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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  The best car ever! - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Jake del Campo - January 3 - 10:00 am

  The mini cooper S is the best car I have ever own the car is so styling and the performence and handling is the best!!!

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  Mini4Me - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Mini4Me - January 2 - 6:56 pm

  I waited for the convertible Mini Cooperto come out for over a year. Let mejust say, it was well worth the wait! The "fun factor" and sportyness of theMini more than make up for the lack ofspace and crappy cupholders!!! The MiniConvertible is for those of us thatdont take life too seriously! Lets motor!!!

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  Great Car! - 2010 Mini Cooper
  By ChrisNJ - December 31 - 12:33 am

  I just traded a 2009 Mini Cp for a 2010 Mini Conv. Previous to these 2 cars I have always driven BMWs. I love my Mini. Rarely needs gas. :-)

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  Never Again - 2012 Mini Cooper
  By Stephen Schmidt - December 28 - 9:35 am

  New timing chain 17,000 miles, Check Engine light on CONSTANTLY, new high pressure fuel pump 35000 miles. Out of warranty, with only 48000 miles, told it needs new engine $12,000. Maintenance kept to schedule. But MINI generosity, offered $1500 off new car (trade-in should be around $9,000). NEVER have I had a car that was this bad. Would give it a 0 for reliability and value if it were possible. Spent more time in the shop than on the road.

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  Oil consumption & fuel mileage ! - 2012 Mini Cooper
  By raymondn1 - December 25 - 6:56 pm

  Great little car I purchased new for my wife however it has consumed 2 quarts of oil in on 3500 miles she has put on it.Fuel mileage is no where close to what is claimed.....Just traded it in on a Porsche Carrera that is getting the same fuel mileage as the Mini did with no oil consumption thus far :)

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  Fun Car to Drive When You Can - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By tbong - December 25 - 12:50 am

  Owned for three months and it has been in the shop three times. With problems ranging from the car not starting to the GPS not working. Customer service is the worst I have ever experienced.

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  Fun to Drive - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By david a walsh - December 17 - 4:10 pm

  The 2006 Mini Cooper S is the most fun Ive had in 50 years! Its like a go kart on steroids, that turns heads. With the top down everyone feels free to talk to you. Most say "looks cute and fun to drive." I agree! This is a well built vehicle. It feels solid and tight. I have been getting 18 to 28 mpg in city driving depending upon how heavy my foot is. If Im careful, I think that I could average around 25 mpg city. This car has a very stiff suspension hard on bumps, but it is great in turns. I love my mini

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  Car is Great BMW Service is THE WORST - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Elisa Marie - December 17 - 2:00 am

  I have had the car for over a year and I love the car itself... But, everytime I have brought it in for service it needed to be brought back again besause they can not get things right the first time. Sometimes not even the second, third, or fourth time either. (I have servce recipts to prove this point). Not to mention I always feel like a second class citizen. IE, "I am a Mini owner and threrfore not as important as a BMW owner". Sad but true... I am currently selling it and looking for a new car.

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  Cute but designed to fail - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By garyenum - December 14 - 9:26 am

  The time chain self destructed at 40k miles and the engine has to be replaced. The technician said that the parts how that there was a problem for a while, judging the wear marks on certain parts. He also said that timing chains only last 30 or 40k miles. Dont buy a Mini. If you own one sell it before the timing chain breaks and screws up the internal parts such that the engine has to be replaced to the tune of $8,000. Dumb design, I was a dummy for buying it.

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  Fun, Fast, And Darn good looking - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By 2008GLI - December 12 - 3:33 am

  I love the s-model, ive owned it a year and have never had any problems, it is good on gas, quick in traffic, i always get compliments on it, but the interior design stinks, seating is not to comftorable, but overall this car is very quick from point a-b, and it has been very reliable, services are pricey though, If your looking for a small hatchback thats quick and good looking get the Mini cooper, another Good one is a 2006+ Gti, looks better, alot smoother and interior design is way better, not to mention its good on gas and very comfy, but overall mini is king.