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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  Mini 2003 - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By beeg - April 18 - 10:00 am

  Have to travel an hour and a half to service, would be nice to have closer dealerships. Have had problems with the engine wanting to stall and exhaust system rattles. Cup holders too small, not overly comfortable on a long ride.

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  Fun to Drive When Not in the Repair Shop - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Joe & Cindy - April 11 - 3:10 am

  This is a great car to drive, but our Mini Cooper S has had multiple trips to the repair shop for various quirks - a replaced key reader (after 3 visits), squealing clutch, replaced head, noisy blower fan replaced, electric fan for power steering replaced, vented gas-cap issues, short run-flat tire life (<25,000 miles). All of this at under 30,000 miles and 3 years. The dealership was very supportive, though, and took care of the problems, even towing our car back to dealership for most of the repairs (100 miles, one-way) for no charge.

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  Mini Excitement - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By virtualdream - April 11 - 2:00 am

  If your agressive with the Automatic it can hold its own. Pushing down on the gas until the pedal clicks to the floor and you can feel the car bolt you forward. The interior has so much to offer. I bought the leather package, with GPS - which directs you where to go. The controls are conveniently located and easily adjusted at a click of a button. The standard sound system is very good. Lots of leg room even for taller drivers. The dual sun roof is nicely engineered. I have had no problems with the Mini, other than too much attention from drivers.

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  great mini coopers - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By john gross - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Nothing but the best... get compliments all the time. And the vehicle is fun to drive, fast, comfortable and different then any other car.

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  Love it - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By dkjohannes - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Best thing since sliced bread

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  my street legal gocart - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By beanmobile10 - April 6 - 2:00 am

  leaving the parking lot of the dealership my 04S was everything id hoped for in performance and fun and a whale of a lot less than the boxter Id considered. I still had to go easy during the break-in but every drive is a big grin.

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  Little Duece Coupe - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By imsadriver - April 6 - 2:00 am

  As a professional sportscar racer, car collector who has owned, driven and raced many types of exotics - this car is in the top of the pop for fun factor. Im looking forward to driving it to Daytona next week for the Rolex race. Its just so much fun to drive that I have changed course and decided to DRIVE this car and enjoy it, instead of letting it sit in the garage.

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  I cant stop smiling - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By pepperi - April 6 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely love this car. I have loved the way the car looked since I first saw it at the auto show a couple of years ago. I finally got it Christmas of 2003 and it has exceeded all of my high expectations. It is very fast once you wind it out a little and feels great in the city and on the highway.

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  Blue and White is Alright - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By colts fan - April 3 - 3:06 pm

  I have a one hour commute to work that used to be boring - now its a blast. The gas mileage isnt great (30+/-), especially at premium prices but the fun I have balances that out. One side benefit, most people who see it, smile. When they say its "cute" i say "no its understated".

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  Fun on Wheels - 2009 Mini Cooper
  By Hallockg - March 26 - 2:16 am

  I have had my Mini Cooper Hardtop for about a month now, and I honestly have to say without question its THE most fun c.ar Ive ever had (and I have owned a Firebird and a Camaro). I learned early that I have to be careful....once I was driving down a 35 mph street, and was shocked when I realized I was actually doing 89 mph!! Fuel economy is remarkable, and its extrior looks turns heads on the road.