Mini Cooper Fail; Toyota Matrix Potshot

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I had to drive a Cooper Mini for work. Heartbreaking! In this case, though, it broke most of the Mini lust inspired by its super-cute exterior design. Weird key and ignition design is petty, but it's the first of several layout problems the driver encounters. The window controls are in a poorly labeled spot at the bottom of the center console, disguised in a shiny chrome thicket. The speedometer is on the center console; the tachyometer is in the driver's line of sight through the windshield. The speedometer location is the deal-breaker: unforgivably bad design in a car with an automatic transmission. I had problems with jerky acceleration from stops, which might be my inexperience - I only drove the car about 20 minutes - but it might also be a car issue. If I'd had a really positive driving experience, the premium gas might be forgivable, but in this case it was insult to injury. Also, despite quickly figuring out the moonroof, I never found a way to open the sunroof. Grr!

It's interesting to notice how little I enjoy driving the Beemers and other low-end luxury cars: many are optimized for a really enjoyable highway / country experience, not San Francisco's stop-and-go sub-25 to 40 MPH traffic. If I ever need to buy a car, the optimal test drive would include California or Hyde streets. If I still like the drive train after driving up a neck-torquing grade, with traffic lights and bumpy cable car tracks, the car will be a keeper.

Along those lines, the Toyota Matrix is offensively underpowered, and I will take steps to avoid ever driving a base model Matrix ever again.