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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  Gwenie - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Gwen - December 11 - 7:06 pm

  What a wonderful and dependable car. I have owned many vehicles and swore off small cars until my cooper was given to me. I have 8 children so we plan on having 9 Minis parked in our driveway with the next 9 years. Thanks for a wonderful adventure in life!

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  Great Little Car!!!!!!! - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Carol Wyatt - December 11 - 10:36 am

  I couldnt wait till the new Mini to come out because I had a 1973 Couper that I bought in Canada. My younger brother drove it after I was done with it then I sold it ........... Wish I had it back many times. Love my New Mini and I wont sell this one.

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  Low miles does not equal low wear. - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Rich - December 6 - 9:13 am

  Fun to drive, sure. Surprisingly comfortable and quiet for size. Mine has 39,000 miles on it. Paint chips everywhere, scratched glass everywhere. Tires lasted only 30k miles. Just put new ball joints on it. Mechanic surprised I dont need new gaskets and seals yet. Service is expensive. Still I enjoy it so much I will probably get another one in two years.

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  Fortunate and Fun - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Rick Bounds - November 30 - 10:00 am

  Ive really enjoyed the car. There have been a few rattles which have been fixed by the dealership. There have also been a few strange noises coming from the clutch when the car hasnt been driven in several days at start-up. At times when it is hot, it idles rough. I love the car, but Im not too convinced that maintenance will not skyrocket as the car gets older. The strange noises coming from the clutch have me worried. All in all, Im still glad I bought it.

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  Good little car - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By BD - November 28 - 7:03 pm

  I bought a Mini with CVT. It has enough power for San Francisco conditions. It will easily do high speeds on the freeway. My car was jerky with the CVT at first, but a change in the chip due to California emissions stopped it. The sun visors are worthless, too short when put to the side and block too much vision straight ahead. The Harmon Kardon stereo is sometimes distorted and not worth the money. I have had no problems with the sunroof yet, the mesh filter seems ok in the hot sun. My car hasnt been back to the dealer for any problems except the rear hatch is hard to close tight. It is hard to get appointments at some dealers, others are better. I did not notice any major build defects when my car was new.

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  smiling everyday - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By sarahbeara - November 26 - 5:13 am

  If you want to cheer yourself up everytime you get behind the wheel, then the Mini Cooper is for you! This is the zippiest little car Ive ever driven. Every detail is thoughtfully designed and Ive loved every minute Ive had it. For a few thousand dollars more (we were looking for a used prius or civic) I realized that I could buy a car that I seriously love. I now LOOK FORWARD to driving. Its the kind of a treat that I highly recommend - better than an expensive vacation. Spend a few more dollars on a mini cooper, and you will be investing in a decade of smiles!

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  Mini Car - Max Fun - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By COOPER - November 17 - 9:33 pm

  This car is a delight! The only problem that I have had with it was rubbed wiring and it was fixed quickly at the dealer. We enjoy this car so much. Its velcroed to the road! It performs perfectly on the interstate at 75 mph or crawling in the city. I cant wait to see what MINI comes up with next!

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  Great small car - 2011 Mini Cooper
  By exp10 - November 17 - 12:53 am

  Well I did it I got my MINI. Im glad I got the manual its a blast to drive even if its a non turbo. I took a 700 mile trip north and avg 46 mpg on a flat expressway with keeping the speed of 65mph. If you go above that MPG will not be as great. 70 mph not bad and still received 42mpg. Keep your foot out of it and shift easy 32-35mpg in city shouldnt be a problem. I installed a K&N Typhoon kit and sounds great and improved MPG. I looked at many other cars in the same type of class. This one gave me the most personal room. Its bigger than you think on the inside. I can even fit my kids booster seats in. I have a 6 and 8 year old and they can ride in back no problem.

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  my mini - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By bettylu - November 16 - 10:00 am

  car is great, but getting it was not

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  Love This Car - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By melissa - November 14 - 1:50 am

  This car is every bit as much fun as it looks. Its also very solid. I was recently rear-ended and couldnt believe how sturdy the car is.