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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  I will hate to ever sell this car - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Sheila - December 21 - 6:13 am

  This is the most fun I have ever had driving. Motoring in my MINI is a blast and everyone that sees the car and I am in earshot has something to say about it. "How cute is that" is one I hear often. I have upgraded a lot of features in the car but only because I intend to keep it until it dies. It is very small car but that is not a factor for me. Love it. SMC

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  Recommend With Reservations - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Steve Doman - December 8 - 11:33 pm

  Excellent combination of driving fun and mileage. While the main components seem sturdy, there have been minor flaws--such as a shift knob that flaked apart, driver seat broke after 2 weeks, cooling fan didnt shut off, etc. While these are relatively minor issues, they carry more weight when the closest dealer is 30 miles away! I would recommend only if one has access to another vehicle for emergencies. Its not unlike having a really hot looking babe; one overlooks certain flaws or inconveniences for the pleasures involved.

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  Good, fun car. - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By jterry - December 7 - 3:16 pm

  Ive had my MINI for a couple of months now and have put about 2000 miles on it. This car makes driving an enjoyable activity. The gas mileage is great and the front seat is suprisingly roomy. Cant say the same for the back.

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  I Love my cooper! - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By jesshookumchand - December 1 - 8:00 am

  This is the ideal car for a small family, for those tight on parking space or those that just love having a good time in a great car. Of all the cars i have owned (chevy,a mustang and a gran prix) this is by far the best i have ever had. I love my mini!

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  weekago - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Grullahorse - November 30 - 2:00 am

  You cant walk past this thing without smiling, and you dont get out of it without a huge ear to ear grin. Just like the first time you drove a go- kart as a kid.

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  I LOVE MY MINI - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By floridasun - November 29 - 11:50 pm

  I have had my mini a less than a week and have 700 miles on it. That should tell you a little about how much fun it is to drive. This car is great.

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  Best Car. . .Ever - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Drew - November 27 - 5:56 pm

  The MINI Cooper S is, without a doubt, one of the greatest autos ever delivered to the masses. It combines just about every ideal for a car, from safety to sporty, economy to performance, capacity to compactness (read "park it anywhere"). Ive had mine for a year and have literally nothing but praise for it, and cant wait to drive it every time Ive got to go somewhere. Now Im just wondering when the honeymoon will end.

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  Mini Cooper S - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By SeansMini - November 23 - 2:00 am

  The Mini Cooper S in my opinion is the best auto in the $20K range for those who like performance. The fact that the S only comes with a manual transmission and that they felt the need to tweak the suspension on the firm side despite its go-kart proportions tells you that this car means business. Of course the build quality is typical of what you would expect from BMW. For those who want performance yet cant afford a true sports car should certainly check out the MINI Cooper S. I personally see it as a stepping stone to my future M3.

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  Bddest MINI - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Graeflded - November 23 - 2:00 am

  I had been watching with great anticipation the BMW development of the Mini. I brought my Cooper S last year, and it has met all of my expectations! The performance is excellent, and the handling on mountain roads makes it pure fun to drive. The styling carries on the Mini tradition with an agressive stance and it gets plenty of looks. But the best thing is the pleasure I get driving it and the waves I get from other drivers as I zip through traffic, or just cruise up the coast.

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  cooper s - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By thechandler81 - November 22 - 10:00 am

  I have put 6k miles on my cooper s, and have only minor complaints to go with unlimited praise. The cupholders in front are usless except for a can of soda, the sunroof could use a better sunshade, the power is good, handling its excellent and simply a blast to drive