Overview & Reviews

For their second season in the U.S. market, the 2003 Mini Cooper and Cooper S will now come with a second remote key and pre-wiring for a dealer-installed alarm system. Anthracite (smoke gray, that is) interior trim is available as a no-cost option for both cars, and the Cooper S is eligible for the high-gloss silver interior treatment found in the base Cooper. Sound systems will be satellite radio-ready this year, and the rear cargo area now has a power point.

• The thrill of owning a piece of history with modern underpinnings, BMW-engineered suspension and steering, chock full of comfort and safety features, hatchback utility, scheduled maintenance on-the-house for 3 years/36,000 miles.

• Not enough horsepower in base model, questionable seat comfort, not much room for passengers and cargo, price goes up quickly with options, limited supply encourages dealer mark-up.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 330.00

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  Big Problem - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By ts55 - November 22 - 2:00 am

  The car has had a bad stumble from a standing start since I bought it. The service advisor at the dealership told me that it was "tranny slap" and a "characteristic" of the car. A representative from MINIUSA told me that they are aware of the problem. It is software related and also used the word "characteristic" to describe it. Whats the difference between a "defect" and a "characteristic"?

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  Beware of the Mini - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By BAD REVIEW - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Beware of the Mini, is an all too true phrase. Looks cute. Performance in a nut shell makes the "Yugo" shine. Would like to see their saftey tests.

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  Its a Lemon - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Not2Mini - December 30 - 10:00 am

  I waited three months for this car and its a complete lemon. Its spent more time in the shop than any other car I have owned, taking it in two and three times to solve the same problems.

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  bad buy, got hook on the hype - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Nickyg - June 17 - 2:00 am

  VERY CHEASY, too much for the price, so you sacrifice quality, its only time before things start breaking, and falling apart

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  DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!!! - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By AMH - October 30 - 10:00 am

  My CVT Mini Cooper stalls while driving.I was struck from behind but received no damage.One week later,the car died and wouldnt restart.The same day I picked it up from service,the car died 3 times in 2 hours! My car also gets abysmal city gas mileage -17/18. Dealer has been highly unhelpful, stating they couldnt reproduce the problem and expressing no remorse or concern over our safety.6 of the 7 complaints on the NHTSA website deal with the EXACT SAME PROBLEM.In these reports,dealers state they cannot reproduce the problem.I dont feel safe driving any Mini until this problem is solved.

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  Looks, hype, and lack of substance - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By mcoMINI - May 29 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive car, though there is NO torque below 3k RPM. Controls are too heavy, ride quality is VERY harsh. Interior too plasticy (vinyl seats in a $22K car?!?). Uneven gaps in body panels look bad. Unpainted plastic on body looks cheap. Stereo isnt very good. Brazilian made Chrysler engine is disappointing, (yes, even in the S model). To top it off, the dealer is STILL trying to rape their customers.

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  I should have my head examined - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Eddie Mikell - October 20 - 3:10 pm

  I bought this car instead of a miata because I thought I need 4 seats. WHAT WAS I THINKING? What a joke vehicle. It leaks oil, it shudders on acceleration. Its unreliable. People will tell you its the ride man, the ride, but the ride doesnt make up for all the repair bills, or lack of body integrity. Its cute, but it is a lemon.

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  Disheartened - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Sheila - February 15 - 5:50 am

  I am so disheartened and and terribly worried about driving a Mini as this car suddenly stopped while I was on the road and I could have been killed. The transmission gave away and the dealer cost of fixing I was told will be $8000. He states that there was a hole in the transmission and therefore it blew up. Obviously it sounds as though it is a manufacturing problem - but they of course will not admit it and attributes it to my driving. He refuses to admit that so many others have had the same "transmission" problems.