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 of British & German Heritage - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By robk - October 22 - 5:20 pm

  I have had both German (BMW, M-B, VW, Opel) and British (Morris, Jag, MG) cars in the past and know the good and bad traits of both. The MINI Cooper S combines the best of both of its parents into a gem. Tight handling, stiff ride, quick reflexes, very good fit and finish are reminiscent of my 1980s BMW 3-series and earlier M-Bs; style and a certain British stuffiness recalls my 1990s Jag XJ; a little bit of frumpiness in interior spaces reminds me of my 1950s Morris Minor. (Nothing about it reminds me of my 1960s Opel!)

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  s john cooper works - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By morgan murri - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Debated for months about spending the extra 6k for a works kit. I finally did it and now I regret it... Why? Because after putting in 312 miles of "twistys" today my face hurts (from the smile that never left my face) and my neck is sore (from my head snapping back every time I levered the pedal that make this rocket rip!) If you have been on the fence about this option, hop off and spend the money because it doesnt get any better than this!

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  Mini Fun - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Ro - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Excellent performance for the small vehicle with supercharged engine. Definitely fun to drive and at present some exclusivity. The most talked about car I have ever owned.

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  MINI Luv - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By cynmo - October 15 - 7:40 pm

  The MINI handles like a dream. I have driven in icy, snowy, rainy conditions with absolutely NO problems or complaints. It has excellent get-up-and-go (I own a Cooper S.) My 62" passenger travels in complete comfort with PLENTY of legroom and headroom (in the front seat.) I love it, love it, love it!

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  Mini-Review - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Patryn - October 7 - 10:00 am

  I have driven every worthwhile vehicle under $100,000 and can honestly say that I have never had as much fun maneuvering through traffic. The BMW suspension is noticeable, very similar to that of the 3-Series. Also, the steering feels great, and this vehicle offers a BMW experience for a Honda price. In my personal opinion, you wont find a better car for $20,000.

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  What fun! - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By minicoopers4me - October 5 - 10:00 am

  This is without doubt one of the most fun to drive vehicles I have ever had. It handles, it accelerates and it gets over 30 miles to the gallon. I have to fight with my wife over who gets to drive it. Its looks seem to have a Love it or Hate type of quality with people I meet, and you do meet people with it. Be prepared to tell people what it is and where they can get one!

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  The Ride of Your LIFE - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By DEEZNUTZ - September 28 - 4:23 am

  The 2003 MINI Cooper S is incredible! The styling is on par with exotic cars (Im the only one in the area with one and I get stares all the time). The headlights are awesome. I love the button posistions. When Im in 6th gear it the Cooper S still has great acceleration.

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  Oh what a feeling!!! MINI - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Chrispy - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Best Car I have owned!

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  A great car if you have a spare one and money - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By hankmanz - September 14 - 6:12 pm

  It holds the road like it was glued to it and it is easy to drive, but after that it is all bad. I have lost track of the repairs it has needed. Three transmissions and four clutches with the first transmission and clutch at 10K so it isnt the driver. The front air dam falls off it you even touch a curb. The leather seats are falling apart. Heat and AC havent worked in two years. The third stop light leaks and goes bad every couple of years. The muffler failed at 21K. The key doesnt work if you are more than ten feet from the car. I would never buy another even though the repair record on the newer models looks a lot better than the one for 2004.

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  Interior bug dont bug me too much - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Jim - September 9 - 6:26 pm

  I cant say enough about the tight handling in this car. It sticks like glue to the road no matter how hard I push it Its a feeling of confidence that the car will do what I ask of it. Yes it is plagued with multiple interior bugs but you cant have it all all the time.