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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  A Total Blast! - 2008 Mini Cooper
  By Val - January 6 - 1:23 pm

  I was on my way to purchase the Acura RDX when the Mini Clubman caught my eye at the car show and I totally fell in love. I ended up getting the Mini Cooper since the Clubman wasnt out at the time and havent regretted my decision for even a minute. I love it!

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  Great car - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Bernie - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Fun to drive. 12,500 miles one minor problem. Had the hatchback latch adjusted. Thats it.

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  Mine - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Hey - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Perfect sized and great speed even without the John Cooper Works, even better with. Absolutely Perfect.

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  The most fun you can have - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By coasterguy - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Quite simply put, there is no other car like it on the road. Well-built, packed with features only found on high-end luxury cars, unmatched handling, and absolutely the most fun you can have behind the wheel. Youll be looking for excuses to go somewhere just to drive it.

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  MINI Cooper S - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Jim - January 4 - 1:13 am

  After 18000 miles, there is little I would change about the MINI Cooper S. Performance is excellent in all aspects and the MCS is a blast to drive. You cant help but have a broad smile after a drive. Overall mileage rarely drops under 30 mpg. One weak point is tire wear. The front tires of my first set of Dunlop all weathers was ready for replacement at 16000 miles. With the standard suspension, the ride is firm but not jarring. Controls, though uniquely placed, are easy to learn and sensible. Of some fifty cars Ive owned, the MCS sits at the top of my fun to drive list!

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  Fun Car - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By MKG - January 2 - 7:10 am

  The Mini Cooper Convertible is the most fun Ive ever had driving. I highly recommend the experience.