Used 2012 MINI Cooper Clubman for Sale near California

If a few hundred customizations were not enough, the 2012 MINI Clubman is sure to delight. The 2011 edition brought more power and standard refinement, and the 2012 builds on that with a massive expansion of options for BMW's roomy version of the ridiculously cute Cooper.

Cosmopolitan floor mats are the only newly standard addition across the board, moving the sticker up no less than $100 for every Clubman. The only other standard update is an aero kit for John Cooper Works Hardtop and Convertible models, which in turn hikes the price up $800 over the 2011 model. All other changes for 2012 include options, options, and more options from the new MINI Yours premium series to all sorts of classic cosmetic alterations.

MINI Yours offers exclusive eye candy individually or as a package and includes new 17" alloy wheels, "Soda" mirror caps for a three-dimensional effect and Soda-pattern Lounge Leather interior. The instrument panel can also be covered with a two-tone soft leather with exposed stitching as part of a MINI Yours package, and yet more options are available by region and dealer, as usual.

As for the more pedestrian new options, one functional surprise joins an otherwise exclusively cosmetic list - a digital compass can be added to the interior mirror. Otherwise the Clubman is now available with body-color lower C-pillars for Laser Blue, White Silver, British Racing Green II, Eclipse Gray and Pepper White, and all body styles are now available with Polar Beige Cross Check cloth/leather, Satellite Gray Lounge Leather and Carbon Black cloth/leather interiors.

Although some probably wouldn't quite call the Clubman "roomy" outright - relatively speaking, an extra 2.5 inches of rear legroom and 50% more cargo capacity do afford certain comforts over the standard Cooper. The Clubman mirrors the Cooper in nearly every other way, from safety to features and even trim lineup - including a Base, S and John Cooper Works - but on a slightly longer chassis that somehow doesn't affect the original's peppy feel in the least. Indeed, some drivers claim the longer wheelbase improves the ride.

Some drivers are able to get as much as 40 mpg with a manual-equipped Clubman, and highly praise the accessibility provided with the third door. Drivers over 6 feet find remarkable comfort inside, and reviews everywhere repeat a familiar refrain - the Clubman is a lot more than it looks from the outside. However, there does still appear to be a problem with manufacturing consistency, and the few lemons that have been produced left drivers very disappointed in their dealers' lack of continued support.