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 Car - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By danderson - December 10 - 4:06 am

  This car is with out a doubt the most fun for the money I could ever imagine.

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  Excellent & Fun Car - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By derek - December 10 - 2:00 am

  Wow, what a car. Not only is it fun, it is exhilarating to just watch it sitting in the garage. I want to go and drive it now!

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  Excellent & Fun Car - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Derek - December 10 - 2:00 am

  Wow, what a car. Not only is it fun, it is exhilarating to just watch it sitting in the garage. I want to go and drive it now!

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  Hot Hatch - 2009 Mini Cooper
  By milindsport - December 7 - 6:06 am

  Where do I start? This car so far has been such a pleasure to own and drive...and this is coming from a previous sport sedan owner. The "WOW" factor is definitely there...with impressive engine performance, great fuel econ and excellent driving dynamics. Apart from the performance factor, the design though polarizing to some is undeniably unique and the brand itself has a loyal and dedicated following with a large number of auto enthusiasts in the group. Finally the option to be able to customize this car to your exact specifications can be expensive yet a lot of fun. I have the "S" version which is a must for the performance oriented drive. Try the MINI....you will never stop smiling.

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  Super MINI - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By neilskreet - December 5 - 2:00 am

  I had the original, now I have the new one. What a blast to drive!

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  Fun looking but poor quality - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By katefromca - December 2 - 9:46 am

  Owned the Mini for 2.5 years; in that time, had an oil leak, brake problems, steering wheel problems, and a dead battery. Good thing it comes with warranty and full maintenance! It is a fun car to drive and people still gawk when seeing a Mini convertible. But, it is an extremely unreliable car and after awhile that does eat into the fun, even with free repairs and maintenance. Finally, traded it in for a not-so-fun but reliable and safe Subaru. If you are considering this car, make sure your Mini dealership is close to where you live, youll be visiting it often!

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  Worst car ever built - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By notaminifan - December 2 - 2:30 am

  I see them everywhere,so you estimate reliability as possibly "how bad could it be". I didnt do my research. 58,000 miles- almost no bearings left around the input shaft of the transmission- I only got 8000 miles out of it since I bought it used. It is a manual. Found it cause bleeding oil into the clutch and slipping. After reading about the problems, I want to drive it thru the showroom glass at the Mini dealership just to help the people with these problems with a national news story. This car is disgrace to BMW and to all German cars. Think they improved? Research "death knock". I would trade it for a Ford Pinto. A bicycle is worth more.

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  2010 JCW-BMW has another great car! - 2010 Mini Cooper
  By Joe Merchant - November 22 - 10:40 pm

  We previously owned a 2006 BRG MC, and absolutely loved the car. We purchased the 2010 JCW a couple weeks ago and WOW what an upgrade. From the Harmon Kardon audio, to more comfortable interior, this car has exceeded my wifes expectations as well as my own. The only downside is the recommendation not to exceed 4000 RPM during the first 1000 miles-this car is begging to be motored...we cannot wait to feel the redline performance of this car. As for Breaking, you tap the pedal and the brakes grab, and grab hard-the seat belts are more for controlled breaking than inmpact! You will appreciate the stopping power-you will love the acceleration and burble of the engine and exhaust!

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  Our Yellow Bumble Bee - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Chuck - November 21 - 12:30 am

  Our yellow and black Mini Cooper is the most fun car I have ever owned. I am 52 years old and I have owned many different cars since I started driving at 15. My wife and I are thinking of buying another Mini so we can each have our own. Great Car!

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  Worth the wait - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Minius - November 18 - 10:00 am

  This car is the most fun to drive of nay car Ive ever owned. After waiting in great anticipation for 10 months for production and delivery, it hasnt been a disappointment. Although, it does seem to have a lot of little noises that come and go. Hopefully, this will be worked out. Gas mileage would be great, exept for the added cost of premium gas.