“You know you’re driving my dream car.”
Owners of the Mini Cooper have heard that sentence at drive-thrus, car washes, and supermarket parking lots for as long as the Cooper has been around. Oh, the Cooper has flaws. (I’m low on oil, again? Is the car just drinking it?) But, the Mini Cooper has pegged the needle on cool since it was the real star of the movie, “The Italian Job” seventeen years ago this summer. Even as the car has grown in size (You know “Mini” is the company name. right? They aren’t obligated to build tiny little cars.), its allure continues. Now, during the pandemic, Mini has a special offer, and it is one that any potential Mini Cooper owner should hear. Oxford Edition Mini Coopers for everyone! Gildshire had to find out more.
Since 2017, Mini has offered a limited-edition low-priced model, available to college students, recent graduates, and active or recently retired US military. It’s the Oxford Edition and its decked out with a list of equipment that would ordinarily add thousands to the price.
With sales severely hampered due to coronavirus, Mini has decided to offer the Oxford Edition to everyone regardless of education or military experience. The Oxford Edition is also broadened to include the larger Countryman with either front- or all-wheel-drive. True to the Oxford Edition promise, the latest editions are priced below standard-issue models while offering some cool extras.
The Mini Cooper Oxford Edition. Now available to the general public.
The official word from Mini.
“Our Oxford Editions are all about offering Mini models with incredible value, at an attractive price, without giving up style, substance, and Mini’s fun-to-drive characteristics,” said Mike Peyton, vice president of Mini Americas. “Offering our Oxford Editions to everyone and adding the versatile Countryman Oxford Edition are additional means of making Mini more accessible to more customers.”
The Countryman Oxford Edition starts at $25,900, with the All4 version starting at $27,900. That’s a discount of $3,000 and $2,500 compared to Classic models, not including $850 in destination fees. However, those prices do include upgraded 18-inch wheels, heated front seats, an anthracite headliner, automatic climate control, and six different exterior color options. Mini says the extra equipment is worth $5,500.
The standard Cooper two-door and four-door Oxford Editions remain the price champions. Starting at $19,750 for the two-door, the Oxford Edition is $3,650 less than the entry-level classic. As with the Countryman, the Cooper sports upgraded wheels in 17-inch flavor, heated seats, and six color options. A dual-pane panoramic moon roof is also standard.
In essence, Mini is slashing its price on base-model Coopers and Countrymans. The automaker hasn’t said how long this all-inclusive offer will run. But the Countryman Oxford Edition will be available in limited numbers starting in July. The Cooper is available now.
Oxford Edition Mini Coopers may not have the zip and zing of the famous Cooper S. But it is a sharp-looking car for the budget-minded among us. And, the longer this pandemic lasts, the more “budget-minded” ones there are among us. See your local, or regional, Mini dealer for more details. Then just wait for the admiring comments from a drive-thru near you.
