I’m not sure about your experiences, but as a proud (recent) owner of a Copen, I’m hearing a lot of negative comments about my choice of car – “too small”, “underpowered”, “not a proper sports car”, “too gay”, etc. :-(( Now I am surprised that my friends and colleagues are taking such an interest in my image – I thought that kind of interest should be reserved for my mother and my wife. Anyway, I thought I’d do some research to compare (the specifications of) the Copen with a few other “classic” and “acceptable” roadsters. I didn’t compare with the Smart or Mini roadsters or even some of the cabriolets (Peugeot, Renault, etc.), because in my (not so) humble opinion they just don’t have the appeal. So for anyone who might be interested in a comparison, my findings are attached. If anyone spots a mistake, feel free to correct me – many of the websites gave slightly different figures for the same models. Of course, this simple comparison doesn’t address the handling, equipment, safety and creature comforts that come with the Copen. Predictably, I think that the Copen follows the tradition of the classic British sports roadster in its styling. I know, I know — I have too much time on my hands Happy driving, Ashley
Nice list. Those people who critique your Copen are only jealous. They aren't man enough to drive a small cute convertible. Unpowered it certainly ain't! Then the Copen isn't about going fast. It's about looking cool at speeds that won't get you in trouble. A modern day MG Midget.
Nice list, but I don't think you should feel the need to justify your choice "Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation". Oscar Wilde, De Profundis, 1905
Blue, you're quite right! But it wasn't about any kind of justification - more about my own interest - just how small and underpowered is a Copen? The answer to both questions is, of course, not very! Adam, It has always been my opinion that there is no point having a cool car and driving fast - if you do, then nobody can see the driver With most of the recent convertibles, the designers seem to have lost the plot. With our Copens, on the other hand, the designers have managed to retain the spirit of the classic British roadster, but brought it up to date with modern handling, reliability, performance and safety features. Also, few people would criticise owners of the classic "Frogeye" Sprite or a Midget because their cars are too small or cute. But would anyone really like to be driving an old British Leyland car? Sure they have the look, but you spent more time fixing them than driving them - even when they were new! As for other people's opinions... Opinions are like armpits: Everybody has two of them and they stink most of the time. Anonymous In the end, I am very pleased with my choice - I didn't buy the car to make other people happy - Honi soit qui mal y pense
that makes interesting reading. As a former Spitfire 1500 owner, my memory reckoned that my Copen was as nippy as the Spitty, and this kind of proves it. Thanks.
Although i don’t have a Copen anymore (forced to sell due to practicality), whenever someone asked me about it or made comments etc. i used to quote Top Gear who said in there review of the 660cc model a few years back, "It's the most fun you can have at 30mph" and seeing as most of the roads i drive daily are around 30mph and not race tracks, it's perfect! Sadly i now have a BMW Mini and my commute is nowhere near as fun p.s. It's still labelled as cool on their cool wall as well, make of that what you will but it did change some of my friends opinions.........
