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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  MCS / JCW - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By TicketBait - March 1 - 10:00 am

  This is more fun than my Vett. I lowered the car so the ride is a little more harsh but it looks wat to cool, I put on 18 inch rims too! no rubbing. no regrets

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  Awesome Fun - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By swisso - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Just purchased a new convertible Cooper S. I test drove the following convertibles: BMW 3, Jeep, Audi and mini. Having owned two BMWs in the past there is no question that BMW has graced this car with German engineering. This was unquestionably the most fun to drive and put an ear-to- ear smile on my face from day one. Looking out the back can be a bit of a problem at first but once you get used to the size its fine. Ive cruised at 90mph with the top down and that is no problem also. Just like the reviwers said: "this is a go-cart for adults". If you really enjoy feeling the road while driving and you dont need a lot of space this is it.

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  CVT Engine has flaws - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Not Satisfied - February 21 - 7:56 am

  I had to have a MINI! I purchased it one month ago, the S with the CVT engine. It has been in the shop twice in one month, still is at the time of this review. Both times Ive been told its the DEM/Computer. It had to be sent to New Jersey, Im in Dallas, to be reprogrammed. Not good! Its been a week since it stalled on my in traffic. Bad safety hazard! I would not have purchased the CVT engine if Id known of the problems with it! I have one more time to have this problem before I can file the Lemon Law paperwork in Texas. In addition, there are not enough certified MINI mechanics to keep up with the demand. Poor, Poor, Poor turnaround time on service!

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  Driving Orgasm - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Minime - February 15 - 10:00 am

  This car rocks. Im a car salesman at an Audi dealership, so I drive TTs and S4s all the time, but this car beats them all in my opinion. Its not the fastest off the line, but I was doing 110mph before I knew it, and I wasnt even trying. For all you minivan moms and BMW snobs who bash this thing for not being fun, youre not driving it right. Dont be afraid to rev the engine a little, thats where the fun is. And the handling is awesome.

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  The open road - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Theball - February 10 - 10:00 am

  Just returning from my trip to the Northwest where I rented a mini S. From Seattle to Port Angelus and from there to Vancouver Island . Every task I asked this little car to do, it did in a manner which lets you know its really built to hug the road. The response to every curve with the leadfoot is what front-wheel-drive is all about me.

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  You need one of these! - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By laclede - February 4 - 10:00 am

  Its a MINI. Its a blast. Lets Motor!

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  Cute on the Outside, Scarey Under the Hood - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By ddealminana - February 1 - 2:23 pm

  I was given this car in 2004 as a gift from my parents. I could not have been happier. After having it for over eight years now, I am ready to drive it into the Hudson. This car has been nothing but one major problem after another. The first year I got it I was on the highway and the car just stopped switching gears above third gear. Luckily that was covered under warranty. Since, I have had the air conditioning go out twice, the power steering go out, windows stopped, door locks stopped, numerous overheating episodes, etc. My poor father has spent numerous hours and dollars repairing this thing. Thank goodness I have him though, because I would have spent several thousands by now

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  I like it... when it works. - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By moosamabob - January 28 - 10:24 am

  Bought the car used with all the bells and whistles of 2007. Except for a reliable engine. While everything looked great on paper, it just doesnt deliver on the reliability front. B/t 70k and 80k miles, its been in the shop for the timing chain, high pressure fuel pump, exhaust manifold, and the oil filter housing, each of which cost at least $1000. Plus other misc repairs. In all Ive dumped $2300 into it since I got it a year ago. Thankfully I bought a warranty, doesnt cover everything though. On top of this, it has a very harsh suspension w/ the 17" rims, its pretty noisy inside, it consumes way too much oil, everything for it is expensive, and its entirely a pain to own. Not happy.

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  What a Major Mistake - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By majormistake - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Within two weeks of buying a MINI, the engine just does not perform as it should. This car has been a Major Mistake. I should have just bought a 1994 Geo Metro. Would have looked about the same and been just as unreliable.

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  Anybody want to buy a used MINI! - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By suellen2 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  "Blah". That is my only opinion of this "car". You might as well buy a moped. At least you would then feel safe. I feel like I am driving a cheap Korean car in this MINI. Hey, at least I can sell it to some other unsusoecting college student. BMW should be ashamed of themselves.