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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  FUN, FUN, FUN - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By crum - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Mini is everything I anticipated. BMW quality at half the price of a 3 series. Most fun I have ever had driving a car and also a real head turner.

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  my MINI review - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By rubugd - November 21 - 6:23 pm

  I just bought my MINI four days ago. I hate not being in it. Even though it is still too cold, I have been sporting the top down with the heater blasting. This little car has some attitude and speed. I love it!

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  Best Buying experience & Car ever - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By TJ - November 15 - 10:10 am

  I purchased my MINI Cooper "S", in Nov. 2004. This was simply the most awesome blend of pure fun Ive ever had. The car is Fast, Fun, SAFE & does not depreciate like other cars...Why would it? I paid MSRP, and so did everyone else! It is a limited production car unlike Toyota, Nissan, Honda & the others... (Ill never owe more than the car is worth.). The Sales staff at my dealer (Checkered Flag) are simply the most well trained & educated crew Ive ever dealt with. Other dealers should take a lesson! This is the way to sell & service the customer. If you have not driven a MINI "S" yet you need to, its everything you would expect BMW to manufacture!!! Quality!!!

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  This is one fun car! - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By DavidCX - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Its not the fastest car out there, but it certainly one of the most fun to drive! It handles better than any car Ive ever driven in stock form. You find yourself taking lots of detours just to get on a windy road rather than a straight on. Could use a little more power though, especially low end torque. Unfortunately, the dealers are only getting a very limited supply of JCW kits. Some people complain about the noise and harsh ride of the 17" wheels w/ runflats, but I dont think its that bad.

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  Year Old MINI - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By bmwnutty - November 4 - 10:00 am

  This was a very early US MINI, delivered the first day they were available for sale, but it has been absolutely flawless. It is our commuter car so it has seen primarily highway mileage, but has had no warranty claims and has needed nothing but oil changes. Quality is excellent; would definetly buy another one.

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  2004 MINI Cooper S - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By skirt - November 2 - 12:20 am

  I am a car nut and have driven many cars. The MINI Cooper S is the most fun car that I have ever driven by far. I love the handling, fit & finish, styling, & performance. The Harmon Kardon stereo rocks!

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  So much fun, and practical too! - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By wkxl - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Great fun-appeal, economical and gas- friendly. Almost seems too good to be true! Easy to park, and great room.

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  Best of British & German Heritage - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By robk - October 22 - 5:20 pm

  I have had both German (BMW, M-B, VW, Opel) and British (Morris, Jag, MG) cars in the past and know the good and bad traits of both. The MINI Cooper S combines the best of both of its parents into a gem. Tight handling, stiff ride, quick reflexes, very good fit and finish are reminiscent of my 1980s BMW 3-series and earlier M-Bs; style and a certain British stuffiness recalls my 1990s Jag XJ; a little bit of frumpiness in interior spaces reminds me of my 1950s Morris Minor. (Nothing about it reminds me of my 1960s Opel!)

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  s john cooper works - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By morgan murri - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Debated for months about spending the extra 6k for a works kit. I finally did it and now I regret it... Why? Because after putting in 312 miles of "twistys" today my face hurts (from the smile that never left my face) and my neck is sore (from my head snapping back every time I levered the pedal that make this rocket rip!) If you have been on the fence about this option, hop off and spend the money because it doesnt get any better than this!

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  Mini Fun - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Ro - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Excellent performance for the small vehicle with supercharged engine. Definitely fun to drive and at present some exclusivity. The most talked about car I have ever owned.