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 little car - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Homer J - February 17 - 10:00 am

  A blast to drive. Performance and handling are exceptional. Off ramps at 70 mph are no problem. This is definitly a drivers car.

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  Excellent car - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By Blitz - February 12 - 2:36 am

  This is the best small car you can find. Its like buying a small BMW 3-Series because the interior has lots of BMW parts. It is very fun to drive, and a very unique car. 2006 is the last year for this generation so the build quality is perfect. I look forward to driving in my Mini every morning.

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  More Smiles Per Mile! - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Randall - February 10 - 3:13 pm

  I picked up my MINI Cooper S Convertible in December 2004 after owning a 2002 Cooper hatchback for 2 1/2 years and 40,000 miles. So far I have put over 3,500 miles on it and couldnt be happier. It is a great commuter car as well as being fun on the weekend driving around town. It is also fine for weekend trips with my wife. It has plenty of space for luggage with the rear seats folded down. I am averaging about 30 mpg with a mix of 70% highway / 30% city driving. The build quality is better than my 2002 model. I get lots of stares and questions as the S convertible is still somewhat rare in western Maryland. You can spend more money on a true top down sports car but the Cooper S convertible is perfect for me.

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  Cute Looks / Evil Heart - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By ANDREW - February 7 - 4:50 pm

  I love this car! I always thought that it was cool, until i drove it. Thats when I fell in love. I still love my Mustangs, and vw GTIs but this is a new love and its here to stay. The car fits like a glove and the handling is crazy. It does things youre not supposed to do in a car. The power is great, It sure doesnt drive like it has only 168 hp. More power is always welcomed and the aftermarket is good for it. Everytime I get out of the car I am just itching to get back in it and DRIVE! FAST! It will be with me for a long time. I love to hear the supercharger whine, and the overall feel is superb. It feels like a high-end car but in a small package. You cant help but to grin when you drive this little beast.

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  Mini Cooper S Loaded - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Telva Chase - February 5 - 2:00 am

  Love my new mini - Ive only had it a week and its a blast to drive. I dont really miss the low-end torque of my Pontiac Firebird, it was too much power for a daily commute anyway. I know how to get the most out of a stick, so I have no issues with performance. I also love having an excuse to NOT drive my work friends to lunch everyday! Even my 62" husband can sit comfortably in the vehicle which he could not in my Firebird - even with the T-Tops off. I plan on racing my car in SCCA and taking home the title!

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  I get MINI withdrawal .... - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By JennyK325 - February 2 - 2:36 am

  I bought my car used. It needed a tire speed sensor installed at 18,000 miles. Since then, it has been great. The first owner did not treat the car kindly. Other MINI owners wave or honk every time they pass. I look forward to driving my car. Its fun to take out on curvy roads, similar to driving a comfortable go-cart. I did have one passenger too large to fit in the car, but otherwise its big enough for everything else -- grocery shopping is not a problem, nor is transporting 3 teenage boys! The hatch lid hides whatever is in there providing extra security.

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  Ton-o-fun in a little package - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By KTs Cooper - January 31 - 10:00 am

  Lots of fun to drive this eye-catching car. Drives like an expensive BMW without the price tag.

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  Good Bang for the Buck - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By PJ - January 29 - 12:33 pm

  Without exception this is the best car I have ever owned. This automobile is solidly built, extremely well finished, and just pure fun to drive. I have owned a number of high end cars but none of them compare to this gem. Mini has the smartest marketing and support from the factory to the dealer, its a total winner.

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  top car - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By brady111 - January 29 - 10:00 am

  its a great car everyone should buy one. who ever dosent say its a 10.0 has problems.

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  Cooper S Convertible -Mini Mania Kits - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By JLS - January 25 - 12:23 am

  This is a really fun car to drive and turns a lot of heads. Performance is exceptional with the MINI mania HP upgrades. Borla exhaust is a little loud on extended trips. A few body fit problems noted and as yet dealer has not been able to fix. A couple of quality issues that you would not expect on a BMW product. One of the key remotes did not work-had to be replaced by dealer. Line to boost gauge pulled loose triggering all kinds of engine warnings. The car is fully loaded with all options so lots of fun things to play with. Performance and looks are real highpoints. Electric top has a few quirks but generally works very well. This is a fun ride!