

CarsofGlasgow that would’ve been something to experience! I don’t think we got those in the states.

[@CarsofGlasgow]

@@ElliottAlvis yeah I don't think that came and I don't think the base model known as the 'one' hit your shores either? Mini One is a Cooper but with everything stripped out haha (comes on steelies)

[@ElliottAlvis]

CarsofGlasgow yeah I definitely don’t think we got the stripped out Mini 😂

[@danieldulaney8061]

You didnt put it in sport mode to get the pops and bangs, along with throttle response and tighter steering. :(

[@jenniferyoung3725]

I’ve got a 2013 Coupe S and LOVE it. Did you hear it backfire in Sport mode? HOTT.

[@ElliottAlvis]

Jennifer Young it’s such a cool, fun car! Glad you enjoy yours!

[@yankee2yankee216]

Who thought that would be a good idea (to design a car to look like a hat)? No doubt the designers, or perhaps a visionary CEO (I don't happen to know)? In any case, the origin of the design aside, creativity has done its work, and by taking a side trip into something unrelated (though marketing might disagree), i.e. the hat, created an interesting, distinctive, attractive design. As a matter of fact, the majority of great, new ideas, down through time, come from putting things together which do not ordinarily go together. The "aesthetic sense" recognizes when things formerly unrelated go together. I happen to like the Mini Coupe. Relatively rare, it should be a collector's item before too long.

[@vintagespirit2836]

It's like a mini transformer!

[@ElliottAlvis]

It does look like a mini Transformer!

[@truthseekerdanny]

I'm torn on this one. Ive never really liked the small little European design cars.... I'm more of a 90s japanese cars guy. But it does look good in the front. Not quite sure what to say about that "Hat" looking top.

[@ElliottAlvis]

Daniel Zermeno it’s certainly unlike anything else on the road. And for that, I like it. Also it’s a hoot to drive. Thanks for watching as always man!

[@truthseekerdanny]

@@ElliottAlvis entirely my pleasure.

[@watchjaredwork1487]

Hey!

[@poke12gauge32]

Im thinking about getting one it has 104k miles on it curious if i should steer away from one like that or not because ive never owned a mini before. I like its odd design but its got cheap payments and seem to be pretty fuel effecient

[@ElliottAlvis]

They seem to be great cars! Just make sure you know a mechanic who is familiar with them and all of the work seems to be a breeze!

[@MrMystri]

Did you get the car in the end? I'm considering it but not fully sure yet

[@pussygalore5947]

I hope you bought this car and dumped the Pious Elliott - it's very cool

[@ElliottAlvis]

PussyGalore it is such a cool car. Unfortunately I didn’t buy it...

[@tonymitchinson696]

I got a 2014

[@mauriciomarianocarneiro]

This is the mini with the Prince Engine? A 1.6 turbo engine?

[@ElliottAlvis]

Mauricio Mariano I believe so? I’m not sure on the displacement.

[@mauriciomarianocarneiro]

@@ElliottAlvis I have a Peugeot 308 with the same Engine. I believe BMW have also VANOS that Peugeot does not have. :)

[@ElliottAlvis]

Mauricio Mariano ah yes it is a Peugeot engine!

[@tiagomontenegro5932]

Impossible to make a back seat quickie in this coupe 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@pranavjoshi6802]

Well, manual transmission can make a 80bhp car feel sporty. That's the key!

[@ElliottAlvis]

Pranav Joshi Very very true!

[@ekw555]

it also helps if the car does not weigh 3600 pounds . . . .

[@ElliottAlvis]

ekw555 thats also true!

[@billgorman481]

With my back, I would need a hoist to get out of it!

[@ElliottAlvis]

BILL GORMAN it’s low, but it’s doable! Thanks for watching Bill!

[@billgorman481]

@@ElliottAlvis 6'6" so doubtful ;) My pleasure!

[@ElliottAlvis]

BILL GORMAN yeah, that might be a little tight for you then! Lol

[@shazbaar02]

I see you swapped from Evian to Smart water....

[@ElliottAlvis]

Alex Webster It was the Smart choice for this particular video 😉

[@Sonny_V]

Everything old is new again...google up 1961 Pontiac "Flat Top"

[@ElliottAlvis]

G. veatch that’s awesome! I just looked them up. Very cool.

[@BradleyWoodruff]

Woah, I’ve never seen that car before. Thanks for this!

[@ElliottAlvis]

Bradley Woodruff glad you enjoyed it Bradley. Thanks for watching

[@crisangelafanador557]

I thought it was cool, so I thought, how come they didn't sell well. And then I realized it was a 2 seater, shame on mini

[@ElliottAlvis]

Crisangel Afanador yeah, they had to get rid of the back seats to achieve that hat-like roofline! Lol

[@ekw555]

you only have one rear end. how many seats do you need? are you running some kind of transportation company?

[@ElliottAlvis]

ekw555 I do enjoy 2 seaters. Less people ask you for rides 😉

[@ekw555]

@@ElliottAlvis I've said for years (joking, mostly) what do I need a back seat for? I'm a grown up - my friends have cars.

[@ekw555]

@@ElliottAlvis yep. I ain't moonlighting for Uber.