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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  YEAH, Baby! - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By coasterguy - April 12 - 2:00 am

  MINI promotes togetherness, freedom, and above all: FUN!Togetherness happens, since all you have to do is park at the local grocery for a few minutes and soon a crowd with gather. Freeway driving makes you a rolling conversation piece, as carloads of folks all press their noses to the window for a better look at your MINI. Freedom happens because your MINI will take you anywhere you want to go, do it in style, and not break your gasoline budget in the process. FUN is the key, though. Its impossible to drive this car without a big, goofy grin on your face...

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  Great Car....but...Service is a Concern - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By JCRAY49 - April 4 - 6:20 am

  Initially, I purchased the Mini Cooper S because of my wife and daughters infatuation with this car. After driving this vehicle only one time, I also became "hooked". My main concern about purchasing this vehicle was the lack of dealer certified service in my area. Unfortunately, my fears became reality just 3 weeks after purchasing our new 2005 Mini. Our sun/moonroof motor went out after only 1,200 miles on the car. I spent a day traveling to get this car repaired under warranty. I am hoping for the best from here on out. The car is truly very fun to drive and actually fits our family of 4. I am 64" and the car fits me fine. We all have a great time taking rides in our Mini.

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  Company Vehicle - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Fabworks - April 1 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car one the looks for the price, with our company name on the back window we get a lot of attention

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  BUY OR CONSIDER BUT BEWARE - 2009 Mini Cooper
  By chungking - April 1 - 1:38 am

  I bought my Mini Cooper S 2009 brand new. It was performing great for the first year but then as it got older although it was under mileage (12,700 miles) in 14 months of ownership, the engine experienced annoying pinging sound specially while on idling. Note* the engine is warm. I took it to the dealership and was told its normal. The pinging sound became louder and it sounded like a diesel engine. I traded it in for a Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback AWD Turbo Lancer Ralliart.

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  2004 Mini - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By slstratto - March 30 - 8:20 am

  My 2004 Mini Cooper is FANTASTIC - any time ALL the time! This car is so much more fun than I can describe. Everywhere you go people are always smiling at you...what a great feeling!

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  I Love My Car! But im loosing it! Bee ware! - 2011 Mini Cooper
  By 0to60n6 - March 28 - 12:03 pm

  My car has been thru everything! Jumps, high speed runs, never has overheated or indicated any ware and tear. I was 15 when i got my car and i loved it! I have gotten hit by a drunk driver in a loaner car and it was a cooper and i obveously didnt die and the Full sized truck was in the ditch and i was stil on the road. He was more seriously enjured, oh and he side swiped me going 80... I love my car to death, but theres one thing to beware it sticks out like a sore thumb i got pulled over the oother day on the interstate for the wrong speed because i stick out and they didnt see the other car so my parents are selling my baby. :( Best car i have ever had and i will miss it so much :(.

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  08 Cooper Convertible - 2008 Mini Cooper
  By Marcel - March 27 - 4:36 am

  If I was going to buy an economical car, then I wanted a car that is fun to drive. The Cooper convertible is just that. Currently at 34 mpg around town and the 5-spd. is perfect for this car. The car is perfect except for the blind spot when the top is up. This is the rear quarter area, behind the back seat. Tough to see when backing up - however the rear sensors are helpful.

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  The best car - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By ACHAYA - March 26 - 2:00 am

  this car is awsome all around and very fun to drive, you will have more fun driving it than a Ferrari. the engine on the S is very powerful and very responsive.

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  Excellent Car, Too Bad... - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Tomas N - March 24 - 10:50 pm

  Driving the MINI Cooper is the most fun that anybody can have with their pants on; it really is that good. Its fast (although could be faster), and the phrase "corners like its on rails" is a tremendous understatement. Unfortunately, the fun can only be had for 4, maybe 5 days a week, as the Cooper will inevitably spend the rest of the week getting fixed. In the 2+ years that Ive had my car, it has been in the shop for a total of about 14-16 times. Everything has been replaced (from the power steering fan, to the entire transmission, and everything in between). I would estimate that the total cost of repairs (under warranty) has been approximately $10-$12K CDN.

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  lets motor - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By ilovemymini - March 19 - 4:43 pm

  i have never been so happy with a car purchase. I love my mini cooper and cannot wait to purchase the redesigned and improved version in 2007. i recommend this car to everyone looking to have a great time and turn some heads.