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-
DRIVING THE MINI - 2003 Mini Cooper
By WHL - December 22 - 10:00 amI WAS JUST GOING TO LOOK BUT AFTER DRIVING A DEMO, HAD TO HAVE ONE. THE CAR IS FUN TO DRIVE, MY WIFE LOVES IT. I WOULDNT RECOMMEND LONG TRIPS IN IT.
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Long Time Owner - Still Happy - 2003 Mini Cooper
By Dwayne Hayes - December 17 - 1:10 pmI use this as my daily commuter, year-round in Chicago winter driving with a 20+ mile commute on local roads (lots of stop-and-go). Other than a few interior squeaks from the dash, I have little complaint. I cant find another economy car that can be equipped as nicely and handle solid on slippery roads and high winds. When it comes to running errands, city driving/parking (even grocery runs) for 6 years we always gravitate to the Mini. Only major repair: I had the fuel injector replaced at 70K. Drawbacks are that its a high-strung breed - higher revs, noisier on the highways and a bouncy ride on rough roads. Be prepared if youre a big coffee drinker -- you will need a good, no-spill mug
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What can go wrong, DID - Murphys Law - 2003 Mini Cooper
By MINIhaha - November 9 - 10:00 amPickup our Cooper S PS/W this April. You know all those problems that MINI owners gripe about on forums? Well, almost all of that happened to us. Lets see yoyo/surging/ stalling, new transmission, windshield changed, paint blotches and uneven, oh, and the rattles! OH MY GOD, the RATTLES! If this is what they describe as spirited driving count me out!
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goodnews/badnews - 2003 Mini Cooper
By bsept - August 29 - 10:00 amThe good news is its a cute car that gets a lot of attention with adequate performance and good MPG. On the downside, if you have feet bigger than size 11 your toe may hit the clutch lever while your heel drags on the floormat--enough to throw you off & stall it. With just 1600 cc it doesnt have much torque. They could easily get another 15 horsepower from this powerplant, and it could use it especially at higher altitudes. Other annoying items: the one-touch down windows are an ass pain, the sport seats are harder to get in and out of, the plastic trim is easily damaged and looks pretty low rent, the mirror control button is easy to damage because of its lo
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Breackdown - 2003 Mini Cooper
By Frieda - June 28 - 10:00 amThe car is fun and great to drive. But it broke down, died, twice. The first time something was loose and the car would not start after I turned it off to get gas. I had to get towed. The second time, about one month later, the cooling fan would not go off, it drained the battery and the car was stuck in my garage, had to be towed again. Last time we didnt have the car for five days, now its been two days so far. I dont know if this car is a lemon or if it happens to all Minis.
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cheap thrill - 2003 Mini Cooper
By jfb - May 17 - 10:00 amThe mini is very Zippy and the fuel consupsion rate is great!A bit too much plastic in the design. Very fu to drive.
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deMini - 2003 Mini Cooper
By deRazz - February 20 - 10:00 amGreat fun, I am always looking for the back roads as I zig-zag between San Luis Obispo and San Francisco. Why bother with the freeway when there are curves just a few miles away? It adds only an hour or so the trip and it is only a drag if I get stuck behind a camper or trailer. (But I do not stay behind them for long!
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No way, no how! - 2003 Mini Cooper
By baker831 - December 20 - 12:10 pmMy Mini has been nothing but trouble, I have had to replace the brakes twice and have stored it for 2 winters and owned it less than 2 yrs. The drivers door went from only opening from the outside to not opening at all. Now the power steering is messed up. The closest dealer is 3 hrs away and no one else will touch it, plus it is expensive to fix. The cup holder is extremely inconvenient, w/ being such a small car they really should move it. When it is working it is fun to drive but Im afraid to go too far. The heated seats are nice but the drivers gets hot, like burn you hot. Not worth the trouble, money or time. Sure it looks cute but icarumba
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Fun to Drive - Not to Own - 2003 Mini Cooper
By LCraddock - November 15 - 2:00 amI loved the look and feel of the CooperS and was pleased with overall performance and handling. Some minor issues with rattles, steering column issues and basic warranty work have taken an inordinate amount of service time. Dealership seems to treat Mini owners as second class citizens - I had to throw a fit to get a loaner car when it was warranty work! Overall service has been poor. Mini has been in shop over 6 weeks in one year. Also look out for tire wear and expense of replacement.
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trouble ahead - 2003 Mini Cooper
By joe Hanafin - April 25 - 1:13 pmThis is my first and only car. This has also been my baby I live in upstate NY and this car spends most of the winters in a garage this is the FIRST real winter out in the salt. The car has been great until this year... I have gotten in a minor fender bender were my rear passenger side was taped in a inch or two. The only reason this is relevant is I want any one reading this to know the entire story. I Have since found a hole in each of my mufflers. MINI wants $400 for the divers side and $300 for the passenger side exhaust. Also I have found a leak in the headers...I am just hoping thats a gasket problem. The current exhaust also has broken loss of the hangers twice now. In the past week i
