Overview & Reviews

Few cars are as instantly recognizable as the Mini. Loved for its diminutive dimensions and cheerful good looks, the British-born car has inspired passionate devotion both in the U.S. and abroad. The brand was briefly discontinued, but was revived in 2002 with help from BMW. Successfully paying homage to the original Mini Cooper of the 1960s, the reincarnated Cooper combines an athletic, BMW-engineered chassis with a space-efficient interior and a generous standard features list.

The history of the Mini make began in 1959. The original Mini car was produced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) in England and its mission was to be a lightweight, agile four-passenger car that took up minimal space. In a sense, the brand was born out of necessity. The United Kingdom was subject to fuel rationing in the wake of the Suez crisis, and British consumers clamored for vehicles that offered optimum fuel efficiency.

The car was originally sold under BMC's Austin and Morris brands; the Mini name didn't make an appearance until 1961. Although it had just 34 horsepower, the Mini was the ideal urban car and proved popular in crowded European cities. In 1961, John Cooper, a man who built Formula One racecars, put his magic hands on the Mini and the result was the ferocious Mini Cooper. His Cooper S model had (at 76 hp) more than double the output of the standard Mini. That infusion of power, along with suspension tweaks and some really good driving, had Mini winning the Monte Carlo Rally four years in a row (1964-'67). The marque landed on American shores in 1962.

The '60s truly was the decade of the Mini. New variations on the car's theme came with the introduction of vehicles like the Mini Pickup and the Mini Moke, a vehicle that resembled a quirky cross between a Mini and a Jeep. The car's abbreviated proportions are even rumored to have played a part in sparking a fashion trend; the miniskirt raised hemlines and became emblematic of an era. Mini motorcars tore up the asphalt on the silver screen, with the brand's appearance in the 1969 film The Italian Job. By the end of the decade, more than 2 million Mini motorcars had been produced. Sadly, the vehicle was pulled from the United States in 1968, in the wake of strict new emissions regulations.

Though no longer available in the U.S., Mini remained in production in Europe through the '70s and '80s. By the mid-'80s, more than 5 million Minis had been produced worldwide. In 1994, the brand was acquired by the BMW Group. The marque went on hiatus in 2000, but was resurrected (and brought back to American shores) in 2002 with the launch of the entry-level, front-drive Mini Cooper hatchback. Thoroughly modern in every way, right down to its BMW-engineered suspension, steering and brakes, the Mini Cooper is sold alongside its cousins at BMW dealerships.

Today, Mini's offerings include various derivatives of the Cooper, including a coupe, a roadster and a convertible; the slightly longer Clubman; high-performance John Cooper Works variants; and even the crossover SUV-inspired four-door Countryman. With such a diverse, fun-loving lineup, it's no wonder that Mini has become one of America's most desirable small car automakers.

User Reviews:

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  Great Car - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By miniowner - December 5 - 10:00 am

  I feel as though I need to add another review - Now broken in, it is a very different car. I feely free to hit the red-line and enjoy the performance. I really dont think the car needs more h.p. anymore - The car is great! I do recommend however getting the 16" wheels. The 15s are sloppy in hard cornering. The only complaint I now have is the rain gutter - its made of plastic and has snapped off. Im still happy :-) - how some arent is beyond me...

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  Love my MINI! - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By ChristopherB - December 5 - 10:00 am

  Always loved the old ones and been reading about the new ones for the last three years. Couldnt wait to get my hands on one. Flew from Houston to Richmond, VA to get it and drove home averaging 85+mph and got 35+mpg. Car doesnt feel small at all when driving and fits me great and I am 60", 285. Never got uncomfortable all the way home (1350 miles). Great sound system and remarkably quiet.

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  Interior Ergonomics Need Work - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By babelfish - December 1 - 2:00 am

  The car looks cool on the outside but it needs some help with the interior finish. The sunroof rattles. My dealer pretends the problem does not exist. The biggest pain is the placement of the foot pedals. Every time you use the clutch, your left foot smacks against the door of the fuse box. It makes a resounding smack and is quite annoying. The interior styling is nice, but the color choices are limited. For example, a tan interior looks good with British Racing Green paint. However, they charge $1300 more for that! Otherwise your choices are limited to black with silver plastic, or black with grey plastic.

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  Fun to Drive, lots of limitations - 2008 Mini Cooper
  By jasonbum - November 30 - 7:15 am

  I bought this car used and I am perhaps the wrong demographic to own such a car. If it wasnt so fun to drive, I would hate it- if that makes any sense at all! Noisy on highway, base engine strains when pushed. Automatic trans is clunky on downshifts and has trouble making decisions. This car had some type of solenoid problem before I bought it and found that out later. Very finicky about fuel- Mini will almost spit out anything less than 93 octane. Carbon buildup problems exist and on such a tightly built engine, that becomes worrisome. The Mini, for me, is like someone that you just date but wouldnt marry.

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  Mini to the Max - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Deborah-P14 - November 27 - 11:10 pm

  This is by far the best vehicle I have ever owned. The handeling and performance went far and beyond my expectations. This little economy car runs like igh performance roadster Fuel economy is the best. I can travel to FL and back from IN on a hundred bucks or less. And the pick up is there for passing and moving out quick. Not to mention the speed this little mini meanie can cruise at without reving the RPMs. Coolest thing since sliced bread. Its definately a head turner and seems to be the topic of conversation when I pull into gas stations and parking lots. Its a $17,000 car that drives like a 50,000 sports machine. Even better its made by BMW. Cant say enough about it.

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  I LOVE MY MINI - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By jahotchk - November 23 - 2:00 am

  I really love my Mini, Ive only onwed it for about two weeks, but I already have 900 miles on it. It is really fun to drive and especially fun to look at. I think the best thing about my Mini, is that it took me only 15 minutes to wash! Unlike my Mini-Van, which takes me about an hour! It drives smoothly, I love the Navigation system and the Auto Air. Did I mention the kick butt Audio Deck? Man for a stock desk, that thing pumps base. I was thinking of puting an Alpin MP3 deck in there, but I am having second thoughts. I highly recommend test driving a Mini prior to knocking it. They are really fun, and I am enjoying ever minute of it.

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  Love My Mini! - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By gaygay - November 21 - 9:23 pm

  It is so much fun to drive. It handles very easily around curves too! Ive always wanted one, and are so happy I finally got it!

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  Awesome - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Shutt - November 18 - 8:50 pm

  My 2005 Mini Cooper Ragtop is great. From its performance to its looks, there wasnt another car on the road so well packed for the money.

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  My dream car....finally comes true - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By ultrarider - November 17 - 2:06 am

  While I have not owned my used Cooper convertible very long, Ive been looking for 3 years. It was babied in the first 44K miles. Its a dream to drive. 5 speed shifts like new, handles better than anything Ive owned (38 cars and counting).

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  Best Car Ever!!!! - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By MINIONE - November 17 - 2:00 am

  I have driven a lot of different cars in my life time, and have never been so impressed. BMW could make the MSRP $10,000 more and this little car would still be a great deal! There is not a car on the market right now that does not even comes close to the MINI!