Even this year. I ordered my MINI at the start of the year (just before they removed them) with a 999 AP, it is now 2999, granted it has a few more extras, but both cars are the “base” Cooper S. As you, I think this would have put the MINI out of reach (I don’t think I would have even considered it at that AP), and as with the Countryman; nothing like it, either (at least since they dropped the Abarth 595).
As an aside my husband says he remembers when the (Austin) Mini Countryman was a Woody (version of the Mini estate/van). His mum used to have the Morris version; the Mini Traveller. Also the Mini Clubman was a Mini with a flat face.
Current lease: 2025 Omoda 5 Estate 1.6 TGDI [147] Noble 5dr 7DCT
Last lease: 2022 MINI Hatch 2.0 Cooper S Classic Premium 5DR Auto
First lease: 2018 SEAT Leon Sport Tourer 1.8 TSI FR Technology DSG