When Subaru first introduced the 2007 Legacy 2.5 GT spec.B performance sports sedan last spring at Even though they've been tooling around the roadways for nearly four years, I still haven't grown tired of Mini Coopers. With their relative affordability, eco-friendly output and stellar design, these automobiles deserve a place on showroom floors for decades to come. I recently had the opportunity to test-drive the new, limited-production Mini Cooper "S" -- an experience that reminded me just how much fun a small car can be. This special Mini is built with the John Cooper Works GP Kit, a high-end package that translates to topnotch performance from bumper to bumper. The base price of the standard Mini Cooper is around $18,000 (plus destination charges); if you elect to upgrade to the Cooper "S," you're looking at a sticker price just over $21,000. Because all Minis are engineered with utmost precision by the BMW company, I find them all a pleasure to drive. But if you're a truly performance-hungry motorist who wants to make a bold statement, you really should consider the "S." Its sports-car pedigree is evident from the inside out: Factory engineers chose to make this Mini a two-seater, eliminating the backseat that is standard on all other models and providing more cargo space. And it's worth noting, as well, that a special structural support brace is mounted in the position where the rear seats would have been, in order to give the car a more rigid body frame (for rally-type driving). A number of interior accents also highlight the fact that this car is equipped with the GP performance kit, which includes unique labeling on the leather seating surfaces. The exterior boasts special decals and badging with an exclusive aerodynamics package along the sides. Additionally, the well-defined rear-window roof spoiler echoes a racing-wing profile. The suspension is quite stiff, owing to upgraded and chassis components, but this is to be expected on a performance car. The special open-slotted racing wheels clearly reveal the car's larger brakes and componentry. The exterior also has signature “chili red”-colored door mirrors mounted on the cars gray painted surface. The hood has a wide-open, functional air inlet plus special graphics. Beneath it is the 214 horsepower supercharged inter-cooled four cylinder engine. The car has a specially tuned sport exhaust system, which generates a nice throaty sound. It will travel from 0 to 62 miles per hour in just over six seconds! All of this performance is channeled through a crisp-shifting six-speed manual gear box. So, OK: What's all of this going to cost? The factory has an MSRP of just over $31,000 for the Mini Cooper "S" - a bargain for a vehicle that's sure to turn heads and may even appeal to collectors globally.