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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  Best in Class - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By minicoupah - December 28 - 10:36 am

  I bought my Cooper with the cold weather, premium pack, and 5-speed transmission. It has the most amazing ride. Im a big guy and there is no issue with the cockpit. It is not he quickest vehicle around, but it is fast. This car is VERY stable. Its ride is a bit choppy on bumpy roards though. It goes where you point it, without any steering wheel torque at all. It redlines at over 6,000 rpm and the engine runs and runs. I have logged 20,000 miles on it so far this year. A glutton for performance, Ive ordered an 06 "S", with DSC, limited-slip, chrono, cold weather, and premium pack #1. As a side note, I rented one with an automatic and took it to Death Valley and the Mojave. I drove it VERY hard and actually beat-on it over 50 miles down the West Side Rd. I chuckle now, knowing just how well these cars are made.

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  My mini....NOT so good! - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Michael Button - December 25 - 10:00 am

  My Mini has been in the shop more times than I can count! I have had problems with the computer since day 1! I have had many things replaced and its only 6 months old! I DO NOT recommend buying a MINI at all! My dealership has been great but the car....SUCKS! My locks have a mind of their own! It is in the shop as we speak waiting to see if it will be purchased back under the Oklahoma Lemon Law!

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  Cool, Fun Machine - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Rex - December 23 - 2:00 am

  For what this car is worth, its well worth it. The built quality in the fit & finish of the car is superior than other cars in the same price range. What car out there can you find for $17K that has 6 airbags and free maintenance. Its a NO BRAINER!!

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  Cool, Fun Machine - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By rex - December 23 - 2:00 am

  For what this car is worth, its well worth it. The built quality in the fit & finish of the car is superior than other cars in the same price range. What car out there can you find for $17K that has 6 airbags and free maintenance. Its a NO BRAINER!!

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  2nd MINI...Love All Over Again - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By RRS - December 22 - 5:03 pm

  I loved my 2004 Cooper S so much that I traded it in for an 2005 Cooper S Convertible. The only issue I had with the 04 was a problem with the radio display. t became garbled when the temperature fell below 0 degrees. The radio was replaced by BMW. My dealer gave me only $2,000 less than what I paid for my 2004 when I bought it new. You gotta love that love depreciation! The convertible is even more fun than my hard top. I recommend this fun, reliable go kart to everybody - Ive already referred 5 sales to my dealership!

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  I will hate to ever sell this car - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Sheila - December 21 - 6:13 am

  This is the most fun I have ever had driving. Motoring in my MINI is a blast and everyone that sees the car and I am in earshot has something to say about it. "How cute is that" is one I hear often. I have upgraded a lot of features in the car but only because I intend to keep it until it dies. It is very small car but that is not a factor for me. Love it. SMC

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  Recommend With Reservations - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Steve Doman - December 8 - 11:33 pm

  Excellent combination of driving fun and mileage. While the main components seem sturdy, there have been minor flaws--such as a shift knob that flaked apart, driver seat broke after 2 weeks, cooling fan didnt shut off, etc. While these are relatively minor issues, they carry more weight when the closest dealer is 30 miles away! I would recommend only if one has access to another vehicle for emergencies. Its not unlike having a really hot looking babe; one overlooks certain flaws or inconveniences for the pleasures involved.

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  Good, fun car. - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By jterry - December 7 - 3:16 pm

  Ive had my MINI for a couple of months now and have put about 2000 miles on it. This car makes driving an enjoyable activity. The gas mileage is great and the front seat is suprisingly roomy. Cant say the same for the back.

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  Fun to drive when I can - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By JaeC - December 4 - 10:00 am

  First off, this is a very fun car to drive. The wheels always sticks to the road and the supercharger helps with instant push on road. BMW has done a great job putting the car together but also failed horribly on some parts. German engineering is seen and felt every where, for better or for worse. (See Suggested Improvements)

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  Almost as fun to drive as my Porsche - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By Steve - December 4 - 10:00 am

  Bought w/15,000 miles on it. Now has 37,000.6 spd manual. Unusual instrumentation with smaller speedo and tach mounted side by side on steering wheel. Love driving the car. Its almost as fun to drive as a Porsche 911 I had. Supercharged engine has plenty of power. Handling is very good, although ride is more unforgiving than the Porsche due to the run flat tires. If you dont know, minis dont come with a spare tire, thus the run flats. Repairs that I had to deal with include a leak around the thermostat (twice), a leaky hydraulic motor mount, a minor oil leak, and a faulty passenger airbag sensor that required replacing the passenger seat cover ($1200, but covered by warranty).