Puppy-cute as it may be, the Mini ragtop is as serious a motoring machine as any other Mini, which means it combines amusement with an astonishing ability to tame twisty roads and wet surfaces. It is furthermore eminently parkable, emits a pleasing exhaust note, protects occupants with four airbags and probably offers more value, esthetically and kinesthetically, than anything I can think of that has ever graced a roadway.

Standard on this appealing little package are antilock (ABS) disc brakes all around. An electronic system allots brake force distribution, fore and aft and side to side. Traction and stability control systems are options.

All Mini convertibles come equipped with PDC - Park Distance Control - that serves as "eyes" in the rear bumper to sense the distance from another car or the mailbox post. The warning is visual and audible. Actually, this is more a necessity than a convenience because, like most convertibles, this one has limited line-of-sight rearward, particularly with the top up. Fortunately the lozenge-shaped side mirrors, when properly adjusted, afford a fair view to any diligent driver.

Space in the barely 12-foot length of the Mini is remarkably well allotted. Four adults can ride comfortably if none of them is in the NBA draft. Rear seat passengers lose some shoulder room when the top is down and all must travel duffel-soft and light. However if just two are aboard they can divide 21 cubic feet of storage space because the rear seats fold flat. The space is accessible from the rear, too.

The trunk lid is a throw back to the mid-century Mini of Mod London in that it folds downward rather that lifts up. This makes trunk access easy as provides a sort of tailgate, but therein lies a danger: the lid will hold 175 pounds. Better to take folding stools and use it as a table than risk an overweight sitter.

The Mini Cooper can be had with either a 5-speed manual or a Constant Velocity Transmission (CVT) automatic, a stepless pleasant enough manner of going, but the 5-speed is so nice it makes learning to shift for yourself worth the tiny effort. Better performance, too. The Mini Cooper S has a 6-speed with variations in the gear ratios that are new for 2005.

The engine powering this luxurious little package is a sophisticated overhead cam 1.6 liter, which revs willingly and struts importantly. There is nothing base about this base engine, even at altitude.

In this Mini Cooper horsepower is 115 with torque 111 lb-ft.; the Mini Cooper S thanks to supercharging (which means no turbo lag) gets 168 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft of torque.

The S has been tweaked for 2005 with changes in the supercharger, the exhaust and the gear ratios in the 6-speed Getrag gearbox granting the S the ability to reach 60 mph in 7 seconds and a top speed of 138 mph. The engine's new spirit and the Mini's celebrated handling means that words like "scamper", "scoot" and "dart" fill any description of it.

"Economical" might also be added. The Mini Cooper is rated at 27 city, 35 highway for the 5-speed manual and 26-33 for the automatic. The Mini Cooper S is 25 city, 32 highway.

A list of options ranges from contoured sport seats, leather, a navigation system, heated seats and run-flat tires to etcetera, etcetera. Making a Mini one's own is part of the fun and there's a raft of opportunities. And the aftermarket is standing by with even more.

I have noticed that the Mini in its sedan manifestation is a frequent object of presents - racing stripes, flames, fog lamp covers, flag designs for the side mirrors etc. The convertibles may well be even more successful at gift gathering.

Or as a gift itself. To the Mini hardtop already in the garage for instance.

Or me.

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