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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  My Mini - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By safetydriven - August 28 - 11:03 pm

  I love my Mini. We use her in a driving school and the students love driving her. In a Mini, height is not a problem, if the student is short the seat can easily be raised and if they are tall there is plenty of leg room. Students learn from the very beginning how easy it is to move the steering wheel just a little and the direction changes quickly.

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  Gads, I love my MINI !!! - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Johnny36 - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I waited until I had my MINI for month so I could get a real feel for it before I wrote a review. This has been perhaps the happiest month driving Ive ever had. Concerns for power should be reserved until you get a feel for the shift/motor. Only now am I able to get the car to launch from a standstill. The MINI is not a 3 series, but it is definitely a BMW. The handling is exceptional! Ive done corners so fast that Im almost slipping out of my seat, but the car feels glued to the road. As to looks, its like being a pretty woman; everyone wants to say hi.

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  Mini Cooper 2002 - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By cd - August 28 - 10:00 am

  The car is excellent, it has met my expectations. It is alot of fun to drive. It drives and handles nicely.

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  Best Drive Ever - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By zzgman - August 26 - 12:00 pm

  My 2007 Mini Cooper S Convertible has nice handling and performance.

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  Street Legal Go-Kart - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By tcchadwell - August 24 - 5:26 pm

  Bought my 03 S used last year with only 25k miles. Runs and looks like new. Great paint job (British racing green). Gets lots of looks wherever I go. My daughter wants me to keep it for her (10 years until she drives thank goodness). Two friends have one as well and we have all been happy with them. Lots of local owner clubs around metro areas too. Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting a truly enjoyable car to drive. I look forward to going fo a spin every time. Resale value is at the top of all vehicles made today. Good gas mileage too.

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  Almost Perfect - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By Suzanna - August 23 - 10:46 am

  A lot of fun, but lacks some practicality. Got rid of the run-flat tires to improve gas mileage and my dog kept stepping on the reset button anyway. Warning: no matter how considerate of a driver you might be, there are other drivers who are outright hostile to Mini Coopers (Ive had other people confirm this). Maybe its jealousy. Either way, watch out for it.

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  Great car - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By jean - August 20 - 5:00 pm

  I love my MINI. Its fun to drive, gets good gas mileage in town and on the highway, and fits into tight places.

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  Awesome - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Bob Espejo - August 19 - 10:00 am

  Great handling, great on gas and most of all fun to drive!

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  Gotta Love a Mr. Bean Car - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By BeanS - Mike - August 16 - 2:00 am

  Love just about everything about it.

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  Its Been a Blast - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By bfinslf - August 15 - 1:36 pm

  Ive owned the MINI for almost four years. I never keep cars this long - I just cant find anything as much fun without spending $45,000 +. This cars minor problems are far over shadowed by its super high fun factor. It has many aftermarket parts - you can personalize and modify it like a Harley. Its not hard or expensive to make it reasonably fast.